Paul McCartney and Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard did a duet, Kanye West’s rising star and fellow Chicagoan Vic Mensa jumped off a lighting rig, Kaskade took his production in to the crowd, and a Fugee delivered a celebrity sighting freestyle. Here’s the best of the fleeting moments, behind the scenes, and highlights from Chicago.
Paul McCranky
Paul McCartney made light of the sound bleeding over in to his headlining set from Kaskade’s thumping spaceship a quarter mile away. “It’s like a mash-up between me and whatever s— they’re playing,” the Beatle joked.
McCartney shared more than sympathy with Alabama Shakes front woman Brittany Howard, who suffered hit dance tracks “Lean On” and “Get Low” wafting in to her song breaks earlier in the day on the same Samsung Stage. McCartney and Howard also shared the stage. Howard joined McCartney at the end of the night, singing and playing “Get Back”.
Toe the Line
Chicago is the city “that works”. That applies to the musicians too. The punctuality on Friday was shocking.
Kaskade’s 8:30 p.m. set started exactly at 8:30, not 8:29, not 8:31. The Weeknd played hit “Feel My Face” exactly at 9:30 p.m., allowing the mass exodus from his exit-adjacent stage to begin in advance of the 10 p.m. festival close.
Later in the night, Wyclef Jean, scheduled for a 12:30 performance at The Underground, arrived promptly at 12:20. This reliable behavior is really hurting musicians’ default reputation.
What Rhymes with “Hercules”?
When Wyclef took the stage at the seemingly permanently popular Underground, he improvised a rap about Kellan Lutz, sitting feet away in a front booth with manager Ryan Daly and Lutz’s brother. Wyclef wove in references to “Hercules” and “Twilight”, two of Lutz’s marquee film credits, in addition to “No Woman, No Cry” and “Ready or Not”.
Within a quick 10 minute span, Billy Fogel and Martin Parsley ushered in Wyclef, Lutz, Samantha Ronson, and Kardashian family passenger Jonathan Cheban.
Propmaster
Kaskade cleared out the viewing platforms and backstage before his set on Perry’s stage – they called it a “private party”. In a blue button down and jorts (jean shorts) the “Never Sleep Alone” producer was easy to miss in the backstage throng. His team staged flag bearers with custom Chicago city flags bearing his name and giant beach balls in the crowd.
Bass Jumping
Vic Mensa and Kygo arrived as surprises at the end of Diplo/Mad Decent star Dillon Francis’ set.
Mensa, who has been anointed by fellow Chicagoan Kanye West, appeared to climb himself in to a proverbial hole when he walked off the DJ platform on to a curved lighting rig that cantilevered outwards and led him tip toeing on truss high above the stage. He ended up jumping down over a story on to the stage mid-rap.
After the set, I asked Mensa whether the jump was accidental or planned. He took a cue from his mentor and pled the fifth.
September Sneak Preview
Austin rocker Gary Clark Jr. may be more at home at his native Austin City Limits festival, but he made the most of his opening day slot on Friday. Before getting the happy hour booking, he ducked in to Samsung Owners Lounge VIP platform and let fans hear two unreleased tracks from his anticipated second album that does not come out until September. Clark recently released two initial tracks, so those bopping heads on the Level headphones got fresh sounds.
Update: Sunday, August 2 – Zoe Kravitz Blows a Fuse
The generational rockstar/actress Zoe Kravitz kept her cool when her band Lolawolf blew out the power atop the Virgin Hotels Chicago Saturday night in the middle of their set. Rocking a Nylon magazine party in the very intimate Cerise rooftop and lounge, she answered fan cheers, held on to her drumstick, and waited for tech help. Vic Mensa perched up on a corner couch checking out Kravitz, as an incognito Michael Pena slipped in to the space that feels like a penthouse living room. The hotel was rocking with parties flowing on all floors and a line wrapped around the corner until late.
John Cusack Cuts it Up with Metallic
Along with Matthew Broderick, Mike Ditka, and Michael Jordan, I’d put John Cusack in the conversation for great late 20th century Chicago celebrity sightings. Cusack was spotted at Chicago Cut Steakhouse on Friday night crossing paths with Metallica front man James Hetfield, getting some protein 24 hours before the “Master of Puppets” masters Saturday night’s headlining spot.
Lolla Ticket Sales are Beating Outside Lands By 212 Percent
As I’ve mentioned before, Lolla’s masses are a much more homogenous crowd than Coachella. It is the midwest, and is not as diverse as other scenes.
However, only 43 percent of ticket sales are from within Illinois, as compared to 56 percent instate sales for Coachella (California) and 80% in-state for next weekend’s Outside Lands (San Francisco), according to StubHub.
With a more national draw, Lolla tickets outsold next weekend’s Outside Lands to the rich Silicon Valley crowd by 212%.