Music festivals in the United States have experienced massive growth in size and scope over the past few years. While European countries have held them for years, Americans are finally gravitating toward the music festival experience. They appeal to people for a variety of reasons, most notably in the fact that they accumulate hundreds of artists for a flat price point (a price which is ultimately much cheaper than paying for many individual concerts).
While Americans have lagged behind others in embracing music festivals, a very historically significant festival occurred in New York in 1969. Woodstock, a festival that influenced generations of musicians and music-lovers, set the standard for all future festivals. Even though its ambitious scope caused a nightmare for festival organizers due to logistical problems, Woodstock’s pivotal role in American culture set the benchmark for live music.
Numerous attempts at holding a new Woodstock either failed to be memorable or turned into dangerous enterprises, in the case of Woodstock 1999’s cancellation due to riots and fights. Despite the failed attempts, Woodstock organizers recently announced a plan to hold a new festival in 2019 in honor of the original festival’s 50th anniversary.
This attempt to reclaim Woodstock’s former glory will undoubtedly fail to realign the elements that contributed to the 1969 festival’s success. Festival organization has matured immensely in the past few decades: few deaths occur at the hundreds of festivals across the world, production comprised of advanced lighting and sound rigs safely and effectively entertain attendees, and lineups now boast a never-ending selection of cutting-edge artists.
Woodstock succeeded, in light of the numerous complications and issues, in proving to the world that large-scale festivals could work. It also showed that thousands of people could altruistically come together in an almost primal celebration for live music. In the years since Woodstock 1969, many festivals have adopted the mantra behind Woodstock and perfected it. Perhaps the festival that upholds Woodstock’s ideals best is Bonnaroo.
Held in Manchester, Tennessee, Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival’s thirteenth iteration will occur in a few short days from June 12th-15th. With the motto “radiate positivity”, the festival consistently draws over eighty thousand attendees to a camping extravaganza. Nearly every attendee camps, uniting the festival’s attendees in a dedicated display of love for live music. The festival rarely encounters serious issues and manages to be held without fail every year.
With a festival such as Bonnaroo, do Americans really need another Woodstock? Without Woodstock 1969, festivals like Bonnaroo would certainly not exist today. However, the festival industry has advanced and matured far past the early ideals of the first Woodstock. Another festival carrying the name seems like an unnecessary attempt to reaffirm Woodstock’s legacy. If a festival as poorly run as the original Woodstock was held today, people would avoid it like the plague.
Some things are better left for the history books. Woodstock’s role in shaping the music festival world has come and gone. The only way this new Woodstock could make waves is to inspire a cultural movement like the original sparked. With so many festivals accomplishing the facets the original Woodstock set, I highly doubt this new festival will cement itself as a cultural revolution.
"Woodstock 1969?" by Satish Indofunk, used under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
