That question mark is not a mistake. Every once in a while I have got to let my grumpy old man flag fly and this is one of those times... kind of.
2025
I have nothing against modern music festivals. I'm not going to sit here and say "Back in my day the music festivals were so much better." (Even though they clearly were). Honestly I love the idea of so many people enjoying themselves. I'm especially happy for the teenagers who get to go with their friends and create life long memories. Sadly, there just aren't as many places for teens to go compared to when I was a kid. It is no wonder they have retreated so far into their phone world. But these festivals are a great way to show them that being there live in a moment and sharing an experience with other humans is one of the greatest thrills in the world.
Wait. That doesn't sound grumpy at all. that actually sounds kind of uplifting and nice. Well that is because I haven't started talking about the name of this most recent huge music festival held right here in Chicago: Lollapalooza. I honestly cannot believe this is what Lollapalooza has become. It is simply a giant advertisement for products and pop stars. Every once in a while a new up and coming performer gets launched into stardom after their performance (I'm looking at you Chappel Roan) or a fringe group gets to have their moment in the sun, but right now it just seems like it is just throwing together whatever artists you hear on your local "I heart radio" owned top 40 station and a bunch of DJs. And that is ok. I even watched some of it from the comfort of my own home. I even enjoyed some. Sadly I was out when Olivia Rodrigo played but I bet I would have enjoyed her performance as I have seen her other concert and she really put on a great show. Wait. I'm slipping back out of my grumpiness. Where was I? Oh yeah this pop fest is supposedly "Lollapalooza". Ummmm no it is not. If Perry Farrell knew about this, he'd be rolling over in his grave. Oh wait. He's alive. oh and he still owns it and co-produces it? Whatever. I need to rant.
You see, I was at the first two Lollapaloozas back in 1991 and 1992.Even though on the tour it said they were in Chicago, they were really in a suburb called Tinley Park. We didn't get any fancy Grant Park! We were on a muddy hill... and we liked it! The tour was created by Perry Ferrell who was the lead singer of a very non-pop band called Jane's Addiction (o Juan's Adicción en Espanol [and yes I know this is not grammatically correct])). He planned the tour as a farewell tour for the band and invited some other very non-pop bands.
1991
The first lineup included some amazing alternative talent (and this is when "alternative" actually meant "only popular on the fringe"). Jane’s Addiction, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Living Colour, Nine Inch Nails, Ice-T & Body Count, Butthole Surfers, Rollins Band, Violent Femmes and Fishbone rocked that field. We slammed in the mud for hours (and I mean really slam dancing). It was amazing.
The second year may have been even better with the Red Hot Chili Peppers (before they sold out and got famous with that horrendous "Under the Bridge" song), Ministry, Ice Cube, Soundgarden, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Pearl Jam, and Lush. Again the fringe of society got together to slam dance and enjoy the music.
But today's Lollapalooza is simply not the same. It was meant to be a place for weirdos to unite. Now it is for fashion influencers to be seen along the gate laying on top of each other while pumping one fist and scrolling their phone with the other. It is for the rich who can afford $775 for the cheapest four day ticket (I paid about $30 for my ticket back in the day). It is the exact opposite of the fringe. It is for the elite.
I'm not against this Chicago musical festival (even though it does create insane traffic) but please just rename it something like "The Festival For Pretty, Rich People Sponsored by American Eagle".