something tells me i am not even going to be able to see the damn stage...

who went last year - was the crowd that large - to the point were you couldnt see the stage?

in theory, it's like coachella with 5 different stages, etc. i love music festivals for its own reasons as well as smaller shows.

there's definitely no way you can see every band you want to see, but that's why you geek out and plan accordingly.

anathallo rulez.

REally the only band that I figure I would have to see would be Manu Chao, but why in the fuck is he billed as a headliner? He's known?? There are definitely a lot of good bands listed, although just as someone said, I've seen the good ones enough to not witness them in an outdoor setting. My friends are in and I'm a sucka to peer pressure. If we have another Sunday like last year though...

np: Mahjongg ep

Is this a tour or a weekend festival?

3 day weekend fest

oh geez don't worry about it. Grant Park is huge, and the way they had the stages set up last year you had a view somehow somewhere. Plus they had giant video screens up right over the stage, so you may not be up close and personal but you'll still manage to see.

I was there last year, crowds weren't bad. Manageable. The heat on the other hand was evil.

i'm just not a fan of outdoor shows at all, regardless of the number/quality of bands.

blues traveler! *gasp!*

I might try going to this if I have the money. I'll do anything to visit Chicago again, plus I've never been to a music festival.

When do tickets go on sale?

so i'm taking it august in chicago = unbearable? dry? humid? i can take the heat at coachella (sort of) but that's desert weather, i don't do well with humidity.

that might be the only thing holding me back from going.

Actually August can be give or take. For some reason late August and late July here are the worst. Any other time you never know.

Would be my list... which isn't a lot.

crap

The problem with a lineup like this is there's about 10-15 bands worth getting mildly excited about and a few "wouldn't mind seeings" So it all depends on the scheduling. If they pit 4 of the really good bands against each other once or twice, you're kinda screwed. On the other hand, If you get to see 80-90% of what you'd like to see though it could be a really good day of music and worth traveling from LA for. I'm guessing that they don't actually announce the stages and set times until the last minute which makes it hard on us out of towners.

I'd consider coming just based on Manu Chao though...would love to see him. When is this?

August 4-6

ok....guess i am WAY WAY out of this loop with "Manu Chao"....where should i start (album-wise)????

He's rock en espanol with electronica, rock and latin rhythmns mixed together. Vocals sometimes in english, sometimes in spanish. If that sounds like something you'd dig, Clandestino would be the best starting point. He's not right in bullseye of this board though which is probably why you're "way way out of the loop" with him.

If you heard Amadou & Miriam's album from last year (that did get some love from this board), he produced it, played guitar and sang on a few songs.

Billy,

You seen Manu Chao live before? He is the only real exclusive band billed as of right now.

My man is a huge Flaming Lips fans and wants us to go to the Chicago show. (w00t!)

...But although Id love to take a road trip to Chicago (and possibly visit a number of Obner-ish peeps), I'm not convinced that line-up is worth it to me. I can't say I'm a "real fan" of any of those artists.

Now if Moz or Pj Harvey were playing like they had threatened to last year.... totally different story.

just quoting this so i can reference later to decide whether or not i want to go when the time gets closer.

i plan on being there now that i live closer. I still might fly to Washington state to catch the Sasquatch festival because it looks good as well.

The lineup looks great. In 1997, I saw Porno for Pyros on the second stage. That's my way of saying I'm very very cool.

No I haven't and I actually don't think his live album is all that good either. I'd still love to see him though.