"Why, Lolla, why?!"
That's the annual cry of frustrated concertgoers upon seeing the Lollapalooza schedule and all the good-bands-at-the-same-time conflicts that come along with it. Lolla 2014 is no different, so with Thursday's announcement of set times at the fest (Aug. 1-3 at Grant Park), we highlighted the worst conflicts and the easiest choices.
Tough decisions
Lorde (6:45-7:45 p.m. Friday, Bud Light stage) over Broken Bells (6:30-7:30 p.m., Samsung Galaxy stage) and Vic Mensa (6:50-7:30 p.m., BMI stage)
Gahhhhhh! I'd love to support Mensa, who's on track to follow in Chance the Rapper's footsteps of a side stage blowout by a rising local rapper. And the Danger Mouse (Brian Burton) and Shins (James Mercer) combination of Broken Bells is nearly impossible to turn down. But Lorde is utterly haunting live, and Lolla did the smart thing by scheduling her in the twilight hours. - Dana Moran
London Grammar (3-4 p.m. Sunday, Lake Shore stage) over Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue (2:45-3:45 p.m., Bud Light stage) and GTA (3-4 p.m., Perry's stage)
Listen to London Grammar's "Strong" and you'll know why I went their way. Not gonna lie, though, I may cheat on them with Trombone Shorty halfway through the set. - DM
Outkast (8:15-10 p.m. Saturday, Samsung Galaxy stage) over Krewella (8:30-9:45 p.m. Saturday, Perry's stage)
This one's actually an easy pick. I'm just disappointed that catching the unmissable set from the Atlanta rappers means missing the highly entertaining, Chicago-native party starters. - Matt Pais
Chromeo (4:45-5:45 p.m. Sunday, Bud Light stage) vs. The 1975 (4:45-5:30 p.m. Sunday, the Grove stage)
On one hand, you have charm and great songs from the breakout British band. On the other hand, you'll be guaranteed a funky good time with Chromeo. Suggestion: Start with Chromeo, whose usual concert opener ("Intro") is built for stadium-sized sing-alongs. Stay for the next two songs, then head to The 1975. - Ernest Wilkins
Betty Who (5:40-6:20 p.m. Sunday, BMI stage) vs. Flosstradamus (5:30-6:30 p.m. Sunday, Perry's stage)
If you haven't seen Flosstradamus wreak its particular brand of sonic havoc yet, you owe it to yourself to catch the Chicago DJ duo at Perry's. Otherwise, go watch Betty Who become a star right in front of you. Remember Lady Gaga performing at Lolla in 2007 before anyone knew who she was? This is your chance to be there before Betty truly gets big. - EW
Easy calls
Chance the Rapper (8:30-9:45 p.m. Sunday, Perry's stage) over Skrillex (8:30-10 p.m. Sunday, Bud Light stage) and Kings of Leon (8:15-10 p.m. Sunday, Samsung Galaxy stage)
True, all three acts have played Lolla before. But if you were lucky enough to catch Chance's set at the way-too-small BMI stage in 2013, you know that the party at Perry's will be a massive graduation bash for this member of XXL's 2014 Freshman Class (which also included Mensa). -DM
Arctic Monkeys (8:30-10 p.m. Friday, Bud Light stage) over Eminem (8:30-10 p.m., Samsung Galaxy stage)
One of the world's best rock bands or a washed-up rapper who didn't need to be booked again? Duh. - MP
Run the Jewels (3:45-4:45 p.m. Sunday, Palladia stage) over Cage the Elephant (4-5 p.m. Sunday, Samsung Galaxy stage)
El-P and Killer Mike are pure rap domination on record and in concert. Just-OK rockers of Cage the Elephant hardly demand priority. --MP
Blood Orange (4:45-5:30 p.m. Friday, the Grove stage) over Interpol (4:45-5:45 p.m. Friday, Bud Light stage)
If you're having qualms about picking between these two, allow me to make it easier for you: Blood Orange is a constant treat that will have you dancing as he mixes his original songs with songs he's produced for acts like Sky Ferreira and Solange. Interpol will bum you out. Did you pay all that money to get bummed out? I didn't think so. --EW
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