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This will be my second trip to Lollapalooza with Sweet Leaf Tea and I’m even more excited about it this year than I was last year. The line-up is the best of any of the music festivals taking place this summer and my list of must-see beats, many of which have been covered on this here blog, will keep me moving quickly from stage to stage to catch it all. Without further ado…

Sweet Beats

Honestly, I love The Black Keys. Before Brothers hit the scene, Rubber Factory probably got the most play time in my car and iPod than any other album (well, other than maybe one.) I’m also a huge fan of Dan Auerbach. There’s something about his howling voice, that gets me. It seems so heartfelt, like he truly gives it all on each track. A strong lead voice gets this girl crooning. Whatever he touches turns into notes of gold in my book. I like the playfulness of their new album and I think they really took their sound and writing to the next level without losing a recognizable Black Keys sound. I can’t WAIT to see them at Lolla.

Sweet Eats

While in Chicago for Lollapalooza, I didn’t have much time to eat outside of the festival grounds. Good thing there’s great food on site and word is this year there’s even going to be a Farmer’s market area so that festival go’ers can load up on tasty local fruit to munch on with their Sweet Leaf Tea (#teasnacky). But, I’m heading out a little early this year so I asked a friend where she would go in Chicago for brunch and without hesitation she said Bongo Room. After reading some of the reviews on Yelp, this place is likely to put me into a deep food coma. But, the sound of red velvet pancakes, pretzel pancakes with caramel, chocolate tower french toast, banana bacon flapjacks or BLT eggs benedict might be too good to resist. They also source ingredients locally which is always an added bonus. I’m thinking, it’s a must this year. Maybe I’ll see ya there.

Let me know if you have a suggestion for our trip to Chicago @SweetLeafCharla. And if you’re headed to Lolla, be sure to look for us onsite. We’ve got some sweet surprises… #sweetleafsweetspot #lolla

Before I start this blog, let me make this clear: I love Austin and I love Austin City Limits Music Festival. If I get to live in this city for the rest of my life and go to ACL every year, I will be beyond happy.  Having said that, God help me, I want to be in Chicago right now.

I bought my 3-day pass to ACL way back in November, long before the lineup was announced. When the list was finally posted in May, I got really excited. How could I not? The National? Grace Potter and the Nocturnals? Broken Bells? Awesome, awesome and awesome. Then I made the mistake of checking out Lollapalooza’s lineup. ACL, I love you and can’t wait for you to come, but Lolla puts you to shame. I don’t really have the means or the time to attend Lolla this year; I’m too busy visiting snowball stands and writing blogs here at Sweet Leaf. Therefore I’m going to have to be a little sad this coming August 6^th, 7^th and 8^th.

However there is something you, the reader and Lolla attendee, can do to help. While at Lolla, go to the shows that I’m most sad about missing, and while you’re there, focus really hard. Maybe all the fun and awesomeness you’re experiencing will somehow travel to me all the way in Austin, Texas. Vicarious experiences are better than no experiences at all.

So if you’re nice enough and valiant enough to help me out in this endeavor, here are the bands you need to see:

Deer Tick- I’m not usually a big country fan, but these guys are amazing. Try listening to “Smith Hill” without getting chills down your spine when the chorus starts. Lead singer John McCauley is an incredible songwriter and a really engaging personality. Definitely a must-see.

Erykah Badu-I saw Erykah at ACL two years ago and she blew the roof off. She was really pregnant and opted out of the costume theme that her band had, wearing instead a smiley face t-shirt and sweat pants, but she still had more energy than almost anyone at that entire festival. She is the essence of cool, and if you’re not familiar with her music, go for her hair alone. She can pull of some ‘dos that no one else would even try.

Mumford & Sons- Sigh No More, Mumford & Sons’ debut album is probably my favorite album of the year so far. They take folk rock to the extreme and create gorgeous soaring melodies. I dare you to find someone who can pack as much emotion into a song as Marcus Mumford does in “I Gave You All.” The pain I feel for not being able to see them is almost equal to the pain the band puts in their lyrics (“Weep for yourself, my man, you’ll never be what is in your heart.” Ouch).

Lady Gaga- Why? I think the better question is why not? I can’t say I’m the biggest fan of her songs. “Alejandro” is pretty catchy, but I’m not that big on any of her others. Nonetheless, it’s impossible for that show to be anything but crazy. She’s such a strange person and she comes up with the weirdest stuff (did you see her Kermit the Frog dress?). You will definitely walk away from that concert with some stories to tell.

