The Best of Lollapalooza 2013

In 2013, Lollapalooza has solidified itself as a festival for the masses. Large crowds swarmed Chicago's Grant Park to catch a glimpse and a listen of some of the most popular bands in music today. Here's a look back at the best that Lollapalooza 2013 had to offer.

Best Twindie Rock – Tegan and Sara

This one was close, but the Quinn sisters of Tegan and Sara have pulled out a victory over the brothers Dessner from The National. Tegan and Sara had one of the biggest afternoon sets all weekend and the crowd was there to dance. “Closer” and “Goodbye, Goodbye” kept fans moving while the older hits like “Back In Your Head” and “Where Does the Good Go” became sing-a-longs. Tegan commented on the beautiful weather and how happy they were to be wearing jackets, teasing Sara that she couldn't handle the heat the last time they played Lolla back in 2005. It's that kind of pop music combined with sibling rivalry that made Tegan and Sara the best Twindie Rock act at the fest.

Best Sing-a-long – Mumford & Sons

Mumford & Sons set closer “The Cave” had fans singing and dancing to the most optimistic and triumphant song to hit top 40 radio since Journey's “Don't Stop Believin'”. Everywhere you looked fans were fully in the moment. People were jumping around with friends, embracing loved ones, and staring up at the stage transfixed. This was the moment that everyone was waiting for and it lived up to all expectations.

Best Crowd Pleaser – 2 Chainz

Halfway through Vampire Weekend's set, packs of festies started clearing out, all of them mumbling excitedly the same 2 wordz... 2 Chainz. Fans that made their way over to the Grove Stage had the time of their lives chanting along with 2 Chainz as he flew through hit after hit including “Birthday Song” and “I'm Different”. 2 Chainz may not be the best performer, using a backing track and a hype man, but it doesn't matter. He writes fun music that drunk suburban kids love and the man knows how to keep a party moving. Even hours later as the festival came to a close and fans poured out onto the streets of Chicago, the hordes continued to rave about how much fun they had at the 2 Chainz set.

Best Alternative to the Headliners – Cat Power

Cat Power had the misfortune of being scheduled up against powerhouses Phoenix and The Cure. Chan Marshall, the woman behind the cat, took advantage of the situation and turned the Grove Stage into an intimate smokey lounge, making her set one of the most special of the entire weekend. Fans that decided against the headliners were treated to a setlist that focused on Cat Power's brilliant 2012 album “Sun”. In one of the classiest moves of the weekend, Marshall ended the set by throwing roses out to the crowd of adoring fans. Hopefully next time Lollapalooza books an act as interesting as Cat Power, they provide her a conflict free set time worthy of her talent.

Best Comeback – Nine Inch Nails

It's been four long years since Trent Reznor retired Nine Inch Nails and five years since their last headlining performance at Lollapalooza, but with a new interactive light show and new material Reznor proved that he is still one of the best in the game. Each song in the Lollapalooza setlist evolved as instruments and light structures were added to the stage. NIN started the set with new material, but soon enough they blasted through classic tracks like “Terrible Lie” and “Closer”. It's been 24 years since the release of “Pretty Hate Machine” and those songs sound just as menacing and current today as they did when they were first released. 

Best Show Stealer – This Guy

Vampire Weekend were halfway through their set when a rogue fan took pole dancing to a new level. This dare devil climbed up a light pole and provoked the crowd to turn their attention away from the stage and begin chants of “Jump, Jump”. When the young man finally slid down the pole and back into the crowd, fans cheered for his valiant stunt and turned their attention back to Vampire Weekend.

Best Dance Party – Hot Chip

Happiness is a Hot Chip concert. Everyone there wants to be there. It is one of the most positive experiences that a fan can hope to have at Lollapalooza. From the moment the band took the stage, everyone was dancing with old friends and new, as Hot Chip played through hits like “Over & Over” and “Ready For the Floor”. Besides providing a great dance party, Hot Chip are amazing musicians. They alternate between instruments integrating synths and drum machines with guitars and even steel drums. As Hot Chip ended the song “I Feel Better”, their set came to a close. Fans had huge smiles on their faces as they walked away, the only disappointment being that the set was too short.

Best of the Fest – The Killers

Against all odds The Killers over took the popularity of Mumford & Sons and the legacy of The Cure to become the best set of Lollapalooza 2013. Singer, Brandon Flowers had a huge smile on his face as they started the set with their mega-hit “Mr. Brightside”. The hits kept coming, with The Killers putting on a real rock show with talent and humility. It was refreshing to see a younger band giving it their all and proving that they are worth that status of headliner. Their songs have depth and heart, making them timeless. It is going to be really exciting to watch The Killers mature as individuals and as a band.