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Sadly, I am not a fan of the Roo lineup, so I don't think we are gonna go this year. That means I am looking for other options, and that mean Lolla is now on my radar.
Having been to Roo 4 times, I love it so much, and I know Lolla must very different (especially with the obvious stuff like no camping).
Can someone list some pluses/minuses/major differences between the two festivals?
First and foremost, I am assuming Lolla is much more expensive once you add hotels into the mix. Also, I am assuming the atmosphere is much different as the community feel is probably lost.
Any people that have been to both, care to weigh in?
Post by chloetuesday on Feb 15, 2012 12:04:08 GMT -5
I haven't actually seen the lineup for Lolla this year - really that much better? I did Lolla in 2007 but was living in Chicago at the time so it wasn't really that expensive for me to go (just the cost of the ticket and the train to get downtown each day). Overall I'd say the feel of Bonnaroo is better - you are around people who are really enduring every element of the festival for the music and an event they love Sure, it's awesome to have a shower every night and sleep in a real bed but it's ultimately what will make you happiest and if the Roo lineup this year isn't doing it for you, go check out Lolla. Chicago is an awesome city and you really get to experience it if you aren't staying right downtown.
Post by chloetuesday on Feb 15, 2012 12:06:49 GMT -5
Weather is just as bad, so there's no benefit to be in Chicago over TN - humid as all hell and hot! You get a bit of a break from it since you don't have the option to camp. Grant Park does get pretty crowded but it doesn't get out of control. Have you been to Chicago before?
Post by mattlikesrock on Feb 15, 2012 12:12:54 GMT -5
I've been to Roo 9 times and Lolla once. Here's my take.
Crowd: The crowds are very similar. Lolla's crowd is just like Bonnaroo's if you replace most of the noodling, drugged out of their mind folks who live for 90 minute 1 song jams with a few more hipsters/city folks/metros. Think a little less Relix, a little more Pitchfork. I think the vibe at both is positive.
Weather: +1 for Lolla. Lolla is in the Windy City so you've got a good breeze constantly going. That helps. But that being said it was still balls hot when I was there. Instead of +1 maybe I should say +1/2
Shows: Bands play longer at Bonnaroo, but not always a lot longer. There's not a lot of difference in the earlier sets, but because of city ordinances (I assume) the headliners have to end earlier at Lolla. Some headliners at Roo (The Police) didn't play long anyway, but some did (Pearl Jam).
Late nights: At Roo they are "free". (Meaning they are included in the cost of your General Admission ticket.) At Lolla there are always several after-shows scattered at cool venues all over town. That has its pros (you get to check out cool venues all over Chicago, you can "go out" instead of going to them) and its cons (they cost extra money, sometimes $10, sometimes $50, and you might have to haul butt across town and go through the hassle of finding a hole-in-the-wall venue to make it).
Lodging: Again, it's "free" at Roo. But if you do something like Couch Surfing www.couchsurfing.org it can also be free in Chicago. I stayed with a friend of a friend in Chicago for free and I stay with friends in Manchester every year for free. I highly recommend networking. Just don't call my hook-ups in case they like you better and kick me out. Or if you get a hotel or stay at a hostel it obviously costs a little extra, but it's hard to beat a warm bed and a shower.
Food: The food vendors at Bonnaroo are better, but outside the gates it's Waffle House (Manchester) vs. every kind of food the world has to offer (Chicago). No contest.
Over-all: I loved Lolla. I would go back every year if I could. It's really cool seeing bands with a Chicago skyline backdrop. But I generally prefer the lineup, chill vibe, sense of community, and close proximity to me that Bonnaroo provides so I give it the edge. But Lolla is definitely a great festival, and I don't think you would regret giving it a try.
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Thanks for that incredible post Matt! Much appreciated. Always heard good things about Chicago.
My buddy is suggesting Hang Out Festival. It is a MUCH further drive, but it could be a fun road trip if we make a week of it and check out some of Florida and New Orleans while down there. Plus the location looks insane!
Post by chicojuarz on Feb 15, 2012 13:03:32 GMT -5
Matt gives a great synopsis. I've been to Roo 3 times and Lolla 4 or something.
