Indie Rock Comes To Lolla

Ida Maria at Lollapalooza 09.

What exactly is "indie" music? Of course "indie" stands for independent, but independent from what? Big corporate record labels? Maybe in theory, but not in practice. There are plenty of "indie" bands signed to big corporate record companies. So, is "indie" music independent from "mainstream" rock-n-roll? Again, in theory this would make sense, but in actuality plenty of "indie" bands are recognized in the mainstream. So what is indie? Is it a state of mind? Is it a style? Are you supposed to look like someone who lives in Brooklyn or the Lower East Side? Are you into the Flight of the Concords? Do you like the free-credit-report.com commercials? 

It may be easier to define hip-hop, or electronica, but one thing is for sure, "indie" music is a genre that continues to penetrate our culture, films, and music festivals, like Lollapalooza.

This year's Lollapaloza had a huge lineup of so-called indie bands, including The Killers, the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, The Arctic Monkey's, Kings of Leon, TV on the Radio, and Vampire Weekend; all these bands have "indie" roots but have already exploded into the mainstream. Lolla also had its share of up-and-coming "indie" bands; a lineup of bands sure to get your attention in the year to come. And, because they get little press, we decided to highlight some of them here.  

Passion Pit

This five-piece all-male band from Cambridge, Massachusetts is only a little over one-year old. They're already lighting up stages everywhere, including Lollapalooza on Sunday at 5pm. Their synthesizing, electronic, sampling upbeat sound is both intelligent and captivating. This band is definitely the future; check them out if you can.    

Ida Maria

This twenty-five year old Norwegian's fun, up-tempo indie brand of catchy guitar riffs and lyrics indicates that she has her finger on a new generation. Songs like "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked" and "Oh My God" brought her sexy sounds to lolla Sunday afternoon.

Ra Ra Riot

This independent band from Syracuse, NY, formed in 2006, and played Lollapalooza on Sunday afternoon. The 6-piece ensemble uses both a cellist and violinist to infuse a thrilling chamber sound into their independent style of music. Expect good things from Ra, Ra Riot for a longtime.

Gang Gang Dance

Another New York City product of experimental, synergetic, electronic sounds qualifying as modern tribalism. Coming from a city that always has its finger on the Zeitgeist, this trippy trio hypnotized fans and newbies alike on Sunday afternoon, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.