You know, it’s never too early to start thinking about 2019, especially if you’re a festival promoter.
Michael Lang, one of the men behind the original Woodstock, as well as the sequels in 1994 and 1999, is looking to get the band back together to celebrate the festival’s 50th anniversary. Seemingly undeterred by the dumpster fire that was Woodstock ’99, Lang has his eyes set on a new incarnation of the festival. In addition to the anniversary show, Lang harbors dreams of making Woodstock an annual event because if the world needs anything, it’s more multi-day music festivals.
“[Woodstock] is the original and most famous festival brand.” he says, adding, “With the prevalence of festivals out there, and all the excitement about them, maybe it’s time for that.”
Lang allegedly attempted a 40th anniversary concert in Brooklyn in 2009, but was unsuccessful. He is not ruling out having the 50th anniversary event take place overseas.
But let’s quickly talk about Woodstock ’99 because perhaps enough time has passed, allowing the pit stains and stench of that version of the festival to fade into the rearview mirror. Taking place on a hot tarmac at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York instead of the original site of the festival, it attracted more than 200,000 people. Temperatures during the day were in the 80’s and 90’s, but access to water was limited to over-priced water bottles and a handful of water fountains that were eventually tipped over as frustration at the water situation grew.
The peace and love vibe that is generally associated with Woodstock was co-opted by calls for women to show their breasts to the serene sounds of Limp Bizkit, Kid Rock, and Insane Clown Posse. There were multiple sexual assaults reported, even a reported gang rape during Korn’s set, and a raging inferno broke out while the Red Hot Chili Peppers were playing. And as a safe haven from all of this chaos, festival-goers were forced to listen to Creed trying to cover a Doors song.
So yeah, another Woodstock?
Sounds like a great idea.
(Via Consequence of Sound)
