We kid, of course! Yes, Lollapalooza returns! And once again, while catching bands you’re not all too familiar with, downing beers and grubbing it up on some Graham Elliot lobster corndogs, we’ll be frantically running around Grant Park trying to take it all in. Last year, when we were still a young sapling of a blog, I feel our coverage was pretty good. This year, we’re going to try and out-do ourselves once again. Here’s what you can expect from Loud Loop Press this year…

- Lollapalooza Preview: Our long-form, and I mean that in every sense of the phrase, preview will be up tomorrow morning. At this very moment, our writers are locked away in the Loud Loop dungeon basement typing away frantically about their top picks for Lollapalooza 2010. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, like our Pitchfork Fest preview, don’t plan on seeing any blurbs on Soundgarden, Lady Gaga or Phoenix. We stick to highlighting the other eight hours of your Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

- Live Blog: Boy howdy! It’s back! Pitchfork Fest was our first experience doing a LIVE BLOG from a major music festival, so we’ll try it once again from Lollapalooza. I’ll be posting LIVE from Lolla complete with my instant reactions and hopefully some photos as well. Of course, this is barring any wi-fi malfunctions, which happened almost every 15 minutes at the Pitchfork press tent. I’ll try and power through, however. Also, probably around 5 – 6 p.m. the LIVE BLOG will go un-LIVE until I get home from the fest. Then it will be updated in the early morning hours for a complete wrap-up you can read on the front page at 10 a.m. sharp.

- Tweeting: Yes! More tweets. I’ll mostly be using our official account @loudlooppress. So, keep it plugged in there. Not only will we be giving our thoughts live from the field and RT-ing pertinent info, I’ll try and tweet out some photos and video as well. Also, you can find me occasionally giving my ridiculous opinions that might be too much for the main account at @rgiraldi and also check in with Associate Editor Andrew Kahn at @andykahn, who’ll be doing his thang on Friday and Sunday.

That’s that! Should be fun. We’ll have another link at the top of the page which will link to everything tagged “Lollapalooza” in orer to find all our coverage easier. Also, I got a new camera – so expect some better shots this time around. Should be a heck of a weekend. The fun kicks off tomorrow! Be here! (or something.)

Joined by Amy Dittmeier of Heave Media, the trio talk about their respective sites, dish on Lollpalooza past and present and look forward to Chicago’s fall musical offerings.

Stream or download the podcast in its entirety right now at Chicagoverseunited.com.

Tomorrow begins another Pitchfork Music Festival at Chicago’s Union Park. From Saturday’s LCD Soundsystem disco-punk dance party to Sunday night’s Pavement reunion, this one should be pretty freakin’ amazing. But of course you know all about those guys, and there’s so much more music to be seen before 8:30pm that we decided to focus on our favorite mid-tier acts, and perhaps through our clever turns of phrase, guide you in their direction as well. This is your Loud Loop Press Pitchfork Fest 2010 Preview.

FRIDAY, JULY 16

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LIARS: Connector Stage, 5:30 p.m. | Friday, 7/16. Bottom Lounge, 9:00 p.m. 17+. $15.

Brooklyn trio Liars make art-rock music that you’d find difficult to digest upon first listen, but when you get it, you “get it”. Liars first stormed New York’s dance post-punk scene in 2001, but after a lineup change the band gradually shifted to more experimental leanings on the David Sitek-produced 2004 release They Were Wrong, So We Drowned. The band continues to dabble in the more noise, experimental and psychedelic side of things today, which resulted in their exceptional self-titled 2007 release and their most recent LP Sisterworld. Liars should keep things interesting on a Friday evening littered with modern, and occasionally bland, indie rock. (Richard Giraldi)

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COMEDY STAGE: Balance Stage, 5:45 -- 9:00 p.m.

Hannibal Buress, Wyatt Cenac, Michael Showalter, & Eugene Mirman? Our own Andy Kondrat breaks it down for you right here.

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SATURDAY, JULY 17

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NETHERFRIENDS: Balance Stage, 1:00 p.m. | Sunday, 7/18. Double Door, 8:00 p.m. 21+ $15

Chicago’s own Shawn Rosenblatt is the mastermind of this local indie-psych outfit. Powered by sometimes errie, sometimes soaring synth, pianos and guitars, Rosenblatt has been taking Netherfriends around the country to all 50 states for a pretty massive and ambitious tour project. It’s still a work in progress, but he’s back in his hometown making a triumphant debut at Pitchfork Music Festival. So be sure and get there early, you’ll want to have a good spot for a nice Saturday morning mind-trip. (Richard Giraldi)

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REAL ESTATE : Connector Stage, 1:45 p.m. | Sunday, 7/18. Subterranean, 10:30 p.m. 17+. $12.

