This weekend, hipsters young and old will converge en masse at Chicago’s Grant Park for the annual Lollapalooza musical festival. Hundreds of acts will perform during the festival’s three days, spanning all kinds of genres, and I bet you’re wondering what the hell you should go see. Well, lucky for you, I’m here to help. I’m going to let you in on 9 must-see acts at Lollapalooza.

However, there are, of course, a few stipulations. For one, these aren’t the only must-see acts, these are just 9, three from each day. Second, this doesn’t include headliners. I’m not here to break bands like Depeche Mode and Kings of Leon to you–besides, let’s face it, you’ve already made your decision regarding those bands anyway. The point here is to tip you off to some acts you may have otherwise not given any second thought. Well, now’s the time to start seriously pondering.

1. Fleet Foxes – Friday, 5:00-6:00, Playstation Stage

Fleet Foxes epitomize the classic festival band. This indie folk 5-piece has made quite a storm in the past year, and with good reason. A mix between Iron & Wine and Band of Horses, the sound of Fleet Foxes is pastoral and peaceful. Lay out your blanket, have a seat, and settle your nerves as you listen to lead singer Robin Pecknold’s incredible pipes.

2. Crystal Castles – Friday, 5:00-6:00, Vitamin Water Stage

With the emergence of indie electro we have seen a much wider acceptance of bands that somewhat go against the grain. Case-in-point: Crystal Castles. This duo consisting of multi-instrumentalist, Ehtan Kath and vocalist, Alice Glass combines punk-rock, hip-hop, Nintendo noises, electronica, and a slew of other unknown sounds. Regardless of how we label them, they know how to rock out a set.

3. A-Trak – Friday, 5:45-7:00, Perry’s Stage

One of the most impressive changes to Lollapalooza this year is the expansion of Perry’s Stage. Once a spot to check out mid-level deejays during one’s off-time has now become a showcase of the best DJ talent in the world. Perhaps at the forefront of this is A-Trak, a renowned magician on the decks. He hit the “mainstream” scene touring as Kanye’s DJ, and has been on a rampant hot streak ever since. For those of you who may not be into the whole dance music thing, this guy is worth checking out for his scratching and beat-juggling skills alone. The dude won DMC’s World DJ Championship in 1997 – at age 15. He’s so good, it’ll make you puke.

4. Santigold – Saturday, 5:30-6:30, Playstation Stage

Chances are you’ve heard Santigold plenty of times – even if you don’t own any of her music. Featured on Bud Light Lime commercials, Entourage episodes, and who knows where else, Santigold has exploded onto the scene in the last year-ish. A mix of hip-hop, electro, and rock, with a tinge of that Jamaican flavor, Santigold has done a great job making these elements work in harmony to create an incredibly likable sound. Her shows are just as likable, so don’t miss this one.

5.TV on the Radio – Saturday, 6:30-7:30, Budweiser Stage

I remember fondly my first time seeing TV on the Radio: a drunken, debauchery-filled Friday during my college days, highlighted by one of the best shows I have ever seen. While those days might be long gone, it’s good to know one can still channel those experiences. TV on the Radio received a lot of acclaim for their most recent album, Dear Science, and the only thing better than listening to them pre-recorded is seeing them live. Driving bass lines, roaring drums, and lead singer Tunde Adebimpe’s voice make for an incredible combination when right in front of your eyes.

6. Animal Collective – Saturday, 7:30-8:30, Vitamin Water Stage

Psychedelic favorites, Animal Collective perhaps offer the most complete package on this list. Known for offbeat lyrics and unpredictable song structures, these Baltimore natives always impress.  A band that can slow it down, go completely nuts, or keep a happy medium, Animal Collective has an eclectic sound perfect for the festival atmosphere.

7. Bat for Lashes – Sunday, 1:30-2:30,Vitamin Water Stage

As Sunday arrives and you drag your dehydrated, hungover carcass to the final day of Lollapalooza, a good way to ease back into the thick of things is to go see Bat for Lashes. Relatively unknown, Bat for Lashes just released Two Suns, a wonderful album full of emotion and lush sounds. I really have no way of describing the sound without misplacing terms, so just check out the video.

8. Boys Noize – Sunday, 5:30-7:00, Perry’s Stage

Glitchy, distorted, thumping – Boys Noize is the man who is bringing electro into its next era. In many ways the natural progression from Daft Punk, Boys Noize is everywhere you might not guess. Remixing tracks for Feist, A-Trak and – believe it – The Black Eyed Peas, Alexander Ridha (aka Boys Noize) has supplanted himself as a premier producer/DJ. His sets are all-out, loud-as-hell dance parties. The only question is: are you going to have enough energy by then to hang with it?

