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Lollapalooza - Let's Talk

Written by Art Michalski

Friday, 10 August 2007

For anyone that was at Lollapalooza this year, you were probably asking yourself this question. Isn't there something missing here?
After 2006’s action packed lineup of alt-rock and hip-hop heavyweights, the 2007 edition seemed a little tepid, a little lukewarm. In the months before I spent anticipating Lollapalooza, many ideas for bands that could play the venue ran through my head (but I’ll save most of them until later). One of the bigger names, I got right, Modest Mouse. But, as much love as I've sent Pearl Jam over the years, they weren’t really who I had in mind for a major headliner. After seeing Interpol last week in Detroit, I am convinced that they are just a good (not great) club or theatre band, and hardly a headliner. Ditto for Daft Punk. Only Muse lived up to their billing, but now the band has to start selling records in the U.S. to back up the hype.
I enjoyed this year’s Lollapalooza, but the lack of major stars hurt the show a bit. A lot of the acts were mid-level alt-rock and indie rock bands that can lure in the already initiated, but not avid fans. Last year’s Saturday lineup of Gnarls Barkley, Common and Kanye West made the this year's afternoon session seem downright boring. So, I figured out a few ways to spice up Lollapalooza for next year. Perry Farrell, you can take down notes and let me know how realistic some of these ideas really are.
1) Diversify the lineup a little more. Yes, I will admit with everyone else that this year had too many sound-a-like bands and hip-hop was sorely under-represented. By diversifying, I mean that there needs to be different bands than were at Coachella and Bonnaroo. I am pretty convinced the Cold War Kids and the Roots have played all three major U.S. festivals this year. The Hold Steady was played two out of three of them. It may help to dig a little deeper and pick some bands out that haven’t graced a festival stage yet. At some points during Lollapalooza, I felt was at carbon copy repeat of Bonnaroo, except with Lake Michigan right next to me.
2) Perhaps have days devoted to certain types of music. Hip-hop on Saturday? Indie Rock on Sunday? It worked for the US Festival in California in the 80s, why not now?
3) Don’t be afraid to have a heavier band that puzzles some concertgoers. Bonnaroo did it with Tool and it worked well. This year needed a heavier, perhaps deeper band that still fits with the Lollapalooza mode, but sends the crowd into a frenzy. Rage Against the Machine, I am looking squarely at you. I didn’t see that moment at any point this year.
4) Plan it for a different weekend as the Virgin Festival in Baltimore. This one's not really your fault since Lolla has traditionally been the first weekend in August. Virgin are being a bunch of jerks by planning their festival on the same weekend and stealing the Police, Beastie Boys and a few others, making Lollapalooza look like the leftover convention. We depend on the mighty Lollapalooza name to battle back with firepower of their own.
5) Offer the Smashing Pumpkins whatever they want and make them play next year. They are from Chicago, and I think a lot of Chicago people were disappointed that their comeback record and tour did not include a stop at Lollapalooza. They took Branson’s money and went to Baltimore instead. Perry, make them an offer they cant refuse.
I am not saying this year’s Lollapalooza was bad by any stretch. It was organized better than the other festivals I have been to this year. The prices were far more reasonable than the city that the festival resides in and the breeze off Lake Michigan did relive the muggy conditions most of the weekend. Everyone wants to bitch about the corporate cabanas that people paid from $32,000 to a whopping $75,000 to hang out with some dorks from MTV. But I figure, if you’re dumb enough to just watch Lollapalooza from a cabana and didn’t venture out; you weren’t really there. All I’m asking is for a little more firepower next year, that’s all.

Photo via myspace.com/lollapalooza

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