New Jersey’s Real Estate specialize in dreamy, lo-fi tunes that will fit snugly into this hot Chicago summer. Another in the fine line of Woodsist artists, Real Estate are the perfect reason to get to Union Park early, lay down a blanket and just, you know, chill before the crowds get there. If you oversleep or just really like what you hear, they’re also playing an after show Sunday at the Subterranean with Zola Jesus. (Ross Meyerson)

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KURT VILE: Balance Stage, 2:50 p.m. | Saturday, 7/17. Subterranean, 10:30 p.m. 17+. $12.

Philly’s self-proclaimed constant hit maker Kurt Vile seems to be hanging around Chicago a lot these days. I may have not been fully convinced of his constant hit making abilities when I reviewed Constant Hitmaker, but I liked it enough to buy his Matador Records debut “Childish Prodigy” as well as the Record Store Day only re-issue of “God Is Saying This To You” on Mexican Summer Records. So, he’s doing something right. He too is playing an after show at the Subterranean with the very good Cloud Nothings. (Ross Meyerson)

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SMITH WESTERNS: Balance Stage, 4:45 p.m.

Chicago’s own Smith Westerns seem poised to break out. I’ve been hearing about them for awhile now. Plus Pitchfork loves them, and that means something to someone. The fact is these kids (and they really are kids, man) play uplifting ramshackle garage pop with the best of them. So don’t be jealous that kids who aren’t old enough to see most of the shows they play are garnering quite the buzz. No. Just enjoy the small wonders before they’re all grown up. (Ross Meyerson)

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WOLF PARADE: Aluminum Stage, 6:15 p.m.

Rarely do you find a band with two lead singers that can co-exist and compliment each other without causing the group to suck. Spencer Krug and Dan Boeckner, each talented and harmonic vocalists in their own right, keep the powerfully rocking Wolf Parade interesting and dynamic. Last month’s Sub Pop release Expo 86 proves this band is pumping out captivating and quality material right now. (Andrew Kahn)

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PANDA BEAR: Connector Stage, 7:25 p.m.

Noah Lennox undoubtedly has most favored nation status at the festival this year. Having taken home Pitchfork’s best album of the year honors with Animal Collective for 2009’s Merriweather Post Pavilion and his 2007 solo effort, Person Pitch, he’s bound to be well received. But just this week he put out new songs which hopefully make it into his energetic set. You don’t get those honors for nothing -- check this guy out. (Andrew Kahn)

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SUNDAY, JULY 18

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CAVE: Balance Stage, 1:00 p.m.

Devoted readers of this here site are well aware I’m back on the Cave bandwagon after I had maybe taken one foot off of briefly. Pure Moods has fully grown on me, and I can think of no better reason to get your lazy asses out of bed then to catch Cave where they kind of don’t belong: In the sunlight. If they can wake up, then surely you can as well. (Ross Meyerson)

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BEACH HOUSE: Connector Stage, 3:20 p.m.

It’s gonna be hot this weekend. No shit, right? Well Beach House will be providing the perfect soundtrack to a swelteringly high heat index. Stand close enough to the speakers during their midday set to catch their chill brand of breezy dream pop – it just may cool you down. (Andrew Kahn)

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LIGHTNING BOLT: Aluminum Stage, 4:15 p.m.

Drum n’ bass noise rock duo from Rhode Island? Yes, please. Drummer and vocalist Brian Chippendale and bassist Brian Gibson have been playing since 1994 and making a whole lot of racket since then. Chippendale usually wears a gas mask microphone during their seemingly-upper-induced insane live show, which is usually in the middle of the crowd rather than on stage. Here’s hoping they’ll do this at P4K. In fact, I’m counting on it because I love to sweat. (Richard Giraldi)

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HERE WE GO MAGIC: Balance Stage, 5:45 p.m. | Saturday, 7/17. Schuba, 9:00 p.m. 21+. $12.

Having completely smitten the likes of Thom Yorke, Grizzly Bear and Sufjan Stevens, Here We Go Magic is making a special side-trip to Chicago amidst their current world-wide tour. Although former soloist Luke Temple added 4 more members to create HWGM, fans won’t miss Temple’s famous high, high tenor voice to keep the toes curling of indie folk rock lovers with songs from their newly released album, Pigeons. HWGM will bring their eclectic, ambient music to both Schuba’s and Pitchfork this year. (Britni Day)

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NEON INDIAN: Balance Stage, 6:45 p.m. | Thursday, 7/15. Bottom Lounge, 6:00 p.m. 18+. Free.