9. Silversun Pickups – Sunday, 7:30-8:30, Vitamin Water Stage

As your Lolla journey comes to an end, a good way to setup your final headliner is by checking out Silversun Pickups. Often mistaken for The Smashing Pumpkins, this 4-piece from Los Angeles does plenty to distinguish themselves from their grunge predecessors. Great vocals, coupled with some of the best guitar riffs of late help achieve a powerful, unmistakably rock ‘n roll sound that is the basis for the traditional American music festival. So, pay homage to tradition and make your way to see Silversun Pickups.

Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge you need to have a great festival experience, get out there and enjoy yourselves. Oh, and on a final note, please don’t be the jackass moshing in everyone’s personal space – I’d hate to see you get kicked out.

Apple’s 2009 WWDC conference kicks off today, with a ton of rumored goodies expected to be announced in the next couple of hours. So whether you’re waiting to find out when you can download the new iPhone 3.0 software, what the newest iPhone looks like or just wanting to see if the zombie-like Steve Jobs makes it for the event, our friends at Gizmodo are live-blogging the whole thing with up-to-the-second updates.

Check out Gizmodo’s WWDC 2009 live coverage, here!

The Sounds recently played an intimate invite-only “secret show” at Santos Party House in NYC to celebrate the release of their newly released album “Crossing the Rubicon”. The tickets were nearly impossible to attain, so check out our pictures from the show if you weren’t lucky enough to score a pair.

Earlier in the day COED got the chance to meet up with Maja (lead vocals) and Felix (guitar) to ask them questions about their song writing process, touring, the new album and tattoos, amongst other things. Enjoy!

Thursday night at Santos Party House in NYC, Sweden’s other supergroup The Sounds played an invite-only “secret show” to celebrate the release of their forthcoming album “Crossing the Rubicon.”

Tickets were nearly impossible to come by, but the lucky people on the guest list were treated to a 13 song set that kicked off with “Living in America,” closed with “Tony The Beat” and included four songs from their new album set to be released June 2nd. You can check out the set list here.

Earlier in the day, COED sat down with Maja and Felix for a video interview.  Check back early next week for our exclusive interview with the band.

For now check out over 50 photos from last night’s Sounds concert at Santos.

(click thumbnails to see the full gallery)

This German Eurovision host thought it would be a good idea to talk about his co-hosts ‘points’ and then give them a grab. But I bet he didn’t think he would be getting the sh*t slapped out of him on live TV, in front of all of Europe. Awkwaaaarrrrrrrdd…

When we last saw the former Mrs. Federline attempt a comeback, Britney and her belly were shamefully sprawled across the stage at the 2007 VMA’s. Fast-forward 14 months later and Brit-Brit is at it again.  This time she’s chosen Germany’s Bambi Awards to test the water.  Could there be a country more sympathetic to reinvention than Germany?  Like Frick & Frack.

You might have expected to see another SNL -  Tina Fey – Sarah Palin sketch posted here this morning, but for my money Barky Bark and The Donkey Bunch stole last night’s show.  I always wondered what Marky Mark would sound like talking to a goat and Andy Samberg nails it.  “Say hi to your mother for me.”

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She’s made Ric Flair fall face first with a kiss, she has an irresistible smile, she cancan take body slams, and most importantly she loves babies and puppies. She’s none other then WWE Diva turned Playboy Covergirl, Maria Kanellis.

Maria won wrestling fans hearts with her ditzy personality (don’t let it fool you), long legs, green doe eyes that melt even the coldest heart, and her gestures of blowing kisses to the crowd. Maria was kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule to talk to COED about everything from wrestling, life, and Barry Manilow?! (more…)

It’s been 17 years since Led Zeppelin last reunited for a one-off performance, and much has changed in the climate of popular rock. To “rawk” nowadays you must simply grumble in a faux-baritone while chugging guitars steady the pace until the chorus sends the entire affair into a loud, mid-tempo dirge. It’s a sad state of affairs in rock today if you’re not looking in the right places.

In Led Zeppelin’s heyday, the late John Bonham’s caveman stomp supplied the blueprint for every Bamm-Bamm inspired drummer; John Paul Jones anchored the band with seismic bass and keyboard accompaniment; Page’s riffs proved the theory of plate tectonics and Plant’s coyote howl could tear the pasties off a stripper. Yeah…Led Zep was (and is) pretty good.

If you’re gonna go big, you might as well go Zeppelin: