For many concert-goers, Lollapalooza is enough of a party on its own, what with its 100-plus acts and 30-plus hours of music. But if you're not totally satisfied by the time the headliners leave after their third encore (or you had too much Sparks), don't worry: There's still a full slate of after-parties to hit.
Galapalooza
Thursday, July 31 at the Petrillo Music Shell, 6 p.m.
If you still have money left after coughing up the cash for Lollapalooza tickets, give some to the city by going to Galapalooza. Happening the Thursday before Lolla kicks off (technically making it a before-party, but that doesn't sound as cool), the event offers a preview of what Grant Park will look like during the festival. The amazing Miss Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings will give a soulful performance (Amy Winehouse, eat your heart out) before they take the stage at Lolla. Tickets start at $350 and go up to $10,000. Steep, yes, but proceeds go toward the restoration of Buckingham Fountain, and you can't put a price on "Married With Children" memorabilia.
Blackberry VIP Lounge with DJ Jazzy Jeff
Thursday, July 31 at Lumen, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.; RSVP to the-luxeclub.com for entry.
Tonight, Lumen becomes the BlackBerry VIP lounge with DJ Jazzy Jeff. Yes, it's the same Jazzy Jeff who partnered with Will Smith in the '80s to form one of the most well-known hip-hop duos of all time. After leaving the spotlight for awhile, Jazzy Jeff started getting attention from internet-savvy hip hoppers who started passing around his mixtapes. If you make the RSVP list before it closes, expect a sexy crowd, complimentary cocktails before midnight and of course, an old-school hip-hop and R&B dance-party.
Debonair Social Club
Thursday, July 31 through Sunday, August 3
If you're not into swanky clubs and would rather hang in a neighborhood than downtown, Debonair Social Club is the Lollapalooza after-party place to be in Wicker Park. The celebration kicks off on Thursday, with Mates of State, Zebo and Jordan Z on the decks. On Friday, members of Bloc Party DJ (not sure if anyone in the band is an actual DJ) alongside a bunch of producers and musicians (all doing DJ sets) that Chicago dance-music fans should know: Squeak E. Clean, Chris Holmes and more. Saturday, CSS, the dirty dance-rock act from Brazil ("let's make love and listen to death from above") DJ. Not sure what to expect from CSS, but I'm sure it will involve songs with lots of dirty Brazilian words and thick bass. I do know that co-headliners Misshapes (and their fashionable-club-kid following) killed Underground over winter and MGMT's unique airy, dance rock won't disappoint. Sunday features another appearance from Chris Holmes, as well as sets from Junior Sanchez, James Curd (of Greenskeepers) and more.
MOTOROKR Lounge
Thursday, July 31 through Sunday, August 3 at the Underground; RSVP at theundergroundchicago.com.
Starting on Thursday, Motorola and Underground team up to bring the MOTOROKR Lounge to the Underground to celebrate music and the launch of the new ROKR 8 phone, with performers and celebrities packing the place through Sunday. The event kicks off Thursday with Katy Perry. Up and coming producer, singer, musician and Timbaland-collaborator Kenna performs live on Friday, with Million $ Mano providing the dance sounds. On Saturday, Fonzworth Bentley takes over with O’Neal McKnight performing and DJ Momjeans (Hyde from "That '70s Show") and DJ Cassiday behind the decks. Sunday closes things out with G. Love & Special Sauce and everybody's favorite DJ duo, Flosstradamus, performing a blowout set. If you're not familiar with the Underground, just look for the scenesters that will surely be lined down Illinois Street. Dress your best and get there early to enjoy the hosted Bacardi bar from 9-10 p.m.
Other Thursday events:
The Black Keys, Magic Wands at Metro, 10 p.m.; $29.50
Smash & Crunch 1-year anniversary party
Friday, August 1 at Liar's Club, 9 p.m.; $10
It seems like just yesterday Smash & Crunch was sending out a mass email apologizing and explaining why its first party was such a bust (headliner Dimitri from Paris missed his flight). A year later, the promotional team joined forces with Scion, started a dance-music blog (Creamteam.tv) and consistently brings in big name acts for its parties. UK electro-rock act Does it Offend You, Yeah? gets behind the decks alongside a slew of local DJs, including Capcom, Avi Sic, Bukkake Battle Cru, DemChuk and Eric Labrat.
The Good Life
Friday, August 1 at darkroom, 9 p.m.; $7
This isn't an official Lollapalooza after-party, but if you're visiting from out of town and you're wondering what's going on with this sudden buzz about the next wave of Chicago hip-hop, this is the place to be. Up-and-coming MCs Hollywood Holt and Mic Terror perform live while Skyler, Shala and Urb Next 100 DJ Million $ Mano provide the dance tunes. It's also to celebrate hardworking hip-hop promoter Mo B's birthday. So if you want to know how the kids really party in Chicago, this is the place to be.
