Lollapalooza 2011 - mud, music and memories: the recap

When my friend Sarah asked me to join her for a 3 day weekend at Lollapalooza tacked on to a 1 1/2 day road trip from NY to Chicago to hit up bbq joints on the way: the obvious answer was yes. Packed up my hippie headbands and sandals, took off a few days from work and signed off to hit the road like pioneers...with GPS.

1 full day of driving, 2 pulled pork sandwiches and a stop over in Toledo, OH we arrived in Chicago to the lovely Park Hyatt, brought the "kids" up to the room and changed into our gear to head over to the festival. If you've never been before, I'd say go. If you love music and being outside and $5 Bud Lights and a lot of people in the age range of 17-23 and people who will dive in mud and the smell of sweat and marijuana and whiskey mixed together: THIS IS YOUR JAM :)

Kidding aside, this was a great time. Grace Potter. White Lies. Foster the People. Muse. Fitz and the Tantrums. Ellie Goulding. Eminem (the best performance of the weekend and perhaps my life)City and Colour. Cee-Lo (not impressed) and Foo Fighters amidst the pouring rain. (Pro tip: If it starts raining, don't go back to your hotel and shower and think that it won't rain again when you come back. Also: MUD.)

Some pro tips:

• Wear boots/closed toe shoes. Sarah did and she was genius. My feet looked like muddy messes by the end of every day and I felt disgusting.
• Hydrate in the morning pre-show. it gets hot and you may pass out. People did. I saw them.
• Try and see a band or two you have never seen before. I mean, that's why you're there right?
• Bud Lights go through you quickly. Port-o-pottys are your best friend. HAND SANITIZER IS NEARBY.
• Dance in the moshpit during Eminem.
• Eat brunch at amazing places pre-show, stock up your belly like a chipmunk and don't worry about food for the rest of the day.
• Go with friends who will see the band you want to see and vice versa.
• Cabs are useless in Chicago after the show. Plan on walking.
• Stay at the Park Hyatt. It's amazing.
• Don't bother trying to meet up with people. Cell service is at a bare minimum. No matter what carrier.
• Wear your best hippie headband and flowy skirts and dresses. Why not?
• Dance. Your. Pants. Off.