Lalapoof:

I just found out (via Scott Andrew) that, due to poor ticket sales, Lollapalooza will be cancelling all its tour dates.

Well that’s a fine howdoyoudo. I was all set to attend at least one day of the two day festival, immensely proud of myself for not only recognizing but actually owning albums by several of the bands on the bill (The Flaming Lips, The Polyphonic Spree, The Coup). The same can not be said of the original incarnations of the festival where, by the time I had heard of many of the headliners, they had broken up, died, formed other bands or begun acting careers.

This year, the theme appeared to be “Music for fans old enough to remember the first Lollapalooza.” Tattoos, body piercings and flannel have been replaced by Neo-Beach Boy Harmonies, Fanticiful Electicism from Oaklahoma, and 28-Member Musical Group Hugs.

A friendlier, sweeter place this ‘Palooza would have been and I was all set for it. It wasn’t “indy”, it wasn’t “alternative.” It just looked like a ton of great music. Perhaps the idea of an entire day of sun, mud and rock doesn’t wear well into your thirties, no doubt about the average age of fans for these artists. I don’t know. It’s sad that we were all willing to throw our bodies into a giant glorious mess for hours on end ten years ago and can barely commit to a tickets worth of listening now.

I didn’t buy mine in time either. I have only myself to blame.

• Category: music