The word "lollapalooza" is American slang for something outstanding in some way, often in terms of size or outrageousness. While John Adams' eponymous overture lasts about six minutes, it does pack quite a considerable amount of energy into that time span. Lollapalooza was written in 1995 for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and is something of a spiritual cousin to the composer's 1986 fanfare Short Ride in a Fast Machine. Lollapalooza features a funky bass line, or ostinato, over which Adams layers all different, even seemingly disparate, elements. Big band-like outbursts from the brass, swirling figures in the strings and woodwinds, off-kilter blasts from the percussion, and little hints of Adams' minimalist heritage all make appearances, capped off at the end by a big drum thwack. Quite a whirlwind, Lollapalooza can be a very effective concert opener.

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