Lollapalooza, an American music festival of Woodstock proportions featuring a wide range of performances from both high profile bands as well as some up and comers, is gaining buzz like a snowball effect. With only 116 days to go before the festival, the official line-up was announced with Nine Inch Nails, Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine and Kanye West listed as show headliners.

While the festival itself was the brain child of Jane’s Addiction front man Perry Ferrel, Lollapalooza means remarkable/wonderful person or thing. It was wildly popular throughout the 90s, the hay day of grunge and alternative rock. Unfortunately, several accounts of poor behavior for festival goers in and the tragic discovery of Kurt Cobain’s death left the festival with a cloud over it. Neither the bands nor the fans seem interested and in 1999 the tour was canceled due to sagging ticked sales. In 2003 the festival was resurrected but did not see success again until 2005 where it found its current home at Chicago’s Grant Park. [source]

The question is what has been the difference over the last few years of the festival that made the difference between success and continued failure? The success could be attributed to both the promotion and the transition from tour to a three day event in one location. With the singular location locked in until 2011, there is also the element of relative scarcity. People who really want to be at this huge festival with some of the hottest bands in music will have to travel to Chicago and pay a pretty penny. Likewise, it certainly easier and more cost effective to promote a three day show at one location than it is to promote a national tour.

According to the website Lollapalooza is more than just a concert, it’s an experience. This can be said for almost any such music festival, which is arguable part of the draw. I am willing to venture that like those loyal to the Ragga Muffins festival for 5, 10 and even 26 years, there are those who would have followed Lollapalooza all over the country for the cultural music experience.

Hopefully Lollapalooza will be an even bigger success this year considering the huge buzz it has been accumulating for months. Lollapalooza could well be concert of the year.