Could it be the battle of the internet album bands this summer in Grant Park? Rumors have begun circulating that Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails may headline the fourth incarnation of Lollapalooza in Chicago Aug. 1-3. Promoters won’t make the lineup official for a few more weeks, but industry sources have allegedly confirmed that Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails have been booked as the centerpiece of the festival. At least one other major headliner and about 100 more artists and bands are expected to be announced for the three-day festival sometime next month.

Not one to avoid politics, Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes (who will also be appearing on the upcoming antiwar compilation, Body Of War) was joined by friends M. Ward and Jim James at a rally for presidential candidate Barack Obama earlier this month. Whatever you’re political leanings are, if you like Bright Eyes/M. Ward/Jim James you’ll want to check out the two tracks and videos of the performance below.

MP3s:
Bright Eyes (ft. M. Ward & Jim James) - “Landlocked Blues (Live 2.7.08)
M. Ward (ft. Bright Eyes) - “Lullaby + Exile (Live 2.7.08)”

VIDEOS:
Bright Eyes (ft. M. Ward & Jim James) - “Landlocked Blues (Live 2.7.08)

M. Ward (ft. Bright Eyes) - “Lullaby + Exile (Live 2.7.08)”

I had planned my weekend trip to Chicago, specifically Schuba’s Bar for “Tomorrow Never Knows 2008”, a weekend-long event featuring artists such as John Vanderslice, Bobby Conn, Cloud Cult, Illinois, White Rabbits, as well as The Walkmen, who would headline on Sunday the 20th. I’ve heard that The Walkmen never fail to put on a great performance, so this would be the show I couldn’t afford to miss. I’ve been a fan of The Walkmen for some time now, and had heard beforehand that they’d be showcasing some new songs from their upcoming album. Catching some of the other bands on the bill would be icing on the cake.

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There are many mysteries in the world.

From where do we come?

What is the spark called love?

And the third, but no less important, how does the voice of Band of Horses come from Ben Bridwell?

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Last week, Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner and Lightspeed Champion’s Dev Hynes peformed together at London’s White Heat as indie supergroup The Pun Lovin’ Criminals. The pair played a covers set featuring Interpol and The Vines, but the highlight of the evening was apparently their performance of The Strokes’ “Reptilia.” For those of us who weren’t there, video of the occasion has thankfully made it onto the internets. While watching the vid, make sure to check out the blasé security guard’s reaction to the distractingly rowdy crowd of limbs and flying fluids.

MP3:
Pun Lovin’ Criminals (Alex Turner & Lightspeed Champion) - “Reptilia (The Strokes cover)”

VIDEO: