THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 11, 1995 TAG: 9508100049
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HOLLY WESTER, CAMPUS CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Long : 109 lines
THEY ROAD-TRIPPED, booked hotel rooms and dropped major ducats, but ask any of the 15,000 fans who showed up for Lollapalooza's Raleigh, N.C., stop Sunday, and they'll probably say it was worth every mile traveled and penny spent.
People-watchers and eavesdroppers indulged in a nine-hour-plus day of pure heaven as the over-pierced and freshly tattooed wandered around, showing off the latest hair colors and speaking in tongues that only the under-30 set would understand.
The fifth edition of the musical extravaganza wasn't the sell-out it has been in years past at the 20,000-seat Walnut Creek Amphitheater; in fact, ticket sales across the country were the lowest they've ever been. Many wondered if Lollapalooza 1995 was going to happen.
Raleigh's show started in the dusty parking area, where tailgate parties raged at every other car. Some half-naked fellows hanging out of a Jeep took advantage of the situation.
``Beer for a buck!'' one young capitalist yelped to ignoring passers-by. ``You're gonna be sorry when you're in there sober, dudes.''
He wasn't the only anti-slacker aboard this ship of freaks.
Water drinkers tossed their plastic into recycling bins. In ``The Mindfield,'' sweaty volunteers manned booths for organizations such as The Surfrider Foundation, Rock the Vote and Planned Parenthood. Love children talked sex with curious folks at the ``Latex Lounge,'' where they passed out free condoms.
Safety in the bedroom wasn't the only concern. In the body-piercing tent, high above latex-gloved needle bearers, hung a sign warning newly pierced customers not to mosh.
It wasn't just the politically and socially active preaching safety, however.
``How old is she?'' a goatee-sporting, tanned Adonis asked a female friend as they puffed Marlboro Lights outside the restrooms.
``Sixteen,'' the malnourished blonde cried out.
``And she's doing crystal meth? Oh, she's on the wrong track.''
Then, of course, there were the dazed and confused.
``Is there anywhere around here I can buy a big bong?'' a bare-chested blond asked a dreadhead at a hemp jewelry booth.
Bongs weren't on the menu (legally, that is), but plenty of other funky stuff was. While toe rings, exotic beads and fruity oils satisfied retail junkies, build-your-own burritos and frozen fruit drinks filled empty tummies.
And because Lollapalooza is first and foremost an arts and music festival, a fully stocked culture buffet steamed for all to enjoy.
Attractions included a main stage featuring big-name bands, a second stage showcasing lesser-known acts and ``The Lab,'' a third stage that let local talent - from drag queens to disco groups - spread their words.
Art and film tents gave Lollapaloozers the chance to explore their creative sides, while ``The Mist Tent'' offered relief in forms of shade and spraying water. There was way too much going on for any mere mortal to absorb it all.
At 2 p.m. sharp, ska-punkers The Mighty Mighty Bosstones kicked off the festival with an intense show, setting the trend for out-of-control garbage rockers the Jesus Lizard.
Budweiser-chugging singer David Yow didn't strip for the crowd (one of his stage antics), but he did dive into the first few rows of reserved seats, where a handful of standing fans passed him around overhead.
Self-proclaimed ``loser'' Beck colored the stage with his many talents and served as a mellow transition to the bumpin' sounds of techno king Moby, who filled in for pregnant dropout Sinead O'Connor.
Pavement opened its set by teasing a female audience member about her alleged relations with Pearl Jam leader Eddie Vedder. Dinner time took its toll on the quintet, and the audience broke left and right to chow down and shift to the second stage, where Redman delivered the dope through pro-pot commentary and dark lyrics.
After his set, Cypress Hill turned the main stage into a smoking lounge with smoke machines. A blow-up gold Buddha, wearing a marijuana leaf on its belly, took center stage, while rappers B-Real and Sen Dog praised ganja and encouraged everyone to ``roll it up, light it up and smoke it up.''
Minutes after Cypress Hill's 6-foot-tall bong was rolled off stage, Courtney Love and her band, Hole, launched a verbal assault, ripping through a string of tunes from the group's latest album, ``Live Through This.''
Love's in-your-face wails, baby doll tossing and water bottle throwing wasn't enough to keep the audience from wondering when her inner roller coaster was going to break down.
Finally, she went solo to cover Nirvana's ``Pennyroyal Tea.'' At the end of the song, Love pointed at the sky without saying a word. Everyone knew what she meant.
Her PMS flared up during the last tune, when she pegged a few audience members with her guitar, just to stand back and smirk at the damage she had done, before giving the audience the bird - her trademark goodbye.
Headliners Sonic Youth surfed on the energy left behind by Hole and were a nice nightcap for the hardcore who had the extra ``umph'' to stick around. MEMO: Holly Wester is a rising junior at Virginia Wesleyan College. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos
Holly Wester is a rising junior at Virginia Wesleyan College.
HOLLY WESTER
Courtney Love on stage
MEL NATHANSON
Fans react with rowdy enthusiasm to bands performing on the second
stage of the nine-hour Lollapalooza music festival last Sunday in
Raleigh, N.C.
by CNB