I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking I should hate Neon Indian. All the ingredients for my rage are there: they’re from Brooklyn, they employ 80’s style synths, and they’re from Brooklyn. But I’m a sucker for melancholy and am open to different approaches to bringing forth that feeling. What can I say? Neon Indian may wrap their sadness in keyboards and drum machines but there’s still hazy pop dreariness seeping out and it’s pretty okay by me. You thought you had me pegged. For those that can’t wait they are playing the kick-off party at Bottom Lounge on Thursday. (Ross Meyerson)

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SLEIGH BELLS: Balance Stage, 7:40 p.m.

It seems like minutes after elementary school teacher Alexis Krauss and former hardcore guitarist of Poison the Well, Derek E. Miller, formed Sleigh Bells they were famous. The duo has been an unstoppable, hardcore indie force, combining pop vocals that bounce over top thrashing guitar and enough bass to blow the teeth to the back of your skull. Sleigh Bells is on a merciless tour after the recent release of their debut album Treats, so Sunday will be your only time to see them in Chicago this summer. (Britni Day)

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COMPLETE SCHEDULE

a = Aluminum Stage, b = Balance Stage, c = Connector Stage
XXX = Loud Loop Pick

Friday July 16 (gates at 3 p.m.):

3:30 Sharon Van Etten (a)
4:00 The Tallest Man on Earth (c)
4:35 El-P (a)
XXX 5:30 Liars (c)
XXX 5:45 Hannibal Buress (b)
6:25 Robyn (a)
XXX 6:30 Wyatt Cenac (b)
XXX 7:15 Michael Showalter (b)
7:20 Broken Social Scene (c)
XXX 8:00 Eugene Mirman (b)
8:30 Modest Mouse (a)

Saturday July 17 (gates at 12 p.m.):

1:00 Free Energy (a)
XXX 1:00 Netherfriends (b)
XXX 1:45 Real Estate (c)
1:55 Sonny & the Sunsets (b)
2:30 Delorean (a)
XXX 2:50 Kurt Vile (b)
3:20 Titus Andronicus (c)
3:45 Dâm-Funk (b)
4:15 Raekwon (a)
XXX 4:45 Smith Westerns (b)
5:15 The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion (c)
5:45 WHY? (b)
XXX 6:15 Wolf Parade (a)
6:45 Bear in Heaven (b)
XXX 7:25 Panda Bear (c)
7:40 Freddie Gibbs (b)
8:30 LCD Soundsystem (a)

Sunday July 18 (gates at 12 p.m.):

1:00 Allá (a)
XXX 1:00 Cave (b)
1:45 Cass McCombs (c)
1:55 Best Coast (b)
2:30 Girls (a)
2:50 Washed Out (b)
XXX 3:20 Beach House (c)
3:45 Local Natives (b)
XXX 4:15 Lightning Bolt (a)
4:45 Surfer Blood (b)
5:15 St. Vincent (c)
XXX 5:45 Here We Go Magic (b)
6:15 Major Lazer (a)
XXX 6:45 Neon Indian (b)
7:25 Big Boi (c)
XXX 7:40 Sleigh Bells (b)
8:30 Pavement (a)

For More information about the Pitchfork Music Festival, visit: http://www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com.

- Live Blog: We’re going to be live blogging everyday and filing some reports from the festival itself. The live blog post will stay on the front page for the entire day, only to be moved down the next morning for live blog Day 2 and then Day 3. We’ll try our damnedest to update the entire live blog with all coverage from all our on-site contributors by 12 pm the next morning at the latest. If things go according to plan the live blog won’t just be our thoughts, but photo and video as well. (Maybe even some Spoken Tweets? We’ll see!)

- Tweeting: Yes, we’ll be tweeting from the festival. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled on our official account @loudlooppress. Not only will we be giving our thoughts live from the field and RT-ing pertinent info, we’ll try and tweet out some audio and video as well. Be sure to follow our staff who will be there:

Richard Giraldi – @rgiraldi
Andrew Kahn – @andykahn
Audrey Leon – @audreyleon
Ross Meyerson (If he can get that doggone thing to work!) – @bengrieve

- Festival Preview: The insanity will kick off bright and early tomorrow morning when we post our comprehensive preview of bands we think you should definitely check out this weekend. You’re probably familiar with Pavement and LCD Soundsystem, so we’re sticking with lesser known and local acts. I’m sure you saw our comedy stage preview yesterday. It will be like that, only more musical.

