Funny, I left Minneapolis on Thursday night (when the Raconteurs played to 1,400 fans at First Ave) to come here (and watch them instead with 50,000 people).

Grant Park

To see a new band go over well in front of this many people was quite a thrill, though. They played their hit, “Steady, As She Goes,” early in the set, but the crowd hung around. It got better from there. Their ferocious version of Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” went over big, as did a cover of the Nancy Sinatra/Cher hit “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down.” Their own “Level” proved to be a show-stopper live, with Jack and Brendan trading licks like kisses. Definitely not just a side-project.

Tom Smith of the British band Editors

Oh, if you’re keeping score: “Crazy” is about three months old, and it is already being covered by Nelly Frutado, Greg Dulli’s Twilight Singers and now these guys. Kind of reminds me of “Seven Nation Army.” Gnarls is playing Lolla today, and their own First Ave set (which I did catch) was fun enough I’ll probably watch them again.

Friday night ended on a bittersweet note: Sleater-Kinney played one of its last shows ever, while Death Cab for Cutie’s set was their last one for quite a while, according to their many diehard fans on hand. I’ll take Death Cab over the Postal Service anyday. They sounded great and the crowd was enamored, reminding me of R.E.M. right before “Document” (on the verge of a breakthrough).

Ryan, before his eggs rant (see previous post).

As for Sleater-Kinney, Friday’s set was absolutely amazing. The trio played an hour straight with nary a break and all the roar they could muster. It was fitting they played “The Woods” at the end, the title track of their last (and best CD), but “Ironclad” a few songs before it also nearly stole the show. Since Lollapalooza always had a good knack for promoting female-led rock bands (sorely missing in today’s landscape, of course), it seemed fitting to have S-K do one of their last shows here. The real finale is next week in Portland. Too bad, but they’re going out strong as ever.

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