Lollapalooza – A Classic Reborn
When Jane’s Addiction lead vocalist Perry Farrell formed Lollapalooza in 1991 it was a unique event for music fans. Although the festival is no longer touring it is a three day festival that takes place every year in Chicago. Lollapalooza is not only one of the top festivals in Chicago but it is one of the world’s top music festivals too.
Lollapalooza (“remarkable thing”) was formed in 1991 as a farewell tour for Jane’s Addiction. It toured throughout North America featuring Jane’s Addiction and a variety of alternative rock, punk and hip hop bands. This first festival featured Nine Inch Nails, Ice-T and the Violent Femmes. Over the years the festival grew in size. In 1992 Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Ice Cube performed and in 1993 Alice in Chains and Tool performed.
Over the years Lollapalooza suffered. Nirvana was going to headline the 1994 edition but pulled out after the death of lead vocalist Kurt Cobain. In 1996 Farrell left his management position for the festival and in 1998 the festival was cancelled because of a lack of sponsors. It was brought back in 2003 but it failed to draw interest and it was cancelled again in 2004.
In 2005 the show was brought back but this time as a weekend festival in Chicago’s Grant Park. This three day festival, which generally occurs in August and includes main stages at the north and south ends of Grant Park, has become one of the world’s top music festivals under this new format.
This festival is noted for its amazing quantity of artists in that more than a hundred can play on seven or more stages in three days. The variety of artists is impressive too. In 2005 Weezer, Widespread Panic, the Arcade Fire and Death Cab for Cutie played at the festival. In 2006 Kanye West and the Red Hot Chili Peppers played while in 2007 Pearl Jam, Muse and LCD Soundsystem played. The 2008 edition featured Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails, Rage Against the Machine and Kanye West.
This festival features a variety of attractions. It features tents with all sorts of shops and information attractions. It also features a variety of concessions from various Chicago area food vendors.
The kids section of the festival, also known as Kidzapalooza, is one of the most unique features of the festival. This was made with the belief that many people who attended the first few Lollapaloozas may have kids of their own. Over the years this festival has featured various kids music performers. Many adult performers, including Ben Harper, Patti Smith and My Morning Jacket’s Jim James, have had short acoustic sets here too.
Lollapalooza is more than just one of the top festivals in Chicago. It is one of the top festivals for music that truly captures the essence of the original touring form of the festival. Be sure to check out Lollapalooza.com for additional details and for updates on the 2009 edition.