Story and Photo by Phil Bonyata
Perry Ferrell, of Jane's Addiction fame, created Lollapalooza six years ago to promote alternative music, lifestyles, ideas and culture. The first two Lollapaloozas featured such heavy hitters as Jane's Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Jesus and the Mary Chain, Ministry and Soundgarden.Only about 10,000 people showed up to the 40,000 capacity Alpine Valley Music Theater last night. It didn't help that hot-as-hell acts Korn and Prodigy had to bow out for various reasons. Opening acts such as the rock reggae of Julian and Damian Marley Band, the British pop of James and the "King of Trip-Hop" Tricky all put on decent but unmemorable sets.
Snoop Doggy Dog hit the stage wearing a Brett Favre jersey and gold sweat pants. Snoop rapped his way through songs like "Gin and Juice" and "PC 187." His show started out well with a rhythmic hip-hop backdrop to his rather aggressive rap vocals, but after the first three or four songs Snoop's sound became repetitive and forced. Dog should spend more time on his music and less time on his excessive gesturing.
Headlining the event was 70's new wave pioneers Devo. dressed in yellow vinyl work scrubs and red, flower pot types hats, Devo, intentionally uncool, buzzed through their robots on speed classics such as "Whip It," "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" and "Girl U Want." Devo's performance did not seem dated even though their act or music hasn't changes much in the last twenty years, it rather came off as 4 nerds=retro cool.