Arcade Fire- This band is at the top of my list. I wasn’t able to make it to ACL three years ago when they performed, and still regret it. I have never heard from anyone—friend, acquaintance or critic—that did not recognize Arcade Fire’s live performance as amazing. I’ve heard the words “religious experience” more than once. They put so much into every song and their sound is always unique. This is certainly a performance that you can’t miss.

So those are the highlights. When you’re at Lollapalooza early next month, make sure you go to those shows and while you’re there, send those psychic vibes my way. I’ll do the same for you when ACL comes around.

Even if it weren’t for the music festival taking the city by storm, Chicago in August is well-worth the trip.

2008 was my first time to get to check out the Windy City, and let me tell you, there’s a lot to see. From the giant “Bean” in Millennium Park to the Calder installations to the Field Museum, this place is a cultural mecca. I haven’t planned out my sightseeing itinerary yet, but have put together a list of some of the shows that I am definitely going to check out at LOLLAPALOOZA this year.

Sweet Beats

Where to begin? How about old friends: Gogol Bordello and Yeasayer (photos below from ACL ’08). These two bands will rock your socks off.

Some other acts that I’m really psyched about seeing are Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Chromeo, Dan Black, Mumford and Sons, The Black Keys, and yes, Lady Gaga. Check out this video of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros- I woke up this morning with this song stuck in my head, and think that you should do the same:

Sweet Eats

And onto the food! One of my faves is Piece Brewery & Pizzeria, an award-winning Chicago brewpub in a converted auto garage in the hip and happening Wicker Park neighborhood in northwest Chicago. The place is great, and a requisite stop on your adventures in the Windy City. The pies are more NY-style, huge slabs of thin crust spread over a cookie sheet, topped with your choice of whatever toppings you choose from the long, long list on their menu. My fave is a white pie with pesto, goat cheese, sun dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and prosciutto. Obama actually stopped in at this happenin’ joint when he was in Chicago on his inauguration tour. So you know it’s good

Alrighty friends, after that piece (haha), I’m starving. Be sure and follow me on Twitter to get the scoop about what we’re up to in Chicago! – @SweetLeafAshley

OHHHHHH SNAPPP! So I know I am a little late on this boat, but I just started listening to EMPIRE OF THE SUN and I can’t get enough! So…. with that being said, I am OFFICIALLY changing my Sweet Beat to Empire of the Sun from my previous pick of Kidz in the Hall. (sorryz kidz)

After watching a couple videos of them live it’s going to be a great show. Head pieces and head dress ERRRRR WHERRREEE!

Half-Masted is an AMAZING SONG that has been hitting my core lately. Check out these two songs, and I know you’ll agree!!

Ahhhh, how I love the month of August so. No, not because I love the sweltering Texas heat, no not because school is back in session and traffic begins to suck again….no, it’s because I get to enjoy some of the best shows of the year at LOLLAPALOOZA and explore the amazing city of Chicago. You will see me fighting to the front of the stage for Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Arcade Fire, Phoenix, The Black Keys, The National, Yeasayer, Metric, and the list goes on and on. In between the shows I will be grubbing down on Chicago dogs from Superdawg, The Uno’s Deep Dish Sundae, and plates of sushi at Friends. But as hard as it was, I needed to single out my one top eat and top beat for all you readers out there. So here you go…

Sweet Eats

Wow Bao. Bow chica bow wowww. I found this little restaurant on my first trip to Chicago. My fellow immature coworkers and I loved the sign outside advertising “hot asian buns”. I absolutely fell in love with these small steamed creations and look forward to them all year long. The teriyaki chicken bao is to die for as well as the bbq pork. However, my favorite is the coconut custard bao. Sooo yummm. As much as I miss this place year round, I don’t even want to know how many pounds I would put on if there were one in Austin.

Sweet Beats

The xx.

I bought this cd at the beginning of the year and I have yet to tire of it. Every single track is amazing. Whether I am cleaning the house, laying out at the pool, or running my dog I can jam out to this cd. The lyrics capture your attention and the sound leaves you begging for more. So do yourself a solid and don’t miss this show!

Oh yeah, follow me on twitter to get the scoop about some cool events and my dog Bently! – @SweetLeafBarber

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