Perry Farrell, frontman for Jane’s Addiction, conceived Lollapalooza (Lolla) as a means to bring “alternative” acts to the masses. Lolla toured America in 1991, performing for one day before moving to the next locale. My friend and I attended the inaugural event held in Tinley Park (IL). Bands like Jane’s Addiction, Siouxie and the Banshees, Nine Inch Nails, Ice-T’s heavy metal band Body Count, and the Henry Rollins Band appeared on stage. I still possess the ticket stub: $22.25 for a lawn seat.
I sorely missed Ministry in 1992 as I was in Minnesota.
Grunge band Nirvana was scheduled to headline in 1994, but dropped out of the festival when Kurt Cobain’s body was discovered in Seattle. Thus, the Smashing Pumpkins became the default headliner. I remember George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars performed a brilliant set, albeit a short one. Sir George lamented that his shows typically lasted three hours (that I have witnessed several times), not the one-hour slot he was given. The Beastie Boys’ set was awful as their style of music did not lend itself to a large outdoor venue.
Lollapalooza got canceled in 1997 and revived in 2003. However, as I aged my musical tastes simply did not agree with the lineups. In 2005, Lolla settled permanently in Grant Park, Chicago, as opposed to touring, with multiple stages. I got a free ticket to one day in 2010. By this time Lolla had expanded to deliver over a three-day span. My friend and I saw Soundgarden with Chris Cornell having a weakened voice, and enjoyed Wolfmother (in fact, I am gonna listen to their debut now), Japan X, and Johnny Marr of The Smiths. Green Day performed, but not on my day.
Somewhere in time this narrator came to believe Lolla became more about “being seen” as opposed to fans wanting to show true appreciation toward music. For example, my niece went to Lolla approximately five years ago. As she left the family picnic, I asked her who she looked forward to seeing. She replied that no band prompted her to buy a ticket. She just wanted to be present and hang out with her friends. Kinda like Cub fans who buy bleacher tickets. It is not to enjoy the game; instead, it is about being seen, taking selfies, and announcing to your social media followers that you are at the game.
When Lolla announced Green Day would close the 2022 iteration, my wife declared we must go. After visiting my Mom in the hospital, we drove into Chicago, parked, and walked to Grant Park. Just prior to entering my wife saw “The Sign Guy.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farhad_Khoiee-Abbasi Years ago I wrote about Farhad on EPB: https://www.eastportlandblog.com/2014/07/30/from-church-pew-to-daley-plaza-the-tragic-descent-of-chicagos-troubled-sign-guy-by-mark-erickson/ I could not believe Farhad had remained on this planet! I called his name. He recognized me and responded by turning so I could not see his face. He looked healthy – somehow he acquired shoes that are presently fashionable for men. I kept speaking his name, but he would not look. Onward to the show.
We timed our arrival perfectly to enjoy Måneskin’s set, a band I learned about eight months ago and wrote on EPB: https://www.eastportlandblog.com/2021/11/30/etch-it-in-stone-maneskin-like-elvis-will-one-day-headline-vegas-by-mark-erickson/ People flocked to the main stage! Måneskin surprised me. This Rome-based band did not play like the pop band I expected. This tight-knit group actively rawked! Guitarist Thomas Raggi shredded while vocalist Damiano David strutted, howled, and captured the audience. Kudos too to bassist Victoria DeAngelis and drummer Ethan Torchio. Måneskin covered “My Generation” by The Who with the photogenic one rapping the lyrics.
After Jane’s Addiction disbanded, Perry Farrell formed the short-lived Porno for Pyros. I recognize the name, but its music never appeared on my radar. I disagree with the Chicago Tribune writers who claimed they witnessed an “electric set.” Maybe this referred to the video screens as opposed to the music. This uninspiring, listless band benefitted from a guest appearance by Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins who played guitar during the cover of Zeppelin’s “When the Levee Breaks.” Basically, this collaboration was an advertisement for the upcoming Jane’s Addiction/Smashing Pumpkins tour. I must give Mr. Farrell credit for blaming “white males” who passed legislation to control the uterus.
Since I had an hour until Green Day, I walked to a nearby stage with the unmistakable, methodical EDM thumpthumpthump. Fans loved it. I also waited for a photo op during this gig. You see, Chicago police made a huge presence around and in Lolla. The only time I saw a policeman move away from his circle jerk during this peaceful festival was to retrieve a beer can that a drunk fan dropped on the pavement. He handed it to her and resumed chatting with his buddies. Certainly unlike the description of police activity in Grant Park as described by Norman Mailer’s “Miami and the Siege of Chicago.”
I waited for something to emerge by watching people. All sorts of people dressed to be seen. Or, in the alternative, to express one’s individuality like when I visited the port-o-potty. Nothing spontaneously captured my attention; however, people watching entertained nonetheless. I decided to try to manufacture a picture. When two men walked past, I asked them if I could take their picture – posing next to the police – because I planned to write a review of the concert. They demurred. So I snapped their anonymous departure.
Technology has come so far since the first Lolla when one paid in cash and the spectators viewed the lone stage sans video screens. The twin video screens and backdrop greatly enhanced this 21st century event. Spectacular displays of color and patterns and immense performers have been the norm for a while now. Also, two drones circled the audience. They would land somewhere to have their footage uploaded to a computer, which then transferred the footage onto the screens. Professionally done and awesome; I need a drone as a hobby!! I have seen other video creations during concerts by Mastodon, Opeth, and Primus. ‘Tis the norm these days, which I fully embrace.
Rock and Roll HOF inductee Green Day. I knew every song because my wife plays this band in the car quite often. Green Day entertains with a sprinkle of agitation. Listen to “American Idiot,” #43. Charismatic frontman Billie Joe Armstrong repeatedly wooed and engaged the audience to everyone’s delight. Green Day showed no signs of slowness or slowing down. Lolla will not slow either as its management company just inked a deal with the City of Chicago to keep the large music festival a-cookin’ in the city by the lake until 2032.
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