Lollapalooza 2012: Chicago artists in the lineup

By Frank Krolicki

JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound

Each year, Lollapalooza offers up a handful of locally-based artists in its lineup. We'd always of course love to see more getting a turn in Grant Park, but we're happy that the following Chicago musicians will be representing what our city has to offer this year. When planning your Lolla schedule, be sure to add them to it!

JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound (playing on Saturday, August 4th)
If you're even casually into the Chicago music scene, chances are you're already familiar with these guys. Their packed-with-attitude soul rock started to gain attention a couple years ago after they released their much-loved cover of Wilco's "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart," and since then they've continued to build a following with frequent full-on live shows and a debut album titled Want More. If you're looking for high-energy at Lolla, this is one set you won't want to miss.

JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound - Everything Will Be Fine by Windy City Rock

Empires (playing on Saturday, August 4th)
Empires aren't afraid to sound big. Many of the band's peers aim for a more subtle, abstract approach, but Empires make their impact with soaring rock sounds, never shying away from a full-blown chorus, something that is more apparent than ever on their latest full-length, Garage Hymns. The band has gotten quite a bit of attention over the past few years, first from their debut 2008 album Howl, and later from making it to one of the final four slots in Rolling Stone's first ever "Choose the Cover" campaign.

 
Orchard Lounge (playing Saturday, August 4th)
Representing the DJ/dance part of Chicago's music spectrum at Lolla will be trio Orchard Lounge. Made up of Spencer Lokken, Bethany Briscoe Lokken, and Ben Silver, OL met in 2000 and named themselves after the street where they became friends and artistic partners. They bring an eclectic vibe that will surely be worth catching if you're a Lolla-goer who likes to take part in the fest's always popular DJ sets.



Kid Color (playing Sunday, August 5th)
Also bringing the dance will be the Windy City's own Kid Color, a.k.a Kyle Woods. Kyle's specialty is funky disco-soul sounds, which have been heard around town at a SmartBar residency plus as support for the likes of Holy Ghost!, Cut Copy and Frankie Knuckles.

Originals by Kid Color