Chicagoist: Lollapalooza 2007: A Final Reflection

Percy

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 22:27:28 -0600

Just thought I'd let you know: In the photo of The Hold Steady's crazy awesome fans, I am the kid who looks like he's drowning in a sea of people, with my finger pointing upward in the forefront of the photograph. Boy, I can definitely say that was the highlight of Lollapalooza for me. I would have paid 195 bucks for that show alone.

Tankboy

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 10:54:56 -0600

Don't you people have a copy editor over there, Smith? AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! O.K., now that I got that out of my system, obviously your photographer should have been informed, and I did notice the North Stage staff seemed to be a little less prepped when it came to the photographers. For the most part, many of the "pros" in the pit, the ones hoping to syndicate their shots, are kinda jerky. And it's their precedent that has given all photogs a bad rap with security. Is it fair that it's still held against us? Probably not. The bitching I was talking about centered more on access, and having to walk from one gate to another because their wristband was the wrong one or something. And granted, the rules about how to get in the fest seemed to change daily (and sometimes even from minute-to-minute) but c'mon, you and I both know to expect that at a festival of that size. You can't get worked up over it, and you certainly can't hold it against the acts or assume that's the treatment the paying public is getting, because from what I saw, the paying public ran into little to no problem getting in the gates they were directed to, and none of them threw a hissy fit because they couldn't grab a snack in the artist's area.

Mr_Smith

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 10:40:21 -0600

Er, that should read "..because she was not - nor was anyone else - supposed to take direct shots..."

Mr_Smith

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 10:35:59 -0600

"So the bitching you hear is because journalists with an overblown sense of entitlement were upset with not getting their way." In some cases, absolutely. And Lord knows I've run into my share of colleagues who are incredible dicks. But in the photo pit for Patti Smith, one of our photogs got pushed to the ground by a member of security because she - nor was anyone else - supposed to take direct shots of Patti Smith. Apparently, they were supposed to take shots from the side. No one told her this, and her punishment was getting shoved to the ground by someone twice her weight and size. I'm used to poor communication between organizers and security, as well as poor planning at Lolla. It happens every year, and you just suck it up and deal with it. But I think professionalism - and a lack of physical violence - is not too much to ask.

guest

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 00:03:44 -0600

guest #1 again: Tankboy, I guess what I meant was just that most of the posts here (and on the other, generally music-related blogs I read, not all of them Chicago-based) focused on the "cool" acts: I've seen tons of coverage about M.I.A., !!!, TVOTR, etc. With so many other bands to post about, especially a couple of Chicago-based ones, I just thought it would have been awesome to have more Chicagoist posts about that stuff. I do appreciate what there was, though (Lizz Kannenberg's post, for example), as well as the fact that the Lolla posts were more varied than the P4K ones. If you're going to devote so much GD space to one event, this is absolutely the way to go. That said, am I correct that I heard Patti Smith on the kids stage on I think it was Saturday (the days are all blurred together). It sounded like her, anyway, and it sounded pretty surreal.

guest

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 23:23:56 -0600

I will admit that it seems like there's not as much collaboration between artists at the fest. This year was better with Eddie Vedder showing up on two different stages and then Ben Harper showing up with Pearl Jam. Also the girl from the Silversun Pickups seemed to be everywhere and there girl from !!! made an appearance with TVOTR. I was expecting Kanye to descend at some point, either during Daft Punk or Lupe but that didn't happen. It's good to see though that some artists made a weekend of it and didn't just bolt as soon as their set was over. More intermingling would greatly improve the fest although there's really nothing the festival organizers can do to change that. I also thought it was cool that Jim James from My Morning Jacket just randomly popped up on the Kidzapalooza stage.

