Music festivals

Wobbie

never really been to one…seen a few all day events but nothing over a span of days.

I’ve been in the youtube vortex and watched some stuff on woodstock 99, bull island and the fyre festival.

woodstock 99 - OMG. what a shitshow. it was shameful from the promoters to some of the attendees to some of the performers. fuck fred durst and fuck the RHCP.

bull isand - a long time ago and just kind of a disaster.

fyre festival - actually felt kind of good that these entitled kids, wanting to see a shit lineup, got fucked.

anyone been to a good or bad festival?

mookeywrench

Right after the outcry from the Woodstock disaster,  music festivals were great from 2000-2010, then slowly devolved into outlets for influencers to monetize themselves.

Sasquatch in its prime, you could check out 30 full sets from bands over the weekend and you had the choice of camping, staying at a budget hotel 20 miles away, or a luxury hotel just outside of the venue.

Catering to and looking good on the Gram is now prioritized over the music. Just not worth the hassle for a multi-day event to me.

Seattle has a new Day In Day Out fest which i like. Interesring bands, located downtown with one stage, no camping and you're free to enter and exit the site all day.

static111

Wobbie said:

never really been to one…seen a few all day events but nothing over a span of days.

I’ve been in the youtube vortex and watched some stuff on woodstock 99, bull island and the fyre festival.

woodstock 99 - OMG. what a shitshow. it was shameful from the promoters to some of the attendees to some of the performers. fuck fred durst and fuck the RHCP.

bull isand - a long time ago and just kind of a disaster.

fyre festival - actually felt kind of good that these entitled kids, wanting to see a shit lineup, got fucked.

anyone been to a good or bad festival?

I think I went to the first 3 or 4 bonnaroos.  Amazing lineups.  Great atmosphere and low ticket prices.  Once it became more popular and ticket prices went up I was no longer interested.  It became another fashion show non event imo.  Those first few years were fucking magical though.

Wobbie

best one dayers I went to were:

prince > thorogood > j. giels > stones

the band > santana > CSNY

yeah, I’m old.

pjl44

I've been to the Newport Folk Fest the last 13 years. It's the best. Pearl Jam should play. Summer camp for music geeks.

pjl44

Otherwise, the first Bourbon and Beyond was a blast. Boston Calling has been a real mixed bag over the years. 

GlowGirl

pjl44 said:

I've been to the Newport Folk Fest the last 13 years. It's the best. Pearl Jam should play. Summer camp for music geeks.

I have been to the Newport Folk Festival twice. I had a great time. Newport is also a beautiful place to spend a few days. 

goldrush

I went to the Reading Festival in the UK 5 or 6 times over the years (90s to 00s) and it was always a lot of fun. The line ups were cool, and the camp grounds with a bunch of friends and a ton of beer were a lot of fun (and hassle-free).

This is still my favourite line up of any festival I’ve ever been to:



So many great bands at the top of their game - and all finished off by Neil & PJ on the last date of the Mirror Ball tour 

The Isle of Wight festival is also a cool one, but I was never tempted to go to Glastonbury.

The last multi-day festival I went to was Lollapalooza in 2007 when PJ played. It was cool and there were so many bands to try to fit in (plus I met Patti Smith at the signing tent), but I flew over from Sydney on my own so it wasn’t as much fun as if I’d been with friends. 

goldrush

I’ve just checked the line up for this year’s Reading Festival out of curiosity. I know about 6 bands over the whole weekend! Fuck I feel old!

Wobbie

goldrush said:

I went to the Reading Festival in the UK 5 or 6 times over the years (90s to 00s) and it was always a lot of fun. The line ups were cool, and the camp grounds with a bunch of friends and a ton of beer were a lot of fun (and hassle-free).

This is still my favourite line up of any festival I’ve ever been to:



So many great bands at the top of their game - and all finished off by Neil & PJ on the last date of the Mirror Ball tour 

The Isle of Wight festival is also a cool one, but I was never tempted to go to Glastonbury.

The last multi-day festival I went to was Lollapalooza in 2007 when PJ played. It was cool and there were so many bands to try to fit in (plus I met Patti Smith at the signing tent), but I flew over from Sydney on my own so it wasn’t as much fun as if I’d been with friends. 

Bjork as a headliner; Buffalo Tom in a fifth slot. Crazy.

Malroth

warped tour for 7 years in a row was a blast

goldrush

Wobbie said:

goldrush said:

I went to the Reading Festival in the UK 5 or 6 times over the years (90s to 00s) and it was always a lot of fun. The line ups were cool, and the camp grounds with a bunch of friends and a ton of beer were a lot of fun (and hassle-free).