I dont feel like there's really any community at Lolla. That said people will be nice to you, but once the show stops they're just not going to hang around and get to know you.
The after shows are great, but they're packed and they sell out in seconds. I think it's because of people like me that live here but dont want to do Lollla they just want to see their favorite band. And if you're not going there are awesome neighborhood bars all over the city.
Honestly, after the heat and crowds (the layout in Grant Park is a straight line so I feel like there's a lot more walking) I never felt like seeing the city before I lived here. So if you want to see Wrigley and make it to all those delicious restaurants that arent in the Loop, you've gotta go in the morning.
Thanks for that incredible post Matt! Much appreciated. Always heard good things about Chicago.
My buddy is suggesting Hang Out Festival. It is a MUCH further drive, but it could be a fun road trip if we make a week of it and check out some of Florida and New Orleans while down there. Plus the location looks insane!
Post by champagne cory on Feb 15, 2012 13:44:08 GMT -5
Everything that Matt and Chicojaurez say is true.
To add on though, people at Lolla are not as friendly as people at Bonnaroo. There is a much younger crowd at Lolla also. Aftershows are expensive and near impossible to get tickets to. Not to mention aftershows are not located near Grant Park. You will need to take a bus/train/taxi to get to them. Anyone who says the weather is nicer at Lolla has obviously missed some of the super hot years. It is give and take, one year hot and dry next year mild next year mud pits. If you do go, make sure you get a hotel within walking distance from Grant Park. By walking distance, I would stay outside of the downtown/hotel area. Getting out after Lolla is a nightmare on public transportation and finding a taxi is difficult because they are all occupied. I also feel the roo line up has more depth to it where Lolla has a whole bunch of people who are popular at the time. Just my opinion.
I've been to Lolla since RCHP headlined (06???) and Bonaroo since 09. It's apples and oranges. Feel free to PM me if you have more questions about Lolla
Post by Laggy.RETURNS on Feb 16, 2012 12:03:34 GMT -5
I can't speak for every year, but 2011 had great weather. The sun was warm, but there was a constant cool breeze (they don't call it the windy city for nothing). And when it did get hot there was plenty of shade (unlike Roo), it's a park afterall.
The crowding was no issue at all last year. I never waited in line long for anything except kuma's. And walking from one stage to another there were never major traffic jams. It's a much bigger space overall.
And to whoever said the food at Roo was better.. you clearly didnt go to lolla last year. The catering was curated by master chef graham elliot, and it was basically a mini food festival inside a music festival. They had alot of the best restaurants from around the city catering food. The ones I remember are giodano's(sp?) chicago deep dish, and Kuma's corner burgers (pretty much the best burger I've ever had the pleasure of eating)
The cityscape in the background just made everything feel incredibly epic.
In all truth, on paper Lollapalooza is a far superior festival. But the advantages of Bonnaroo tip things in their favor. You can't beat the sense of community at bonnaroo. Living in a cramped camp with 80,000 other people for 4 straight days is just a departure from reality that you don't get at lollapalooza. And the random things, weird people, and resulting stories that bonnaroo makes, it's just too good. Better than anywhere else.
Plus at Lollapalooza the music ends at 10 pm. How lame is that? Late night shows FTW
And to whoever said the food at Roo was better.. you clearly didnt go to lolla last year. The catering was curated by master chef graham elliot, and it was basically a mini food festival inside a music festival. They had alot of the best restaurants from around the city catering food. The ones I remember are giodano's(sp?) chicago deep dish, and Kuma's corner burgers (pretty much the best burger I've ever had the pleasure of eating)
That's good to hear. It wasn't very good when I went.
Post by almostcrimes on Feb 16, 2012 19:43:08 GMT -5
Lolla was incredible last year, but like so many others have said, it's like comparing apples and oranges. It's true that they have no late nights, but I got tickets to last year's aftershows without a problem. Watching the sun go down as MMJ played the south field and eating a delicious Kuma's burger before going to see Arctic Monkeys in a small club will forever be one of my favorite festival memories.
