Thousands descended upon Grant Park in Chicago on the first day —

Thousands descended upon Grant Park in Chicago on the first day — and the 20th anniversary — of Perry Farrell’s Lollapalooza. In this slideshow: Perry himself walking the fest (he’s a Skrillex fan); Muse, White Lies, Bloody Beetroots, and much more. PHOTOS BY DENIS JEONG PLASTER on Friday, August 5, 2011

Published on August 5, 2011

Muse plays as fireworks go off in the background.

Muse plays as fireworks go off in the background.

The same honeycomb stage setup they've used for the last year or so.

The same honeycomb stage setup they’ve used for the last year or so.

Music fans are the best fans.

Music fans are the best fans.

Partytime posse.

Partytime posse.

Creative hydration.

Creative hydration.

Muse plays a loose rendition of the U.S. National Anthem.

Muse plays a loose rendition of the U.S. National Anthem.

Thousands descended upon Grant Park in Chicago on the first day --

Muse plays a loose rendition of the U.S. National Anthem.

As the headliners for Friday night, they energized more than a few acres of fans.

As the headliners for Friday night, they energized more than a few acres of fans.

A crew from Minneapolis.

A crew from Minneapolis.

By the looks of the crowd, it's not just Texas.

By the looks of the crowd, it’s not just Texas.

A-Mused

A-Mused

In the dance tent for Girl Talk.

In the dance tent for Girl Talk.

The crowd gets TP'd at Girl Talk.

The crowd gets TP’d at Girl Talk.

Girl Talk ready to rock.

Girl Talk ready to rock.

Rap/classic-rock mashups made this dude famous.

Rap/classic-rock mashups made this dude famous.

The stage fills up fast with fans eager to show their support.

The stage fills up fast with fans eager to show their support.

Girl Talk finds an interesting use for a leaf blower.

Girl Talk finds an interesting use for a leaf blower.

Girl Talk's fans walk it out on stage.

Girl Talk’s fans walk it out on stage.

It was 85 and humid.

It was 85 and humid.

White Lies pose for a pic in the media tent.

White Lies pose for a pic in the media tent.

A sign in the audience to White Lies read, PLAY 'DEATH' - and that they did.

A sign in the audience to White Lies read, PLAY ‘DEATH’ – and that they did.

White Lies bassist Charles Cave told us in an interview: Bring extra socks to festivals. (Pro-tip.)

White Lies bassist Charles Cave told us in an interview: Bring extra socks to festivals. (Pro-tip.)

Foster The People putting in work.

Foster The People putting in work.

Foster The People said they'd never played for as many people than at this set.

Foster The People said they’d never played for as many people than at this set.

Totally safe.

Totally safe.

The Bloody Beetroots Dennis (lead singer of Refused) and Bob, after their set in the dance tent

The Bloody Beetroots Dennis (lead singer of Refused) and Bob, after their set in the dance tent

Bloody Beetroots railed into a scorching set with live elements.

Bloody Beetroots railed into a scorching set with live elements.

The feeling we get up there is really just indescribable, Bob said.

The feeling we get up there is really just indescribable, Bob said.

We run into Lollapalooza creator and Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrell at the dubstep tent. He gave us a high five.

We run into Lollapalooza creator and Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell at the dubstep tent. He gave us a high five.

A sonic religion of sorts.

A sonic religion of sorts.

They like it LOUD.

They like it LOUD.

Perry's dance tent fans.

Perry’s dance tent fans.

Sometimes heat trumps style.

Sometimes heat trumps style.

All smiles near the food vendors, which featured Chicago pizza by Lou Malnati and extremely long lines.

All smiles near the food vendors, which featured Chicago pizza by Lou Malnati and extremely long lines.

Intense.

Intense.

Chicago DJ Dani Deahl shows off her heels trimmed with faux hair.

Chicago DJ Dani Deahl shows off her heels trimmed with faux hair.

This is the shake your lovely girlfriend for loose change move. Hey, festival beer isn't cheap.

This is the shake your lovely girlfriend for loose change move. Hey, festival beer isn’t cheap.