Rock music has been criticised over the last few years for losing its edge, for bands becoming 'too friendly' and not being outspoken enough. For the most part I think this is a load of rubbish and believe rock bands don't need to revel in conflict to be respected however, it's always good to see a bit of bark and bite every now and again.
As you've probably figured out by now I spent last weekend in Paris at Lollapalooza which delivered a whole load of treats. Rather inevitably, this week's 'On Trend' is inspired by events at Lollapalooza Paris as I take a look at how rock'N'roll proved to be alive and as fiesty as ever.
Portugal. The Man showed off their rock roots by slipping Metallica and T Rex covers into their set whilst Stereophonics delivered a no-nonsense set full of swagger, rocking out in the evening sun before Noel Gallagher arrived, performing tracks of his new alt-album 'Who Build The Moon?' as well as a few Oasis tunes and a Beatles' cover. Delightful.
However, the two moments where rock'N'roll flexed it muscles came as a result of Lollapalooza unique double main stage layout. There are two main stages adjacent of each other meaning when a band finishes on main stage 1, then next band starts straight away on main stage 2, then when the band finishes on main stage 2, the next band starts straight away back on main stage 1. A brilliant idea that eliminates waiting time however, does mean the artists had to stick to their time slots exquisitely. Whilst this was a revolutionary idea, it did create some conflict at times.
Opening up main stage 1 was American rapper Lil Pump who focused more on orchestrating his crowd's dance movements than singing his own songs. Californian trio Black Rebel Motorcycle Club followed him on main stage 2 and delivered a set of dirty rock'N'roll, dressed in thick leather biker jackets despite the 30 degree heat blazing down, taking turns to suck on cigarettes barely bothering to exhale, at times barely bothering to play guitar properly, simply strumming with one arm whilst the shoulder strap dangled around their knees. It was a carefree set of no bullshit rock, and it was fuckin' brilliant. Before they reached the set finale, Robert Been was in a confident mood as he said:
"we'd like to dedicated this last song to that Lil Pump fucker, we're sorry we didn't have as many instructions for you guys but we figured we come into town and do our job and you can do yours and have a good time"
They then launched into the raucous 'Whatever Happened To My Rock'N'Roll (Punk Song)', showing Lil Pump how to do it, showing Lil Pump who's in charge.
However, that wasn't the last of the inter-stage conflict, as on Sunday evening, French rapper Nekfeu was performing to a packed crowd on main stage 1, just before The Killers took to main stage 2. All weekend, every act ensured not to run over so the double main stage plan actually worked. However, it was the time when one act didn't stick to their slot that provided the greatest moment of the weekend. Nekfeu was already 5 minutes over his time, meaning The Killers were already 5 minutes late when he launched into yet another song, bringing more and more guests onto stage. Never ones to be outshone, never ones to be upstaged, The Killers strutted onto stage whilst Nekfeu was still playing, Brandon Flowers with his arms out, pointing over to Nekfeu with a look on his face as if to say "who's this clown", before pointing over to touring guitarist, Ted Sablay who embarassed Nekfeu with the world-famous riff of 'Mr. Brightside'. Nekfeu was in his element, performing to a home crowd, but The Killers didn't care, this was their time, their fans were waiting anxiously, getting frustrated, so they took things into their own hands, performing their most famous hit to kick off their show, a decision that had only been made a matter of minutes before they eventually entered, but a decision that will make that show go down in memory as one of their best ever.
In these two moments, rock'N'roll flexed its muscles. The kids were getting to cocky, the old dogs just simply put them in their place.
In these two moments, rock'N'roll flexed its muscles. The kids were getting to cocky, the old dogs just simply put them in their place.
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