20th Annual Lollapalooza Set for This Summer
Woodstock was the first rock and roll festival that turned into a gigantic hit. What started out as a ticketed music concert erupted into a free event that held 500,000 people huddled together under tents, swaying to the music. The festival debuted famous performances like the “Star Spangled Banner” played by Jimi Hendrix, and quickly spiraled into not just another concert– but a cultural event that represented the power of the counterculture in the 1960’s. After Woodstock, music festivals turned into more commercialized events, and less of a revelatory moment in which musicians realized just how much of an effect they had on their fans.
Lollapalooza is a music festival that began in 1991, created by singer Perry Farrell. It features music from indie, rock, and hip hop bands with chart-topping songs and strong fan bases. Over the years, it has exposed musical artists and bands such as The Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and The Cure. The festival tours in different locations around North America, and features talented performers with killer stage presence.
This year, Lollapalooza will be held in Grant Park, Chicago, from August 5-7. The 2011 lineup features tons of great bands, such as: Deadmau5, Best Coast, Foo Fighters, Bright Eyes, Girl Talk, Lykke Li, and Ratatat. Besides the music, the festival has wonderful activities in the park, including Kidzapalooza (free and open to all children accompanying an adult who has purchased a ticket), Chow Town (the finest restaurants in Chicago opening booths at the festival), and many more surprises to be seen on their website.
Macy Sanford, a 2010 UHS alum, attended Lollapalooza last year and had “the time of her life.” She said, “During the concerts the crowd would get crazy; I was in the front of all the concerts, so I got the craziest crowd. Most people wanted to mosh and crowd surf, which I did! It was a great experience.” Sanford said that her favorite performers from the concert were MGMT, Arcade Fire, Mumford & Sons, and The National.
This year, two of our own UHS students will be attending the event. Nic Morse and Will Andresen, two seniors who are die hard music fans, are extremely excited to go. Morse says, “I’ve wanted to go to Lollapalooza since 2007, when my favorite band, Daft Punk came. I’m glad I have the opportunity to go this year, since I’ve been waiting so long.” Andresen seems to be equally pumped. He says of the lineup, “I feel that it [the lineup] satisfies almost any music fan, with a mix of everything from rock to rap to indie to electronic.”
No matter how you slice it, there will never be another music festival like Woodstock. But the liberating feeling of listening to your favorite bands, crowd surfing, meeting new people, eating great food, and lying in the grass on a beautiful summer day is a feeling that you will certainly get at Lollapalooza. So if you’re looking for a great time this summer, go to www.lollapalooza.com, and see what’s in store for this summer!
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