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)

Saul Williams, “Sunday Bloody Sunday (U2 Cover)

-Chris Force

-Photo by Tanya van Kampen