White Rabbits at Lollapalooza 2012 | Photos and music review

White Rabbits

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  White Rabbits | Lollapalooza | August 5, 2012

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  White Rabbits | Lollapalooza | August 5, 2012

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  White Rabbits | Lollapalooza | August 5, 2012

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  White Rabbits | Lollapalooza | August 5, 2012

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  White Rabbits | Lollapalooza | August 5, 2012

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  White Rabbits | Lollapalooza | August 5, 2012

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  White Rabbits | Lollapalooza | August 5, 2012

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  White Rabbits | Lollapalooza | August 5, 2012

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  White Rabbits | Lollapalooza | August 5, 2012

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  White Rabbits | Lollapalooza | August 5, 2012

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  White Rabbits | Lollapalooza | August 5, 2012

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  White Rabbits | Lollapalooza | August 5, 2012

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  White Rabbits | Lollapalooza | August 5, 2012

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  White Rabbits | Lollapalooza | August 5, 2012

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White Rabbits | Lollapalooza | August 5, 2012

Photo: Jeremy Witteveen

Sometimes it's good when indie bands let some demons out. Where their Brooklyn contemporaries often keep it sunny, White Rabbits retain something ominous in their likable grooves. Stephen Patterson sounds somewhere between Mac McCaughan and Paul Banks, but the dark, brooding tunes are closer to Banks. At their best, these songs sound like some of Radiohead's dancier yet sinister numbers: totally fun and digestible, but with a spooky underbelly that makes you worry a bit about your sanity. There's power to White Rabbits, which sets them apart from most of the other indie bands at Lolla, or in the game at all. 

While the two-drummer thing didn't seem necessary here (I'm looking at you, auxiliary maraca-tambourine guy), this otherwise trebly, occasionally shreddy but mostly melodic music was pleasantly beefed up by a solid rhythm section. Bud Light's been a good stage for low end this weekend. But full disclosure: I'm prone to liking any band with a Rickenbacker bass. And with no small help from that ubiquitous disco beat, Lolla liked 'em a lot, too.

Also, blurting "Michael Phelps!" into the microphone before that last song was the funniest thing I've seen a musician do all weekend. Cheers.