Lollapalooza [ tickets ] made a torrential return on Saturday (7/5), when violent thunderstorms caused a 90-minute delay during the tour's kickoff at Verizon Wireless Music Center in Noblesville, IN.

Organizers were booed at the show's midpoint as they urged lawn patrons to take cover under the pavilion just prior to a set by Queens of the Stone Age. The Queens' handlers covered the band's equipment with plastic, lowered video screens and removed banners as precautions. Fans, primarily of college age, cheered as lightning hit the lawn and stray fans climbed atop surrounding buildings.

As the storm weakened, QOTSA played off the crowd's energy, which wasn't muted by the delay. However, the second stage, which had yet to see scheduled performances by Jackass' Steve-O and the Distillers, was shut down early.

The day was supposed to mark a triumphant return of Lollapalooza--which Jane's Addiction [ tickets ] frontman Perry Farrell co-founded in 1991--but turnout was less than stellar. The 24,000-capacity Verizon Wireless Music Center appeared to be only about half full.

Like Lollapaloozas of the past, the midway was filled with tattoo parlors, clothing outlets and activists. A farmer's market offered fresh food. Video game competitions took place all day, while artists signed autographs in a makeshift record store.

Over on the second stage, early sets by up-and-comers such as Cave-In were sparsely attended, perhaps due to the already muddied conditions of the area.

Rooney kicked off the day on the main stage, followed by the Donnas, who stole the afternoon with their raucous set. Bookended on stage by children's drawings, the Donnas lived up to their hype, ably whipping through a sexually tinged set that included "All Messed Up," "I Don't Care (So There)," "You Wanna Get Me High" and a cover of the KISS classic "Strutter."

Rappers Jurassic 5 [ tickets ], who paid respects to late R&B singer Barry White, served up the day's most eclectic set, even spinning some music from the '20s and '30s during a break.

After QOTSA, Incubus [ tickets ] hit the stage running with "Warning" as the sun made a quick appearance. Fans in the pavilion cheered loudly when video screens broadcast images of shirtless singer Brandon Boyd. Punching his fist in the air and walking around the stage in an almost staggering fashion, Boyd and company performed new songs from the forthcoming follow-up to "Morning View."

Boyd was the first to acknowledge the poor weather conditions, thanking Mother Nature for the impromptu light show and Jane's Addiction for the opportunity.

"Thanks for the fireworks. This is a real honor for us to play this tour. We grew up going to Lollapalooza. Thank you," Boyd said.

As Boyd spoke, lightning again filled the Indiana sky, but the show went on.

QOTSA and Incubus received rabid responses from the crowd, but Audioslave [ tickets ] proved to be the crowd favorite. Each unorthodox guitar solo by Tom Morello was met with pumping fists and open mouths.

"It's great to be home," Cornell announced, seemingly about his return to Lollapalooza. Soundgarden played the festival with the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1992 and with headliners Metallica in 1996, the last year Lollapalooza was held.

"Welcome to Lollapalooza. You're the first one. … I think it's much better. The band's better," said Cornell, donning a white tank top and camouflage shorts.

Microphone firmly in hand, Cornell paced in a circle like an animal ready to pounce. He and the rest of the band were clearly happy to be back on stage.

"We're gonna make lots and lots of records, and come back many, many times," he said.

During the set-closer, the Rage-inspired "Cochise," a giant peace sign covered Audioslave's logo. As the house lights went on, many in the audience left.

Perhaps because of curfew laws and the rain delay, Jane's Addiction's set seemed short. Three exotic dancers opened the show as the Spanish-language introduction to the song "Go" off of Jane's Addiction's landmark album "Ritual de lo Habitual" was pumped through the speakers. The track was an apropos beginning, but sound problems plagued the set. Bass and guitars were often barely audible.

"Happy Lollapalooza y'all," Farrell said to the crowd. "Thank you God for the weather. We need the water. We need the rain. We need the mudslides."

During its hour-long set, Jane's Addiction previewed many songs--including the single "Just Because"--from its forthcoming album, "Strays." Fans shouted the words to the song, as well as trademarks like "Ted, Just Admit It … ," giving Jane's Addiction no reason to worry about returning after a years-long hiatus.