Here we have Lollapalooza:  I had the live music phenomenon of my life a couple weeks ago in Chicago, at this very amazing festival.  The city and Perry Farrell did an extraordinary job; a fantastic weekend.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Jane’s Addiction,  Ben Folds,  Snoop Dog,  Other Lives,  Fleet Foxes,  Cold War Kids,  Thievery Corporation,  Manchester Orchestra,  The Decemberists,  Andrew Bird,  Of Montreal,  and Santigold!

A few of the many bands I heard for the first time, over only three days.

For me, it was Jane’s Addiction that really catapulted what was an already-astounding festival into something truly rare.  Perry Farrell (creator of the festival back in 1991 as the Jane’s farewell tour), showed tens of thousands of stunned spectators how true performance art is delivered, as he resurrected their famous music with fresh authenticity — and utilizing all the band’s original members!  This powerhouse of rock gods, whose work has spawned countless other “projects” like Red Hot Chili Peppers and Porno For Pyros, featured near magic with the likes of David Navarro and the others.  At one point, a helicopter circled low over the huge audience, lit oddly to resemble a true unidentified object, as it shined intense, ultra-focused spot beams down into the crowd.  This and so many other nuances made the 90-minute show one of the more significant events I’ll probably see.

You can say that again.

From Despair, Inc.