My 2014 LOLLAPALOOZA Predictions

Let me begin by saying I would probably have never gone to Lollapalooza last year if it weren’t for Mumford & Sons. Their sophomore album, Babel, was a true 5 star CD, confirming for me that they were my favorite band and more importantly, that they were the biggest band in the world of spring of 2013. The moment it was leaked they would be at Lolla, and I realized I had a place to stay in the city, there was no question that I would go and that Mumford would kill it!

All of that came true last August. But in additional to the epic Mumford show, I had one of the best weeks of my life. Chicago is an awesome city, and the downtown skyline provides the perfect backdrop for a great music festival. Throw in good restaurants, easy public transportation, plenty of hotels, and ample small music venues that host after-shows every night, and you have yourself an unforgettable experience.

So even though Mumford won’t be back, I assure you that I will be. I don’t know the lineup yet, but I trust the Lolla organizers to put out a quality list. Over the past months I’ve been studying the message boards and band tour schedules. I have my predictions for Lolla this year. With tickets going on sale Tuesday, this seemed like the best time to share them.

SUPPOSABLY CONFIRMED HEADLINERS: (leaked by Chicago Post)

• Eminem: Not sure how I feel about Eminem being the rap headliner. Sure he has tons of songs, but I thought the hip-hop headliner would be someone like hometown hero Kanye, or even festival favorite Outkast this summer. Probably won’t catch this one.

• Kings of Leon: I’m ok with checking out KOL one night. They’re a solid American rock band with lots of material. I love their newest single, “Supersoaker.” But I do have to say that their hype has fizzled out in the past three years, making me think Lolla has something else bigger up their sleeve for a rock headliner.

• Skrillex: All I really know about Skrillex was that he was on the cover of Rolling Stone this week, which means he’s pretty HUGE. This isn’t my genre, but he should draw a massive crowd to the insane EDM stage in Grant Park.

• ARCTIC MONKEYS: YES!!!! Even though Arctic Monkeys only played mid size venues on their North American tour, they have been deservingly given the Sunday headlining slot at Lolla. (Hey, if you can headline Glastonbury, you can headline a US festival) This is easily the act I’m most excited for as Alex Turner and company support their 4.5 star rock album, AM.

I predict one more rock headliner will be announced. It will be one of the following:

• Foo Fighters: This is the one I’m hoping for! The Foo’s supposedly have a new album being released in 2014 and already are booked for a headlining slot at Firefly. They’ve played Lolla before, and it could be time for Dave Grohl to return to Chicago. Fingers crossed!

• Pearl Jam: If I had to bet on it, this is my best guess. Pearl Jam played a highly praised show to a sold out Wrigley Field last summer in Chicago, and apparently hinted at returning to the Windy City in 2014. Lolla?....seems like it.

• Black Keys: So I just heard yesterday that the keys are releasing a brand new single on Monday, the same day the Lolla lineup is being released. Coincidence? Maybe…..but maybe not?

• Imagine Dragons: I know, I know….they played Lolla last year. But really, how often does a sub headliner draw the largest crowd of the weekend? The guys behind 5 star – Night Visions, played to an estimated crowd of 110,000 on Friday afternoon of Lolla. It’s not out of the question for them to return as a headliner. If not this year, I GUARANTEE THEY WILL IN 2015 or 2016. 

• Coldplay: Outside of South by Southwest, haven’t heard much about Chris Martin & company’s plans for 2014. They do have a new album coming out, and are experienced headliners. It could happen!

• Arcade Fire: This is my long shot. Arcade Fire is already playing two shows at Chicago’s United Center this summer, so another Chicago gig seems unlikely and apparently against the rules of the festival organizers. The only reason I’m not ruling them out is because THEY ARE the biggest band in the world right now. Win Butler can do anything, so this is possible.  

My remaining headliner / sub headliner predictions:

• Justin Timberlake: I will be honest and say I love JT! There’s nothing this guy can’t do. He sings, dances, acts, kills it on SNL, and is best friends with Jimmy Fallon. A new challenge for him – headline a major US festival. His first weekend of August is free and there’s no Chicago date on his tour.

• Lorde: Lollapalooza has always been a festival that strays more to the alternative rock side and appeals to younger festival goers. Is there anyone more perfect to play than Lorde? She’s more than just a few hits now and can easily draw 100k to an afternoon slot. 

