By Jeff Stacklin, Yahoo! Local
It's probably appropriate that the Lollapalooza organizers announced the lineup for this summer's festival this week -- days before the next class is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Guitarist/vocalist Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys performing at Madison Square Garden …
At the top of the Lollapalooza bill sits Black Sabbath, a 2006 inductee into the Rock Hall, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, which will be inducted Saturday as part of this year's Rock Hall induction class.
Retro rock fans will especially appreciate Sabbath, which will feature original bandmates Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward, according to Chicago Tribune music writer Greg Kot.
Kot points out that this year' s Lollapalooza lineup has a nice mix of retro -- not only the Chili Peppers and Sabbath, but headliners Black Keys and Jack White also "update classic, guitar-based blues and rock from the '60s and '70s."
But Lollapalooza would not be Lollapalooza without more contemporary, cutting-edge acts. Enter the youngsters, Kot says:
"But for an increasing number of fans in a key Lollapalooza demographic — those in their late teens to mid-twenties — the dance music acts are the primary draw. Continuing the increasingly heavy dance-music theme of past summers, two electronic acts for the first time will headline the main stages: 22-year-old Swedish DJ/producer Avicii (Tim Bergling) and French electronic duo Justice."
Meanwhile, Bassnectar will headline Lollapalooza's alternative second stage -- dubbed Perry's Stage after festival founder and Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrell. Chicago Sun-Times music critic Thomas Conner adds that the rave tent:
"...was the most engaging stage at the festival. This year's offerings stretch beyond the usual lone, headphoned DJ, including dance-pop singer Santigold, fusion electronic group Big Gigantic and dubstep duo Skream & Benga."
The schedule of more than 120 bands features Lollapalooza's signature mix of mainstream headliners and indie bands, according to the Associated Press. The global factor is strong with acts from across Europe, Chile, Australia, and Malaysia. It also reflects American music hubs like Austin, Nashville, and Portland, spanning genres from rock to pop, hip hop and rap to electronic dance.
Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand, the Afghan Whigs, and The Shins are on the bill. The full lineup is available on Lollapalooza's website.
The three-day outdoor festival Lollapalooza again will be at Grant Park, this year on Aug. 3-5. A three-day ticket for the event is $230.