TonyB

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 20:21:05 -0600

"And while the crowd for Red Hot Chili Peppers last year seemed big and dangerous" BAHAHAHAHA!! There was nothing dangerous about that crowd. A dangerous crowd is something found at a Lamb of God pit. Not a corporate suckfest like Lolla. I've got free tix the last two years and compared to '92-'96 (minus 95) this fest pales in comparison. I thought Mookie Blaylock might save the day with an inspired performance, but instead saw weird glances between band members, and what seemed to be never ending problems with their guitars. I was sitting on stage, so the problems may have been more obvious up there, but overall - it was lackluster.

guest

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 18:45:05 -0600

When you think about all the different events that Chicago, and Grant Park in particular, hosts each year, there might not be that much flexibility with the dates.

guest

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:28:28 -0600

Where is the Lollapalooza 2008 preview coverage? Let's go, peoples!

guest

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:17:55 -0600

They need to move the festival to a different weekend.

guest

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:07:01 -0600

Having just attended my third consecutive Chicago Lolla at age 37, it's not so easy to drink for three days straight in the heat anymore. Inevitably, by Saturday afternoon, I'm thinking there's no fucking way I could do this again next year. By the time it's all over though, I know I'll be back--it's been that good of a time...

Tankboy

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 16:29:05 -0600

You're right, and I knew that, my fingers betrayed me. And if you saw me, you should have said hi! Of course I understand if you didn't for fear of me dripping sweat all over you ... it was HOT!

guest

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 16:26:04 -0600

Lolla is a great way to show off what Chicago has to offer that will actually make the city money and not require us to build a bunch of facilities to hold various sporting events, most of which aren't played on a professional level in this country.

guest

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 16:18:06 -0600

um, your second last pic is Nic of !!!, not The Rapture (spotted you in the crowd there). I met a cute couple who came all the way from Australia for this fest. They were so impressed with Chicago and Lolla. I'm feeling sad that it's over, but looking forward to Hideout Bloc (sic) Party now.

Navin

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 16:06:36 -0600

How can you folks criticize what's surely the definitive cultural event of our times! People will look back on the golden early 2000's, those people had a message and made a difference!!! I can't wait to buy the 3 cd Lolla-gold set from a late night infomercial 30 years from now. 500 more posts I say!

Bud Selig

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 15:58:34 -0600

I figured I would get the "just don't read it" answers, but my main point was about the amount of coverage, not the event itself. Sure, I can choose not to read something, but when the choices you give me are a)another Lolla post or b) another Lolla post, that's a problem. Maybe next week we can have a "week after" post about how everyone's decompressing after the festival. Apparently I'm in the minority here, though, so never mind. Just don't confuse my whining with the Mercedes guy's whining -- two different things.

guest

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 15:58:14 -0600

I have to say, after attending last year's Lolla, as well as Bonnaroo, I have nothing but good words for Lolla organizers. Sound bleed was only a hassle until the band I was watching started to play (unless I was walking between). And to rectify that, would only lengthen the walk, which is probably just about right. I feel like Lolla is organized and well mapped out with water and AC tents quite accessible and adequately visible. People who complain about it probably just belong at smaller festivals or none at all, if you think about it.

Tankboy

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 14:33:19 -0600

mich, I was in the Lolla Lounge the first year as well, as a contest winner actually, and can attest to the fact that this year's version is far superior. There are two at either end, and while stage sightlines weren't great, they were just fine for taking in the band if you didn't mind watching the video screens. Personally i found them to be a terrific refuge from the sun, and an endless source of water. Jusdging by the folks inside, who weren't industry types, it definitely appealed to an older crowd more interested in sitting in couches or under umbrellas, and drinking the day away while listening to some music. And I'm pretty sure that crane during Pearl Jam was for official Lolla photographers and camera crew to get shots of the closing night's crowd.

mich

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 14:27:00 -0600

If you dont like all the coverage, then dont read it. this website has a pretty specific target which is nice for those of us looking for more coverage on independent events, and it provides a place for us to come together. Personally, I make lolla one of the most important weekends of my year. Some of us are still coming down from the high from the weekend and its nice to read a wrap-up two days later.

