The festival also featured Ego Kill Talent and David Byrne
The second day of Lollapalooza 2018 started off hot with Ego Kill Talent, transformed into a contemporary dance floor with David Byrne in the late afternoon, and ended with a shower of hits and charisma from Pearl Jam. With three incredibly different artists, the festival proved it understands that diversity within Rock exists and should be highlighted and honored.
Under a scorching 32-degree sun, the Brazilian band Ego Kill Talent showcased their power on the festival's main stage. The band was the second act to perform at the Budweiser festival when the Interlagos racetrack was still somewhat empty. Despite this, the group managed to energize the crowd, who by the second song were already trying to start mosh pits amidst the headbanging.
With a short set, Ego Kill Talent managed to summarize their recent career with great tracks like “Sublimated”, “Heroes, Kings and Gods”, “Last Ride” and “Still Here”. The surprise came when skateboarder Bob Burnquist, a Brazilian based in the United States, took to the stage and showed off his skills while the band played.
The show also featured a chorus of Happy Birthday to Niper Boaventura, who celebrated his day alongside hundreds of people on the stage where Pearl Jam would later perform. "I really like them, and from fan to fan, I share with you the honor of being here where Pearl Jam will play ," said vocalist Jonathan Correa with a smile on his face.
Alongside Niper and Jonathan, Jean Dolabella, Theo Van Der Loo, and Raphael Miranda complete the excellent Ego Kill Talent lineup, which performed for the second time at Lollapalooza, the first being in 2016. Perhaps next time the band will play at a less hot and more prestigious time slot, giving them a better chance to prove that Brazilian Rock is as strong as ever.
At precisely 5:15 PM, the energy of Lollapalooza transformed. After the energetic show by Ego Kill Talent, it was the turn of the always incredible David Byrne to perform. The former vocalist and founder of Talking Heads prepared a completely different experience from anything seen before at the festival.
The large Ônix stage featured only a curtain of chains when the musician appeared. Singing “Here” alone, the audience, unfamiliar with him, began to wonder how he would hold the attention of thousands of people.
But of course, Byrne exceeded all expectations. A few minutes later, a great band appeared and accompanied him in the lyrics, instruments, and dances. When he played the excellent "Everybody's Coming To My House" and "Once In a Lifetime" by Talking Heads, the singer had already won over the entire audience.
With a New Wave vibe mixed with good old Rock and Roll, Lollapalooza became a giant contemporary dance floor. Nobody could stay still or take their eyes off the theatrical performance unfolding on stage, so the audience had no choice but to imitate the dance moves of the genius Byrne.
Between dances, we were surprised by an impromptu rap from Mauro Refosco, a Brazilian percussionist who accompanies the singer. Meanwhile, Byrne sported a big smile on his face.
He seemed to feel right at home, especially towards the end of his set when he picked up a guitar and played a few more Talking Heads tracks. Closing the afternoon with "Burning Down The House" and a "thank you, goodnight" in Portuguese, the singer left a mark on everyone who was there. Those who didn't know the charismatic musician's work became fans.
The festival's energy shifted once again with the anticipation of Pearl Jam's show. The thousands of fans wearing the band's t-shirts couldn't contain their excitement to see the guys from Seattle, especially when the clock struck 9 pm and there was still no sign of the group.
After a few minutes' delay, Eddie Vedder and company appeared on stage and, as if in apology, launched into a sequence of songs that surprised and thrilled the devoted fans. "Wash," "Corduroy," and "Do The Evolution" marked the beginning of an incredible night.
The frontman's charisma is undeniable. Always trying to speak in Portuguese, the musician made a point of participating in the anti-gun movement that took place in the United States a few hours earlier: "If you're going to put something in people's hands – something that makes them feel empowered – let it not be automatic rifles but guitars ," he said before playing "Can't Deny Me," the group's new song released earlier this month.
The more relaxed moments also yielded many surprises. For the first time, the band authorized their show to be broadcast live here in Brazil on the Multishow channel. Their past performances, in 2005 and 2013, were recorded and shown later.
The second surprise was the presence of Perry Farrell, creator of Lollapalooza and vocalist of Jane's Addiction, for whom Vedder sang "Happy Birthday" early. "His birthday is coming up, but since he threw this party for all of us, I think we'll throw one for him now ," he said while performing a cover of "Mountain Song" alongside Perry.
“Even Flow”, “Jeremy”, and “Sirens” provided the audience with a wonderful moment of ecstasy. Singing at the top of their lungs, the crowd carried the sound of Pearl Jam throughout the Autódromo. The moment intensified with the hits “Black” and “Alive”.
As if it wasn't possible to excite the fans even more, the group performed classic covers of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" and The Who's "Baba O'Riley," finishing with the beautiful "Yellow Ledbetter.".
Eddie Vedder seemed reluctant to leave the stage, with the show fifteen minutes longer than planned. The singer showered praise on Brazil, calling it the "world capital of Rock and Roll" and thanking the audience for their support and the "impressive" show.
Perry Farrell, how about inviting the guys from Pearl Jam to Lollapalooza 2019?
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Pearl Jam setlist at Lollapalooza Brasil 2018 (03/24)
1. “Wash“
2. “Corduroy“
3. “Do the Evolution“
4. “Why Go“
5. “Mind Your Manners“
6. “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town“
7. “Can't Deny Me“
8. “Even Flow“
9. “Mountain Song“ (Jane's Addiction Cover) (featuring Perry Farrell)
10. “Breath“
11. “Pulled Up“ (Talking Heads cover in honor of David Byrne)
12. “Unthought Known“
13. “Jeremy“
14. “Sirens“
15. “Down“
16. “Better Man“
17. “Hold On“
18. “Black“
19. “Once“
20. “Lukin“
21. “Porch“
BIS:
22. “Smile”
23. “Comfortably Numb“ (Pink Floyd Cover)
24. “Alive“
25. “Baba O'Riley“ (The Who Cover)
26. “Yellow Ledbetter“
Photos by: Camila Cara, Thiago Almeida and MRossi
