Lollapalooza Paris 2019 as we lived it

Jul 24

Jul 24 Lollapalooza Paris 2019 as we lived it

Perhaps one of the most exciting and diverse music festivals in France, Lollapalooza Paris has returned for its third edition. Welcoming dozens of music acts covering rock, pop, R&B, rap, house and everything in between, the beautiful fields of Hippodrome Longchamp were a place of pure joy as thousands gathered to see the big names hitting the stages.

Day 1 started big. At only 21 years old, Jaden Smith already has two opuses to his credit. With a solid fan base, he made an appearance at the Alternative Stage. The young rapper/singer/songwriter provided a sweet repertoire of his dance moves. A huge screen behind had his music videos on display, incorporating it into the set. Cinematic in style and narratively strong, Jaden fed off of them as a multimedia art form. Finishing with Icon could only mean performing Jackson’s iconic moonwalk. Still not sure why he shaved his head though.

Another atmospheric performance went on thanks to Tash Sultana. Alone behind her console and pedals, this talented guitarist and multi-instrumentalist showed what she got. Tash multiplies musical genres with ease: psychedelic rock, reggae rock, lo-fi... One thing is certain, those who did not know her yet have literally fallen in love with her incredible talent during that set.

Several festivalgoers had decided to stick yellow tape on their clothes, in reference to Twenty One Pilots. The duo formed by Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun raised the temperature with the numerous hits like Stressed Out, Jumpsuit, Chlorine and Trees.

The band provided a full show packed with an original scenography, a burning car, confetti, flashing lights, pyrotechnics, and fireworks. Everybody was happy even under the pouring rain. Crazy…

The second day of Lollapalooza started with Shame at the Alternative Stage. Who said punk was dead? Certainly not the English lads who played their set at a frantic speed. Despite the short duration of the show, Shame managed to swing thirteen songs, most of them from the first album “Songs of Praise” (2018).

All eyes are on the expressive Josh Finerty, the charismatic frontman asked the crowd to get as close as possible to dive, especially during the final Gold Hole, which ends with a general ovation. This last title of the set also makes the opening to the mosh-pit. Under the blazing Parisian sun, this raw and wild punk madness evolves in its explosive performance. It's “very fuckin hot” - Josh describes it so well.

British quartet The 1975 quickly gathered a crowd. From the first seconds of the show, the charismatic frontman Matty Healy knows how to captivate his audience. Committed and engaging, the band doesn’t hesitate to position themselves at the political and environmental level through Love It If We Made It. The images broadcasted on the giant screen leave no one indifferent: a real retrospective on what has been happening in the world in recent years. After playing their biggest hits, such as The 1975, Give Yourself A Try, She's American and Paris, the band finishes the set with The Sound. It was great, but probably too short.

In a meantime, The Strokes have the heavy task to close this third edition of Lollapalooza Paris at the Main Stage. It’s been 8 years since their last visit to the French capital. Now, after all these years, hundreds of fans are shouting their names, impatient to see The Strokes to hit it hard.

"I feel like a 14-year-old groupie" - says a man in his thirties to his friends, and the band finally arrives under the screams of fans in delirium. They start with Heart in a Cage, from “First Impression of Earth”, released in 2005. A screen displays the decibels which rise up to exceed 100. Alex Turner, who’s at the side of the stage during the set, is enjoying it a lot.

The band continues with their classic You Only Live Once. Julian's singular voice is veiled comparing to the instruments. Rocking his retro-sunglasses and a mullet-cut straight out of the 80's, Jules says “Paris is beautiful”. To his left - Albert Hammond Jr. in a three-piece suit. To his right - Nick Valensi in a floral shirt.

The technical adjustments are breaking the rhythm, but the frontman fills in the blanks: a few words in French, some jokes… “Did you try to turn your guitar off and on again?”, he asks Nick Valensi. Then he gives the microphone to Fab Moretti who drops: “Go blue ones”. It was enough for the crowd to sing their love for the French team, while the technicians were busy.

The show reaches its climax with Is This It and Last Nite - two flagship titles in their repertoire from their debut album “Is This It”, released in 2001. The Strokes surfed on nostalgia and played only the first three albums. At the end of the show a man in his thirties sums up the general mood to his pals: "Julian is a fucking rock star." Never change, Paris!

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