Lollapalooza 2007 was insane. I was completely thrown off by how massive this park is and the extent of the festival itself. With nine stages and what seem like a gazillion acts here’s the complete lowdown on who sucked and who soared.
Friday
I entered the park during Ted Leo and the Pharmacists and didn't get to actually sit down and enjoy a set until Viva Voce. The guitar and drum duo from Portland Organ was semi-decent.
The next act on the Citi stage was Against Me! My fellow music writers go on and on about this group so I had to see what all the fuss was about. Their set was straight up griddy, post-punk with a folky aftertaste. 
I then ran to catch M.I.A at the Bud Light Stage. Poor girl was suffering from a case of "vocal" issues, but regardless M.I.A kept at it like a fighter saying “if I have to get drunk to get numb, that's cool." This chick was all over the stage and off it too as she made her way into the crowd below.
Next up on my list was the bluesy rock duo, the Black Keys. Singer and guitarist Dan Auerbach, sporting the most incredible beard, was mindblowing, as was drummer Patrick Carney, who I thought was going to destroy his kit. I can never get enough of these guys.
I took a quick break to rest up for the closing act on the AT&T main stage. Thank goodness I did because Daft Punk killed it. Everyone was dancing, literally, from the ladies serving drinks to security. Grant Park became one giant outdoors club. 
Saturday
The second day of Lolla was all about the cover songs. Folk-cutie Pete Yorn left more of an impression by covering other artists than doing his own music. He sang the lovable track “Young Folks” by Peter Bjorn and John, then closed his set on the Adidas stage with Morrissey’s “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out.”
Right after that I turned my back to watch Stephan Marley. Everyone really got into his set when he covered his dad’s “No Woman, No Cry.”
I warned of rain and the drizzle began during the Cold War Kids on the Citi stage. The alt-rockers from Long Beach, California were great, as always and singer Nathan Willett with his preacher-like hand motions sang a great rendition of John Lennon’s “Well Well Well.” 
I think I was the only one not bummed about CSS’ cancellation. I was all about checking out The Roots on the Bud Light stage. Soon after their large crowd dispersed, Regina Spektor began to play her heartwarming songs, solo, on the near by Adidas stage. Her adorable piano tunes and style had everyone singing and smiling. The Brooklyn native caught a glimpse of herself on the screen and said “I am so cute.”
Since I’ve seen the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s about a thousand times, I thought I’d give Snow Patrol a shot. Huge mistake. Although they have uber catchy pop tunes, I could only take two songs and then I bolted to see the YYYs at the AT&T stage, on the opposite side of the park! Karen O and her array of wardrobe props were totally worth the run.
Once again during the closing hours, it was either going to be Muse or Interpol. Again, I’d seen Interpol many times, and the curiosity of Muse live was undeniable. So I stayed to catch them on the AT&T stage. You would think I had learned my lesson from the Snow Patrol incident. Two songs into their set I remembered why I despised Muse. Not only are they complete Radiohead ripoffs, but their stage/light show is completely the same as well.
So I was off to see my Interpol sweethearts. They played all of my favorites and news ones off their latest album “Our Love To Admire.” Their set was incredible, especially with the backdrop of the Chicago skyline and in the rain.
Sunday
The first act I was eager to see was Rodrigo Y Gabriela. Click here to read all about it.
Amy Winehouse was a sour disappointment. I was expecting more of a show and it ended up being super boring. Paolo Nutini’s set was alright at best. His songs are meant for more intimate venues.
The real show came with the amazing Kings of Leon on the AT&T stage. The weather was incredibly hot at this point or it might have been singer Caleb Followill’s stylish new short hairdo, either way, they rocked and as soon as he mentioned that Eddie Vedder was joining them on stage, people swarmed the area. Eddie and the boys closed with “Slow Night, Slow Long.”
Peter Bjorn and John were delayed about 40 minutes due to “technical difficulties,” and ended up doing only four songs. Modest Mouse was okay on the Budlight stage, nothing too exciting. I know they can do much better. Click here to read about Café Tacuba’s set.
Finally the hour had come. Pearl Jam took the stage as the sun was setting and the massive crowd of thousands was breathtaking. 
They started with “Why Go,” and Eddie was all over the stage, as was lead guitarist Mike McCready. They played 21 songs (two encores), including “Alive,” “Save Me,” “Rearviewmirror,” and during “Even Flow” the sky lit up with an amazing firework show.
The area was so packed that their show was featured on two different stage screens. After Eddie introduced an Iraqi war veteran, and then brought out Ben Harper, the band was joined by friends and family on stage (including Dennis Rodman) and closed the show with “Rockin’ In the Free World.”
It was a perfect way to end the coolest, hottest 3-day music love fest.
All pictures, except M.I.A taken by Lilledeshan Bose, from mtv.com.
