Lollapalooza 2008, Day 3: Saul Williams (Citi Stage)

Our favorite poet / actor / musician Saul Williams (cover story, ALARM Magazine #20) played Lollapalooza today, complete with face makeup, feathers (which he also distributed with great success to the crowd), a DJ, a keyboard player (wearing a cape), and a guitar player in a reflective silver suit (note to guitar player: next time you play an outdoor show in the middle of summer in Chicago, you might want to lose the tin-foil-hot-dog-oven look).

Saul is a skilled performer and his wild stage antics worked the crowd into a frenzy. I couldn’t help but feel conflicted about his use of the word n**ger, especially when directed at an ocean of young, drunk, and obedient fans–a few of whom I caught wearing that not-so-subtley racist Fukodome Cubs baseball t-shirt. I had the same feeling during last year’s Lollapalooza  when Patti Smith performed “Rock ‘N Roll N**ger”.

Seeing a bunch of shirtless white jocks yell racial slurs is just not fun, even if Saul Williams is on stage. My spirits dampened, but I hope this helps Saul get to where he needs to go.

Saul Williams, “World on Wheels”, The Inevitable Rise and Fall of Niggy Tardust! (Fader)

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Saul Williams, “Sunday Bloody Sunday (U2 Cover)

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-Chris Force

-Photo by Tanya van Kampen