Lollapalooza goes virtual this weekend with a big retrospective lineup. Let’s examine that.
The first weekend in August is normally Lollapalooza time in Chicago. Not this year. Gilles LeBlanc takes this look at the festival.
So it’s Lollapalooza weekend, although it’s not like anyone is going to be gathering in Chicago’s Grant Park like hundreds upon thousands of music fans have been doing every summer since 2005.
Before that – specifically 1991 to 1997, with a one-off revival in 2003 – Lolla was of course a travelling festival, and the most fun an alt-loving young adult could have in a single day! Ever the innovator, Perry Farrell’s brainchild isn’t going to let COVID-19 completely ruin a celebration of what makes live performances magical.
Starting July 30th at 5 PM Central Time and running until August 2nd, Lollapalooza will broadcast a semblance of a 2020 edition virtually via YouTube with what looks to be a mix of archived sets and pre-taped appearances by artists who would’ve/should’ve been part of this year’s lineup. Oh, and Michelle Obama too?
While these are some mighty impressive names, it is really only a drop in the bucket of the Lake Michigan’s worth of talent that has made Lollapalooza one of North America’s most enduring music and cultural happenings.