Jocelyn Geboy

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 14:20:56 -0600

i gotta say ... i definitely found myself amongst throngs and possibly walking against crowds. however, i just reminded myself that this was par for the course. re: the lolla lounge. i was privy to one the first year, because i volunteered. truthfully, other than the free food/beverage, i thought they had less of an advantage in seeing a band. there are only a few bands per lolla that i will stand and wait to be up close, but when you do that, you're much better situated than people in the lolla lounges. don't know who the people on the crane thing were during pearl jam, though. and lastly, i thought security was really pretty cool. i think i recognized a few people from venues around town ...

guest

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 14:12:36 -0600

Bud- That bar on the right side of your web browser is called a scroll bar. When you hit the down arrow, it moves the page past anything you don't want to read......

guest

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 14:11:20 -0600

Lollapalooza needs to ban Beatle Bob...that guy's act is tired. More tired than Thax. At least Thax contributes a poem, albeit completely bizarre. Beatle Bob just dances like an idiot after a muddled introduction.

guest

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 14:09:19 -0600

How can this piss anyone off. Just don't read it. There are plenty of posts that I don't read and would never comment about it. It is not hard to scroll past posts you are not interested in. It is clear Lollpalooza is important to many of the writers on this website and to many of its readers. If it is not important to you don't read it and definitely don't post. Your pleas for less coverage will not be taken seriously.

guest

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 14:04:54 -0600

Waaah! I'm an idiot who wrecked my $80,000 Mercedes because I was stupid enough to drive through the Loop during the busiest festival of the summer! Public transportation is for poor people! All festivals and concerts should be banned in Chicago forever! You'll be hearing from my team of lawyers, Daley!!

Bud Selig

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 13:59:31 -0600

Not to sound like a total whiny-ass, but I think the coverage of Lollapalooza here has been ridiculous. Was it a significant event? Yes, I completely agree that it deserves more than one post. But 15 (!!!) posts? It just seems like you guys didn't even think about what to write beforehand, and then as you came up with yet another idea, you cobbled together yet another post. Look, I understand the daily updates -- Lolla day 1, day 2, etc., but it just pisses me off when I have to read two more posts on Lollapalooza on TUESDAY. IT ENDED!

E

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 13:43:27 -0600

What was with the weird press stampede on the stage during the Spree's set. All of the sudden the photogs rushed the stage. Is a shot of Beatle Bob dancing with the Polyphonic Spree a huge "get"?

guest

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 13:20:52 -0600

Guest 5...is there any way you could be just a tad more old and crotchety? The Lollapalooza audience is a healthy dose of old and young. In case you've been under a media black-out for the last few days there were no reports of fighting, arrests, alcohol poisoning or other hospital visits normally associated with idiot kids left to their own devices.

guest

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 13:14:51 -0600

I love Lollapalooza! We should have it every year! In fact, it was one of the lovable Lolla-pa-losers that ran a red light on Saturday night and hit my Mercedes! And they were in high school, if you can imagine that! We should have more events downtown that involve immature idiots that have no idea where they are or what they are doing!

guest

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:57:35 -0600

The heat isn't completely out of the organizers control. How about moving the festival to a different weekend or better yet, different month. Doesn't anyone tell Perry or the organizers that August is the worst month of the year in this city. It's hot, it's humid, it's rarely cloudy. Move it to May or September.

Tankboy

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:52:18 -0600

Thanks for the feedback. We did try to break it up, and I don't think you can get much more non-hipster than Pearl Jam. We had a number of posts over the weekend too, so you might want to scroll through those since I think you'll then find what you're looking for.

guest

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:51:44 -0600

I can't believe Jim DeRogatis said TV on the Radio wasn't good. What a fat, stupid, bitter fucking bastard.

guest

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:47:46 -0600

Unlike other guests, I haven't complained about the level of coverage - I think that, unlike the Pitchfork posts, Lolla was a bit more deserving of it all, and the perspective at least was varied. It would have been nice if you guys had split up a little or something, and maybe covered some non-hipster bands. I was at Lolla this year, and I totally get how hard it was to figure out what to see and what you had to skip, but with so many bands and a bunch of Chicagoists posting about it, not one person could break away from the crowd?