Nine Inch Nails
Sure, How to Destroy Angels has its fans, but for Trent Reznor acolytes, the absence of NIN was always a huge bummer. Now the band is back in action with a new stage show, new album, and 30 years worth of dark-industrial pop.
Death Grips
Noise-rap provocateur Death Grips has made headlines fighting with its record label, posting unconventional album art, and generally pushing everyone's buttons. Beyond the controversy, though, is some of the most searing, progressive music being made today.
Queens of the Stone Age
Desert-rock pioneer Queens of the Stone Age has returned with its first new album since 2007. Arguably one of the best bands of the last 15 years, Josh Homme and his cadre of cohorts make rock 'n' roll the way its meant to be played: loud, fast, and fun.
Beach House
If there's any sound more beautiful than Beach House vocalist Victoria Legrand's voice, we have yet to discover it. Always a pleasure, Beach House is the welcome flip side of a festival filled with high-energy rock and hip-hop.
Azealia Banks
At Glastonbury, we were treated with brand-new material from Banks in the form of the Pharrell-featuring "ATM Jam." Who knows what Ms. Banks will bust out at Lolla — be it more material from her upcoming record or a different dinosaur costume.
Chance the Rapper
One of the best albums of the year so far was Acid Rap, the latest mixtape from Chance the Rapper — so good, in fact, that it made it onto the Billboard charts even though it could be downloaded entirely for free. A Chicago native, Chance has been likened to André 3000, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne, and more. In reality, he's managed to carve out a style all his own.
The National
Just off the release of its new album, Trouble Will Find Me, The National is back on the road. After more than a decade together, the band has morphed into one of the most powerful stadium-rock bands and turned its brand of barroom depression into a science.
Hot Chip
After leaving Coachella and being confronted by R. Kelly vs. Phoenix, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Modest Mouse, and more, Hot Chip may have quietly succeeded at playing the best set of the festival. You may not assume it, but Hot Chip is truly one of the best live bands in the world right now. Trust us.
The Postal Service
If you missed the band at Coachella or on its recent stadium tour, Lollapalooza is giving you another chance to relive the early aughts with The Postal Service. Sing-alongs are the name of the game for this one.
Kendrick Lamar
Just one year ago, Kendrick was an upstart rapper from Compton. Now he's one of the biggest names in hip-hop playing huge sets to thousands. Thing is, we can't think of a rapper who deserves his success more.
New Order
One of this writer's top five favorite bands of all time, New Order have been making the best of its old age by playing massive shows across the world. From "Ceremony" to "Bizarre Love Triangle," no one has ever done emotional synth-pop better.
Friday, August 2
The Killers
Nine Inch Nails
New Order
Queens Of The Stone Age
Steve Aoki
Thievery Corporation
Imagine Dragons
Lana Del Rey
Flux Pavilion
Band Of Horses
Hot Chip
Crystal Castles
Frightened Rabbit
Dillon Francis
Smith Westerns
Disclosure
Father John Misty
Ghost B.C.
Modestep
Emeli Sande
Jessie Ware
Atlas Genius
Timeflies
Theophilus London
Monsta
IO Echo
Icona Pop
Chance The Rapper
Lance Herbstrong
Robert DeLong
Deap Vally
Twenty One Pilots
San Cisco
Hey Marseilles
Keys N Krates
The Neighbourhood
Pacific Air
American Authors
Houndmouth
Brick + Mortar
D-Pryde
Brite Lite Brite
Drowners
Saturday, August 3
Mumford & Sons
The Postal Service
The National
The Lumineers
Kendrick Lamar
Eric Church
Steve Angello
Ellie Goulding
Azealia Banks
Local Natives
Dada Life
Matt & Kim
Foals
Death Grips
Court Yard Hounds
Adventure Club
Ben Howard
GriZ
Charles Bradley
Heartless Bastards
Baauer
HAIM
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
St. Lucia
Shovels & Rope
Little Green Cars
Family of the Year
360
The Bright Light Social Hour
Reignwolf
Pujol
Planet Hemp
Cole Plante
Lukas Nelson & P.O.T.R.
Blondfire
Frontier Ruckus
Wheeler Brothers
The Dunwells
Supreme Cuts
Cherub
Wild Cub
Brooke Waggoner
Beast Patrol
Sunday, August 4
The Cure
Phoenix
Vampire Weekend
Knife Party
Grizzly Bear
Major Lazer
Dog Blood
Two Door Cinema Club
Tegan and Sara
Beach House
Cat Power
2 Chainz
Alt-J
The Vaccines
DIIV
Alex Clare
Baroness
Lianne La Havas
Wild Nothing
Angel Haze
Wavves
Alvin Risk
Jake Bugg
Wild Belle
Art Department
MS MR
Guards
Kill the Noise
Skaters
The Orwells
Palma Violets
Astro
Machines Are People Too
Yawn
Half Moon Run
The Mowgli's
Nightmare & the Cat
Bear Mountain
O'Brother
Makeshift Prodigy
Photo: Courtesy of Beach House