Mark Ronson Welcomes Rhymefest, Phantom Planet at Lollapalooza
Mark Ronson and company marked the final date of their 16-month tour in funky style. The English guitarist/deejay had a host of international guests in tow — ncluding Liverpool’s Candie Payne, Australia’s Daniel Merriweather and all of Phantom Planet — and treated a small but fervent crowd to “a bunch of covers of indie-rock songs with trumpets on [them], blah blah blah.” A horn section and string section — each dolled up in ballroom attire — manned opposite sides of the stage while Ronson, looking all of 14 years old, inhabited the roles of master of ceremonies and rhythm guitarist. Getting a little help from their friends, they turned the Kaiser Chiefs’ “Oh My God” and Radiohead’s “Just” inside-out. Ronson’s lone misstep? Putting Rhymefest out to open rather than close the show. The dynamic Chicago emcee smoldered on an “innerversion” of Britney Spears’ “Toxic” and leapt into the audience on “Brand New,” during which he free-styled verses while surfing atop the crowd.