Lollapalooza 2010 preview

Lollapalooza is the creation of Jane’s Addiction singer Perry Farrell, and it originally was a touring festival. After a multi-year hiatus and financial problems, Lollapalooza settled into the current form of a stationary weekend festival, a format that seems to have worked for other festivals.

Although it usually focuses on alternative music and tends to pepper the lineup with young and old acts, this year’s lineup is dominated by younger indie groups. Last year, Depeche Mode, Jane’s Addiction and Lou Reed were some of the elder statesmen; now, Social Distortion and a reunited Soundgarden are as ancient as it gets.

Not that that’s necessarily a problem. Green Day is on top of the world right now after two incredibly popular albums, and indie favorite Arcade Fire will put on an epic show, if the past is any indicator. The Strokes, supposed saviors of rock, will have plenty of buzz after ending their hiatus last year. There aren’t many acts for fans of good, old-fashioned pop music, but Lady Gaga will probably make up for that deficit.

Housed in Chicago from Aug. 6 to 8, Lollapalooza is only a stone’s throw away for Midwesterners.