We were exhausted, our feet were killing us and even though it only rained Friday, we were equally wet on Saturday and Sunday from our own sweat and the sweat of those around us. So, every time the festival got to be too much, the looming workweek was taunting us, every time we were tempted by another Bud Light Lime, and were beginning to see mirages of clean bathrooms or refreshing swimming pools, we knew there was only one thing to do. So, we'd walk ourselves over to the Bar, order a Red Bull and dance our way to Perry's.
Red Bull provided the wings, Perry's inspired the dance moves. It turned out to be the only way to survive the festival and simultaneously dig out all your body's unexpected energy resources. In our experience at Lollapalooza, here are the best dance parties we rocked out to at Perry's:
1) Diplo - As LA Riots wrapped up their set (props to them, as well), out comes a striking man in a grey three-piece suit. At the slightest movement, even a hint that he might dance along and the crowd went full-throttle with fist pumping. He was like a conductor and we his orchestra. One strong pulsating wave of music after another hit our eardrums and Diplo turned out to be everything we dreamed of. After crafting a stellar and edgy reputation, and more recently releasing a collaboration album with Switch under the pseudonym Major Lazer, we were left enthralled, particularly after his set ended with "Paper Planes".
Diplo
Video by supac8
2) Deadmau5 - I'll admit, I've been weirded out by this DJ ever since I saw photos of the seemingly Epcot-inspired mouse head. Yet, after sauntering over to the stage, I was mesmerized. The lights, the excitement, the neon and the sick, sick beats! And then... he took off the mouse head and put on a baseball cap and I felt better, because well, you're a DJ, this is America so, costume optional. Perhaps I LOVE TECHNO in Belgium would be just the perfect setting for a mouse head, Joel Zimmerman's making me think it might be a good idea...
3) Crookers - The set that Crookers built, sample by sample and beat by beat seemed to crescendo time and time again. Draw any parallels that you will, but generally, that's a wildly positive thing until you're exhausted, which was certainly how the crowd was left as they slid out of the booth. Needless to say, it was so intensely awesome, it had been craving the euro club scene.
Crookers
Video by DJCrossTraffic
4) MSTRKRFT - The duo never disappoints. Either their unique approach to their electronic "craft," the mustaches or their Canadian musk seemed to draw people out of the woodwork to rock to this crew. With tracks sounding like clean techno dragged through Parisian mud and covered in glitter, they weren't to be missed if you wanted to flail around and cop some innocent feels.
5) LA Riots - Some may have viewed this as the calisthenics before the cardio that Diplo required and for good reason. LA Riot demanded jumping, thrusting and nodding all in equal proportions. Dropping remixes of artists playing at Lolla was a bold, yet perfect bold, and the rewards were reaped by an enthusiastic audience.
In the end, Perry's proved to be the perfect, mind-detached-from-body escape from the crowded screaming lyrics and pushing towards the front of the stage. Not to say people didn't shimmy their way towards to front at every opportunity, because who wouldn't want to be in the middle of the action? But the vibe was right, the acts were dead on and the crowd was endlessly enthused, except, it seemed, and quite ironically, at Perry Farrell's own performance. Yes, I dare say it. Overall, the only thing missing at some of the shows was the anonymity of dancing in the darkness with a disorienting strobe light.
Comment if you have other Lolla Dance Party experiences to share! I'd love to know what I missed... sort of...
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NBuntsis
So, it's Monday morning at work and I'm drumming my fingers on the desk thinking of how best to make this interesting... More
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There is some very serious electronic dance music out there. Perry's tent was very disappointing. The top 40 of dance music is saying it kindly. Deadmau5, gimme a break. Id also like to add the fact that this is Chicago and the real house djs have not played this event. Oh and there's that city of Detroit just above our lovely city. Hmm.
fury, thanks for your comment.
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