Lollapalooza '09 prior to gates on Day 1.
While on assignment for SPIN Magazine to shoot Lollapalooza 2009, the grandfather of music festivals, I shot well over 60 bands during the three days. I had the opportunity to hear some of today’s top artists, all within the confines of Chicago’s Grant Park. Three entire days of music from the likes of Hockey, Portugal. The Man, Manchester Orchestra, Jane’s Addiction, Vampire Weekend, Passion Pit, No Age, etc. With eight stages stretching a span of 1.5 miles and over 150 bands, there is no possible way to see every band playing Lollapalooza, unless of course, you are able to clone yourself.
Most people conceive shooting concerts to be a glamorous, easy going lifestyle, in which the photographer gets to hang around rock stars all day long. While in some cases this is true, most of the time this is not the case. Festivals usually entail shooting for 10+ hours a day in addition to editing the photos for daily deadlines. After the jump, you will find out what I mean.
Day 1: Rain or shine, the show must go on!
After a brief editorial meeting with my editors from SPIN, we left the hotel and headed over to media check-in to pick up our credentials. We were able to enter prior to gates being open, so I helped get our media booth set up for the day. With the sky above looking as though it was going to let loose at any moment, I decided to make the 1.5 mile trek to the other side of Grant Park, where the majority of my assignments would take place. I quickly reached my destination at the Budweiser stage and readied my gear to start shooting. About an hour after gates opened, the rain began to fall. I usually prep as much as I possibly can in the days leading up to an assignment, surveying weather reports and maps of the areas I’ll be shooting, but nothing reported the possibility of rain. I didn’t pack any of my rain gear, so I was left to making a poncho out of a trash bag. Rain or shine, the show must go on!
I shot the entire day in the rain, and to be honest, I found it rather refreshing. Whenever I had a free moment, I found myself making multiple trips back to the SPIN lounge in the media area (1.5 miles on the opposite end of Grant Park). I’d refuel on the energy bars being supplied by KIND and the mint iced tea supplied by Sweet Leaf, then trek back to shoot more bands.
Despiste PA problems, Portland based band Hockey played a funk filled set to an anxious crowd.
The Builders and the Butchers rocked the early morning crowd at BMI stage.
Bon Iver
Andrew Bird
Manchester Orchestra
Kid Cudi
Day 2: Attempting to beat the heat.
A massive crowd assembled for Animal Collective's set on Day 2.
Delta Spirit
Los Campesinos! definitely know how to bring the rock, even when they play in 90+ degree weather.
Glasvegas
Miike Snow
Day 2 headliners, Rise Against, put on the most energetic set of the day. I don't think they stayed still for even a second.
Day 3: What’s hotter, the music or the 100+ degree heat index?
Day 3 brought along a 100+ degree heat index to Grant Park. Mix the heat with 250,000 sweating music fanatics and their seemingly endless alcohol supply, and you’re bound to turn up with some interesting crowds.
Some festival goers even climbed up into trees to escape the heat.
Dan Auerbach of Black Keys, wooed the early crowd on the last day of Lollapalooza 2009, getting fans ready for the heavy hitters.
Friendly Fires danced away in the scorching afternoon sun.
Portugal. The Man, turned up the heat with their signature sound.
The Kaiser Chiefs had no shortage of energy, even as the mid-day sun baked overhead.
Silversun Pickups
Vampire Weekend played tribute to the passing of John Hughes during their hour-long set.
Dave Navarro and Perry Farrell of Jane's Addiction closed out the festival with their cool tunes.
Dave Navarro and Perry Farrell during the Jane's Addiction encore.
Its amazing to watch 250,000 people pour into the streets of downtown Chicago at the closing day of Lollapalooza.