• Vampire Weekend: This is similar to my Imagine Dragons prediction above. Yes they played last year, but they have since released one of the best albums of the year. One thing for sure is next time they play Lolla, they’ll be on the top line of the lineup.

• Foster the People: Three years ago, this was one of the hottest bands around with their debut album, Torches. They seem to have cooled since, but their sophomore album was released last month and they could get a headlining slot. This one’s a bit of a stretch. 

• Jack White: He’s already headlining Governor’s Ball and Osheaga Fest this year. Osheaga occurs in Montreal and is the same weekend as Lolla, so lineups are often similar. Plus he played Lolla in 2012, meaning he’s set to return after a year off.

LONGSHOTS:

• Daft Punk: So these guys won the Grammy for album of the year and performed at the show this year. Lolla tweeted a photo of the French duo and wrote – “Twice at the Grammy’s, Once at Lolla.” This could be an indication they’re going to even that up, but Skrillex hurts that case.

• Maroon 5: I’m thinking outside the box here. Maroon 5 has gotten worse with every album they’ve made since Songs About Jane. But, they’re one of those bands where you don’t realize how many songs they have until seeing them live. They could be like The Killers and surprise everyone here.

• Taylor Swift: Regardless of your opinion, you can’t get much bigger than T-Swift. I’m not ruling out a major female artist of this level to secure a top line on the festival poster.

My remaining predictions:

• Bastille: Pompeii is one of the most popular songs in the country, and their backing album, Bad Blood, is quite good. I expect them to be a festival favorite.

• The 1975: One of the biggest risers in the music industry over the past year seems like a lock to stop in Chicago this summer.

• Young the Giant: No stranger to The Only Music Blog, Young the Giant released a new album this year and should be making some festival stops.

• Capital Cities: A year after it was one of the most played tunes in America, the guys from Capital Cities are still riding high off hit, “Safe and Sound.” I expect to hear it in Grant Park this August.

• Grouplove: Similar to Young the Giant, they seem to be out playing as many shows as possible to promote their sophomore album. They seem like a fun festival band that would enjoy a stop in Chicago.

• Third Eye Blind: This is biased cause they’re my favorite. But 3EB does have festival dates at Firefly and Beale Street this summer, so Lolla is not out of the question.

• Avett Brothers: Although it doesn’t quite seem like their scene, the Avett’s are touring extensively but are mysteriously missing a Chicago date.

• Blink 182: A punk 90’s band like Blink could feel like they’re in their prime again with an evening slot at Lolla. I don’t see who wouldn’t want this to happen.

• Frank Turner: Frank and the Sleeping Souls have played Lolla before and after finally getting some US radio play with “Recovery,” it seems like they should return for round 2!

• J Roddy Walston & the Business: CONFIRMED! Ha I met these guys a few weeks ago at Gasparilla Music Fest and they did confirm they would be at Lolla.

• Fitz & the Tantrums: Fitz sang, danced, and entertained thousands with his last set at Lolla. With album 2 being released last year, it only seems proper that he returns for another go around.

• Alabama Shakes: Man I would love to see this! The Shakes are still riding high off debut Boys & Girls, and have other festival gigs scheduled.

•  Beck: Nearly 20 years after Beck got famous for his release of “Loser,” he could play Lolla to promote his well-received new album, Morning Phase.

• Of Monsters and Men: They played Lolla two years ago after the release of their outstanding debut, My Head is an Animal, but we’ve barely heard anything since. How do you stay relevant? Playing a great set at Lolla!

• Broken Bells: Their new tune “Holding onto Life” is super catchy and I expect to see them at The Grove this summer.

• Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zero’s: This one is more of a wish than an actual thought. But Alex Elbert and his hippy band are playing festival gigs at Boston Calling and Shaky Knees, so it’s possible.

• Old Crow Medicine Show: Theses guys seem to be following the Avett’s around this spring, so I have to include them as a package deal. I wouldn’t mind though. “Wagon Wheel” would be epic!

• Modest Mouse: With slots towards the top of both Hangout and Shaky Knees Fest, you can’t rule out a stop at Lolla.

• Bleachers: Bassist Jack Antonoff of FUN has a new side project and a catchy first single to go with it. Check out “I Wanna Get Better.”

• Portugal the Man: Alaska’s greatest rock band spent majority of the past year in the top 10 for college album sales with Evil Friends, making them a perfect fit for a Lolla slot.

That’s all I have for now. We’ll see what happens this week. Very exciting for sure!