This is still my favourite line up of any festival I’ve ever been to:



So many great bands at the top of their game - and all finished off by Neil & PJ on the last date of the Mirror Ball tour 

The Isle of Wight festival is also a cool one, but I was never tempted to go to Glastonbury.

The last multi-day festival I went to was Lollapalooza in 2007 when PJ played. It was cool and there were so many bands to try to fit in (plus I met Patti Smith at the signing tent), but I flew over from Sydney on my own so it wasn’t as much fun as if I’d been with friends. 

Bjork as a headliner; Buffalo Tom in a fifth slot. Crazy.

I didn’t see Bjork. The drummer from Nirvana’s new band were playing in the tent at the same time…

CarryTheZero

Did a lot of Music Midtown back in the early 2000s. And 2012 of course. Really enjoyed them but it’s exhausting to push through the crowds and go at it for 3 days. Must be getting old. Was going to do Shaky Knees in 2020 as that line up was killer. But of course that didn’t pan out.

GlowGirl

I have done more all day music events with different bands than multi-day festivals. But in the past few years I did Sea Hear Now in 2021 and just this year I went to Innings Fest and Boston Calling. I had a great time at both. 

drakeheuer14

CarryTheZero said:

Did a lot of Music Midtown back in the early 2000s. And 2012 of course. Really enjoyed them but it’s exhausting to push through the crowds and go at it for 3 days. Must be getting old. Was going to do Shaky Knees in 2020 as that line up was killer. But of course that didn’t pan out.

Last year was the first year I didnt go to Shaky Knees in a while. I love that fest, but seems to be trending towards mainstream lineups - I get it, money, but hopefully it can keep up as alt/indie/rock. 

Gern Blansten

pjl44 said:

Otherwise, the first Bourbon and Beyond was a blast. Boston Calling has been a real mixed bag over the years. 

Yeah the first (and maybe second?) Bourbon & Beyond at the initial venue was great. They had rain which fucked up the grass which might be why they moved it. The new venue sucks in my opinion. Fucking too much gravel and concrete. My whole body ached after standing on that shit all night. 

JimmyV

We enjoyed Boston Calling when it was downtown. In and out privileges, tons of bars around, great sightlines to both stages, fun mid-level acts. Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, MMJ, etc. Haven't been back since it moved out to Harvard stadium. 

CantKeepmedown

Did Lollapalooza in Vermont back in 1996. Metallica, Soundgarden, Ramones, Screaming Trees, Rancid.......great lineup, great day. 

Also did it in 2007 with PJ, My Morning Jacket, Kings of Leon, Lupe Fiasco and TV on the Radio.  

I remember both days being hot as hell (with a brief rain) and it being a disaster to get out of.  Not sure I'd do something like that again at my age. But a great experience in my younger years!

pjhawks

Sea Hear Now in Asbury Park when PJ played there was great.  This year they have the Killers and Foo Fighters as their headliners. Would have gone again this year if not for PJ tour. I would go again for sure.  Right on the beach in Asbury Park, 2 stages plenty of room if you don't need to be upfront. Great setting and good bands.  

Made in America in Philly wasn't bad until Jay-Z fucked it up by having only bands on his roster and made it mostly rap crap.  Cancelled this year because lack of tickets sold.  Right in the heart of the city on the Parkway.  Nice setting.  If they ever get back to a mix of artists could be good again but I don't see that happening. Got a feeling after this year it's gone forever.

Tim Simmons

I've been to Pitchfork fest every year. Its a great fest thats exposed me to tons of new and up and coming artists artists. Totally manageable area and a fun crowd all in downtown Chicago.

tempo_n_groove

ACl in Austin is VERY well put together.

Governor's Ball here in NYC is OK.  Been twice and enjoyed it just didn't like the overlaps of showsa on opposite sides of the venue.

Sea Hear Now I really like.  I can set up a half mile away at night and hear the headliners and have my feet in the sand.  Multiple stages so that's great.

eeriepadave

been to a few in my day. Last one i was at was Made in America 10 years ago w/ NIN & QoSTA headlining the "rock" side of it.

Firefly was decent the first and only year I went to it. Unfortunately the past few years the lineups have gotten worse for Firefly and MIA.

As well been to Ozzfest as well as a few radio festivals back in the late 90's/early 00's.

Virgin Music Festival in Baltimore was really good I thought. Went the first year they had that in '06. Might be my fav. RHCP, The Who, Gnarls Barkley, Wolfmother, Raconteurs, Flaming Lips,The Kilelrs and more played that one.

