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Lollapalooza

August 6, 2010 by · Comments Off on Lollapalooza 

LollapaloozaLollapalooza, CHICAGO – The speakers boom the theme of “Star Wars” over the empty expanses of Grant Park, the doors opened, and the kids came through. It was just a trickle at first, then a heavy flow, and finally a steady increase, running and screaming, kicking clouds of dust into the air.

Among racks at the stage of Adidas Mega – which, conveniently enough, was by the river of children – the first performer of the festival was being prepared. But this was not your ordinary Curtain Jerker, which was BoB, having two massive hit singles, an album at # 1 and five Video Music Awards nominations. So obviously, the children made a straight line toward the stage, moved to the railing and prepared to get wild.

About this time, Bob was out of his tour bus and make the long walk to the stage. Flanked by his gang, and followed by a camera crew, who strutted and laughed – until you reach the walkway with ramps directly to the sea of children. Then the cameras turned off, the gang closed completely, and Bob became serious.

As luck would have allowed our team will follow up. As his name was announced, he hid behind the stage, bent over, nodded and turned, like a boxer ready to go 12 rounds.

Then he took the stage. Children clapped their cracking live band set in the slot, and go-go double articulation did their stuff. It was hot. He played the hits – leading the audience in sing-alongs of “Nothin ‘on You” and “planes” – Vampire Weekend fragments of works in their songs and closes with a cover of fabulously funky “MGMT’s Kids.”

And then, as the children shouted their approval, he threw his microphone and disappeared backstage again. It was a very good to start a festival. And a weekend.

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