So, that’s it for now. Remember if you want to find our coverage, but are lost in the madness, simply hit that icon at the top of the page labeled “Pitchfork Music Festival 2010 Coverage”. It should take you to all posts tagged with “Pitchfork Music Festival”. Are you ready Chicago? We certainly are.

In case you missed our Facebook and Twitter updates yesterday, Loud Loop Press has been voted Best Local Music Blog in the Chicago Reader’s Best Of Chicago 2010 Readers Poll.

From all of us here at Loud Loop Press, we’d like to sincerely thank everyone who voted for us! It’s quite something that in a little more than a year we’ve gone from a small start-up to a major journalistic force in reporting Chicago’s music scene. To all our readers and fans: Thank You.

In the coming months, we’ll continue to bring you the news on all things Chicago music and we’re working on some new initiatives that we think you’ll dig as well. So keep it tuned right here to LoudLoopPress.com!

Adios Lincoln Park and hello Lincoln Square!

We prefer digital press releases and digital album copies e-mailed to loudlooppress@gmail.com

However, if you need to snail mail us, please use the new mailing address below:

Loud Loop Press
2503 W. Gunnison St. Unit #2
Chicago, IL 60625

Thanks!

For a little more than a year, we’ve been trying our hardest to provide you with the best local Chicago music coverage on the web. Now, we’re asking you to do us a little favor in return – VOTE FOR US!

First off, the Chicago Reader has opened it’s Best of Chicago 2010 Readers’ Poll. Under the Arts & Entertainment category, there is a space for “Best local music blog”. That’s where you come in. Please vote for Loud Loop Press. Vote here!

Second – Lollapalooza has started another local blog contest. The winners get to help cover the massive Chicago festival. Trust us – if we win – we’ll provide you with some great Lollapalooza coverage. Even better than our coverage of last year’s Lolla! Here you have to use the web address, so enter loudlooppress.com. Vote here!

If you’ve enjoyed reading Loud Loop Press and think we’re doing a good job – Let Chicago know!

We’d like to point all of our readers in the direction of Chicagosphere, a Chicagonow blog focusing on the world of Chicago-based blogs.

Last Friday, Mike Doyle, brain behind Chicagosphere, wrote a really, really great write-up on our little music site and what we’re trying to accomplish. So please, read the article and comment to let Mike know what a great job he’s done.

Check it out: Loud Loop Press: Webzine for Chicago’s Music Scene

Loud Loop Radio will be an auditory companion to LoudLoopPress.com and aims to bring about discussion of the past week’s biggest Chicago music stories, review the newest albums from both national and local acts and highlight our picks for best weekend shows. Additionally, each show will have a feature segment during its two-hour run time, which may include local band performances and interviews or smart and topical musical discussion.

To listen to Radio DePaul, simply log on to their Web site, Radio.depaul.edu, and click the LISTEN NOW! button in the upper right hand corner of the page. Then you can stream the radio feed in either Radio DePaul’s player, iTunes, Windows Media Player or Winamp.

The show will be live every Saturday, but times will shift from week to week, so we’ll keep you updated. Each show will be a unique experience for the listener and will feature a revolving combination of Loud Loop’s 11 (and growing!) contributors.

This Saturday’s show runs from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. The hosts will be Loud Loop Press founder and editor-in-chief Richard Giraldi and Loud Loop associate editor Andy Kahn. We’ll talk Pearl Jam’s newest album as well as the album Master Of Stars And Broken Arms from local group Blane Fonda and play our favorite selections from each. Also, a discussion of favorite albums and concerts from summer 2009 in Chicago is on tap along with our picks for the weekend’s top shows with some excellent musical selections in between.

Finally, we invite all readers to give us a call for a chance to be on air during the show at Radio DePaul’s studio line: (773) 325-7341. Or if talking isn’t your style, feel free to tweet us at @loudlooppress or @radiodepauldjs.

So, we ask you to sit back this Saturday afternoon, switch on the ol’ macbook and relax to the soothing sounds of Loud Loop Radio. Also, feel free to drop us a line on the comments on here post-show, or share your thoughts, suggestions or if you are in a band and want to play on Loud Loop Radio in the future, e-mail us at loudlooppress@gmail.com.

Enjoy the show!