Tourists walking around the Loop near Grant Park this weekend may have thought the circus was in town and the performers had free reign of the place. But it was only Lollapalooza, the rock and roll festival founded by Jane’s Addiction’s Perry Ferrell and landing in downtown Chicago for the second straight year.
What is it about the outdoor festivals that cause people to dress up in costumes? Like the guy in polyester pants (in the blistering heat) and a striped searsucker sportscoat? He was going for the retro/nerd/second hand shop/Southern lawyer-look, obviously. Or what about the Huey Lewis lookalike in the black/gray/white camouflage kilt, and binoculars hanging around his neck. What was it that was kilty about Lollapalooza again? American guys who wear kilts to Celtic festivals look silly enough.
The hands-down winner of the silliest costume award (come on, these people don’t dress like this outside of Lollapaloozas, do they?) was the guy in the full clown costume. Not a performer, he was wearing the get-up without an ounce of irony.
The drummer for the band the eels (no capitalization, please) came out wearing a yellow jumpsuit and an orange construction helmet. He proceeded to knock the crap out of his drums for the next hour straight. He is entitled to wear whatever he wants when he plays like that. Likewise, the band’s singer came out in a green flight suit, and Red Baron-style pilot goggles. He too, knocked the crap out of his guitar and his voice. Again, guys like that — “paid performers” if you will — hey, wear whatever the hell you want as long as you can play.
The rest of you clowns…just get dressed like you would any other day and enjoy the music, huh?