Posted on 08/15/2006 1:38:17 PM PDT by weegee
The numbers are in on the Aug. 4-6 Lollapalooza festival in Chicago's Grant Park, and they blow last year's event out of the park. The event grossed nearly $8 million in ticket sales, with total paid attendance of more than 166,000. Last year's Lolla, its first as a one-off festival, had a total paid attendance 60,000 from a two-day event.
Charles Attal, president of Charles Attal Presents, talent buyer and co-producer of Lollapalooza with Capital Sports & Entertainment, describes this year's Lollapalooza as "very smooth. There were no major incidents [and] the weather was awesome. It was remarkable."
Attendance was 52,000 the first day, 56,000 the second day and 59,000 the third day when headliners Red Hot Chili Peppers closed the event.
Lollapalooza had an uneven history as a touring festival, but ended on a negative note when the 2004 tour failed to ever get off the ground due to dismal ticket sales. Attal and CSE resurrected the brand last summer as a festival.
Asked why the Chicago Lollapalooza has exploded, Attal cites several reasons. "The brand, it's the park, it's the bands we have," he says. "I think it's only going to get bigger and better."
No audience diversity despite Common and Kanye shows (LOLLAPALOOZA LAUGH ALERT) (Chicago Sun-Times August 13, 2006 - JIM DEROGATIS Pop Music Critic )
I went to the first few years of it... wish I could have seen this.
I plan to try to make it to Bonnaroo next year; I've wanted to go to Coachella for some time but that's too far!
what were the acts this year? anybody good.
The Stooges are playing Europe, the Sonic's Rendezvous Band box set comes out in the fall and I bet there's only a handful of a shows. Funny that Scott Asheton is the biggest start in that bunch! Well, Fred's dead anyways...
The recent Lollapalooza tours were ripping off the bigger names (but not necessarily the biggest) names from Coachella (which does not tour).
Last year's Lollapalooza had several acts that I've seen before but would rank among the better "new" bands today. This one seemed a bit more wide appeal (and not so much what I am interested in).
All Tomorrow's Parties (in LA, and also UK) also looks sometimes. SXSW, Austin City Limits Fest....
The Voodoo Fest in New Orleans got bumped by Katrina. The Ponderosa Stomp temporarily relocates to Memphis.
There are so many festivals, the good thing is it isn't necessary to travel far to see one. Also it isn't necessary to compromise and see a bad lineup just to see one band (look around for another festival).
And I prefer the smaller fests (typically held in a bar or small venue). Not just Ponderosa (or Viva Las Vegas), but Dot Dash, Horizontal Action's Blackout Fest n Chicago, and Gonerfest...
Looks like England is getting better shows in that regard.
Like the MC5 show with Sun Ra Arkestra and guest vocals by Handsome Dick Manitoba from the Dictators and Lisa Kekaula of the Bellrays.
For updates on the Stooges, maybe it is best to tune into their Myspace page...
http://www.myspace.com/iggyandthestooges
A friend of mine went to SXSW this year but we were moving into a new house and I couldn't swing it.
I know Coachella doesn't tour but, WOW, the lineup they have!
I used to go to so many concerts, but the only one I have seen all year was Neko Case back in April at the Cat's Cradle in Chapel Hill, NC.
Thanks for the suggestions, I will look into those for next year!
Forget Lollipalooka. I heard Kansas, Styx and REO Speedwagon are gonna do tour together.
The Stooges are already my friend there :) hahaha.
Yeah it would have been a blast to see DKT/MC5 with Sun Ra! Kekaula has PIPES, and Nicke from the Hellacopters played with them a few years back. Handsome Dick is a trip. I just went to his bar Manitoba's a few weeks ago when I was in NYC. It's a pretty cool place, you'd like it a lot.
Coming up in the NorthEast this fall is Radio Birdman, Hank III, and the Supersuckers. Those 3 shows should be good!
I might have a bunch of $$ and no job next year for Austin City Limits fest... if I make it out there, you bet I'll look ya up, drinks on me!
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