"If you're not in Chicago, you're missing out" -- Silverchair's Daniel Johns

Day two of Lollapalooza began with clouds overhead and rain in the forecast, but in a way, this felt like the right setting for Shock Stars, winners of Lollapalooza's Last Band Standing talent contest.

Upon hearing the loud, fuzzy, distorted guitar and driving drumbeats emanating from the Citi Stage, I knew I was in the presence of Portland-based husband and wife duo Kevin and Anita Robinson, a.k.a. Viva Voce.

We've spent a lot of time with Against Me!

We here at SPIN.com wish we could pack you all up in our respective suitcases and stow you away to this weekend's Lollapalooza festival in Chicago. But just because you don't have a ticket for the Windy City's lakeside extravaganza doesn't mean you can't soak up some of the festival's top performances.

Surfacing in short silver shorts and a brightly colored shirt to the largest crowd I've seen all day, London-born Sri Lankan homage paying rapper M.I.A. took to the Bud Light stage and rocketed through her first few songs flawlessly, only to get into "Pull up the People" and stop short: "that one sounds better in the club." In her short time onstage, M.I.A.

"How ya'll doooo-aaooowww-ing!"

Preemptively perusing the festival grounds one day prior to their set, Minneapolis' Tapes 'n Tapes stopped through the SPIN.com tent for brief chat following a super-brief 20 minute flight to Chicago out of their hometown.

Poised against a backdrop of Chicago's metallic skyline, Gainesville, Florida-bred punkers Against Me!

It was hard to abandon the beats of M.I.A.'s "Bucky Done Gun" pulsating from the Bud Light stage yesterday afternoon (Aug. 3) before the Rapture took the Playstation stage a few field-lengths down the park. Fortunately, M.I.A.'s deep world beats had those awaiting the dance-heavy set already bumping for a party.