It was also a great chance to witness behind the scenes world class festival. With 50,000 people, five stages and this was one hell of a beast. Having AAA passes meant I could hop from stage to stage with ease.
Lollapalooza started as a touring festival by Janes Addiction frontman Ferry Parrell in 1994. After a short break it has since been reincarnated as a three day fest each August in Grant Park, Chicago. Promoters C3 (who also run Austin City Limits) have been looking for an alternative venue for the festival for some time, and settled on Santiago. With a burgening local music scene, a developing festival market and stunning down town park overlooked by the city skyline - this was the site for the debut of Lollapalooza Chile.
It is funny at a festival trying work out who is with who. The attractive tattooed Goths, who I thought might singers with Jane’ Addiction, were just girlfriends of the roady from Steel Pulse. The short black man who looked like a hip hop star from Def Jam label was actually the bassist for hardcore band Deftones. Me - well I could have been the drummer for the Flaming Lips for all anyone knew.
There was also this short man with a goatee and aviators who sat right in front of the stage during Cypres Hill’s set. He looked like a prize winner as he danced like a mad man whilst wearing a Hawaiian shirt. I later saw him push his way in front at Edward Sharp much to the bands disgust. It was only til he turned up the next day looking suave in a dapper jacket and skinny tie that I realised his star power. It was none other than David Arquette, obviously enjoying some relatively anonomity away from the bright lights of LA.
My trip was a good chance to sow a few seeds with potential artists for R&V this year. I got a lift back to the hotel with CSS who giggled and grinned at the thought of another NZ soujourn. I met the Cold War Kids back at the hotel who seem dead keen to get out to NZ. What about a summer holiday I asked or do you like to try and play as many shows as possible? Have you seen a spider crawling out of my room the singer dryly responded. No I replied. ‘Good cause we are not here to fuck spiders’. I took that as a yes.
Staying at the same hotel as many of the support acts, it was interested to witness the behaviour of different stars on the road. Relatively new kids on the festival circuit Edward Sharpe were still at the hotel three days later, loitering around the all you can eat BBQ. Alex aka Boys Noise was in and out first thing back to LA to record and prepare for his closing set at Coachella. The Drums were happy with their own company, keeping each other entertained with what looked like frat-boy humour. The EOTS dancers sunbathed in the hot Chilean sun.
In all was a great festival, held in a city I would well recommend spending time in. Headliners Killers showed the depth of their back catalogue and why Flowers has developed into one of the best front men around. Kanye West show was but the verdict is out, I still find it difficult to watch one man prancing around on stage for 90 mins. In saying that Fat Boy Slim kept my attention. The National I now understand the hype. The reincarnation of Sublime bought back some memories of my youth. How good would they be in Gissy!
As I left the hotel on Monday I saw crowds of groupies outside, not to wave me good bye but waiting the arrival of the next star in town - Slash! Would be great to hang around but this circus needs to keep moving.
Next stop – Coachella!
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