You know everything there is to know about all 130 bands playing this summer at Lolla, right? Of course not. So we dug low on the list for each day of the fest (Aug. 1-3 at Grant Park) and prepared a cheat sheet to keep you sounding informed, even if you have no clue who these acts are.
Friday
San Fermin
Where he’s from:
Brooklyn
Assertion you can use to sound informed:
“How many other acts today can say they graduated from Yale? NONE, THAT’S HOW MANY.”
Standout song:
“Sonsick”
What to expect:
A strangely operatic piece of indie rock. Recommended for fans of Dirty Projectors.
Cash Cash
Where they’re from:
New Jersey
Assertion you can use to sound informed:
“Did you know they produced Krewella’s “Live for the Night”?
Standout song:
“Take Me Home,” featuring Bebe Rexha, who also appears Friday at Lolla
What to expect:
The kind of music you hear when you shop at Forever 21. This may or may not appeal to you.
Bombay Bicycle Club
Where they’re from:
London
Assertion you can use to sound informed:
“Video game fan? You may have heard these guys in MLB 13: The Show”!
Standout song:
“Shuffle”
What to expect:
Up-tempo tunes that perfectly merge the best of synth-pop and indie rock. You will probably dance.
Saturday
Rocky Business
Where they’re from:
Brooklyn
Assertion you can use to sound informed:
“That song they did with Azealia Banks should be a hit.”
Standout song:
“Kim Kardashian”
What to expect:
The unexpected. These guys combine rap, punk and world music sounds to create something truly different.
Vance Joy
Where he’s from:
Australia
Assertion you can use to sound informed:
“His music may be mellow, but don’t forget that this guy played professional football in Australia.”
Standout song:
“Riptide”
What to expect:
Fun, sunny pop that’s the most irresistible kind of earworm.
Ratking
Where they’re from:
New York
Assertion you can use to sound informed:
“This is how Odd Future would sound if every member could actually rap.”
Standout song:
“100”
What to expect:
Combining classic NYC lyricism with a lot of bile and anger, Ratking’s nasal word pile-up makes them sound like four little Eminems. This set is either going to be amazing or terrible.
Sunday
Jhene Aiko
Where she’s from:
Los Angeles
Assertion you can use to sound informed:
“I totally caught her back in the day when she used to open up for B2K.”
Standout song:
“Bed Peace,” featuring Childish Gambino
What to expect:
A wonderful voice crooning sweetly over rap tracks.
Bronze Radio Return
Where they’re from:
Connecticut
Assertion you can use to sound informed:
“This is that song from that one commercial!” (The band’s “Shake Shake Shake” has been featured on an endless stream of commercials and TV shows since being released in 2011)
Standout song:
“Shake Shake Shake”
What to expect:
Fun rock that dips a toe in folk and roots music. BRR is a perfect pre-game for the Avett Brothers and Kings of Leon, who both perform later in the day.
Bear Hands
Where they’re from:
Brooklyn
Assertion you can use to sound informed:
“Their lead singer was classmates with the guys from MGMT and used to play with them.”
Standout song:
“Giants”
What to expect:
Do you like MGMT but wish they would rap more? Bear Hands is for you.
Want more? Discuss this article and others on RedEye’s Facebook page.