This one was pretty cool also. Only saw half the lineup though (I do remember definitely seeing Deftones and Live) as well as this performance. Rolling Rock Town Fair in '01 headlined by STP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO5sPkssrmM&t

JOEJOEJOE

My first festival was the US Festival in 1983.  Since then, I have been to Lollapalooza, FYF, Cal Jam, Pitchfork, Coachella, Cruel World, Just Like Heaven and Ohana, just to name a few.

Gone are the days when I could handle a three-day festival!

eeriepadave

JOEJOEJOE said:

My first festival was the US Festival in 1983.  Since then, I have been to Lollapalooza, FYF, Cal Jam, Pitchfork, Coachella, Cruel World, Just Like Heaven and Ohana, just to name a few.

Gone are the days when I could handle a three-day festival!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jVWQ0vN35U

JOEJOEJOE

eeriepadave said:

JOEJOEJOE said:

My first festival was the US Festival in 1983.  Since then, I have been to Lollapalooza, FYF, Cal Jam, Pitchfork, Coachella, Cruel World, Just Like Heaven and Ohana, just to name a few.

Gone are the days when I could handle a three-day festival!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jVWQ0vN35U

We can always count on a Simpsons clip to add credibility to any assertion!

curmudgeoness

I went to WOMAD in San Francisco in 1993 with my now-husband. We stood there for most of the day, three or four back from the rail. We're too old and cranky to do that anymore, LOL.

We've gone to Ohana every year (except last year, when we literally were mid-move) -- we get VIP tickets now, because it's less crowded and we can find a place to sit. Had to cancel Innings Fest due to COVID and SHN thanks to job demands, but we're hoping to get to Innings Fest next year, fingers crossed.

Zod

When I was younger I wished we'd get the multiday festivals they had in Europe and Australia.  Then we got them, and I'm like, why can't all the bands I want to see play on the same day.

My favourite festivals I ever went too were Lolla '92 and Ozzfest '99.   Only festivals I've been do over the last 10ish years were festivals PJ happened to play on.. so I think i've aged out of festivals.  would rather see my favourite bands headline their own gigs.

Go Beavers

tempo_n_groove said:

ACl in Austin is VERY well put together.

Governor's Ball here in NYC is OK.  Been twice and enjoyed it just didn't like the overlaps of showsa on opposite sides of the venue.

Sea Hear Now I really like.  I can set up a half mile away at night and hear the headliners and have my feet in the sand.  Multiple stages so that's great.

I agree. Went to ACL in ‘09 and it was really well done for how big it is. Ohana is the best one I’ve been to, but can’t say I’ve been to very many. My biggest concert regret is not going to Lollapalooza ‘92 at Alpine Valley. 

bootlegger10

Ohana was great due to a smaller crowd.  Staying across the street was nice too and the location is nice.  

Ride Festival in Telluride was fantastic.  Very chill crowd and atmosphere.  Only did the one day unfortunately.  Loved the drive in with all of the mountain views and rivers.  

Didn't like See Hear Now's setup.

ACL 2012 was fun.  Only beef was I think the lawn got muddy in parts and made it tough to walk back and forth.  I did get pissed that they sold weekend 2 merch at weekend 1.  I'm so glad to be over the merch scene.   Got to see Chvrches at the midnight shows which was a blast.  Was cool to see Lorde and Lana Del Rey, along with the rock stuff like Pearl Jam and Interpol.  

I can't recall any other festivals.  I think I've had tickets to some but never went (Louisville, Werchter).  

2-feign-reluctance

Austin City Limits is the best fest I’ve ever been to. 

tempo_n_groove

bootlegger10 said:

Ohana was great due to a smaller crowd.  Staying across the street was nice too and the location is nice.  

Ride Festival in Telluride was fantastic.  Very chill crowd and atmosphere.  Only did the one day unfortunately.  Loved the drive in with all of the mountain views and rivers.  

Didn't like See Hear Now's setup.

ACL 2012 was fun.  Only beef was I think the lawn got muddy in parts and made it tough to walk back and forth.  I did get pissed that they sold weekend 2 merch at weekend 1.  I'm so glad to be over the merch scene.   Got to see Chvrches at the midnight shows which was a blast.  Was cool to see Lorde and Lana Del Rey, along with the rock stuff like Pearl Jam and Interpol.  

I can't recall any other festivals.  I think I've had tickets to some but never went (Louisville, Werchter).  

ACl was 14 not 12 when they sold both weeks merch?  14 I thought Chvurches and Delray played also?  12 I heard about the rains and how it was treacherous.

So the reason I enjoy Sea Hear Now is I have zero desire to get up close and you don't have to as the sound travels.

For Foo Fighters this year I plan on being under the Jellyfish again and enjoying the band.