LOLLAPALOOZA 2018: DAY TWO – PART TWO
with The National and Post Malone
Friday 8/3/18

So my take on one of the headliner’s from Day Two at Lollapalooza with The National:
Was surprised by the sparse crowd at the Bud Light Stage at the northern end of the festival for The National, comparative in size to maybe the floor of the Aragon Ballroom in attendance.
Which goes to show the strength and popularity with Bruno Mars, who’s playing at the exact same time at Lollapalooza from the Grant Park Stage.
No matter. Can tell by the crowd in attendance that The National are skewering with a bit older and a more mature crowd, which I can tell just by the way they are standing watching the performance: gentle and easy going, with a lot of room and space between fellow concertgoers.
My kinda crowd on a hot and sweaty night.
Matt Berninger of The National wastes no time shedding his sport coat midway through the second song, and getting more comfortable singing his songs of literate subjects, questioning everything, and longing for some peace and understanding.
These guys of The National- Matt Berninger on vocals, Aaron Dessner and Brother Bryce on guitar and keyboards, and brothers Bryan and Scott Devendorf on drums and bass, have developed a style that goes way beyond “college rock”, with heavy and deep melody, and the unmistakable baritone of Matt Berninger.
Their set was a satisfying way to spend night two of Lollapalooza, no offense to the boisterous and party rowdy anthems of Bruno Mars.
Before The National headlined the Bud Light Stage, up was Post Malone, a suddenly very popular American rapper singer / songwriter.
Dressed in a white work jumpsuit spray painted with a unique creation obviously designed by his own, with eight balls clearly present from head to toe.
Matched with Posty’s heavy tattoos and obvious stage presence, have to say he makes for a fine subject to photograph live.
The songs I heard from his set are across the gamut kind of vibe, like a melting pot of hypnotic trance and heavy synth washes, mixed with some country, some grunge, and the obvious hip hop with some more R&B.
I love the mix of soulful tunes, and his display of singing with rapping mixed in, like a spooky mix of drug upped folk, for lack of a better term.
Post Malone at Lollapalooza was one of my favorite sets from the four days of this festival.
Now on to Day Three of Lollapalooza 2018, and I hope to have the photos posted on my blog soon.
Cheers- Bobby Talamine – Music Photographer