The BMI Stage, located on the north side of Grant Park and therefore the north side of Lollapalooza, was a relaxing escape from the set up of the other seven stages at this year’s festival. Completely submerged in the shade of surrounding trees, the stage became home to droves of patrons seeking out a rest from wandering around Grant Park, but also served as a weekend haven for artists bound by the genres of folk, bluegrass and beyond. Blind Pilot, who closed the stage on a windy Saturday afternoon, played into the majestic feeling of being surrounded by the natural elements at one of the most successful urban festivals in the country.

Truly, it was a fitting scenario for Blind Pilot who, just last year, completed a West Coast tour completely on bicycles (Israel Nebeker and Ryan Dobrowski utilizing custom trailers to carry their equipment). As eco-friendly as the band may be, in order to complete the sound captured on 3 Rounds And A Sound, the core duo of Blind Pilot was outfitted with several additional multi-instrumentalists who brought the lush, sweeping, angelic folk melodies to life with towering Chicago skyscrapers looming in the distance. Even lighting a cigarette felt awkwardly rude as Blind Pilot worked their way through what seemed to be their entire catalog — the upbeat enchantment of “The Story I Heard,” the heartbreaking “Two Towns From Me” — picking up emotional steam as they went. The band’s set was undoubtedly sleepy, but thanks to being in the right place at the right time, Blind Pilot played into the scenery and long gone forgotten communal vibe that mass-scale music festivals used to represent.