[pullquote quote="It's just a perfect bottle of champagne waiting to be uncorked." credit="Perry Farrell"]In the beginning it was an exciting new way for us to experience the best in modern rock. Now, Lollapalooza is celebrating its 21st birthday and the best 3 days of the year for Chicago music fans.

You know how much fun last year’s Lolla was, with unforgettable performances from My Morning Jacket, Arctic Monkeys, and the sopping wet Foo Fighters. Now the Lolla love is finally here for 2012 and this year’s lineup is a doozy!

Here it is — in black and white.

XRT Announces The 2012 Lolla Lineup

This year’s 3-Day party in Grant Park will feature RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS – THE BLACK KEYS – BLACK SABBATH – JACK WHITE – THE SHINS – FLORENCE & THE MACHINE – PASSION PIT – FRANZ FERDINAND – M83 – THE AFGHAN WHIGS – THE HEAD & THE HEART – JUSTICE – SIGUR ROS – DR. DOG – DAWES – TUNEYARDS – TEMPER TRAP – SHARON VAN ETTEN – DELTA SPIRIT – ALABAMA SHAKES – THE WALKMEN – THE BIG PINK – OF MONSTERS & MEN – WHITE RABBITS – GIVERS – TWIN SHADOW – GARY CLARK JR. – DUM DUM GIRLS – TRAMPLED BY TURTLES – OBERHOFER – BLOC PARTY & more. View additional acts at Lollapalooza.com.

Listen live this morning to hear festival founder, Perry Farrell’s exclusive commentary on this year’s lineup.

The festival will be held August 3rd-5th over what’s expected to be a hot & sweaty weekend in Chicago. Tickets are on sale now so snatch them up before they’re gone! Three day passes are going for $230. If you feel like celebrating Lolla’s 21st in style, cough up the dough for the three day VIP pass. The VIP Pass includes: unlimited access, viewing platforms, golf cart shuttles, beer, wine and libations all day, mini spa treatments, air conditioned bathrooms, and shaded and relaxed lounge seating. That’s right, we said air conditioned bathrooms — a truly VIP weekend deal, but don’t forget, you can enter to win FREE 3-Day weekend passes here.

Here’s a brief history lesson on Lollapalooza, straight from Perry himself:

Lollpalooza: What’s in a Name?

Listen to Perry explain the first lineup.

Finally, it all comes together in 1991, the first festival.

Ah, the maestro of Lollapalooza himself. Spiritual godfather and festival founder Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction made his annual appearance here at the XRT backstage broadcast area to talk with Marty Lennartz. Hear Perry talk about the festival’s expanded menu, the “Perry” deejay stage, and how Lollapalooza is literally bigger than ever! Originally creating Lollapalooza in 1991 as a farewell tour for Jane’s Addiction, the event has since morphed into a festival juggernaut, a destination for concert lovers of all ages, all tastes, and all origins. But like many alt rockers of the 80s and 90s, Farrell got his start on Los Angeles’ grimy Sunset Strip, jamming with various acts before forming Jane’s Addiction with Dave Navarro and company. For six years, the group dominated the scene with intense stage shows, led by Farrell’s drug-fueled screeches and manic dancing, as well as awesome studio albums that made occasional appearances on rock radio.

Lollapalooza goes way beyond the usual festival food. Culinary Ambassador to Lolla, Graham Elliot stopped by to discuss how independent, chef-driven Chicago restaurants are supplying our menu for the weekend.

Speaking of food, getting to Grant Park for the big show is a piece of cake. Public Transportation is at your finger tips with a full rainbow of ‘L’ stops, bus routes, and Metra stations within walking distance. If you are going green and riding your bike there are plenty of bike racks available outside of the box office area. Make sure to bring your own lock because bikes as well as scooters and skateboards will not be permitted past the festival entrance. Cabbin it? Have your cabby drop you off at Michigan and Congress, close to the box office. There is no parking on festival grounds, but there are four underground parking garages nearby.

2009 Lollapalooza Music Festival – Day 3 (Photo by Roger Kisby/Getty Images)

You have your ticket, you know how to get here now lets go over some simple Do’s and Don’ts while you’re here:

Leave your large backpacks at home! Bring a blanket, sheet, or towel to relax on, don’t bring tents or chairs. Do bring a SOFT sided cooler with two factory sealed water bottles, up to one liter in size each per person. EMPTY camel backs and plastic bottles will be allowed. Don’t bring a hard sided cooler with outside food and drink, glass containers, or metal aerosol cans, including that spray sunscreen! Don’t bring any illegal substances, including alcohol, we want you to be able to stay and enjoy the show with us! Do remember to grab your (non-professional) cameras and flip videos to capture the experience.

Definitely DO check 93XRT.com all summer long for exclusive festival access, FREE Tickets, MP3 Downloads and Everything Lollapalooza!

Do you have tips you’d like to add? Share with us below in the comments section. See you in Grant Park!

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