The Music Lounge at the Hard Rock Hotel
Friday, August 1 through Sunday, August 3 at the Hard Rock Hotel, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Got a VIP ticket? Are you a celebrity in town for the festival? For the truly VIP experience, there's The Music Lounge at the Hard Rock Hotel. During the day, this is the place to be to escape the heat and madness at Lolla, commemorate the weekend with a complimentary tattoo or get a mini-massage or manicure. There's also the EastSport backpack cafe, with food from China Grill, drinks from Fuze, a full bar and live acoustic performances from artists Ben Jelen, Ruby River and more. At night, it turns into an ultra VIP party with performances from Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Mark Ronson, Spank Rock, Chromeo and more.
Other Friday events:
Mates of State, MGMT at Double Door, 11 p.m.
Black Lips, The Yolks, Bird Talk at Empty Bottle, 10 p.m.; $15
Brand New, Manchester Orchestra at House of Blues, 10:15 p.m.; $24-$27
The Whigs at House of Blues Back Porch Stage, 10:45 p.m.; $10-$12
Gogol Bordello, VHS or Beta (DJ set) at Metro, 11 p.m.; $22.50-$25
Rogue Wave, Dr. Dog at Schubas, 10:30 p.m.; $15
Moby DJ Set
Saturday, August 2 at Vision Nightclub, 10 p.m.
A few years ago, Moby had a lot of dance-pop hits with the album Play. But true dance-music fans know that his roots are deep in electronic dance and techno, as evidenced on the rave-influenced albums Move and Everything is Wrong. His latest album is said to revisit that time, and since Moby's spent the last few years DJing in clubs, he'll definitely throw down an interesting post-Lollapaloooza set (he's supposed to take the stage at 1 a.m.). If you couldn't get Lolla tickets, but are a true Moby fan, the $30-$40 cover may well be worth the price. Not that Vision is an intimate venue, but the soundsystem and uber-clubby atmosphere can't be beat.
Devlin & Darko, Hearts Revolution, Franki Chan, Hollywood Holt
Saturday, August 2 at Abbey Pub, 9 p.m.; $16
Wanna get dirty on the dance floor? Then head to Abbey Pub to see DJ duo Devlin & Darko from the oh-so-dirty Spank Rock crew headline this after-party along with dance-rock group Hearts Revolution. Franki Chan of the Iheartcomix mini-empire (label, parties, lifestyle) DJs and local MC Hollywood Holt also performs.
Other Saturday events:
Flogging Molly, Smoking Popes at Congress Theatre, 9 p.m.; $25
Battles, Foals, Magic Wands at Double Door, 10:30 p.m.; $15
Margot & the Nuclear So and So's, White Lies at Empty Bottle, 10 p.m.; $12-$14
Bloc Party, CSS, Does It Offend You, Yeah? at House of Blues, 9:30 p.m.; $40-$42.50
Broken Social Scene, Yeasayer at Metro, 11 p.m.; $25
Okkervil River, The Octopus Project at Schubas, 10:30 p.m.; $15
DiVine Vodka Lollapalooza After Party with Nicole Atkins
Sunday, August 3 at Victor Hotel, 9 p.m.; $25
Up-and-coming R&B artist Nicole Atkins performs during the day on Sunday at Lollapalooza and at night, heads to the West Loop's swanky Victor Hotel to be the guest of honor at a party sponsored by DiVine Vodka. For $25, guests get to meet Nicole, receive an autographed copy of her new album, Neptune City, catch a performance while sipping free DiVine vodka cocktails and munching on Victor Hotel food from 9:30-10:30 p.m.. You may not be familiar with Nicole or her music, but this may be a chance to catch the next big thing (or at least enjoy the next big vodka). Get your ticket in advance and you'll automatically be entered to win a ticket to Lolla and be a VIP all night long at the bash.
Lolla Late Night
Sunday, August 3 at Sonotheque, 10 p.m.; RSVP at going.com/lollalatenight.
On Sunday, Sonotheque hosts the Asics Official Lollapalooza After Party with Tommie Sunshine, the Dark Wave Disco crew, Figo and the Prairie Cartel. They promise special guests, but honestly, I think former Chicagoan/king of electro-remixes for big pop and rock acts, Tommie Sunshine, is special enough.
Want more Lolla? We've got you covered. Become an expert on the fest with our alphabetical primer; get to know the local acts in this year's lineup; learn how you can go green in Grant Park; and, of course, plan out your schedule (and your kids' schedules, too). And don't forget our music-festival survival guide.
Subscribe in your favorite reader using the links below. To learn more about feeds and RSS, click here.
