Lollapalooza 2011: Day 2
Day 2 in the life of a Lolla Volunteer
I got a leisurely start to my second day of Lollapalooza. I was working last shift, meaning I didn’t really have to check in until 6:30. There were plenty of people I could see in the morning, but no one I really wanted to see until later in the day.
This means I slept in, ran some errands, stopped at Starbucks for breakfast, met a friend for a Diet Coke and finally wandered in around 3 or 4. So I started with… FOOD! Saturday pretty much all I ate was Wao Bao. Like three or four times that day. Tasty little pastries filled with meat, or veggies. Completely filling and only about five bucks.
The first band I actually saw was Big Audio Dynamite. Recommendation from a friend. I actually had no idea that Mick Jones of the Clash was in this band before I actually saw them. They weren’t something I’d pick out to see for sure, but it was decent. They didn’t move me, they didn’t revolt me. It was perfect for easing in the day.
Big
I cut out of B.A.D. early to run over the Deftones. I prefer this band in a smaller venue, considering I don’t know many of their songs and the first time I saw them was at The Majestic in Madison, WI. That show was amazing, this show was really good, for a Lollapalooza show. I was surprised at the number of people that were at the stage. Honestly. When I think Lollapalooza I don’t automatically think Deftones (or Flogging Molly, either, but that was the next day). Again, this band is not my usually type of music but a favorite of a friend. They’re growing on me. The contrast between the heavy music and lead singer Chino Moreno’s smooth voice is very intriguing, and I keep going back for more. Add in a friendly crowd and it was a highlight of Saturday.
Deftones
I checked into my shift wondering where I would be placed that night. I knew that it would possibly be an issue being assigned to Eminem as most volunteers would want that. Luckily, I’m awesome and they wanted me at that stage.
It was insanity. None of my pictures of the crowd turned out but I would have sworn every person in attendance at Lollapalooza that day started to arrive at the Music Unlimited Stage for Cee-Lo Green and didn’t leave until the end of the night. Other reviews that I’ve read have listed Cee Lo as a disappointment. Personally, I thought it was a good show. He’s such a big guy, and he has such a little high voice. It’s amusing. And it’s pop music that I actually don’t mind.
I got to hear Atmosphere from across the field and caught glimpses on the screens. I’ve missed Atmosphere twice before: once due to a Lollapalooza scheduling conflict and once due to illness. I really hadn’t known what I was missing at the time. As with most artists at the festival it’s not something I’d go out of my way to see. But it’s also something I want more of.
Eminem closed out Saturday night. Like I said, the stage was absolutely mobbed. Rather than watching, I spent most of the night kicking very drunk people out of my area (reserved for patrons with disabilities. Being drunk is not a disability). Eminem commanded the crowd. There were thousands of people there and they were all rapt, as was I. I was completely surprised by this set. Amazing, commanding, everyone ate up everything he said and did, running through recent album tracks and old favorites. So, the second night headliner was also a winner.
Eminem
This was going much better than last year.
Who I Saw: Big Audio Dynamite (Music Unlimited), Deftones (Playstation), Cee Lo Green (Music Unlimited), Atmosphere (Sony), Eminem (Music Unlimited)
Who I Missed: The Black Lips, Lykke Li, My Morning Jacket, Beirut, Patrick Stump
I’ll leave you with a little Lollapalooza fashion!
About the Author
Lindsey Bakker Lindsey is working on her bio as this is being written. All we know at this point is that she likes funny hats and punk rock. - SMS Ed.
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