Lollapalooza 2009: The Raveonettes

The Raveonettes (Photo by Frank Krolicki)

Thinking of the third and final day of Lollapalooza 2009, one word comes to mind: Hot. It was really, really hot. So hot that festival employees were liberally handing out bottles of water and using them as makeshift water guns to provide a bit of relief to the brave souls who dared to gather near the front of the stages during the day's performances.

The heat made it a bit difficult to take in the music properly, but even so, Sunday included some enjoyable sets.

Danish noise-pop act The Raveonettes - including core members Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo - played a solid set at the Playstation Stage starting at 3:30. The band's been around for a while and have a few albums under their belt - plus a new one on the way in October - but they still seem to fly under most people's radar. Before the set began a modest crowd had gathered, but after the music got under way quite a few people stopped to take in the band's Jesus and Mary Chain-meets-The Ronettes sound.

The finest moment came in the form of an incredibly catchy new tune called "Last Dance," which is slated for the upcoming LP, titled In and Out of Control. Other setlist highlights included "Attack of the Ghost Riders," "Dead Sound," "Love in a Trashcan," "Twilight" and "That Great Love Sound."

The only criticism to make is that the band were pretty static and unengaging on stage, but that's forgivable considering the sweltering heat and the fact that came across as totally unpretentious and genuinely appreciative of everyone who stuck around to watch.

The Raveonettes (Photo by Frank Krolicki)

The Raveonettes (Photo by Frank Krolicki)