Juliette Lewis And The Licks
Lollapalooza
Grant Park in Chicago
Sunday August 5th, 2007
There’s been a few actresses now that have decided to try their hand at music to the extent that when I first heard Juliette was doing so, I was skeptical. Friends of mine who weren’t there on Sunday in Chicago’s Grant Park early enough to witness Juliette and the Licks have also asked me whether or not this is just some actress vs. a band that really holds up. There’s a caution given past history with these industries mixing.
First, I have no doubt that Juliette will garner more crowds because she already has a name to alot of people as an actress. Coming off like a crazed woman on the brink, her getup is a bizarre mix of Native American head gear, colored war paint, and black leather pants. She is the opposite of subtle and her outfit would fail to serve as a camoflauge even amongst other rock stars. As she belts out the vocals, the mic cord is constantly twisting around her body as she gets further out of control. It’s like watching some beautiful car crash.
Music wise, she isn’t playing any instruments but her talent lies in her stage presence and her ability to captivate an audience, which is true for many lead singers whether or not they have ever starred in films. I’d be the last to say Iggy Pop (who played later on Sunday) isn’t talented, for example. Yet, who could deny that if Iggy didn’t have such an outlandish and in your face stage presence, he might not be nearly as well received in live venues with demand held high to witness him in the flesh.
The other thing you have to remember is that Juliette is backed by three other male musicians who undoubtebly relish in every moment of being there. Though it seems at the outset like it has all of the familiar rock elements of bass, guitar, and drums, it’s clear they have a sense of rhythm and power to really drive those songs behind the girl. Because of this, the songs are solid and have a good kick to them. Though I haven’t heard the album, it’s possible that the songs are really there. However, my recommendation is to see Juliette and the Licks live to experience it because the visual effect must surely add something to those songs.
View the complete photoset of Juliette and the Licks on flickr