Yes, I attended the first Lollapalooza Festival, which was really, really cool. I was living in Miami at the time and the show was in Orlando. I went with these two girls I knew, but it was strictly a platonic thing. I had a car, and they needed a ride, so it all worked out.
We left in the morning and made the trek to Orlando, which was not too bad. We got there plenty early enough and made our way into the fairgrounds well before the music started. The lineup was pretty solid, and I was really looking forward to seeing all the bands on the bill, especially since the only band I had previously seen was Living Colour. Anyway, here is a list of the bands that performed that day:
- Jane’s Addiction
- Siouxsie and the Banshees
- Living Colour
- Nine Inch Nails
- Ice T & Body Count
- Butthole Surfers
- Rollins Band
If memory serves me correct, Rollins Band played first. I had seen Henry Rollins years ago with Black Flag, which was a wild show. His solo band was cool, and he definitely got the energy going.
Next up were the Butthole Surfers. I remember wondering if they were mentally challenged. The singer would toss bottles in the air and allow them to smash on his head. Anyway, they were entertaining. I can appreciate a good freak show.
I’m pretty sure Ice-T and Body Count were next. Their set I remember vividly. They were so raw, so powerful, and they felt—dangerous. I recall thinking that rock music had become pretty tame, but seeing Body Count filled me with the combined sense of danger and excitement that I had not felt at a concert in a long time. And when they performed the infamous “Cop Killer,” with Ice-T beginning with his rap about taking a cop “into the parking lot and shooting him in his mother-f***in’ face,” it was hard not to notice the rage exuding from the phalanx of Orlando police officers lined up and glaring at the stage. It is an image that was burned into my brain.
Nine Inch Nails played afterwards, and the girls I was with were pretty psyched for them. I had not really listened to NIN prior to this, so I didn’t know what to expect. They were intense; only way to describe them. Not my fav, but I appreciated the energy they had on stage, and their sound was definitely unique.
Next up was Living Colour. Damn, I love that band! As a guitarist, I’m always in awe of Vernon Reid’s playing. They totally rocked, in my humble opinion.
Then came Siouxsie and the Banshees. Siouxsie was so cool. I wished I was closer because I really enjoyed their set. But even from a distance, it was great seeing them.
Finally, Jane’s Addiction took the stage. They were great, and even after a long day of music out in the Florida sun, the pit was still swarming and people were going wild. I thought they played well, and my only disappointment was that they didn’t play “Jane Says.” Otherwise, killer set.
We drove back to Miami that night, so it was early in the morning by the time I dropped my friends off and made it home. Coffee is a wonderful thing.
I was not able to find all the setlists from the day’s performances, but I found a few. Here are the ones I found.
Nine Inch Nails Setlist:
- Now I’m Nothing
- Terrible Lie
- Sin
- Physical
- The Only Time
- Wish
- Get Down Make Love
- Down In It
- Head Like A Hole
Living Colour Setlist:
- Type
- Desperate People
- Funny Vibe
- Talkin’ Loud and Sayin’ Nothing
- Love Rears Its Ugly Head
- Under Cover of Darkness
- Time’s Up
- Sweet Chariot
- Open Letter (To a Landlord)
- Memories Can’t Wait
- Elvis Is Dead
- Should I Stay or Should I Go
- Cult of Personality
Siouxsie and the Banshees Setlist:
- The Last Beat of My Heart
- Silver Waterfalls
- The Killing Jar
- Paradise Place
- Cry
- Kiss Them for Me
- Peek-A-Boo
- Cities in Dust
- Switch
- Fear (of the Unknown)
- This Wheel’s on Fire
- Rhapsody
- Helter Skelter
Jane’s Addiction:
- Up The Beach
- Whores
- Standing In The Shower… Thinking
- Ain’t No Right
- Three Days
- Been Caught Stealing
- Don’t Call Me Nigger, Whitey
- Ted, Just Admit It…
- Classic Girl
- Mountain Song
- Stop!
- Summertime Rolls
- Ocean Size
The Stub Collection 