Lollapalooza?
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".
I don't think I could handle festivals anymore. I have been to the Buckeye country music fest a few times and a long time ago I went to rolling rock town fair 2.0 in Pennsylvania. The bourbon and beyond festival looks to have the best lineup each year of any other festivals I have seen.
Oh I am 100% done with festivals. While I was watching on TV, I kept asking "where are they going to the bathroom" the longer I watched the more I realized the answer was ... in their pants. The crowd shots of Lollapalooza looked like the 7th circle of Hell to me. Further evidence I am really old.
Oh yeah, no thank you! That sounds horrible!
Let's say you feel nostalgic for the music festivals of a few years ago compared to those of today. Those were singers, not like those of today.
The lineup you mentioned was insane. Lollapalooza used to feel like a music rebellion, now it’s like... curated for Instagram stories. Not hating though, I still vibed with some sets this year (Chappell Roan did EAT). But yeah, it hits different now.
Reading the article brought to mind the real Lollapalooza of the old days. Today's festivals are just full of spectacle, the old passion and rebellion are gone. You've captured it beautifully!
I realized how profound the difference between the old Lollapalooza and today's is. Where there was once rebellion, now there are only decorations and expensive tickets. Your experience and language - a great combination!
Incredible: $775 is the entrance fee to the festival. A good amount of money. I know why you want to rename it only for rich people when the ideal is for all social classes to be able to enjoy good music. One question: Does that festival generate some extra money for the city of Chicago by holding it there?
They rent the park out and they get a cut of the ticket sales so that is close to $10 million. They also collect tax on the tickets for another $7 million or so. And then there are all of the hotel rooms rented, meals bought, etc. So Chicago definitely makes a lot of money on this. But I know they also spend a lot making sure the people are safe.
In the past, such events used to happen a lot in our country and our city. People used to come on the streets and celebrate this kind of freedom. But now such events have decreased here because some people who are here were spoiling the environment in such events, so they have been reduced. But we all miss them a lot because it was a proof of freedom and all people used to enjoy their lives freely.
I can imagine how amazing it must have been back in the early days with such a lineup of alternative bands
The Gorge Amphitheatre is the music festival mecca of the Pacific Northwest. Apparently the Dave Matthews Band (not a fan) is playing there later this month, but the venue page has no prices, and Ticketmaster (even less of a fan) won't let me load their site. Concert tickets, like major league sports tickets, seem to be pricing out the everyman.
Oh man I am not a fan of Dave Mathews either. His voice gets on my nerves. I have a buddy who follows him around the country. I bust on him all the time for it. And of ocurse 20 years ago, Dave Mathews did this to Chicago
(That's poop from his tour bus).
I am really impressed by such a beautiful analysis of the Lollapalooza festival. It shows that music festivals nowadays are not only about entertainment but also reflect cultural diversity. Thank you very much for presenting everything to us so well. Best wishes to you.
Wow, thats a huge Amount of Money for Loola. Didnt expect it that much.
i just finished my article about BOBfest, in Germany and the Crowd just paid 100€ for a full day of Rock n Roll and 10,000 people where there, including me :)
Wacken already increased the price for tickets for 2026 for roughly 16€ more. People who get the Wristband already get credited the 15€ on their wristband to spend it next year, kinda good move.
Prices have become simply outrageous. I don't think it is sustainable.
I get what you're saying. Lollapalooza used to feel so different—more raw and real. Now it’s fun, sure, but it’s lost that unique vibe it had in the early days. Kinda sad to see it become so mainstream.