If you want to jump start your Lollapalooza experience you’ll find a way into the secret Gnarls Barkley show at the House of Blues on Thursday the 3rd but if you can’t they will be going “crazy” at Grant Park just a few days later. Speaking of Lollapalooza, this has to be the biggest and the best festival in Chicago all year. First off is obvious -- it’s only in our great city and how amazing to have such a big name make their home for the second year in a row. So let’s hear it for Perry Farrell, Parkway Foundations and the Chicago Park District for making this happen. With that said, I think it’s very ambitious to try a 3-day festival but the same people have been pulling off Austin City Limits for years. This year has their share of big names but don’t forget to check out some of the local Chicago stars as well. The Redwalls, Kayne West, Common and Wilco are a given but if you aren’t familiar with the band Assassins you are missing out and they play on Sunday at the BMI Stage. Unfortunately they are playing around the same time as The Shins but at least treat yourself to the first fifteen minutes of their set and then run to the Bud Light Stage. Otherwise, go online for the complete schedule it’s been live for a month now and you figure out who else you can’t live without.
Of course if you are a Parrot Head you will not be in Grant Park that weekend but instead in Tinley Park for the Margaritaville sounds of Jimmy Buffett. Love him or hate him he’s got his following and is getting ready to release a DVD of last years Wrigley Field shows for all the Parrot Heads to enjoy and watch in the winter months when he is not on the road.
The Auditorium Theater has a treat for us at the beginning of the month and one for the end. First up is a rare performance by the enigmatic and gravelly voice of the one and only, Tom Waits. This may be the only chance for you to see him live so don't cheat yourself.
Later in the month, The Foo Fighters are back with special guest Frank Black. This time around the Foo's are going acoustic and anyone who has seen them perform at the Bridge School Benefit in San Francisco knows how great they sound unplugged. It looks like we very well will never hear new Pixies music now that Frank is back on the road -- alone.
Another music event to consider is Wu-Tang Clan hitting The Congress Theater in the middle of the month. But is it really the Wu without Ole Dirty Bastard? I guess we will have to wait and find out when RZA and the rest of the MC's arrive on the 12th.
There's also many acts scheduled to play the Charter One at Northerly Island before the end of the season. First up is 311, Pepper and The Wailers all bringing their reggae sounds to the lake front. Lets just hope the knats that were present for the Fiona Apple show don't come out to dance as well mon.
Mary J. Blige brings the drama a week later to Northerly Island. There's no Bono on tour but her version of "One" almost blows the original U2 version away, almost.
Last up is a little more reggae and a little soul when Ben Harper and Damian Jr. Gong Marley arrive to close the month. Everyone knows Ben Harper but Damian, the youngest of Bob Marley sons, has just recently appeared on the scene. Last year's single "Welcome to Jamrock", with it's mixture of Regaee and hip-hop, proves that Damian might be the next big reggae star to break. So come for the funky soul of Harper but arrive a little early to check out the next phase of reggae.
On the CD front, August also brings us a mix batch of musical acts. First up is bad boy DMX with his first album in 3 years. It's amazing with all his run-ins with the law that he even had time to record but he is back with, "Year of the Dog, Again." Expect more of the same anger and a special apeearance by Busta Rhyme.
This is apparently the month of the blondes and first up is the former dirty girl, Christina Aguilera and she is "Back to Basics." It has been said she has toned down her naughty self so I guess she has passed the baton to Canada's Nelly Furtado.
The hotel heiress herself, Paris Hilton's album also drops this month. Yep you heard me right that Paris Hilton is now also a Pop Star. She has stated that what she does best is sing so this should be interesting or "hot".
Of course the blondes of the blondes, buxom Jessica Simpson's "A Public Affair" arrives at the end of the month as well. Whether you hate her or want to sleep with her, you can't deny that voice. You might not like her music or even think she's very smart but much like Christina Aguilera, she does have the vocal chops.
Outkast is back together or separate, depending on your point of view, with the soundtrack to their movie, "Idlewild." This may be their last outing so let's hope they have a couple grooves we can shake our money makers to or at least a polaroid.
The legendary Bob (I have no idea what you are saying half the time) Dylan brings us "Modern Times" at the end of the month. He is probably the most influential song writer of our times and has proven he still has it with critics praising his last few albums. So it should be interesting to see what little Bobby Zimmerman has come up with this time.
Last but not least is the melancholy sounds of Britain's own Starsailor. This album has been out in the UK since last year so it's about time it has made it's way to the States. Expect more deliciously haunting melodies that only Starsailor can deliver. Don't be fooled by often comparisons to Coldplay or Travis -- these lads have their own style and it's beautiful as much as it is depressing.
• Random Noise appears monthly, exclusively in Lumino Magazine.
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