Woodstock 1999

[MartyG]

I watched the three part series last night on Netflix. Have to say I had not heard anything about this fiasco before. I was 43 at the time. My son graduated from High School that year. Safe to say the naked throng (and naked performers) did not come for the music, but in their defense there was not much music to be had. Biggest surprise to me was that Willie Nelson took the stage at some point. Given all the bottle and trash throwing going on during each act, and zero security, I'm surprised someone didn't jump on stage, smash trigger and light Willie's braids on fire. And those "mud pits" the kids seemed to be enjoying? Well, when the porta potties fill up and overflow en mass, that's what you get.

I've never been a fan of palooza-size concerts, and even arena concerts are sketchy. I hope my grandkids never have a chance to experience what I watched. Was anyone here there?

Marty

 

[fronobulax]

Didn't watch, wasn't there but did hear about it when I could have gone if I wanted to.

 

[Guildedagain]

Devolution in action.

 

[Westerly Wood]

really bad parenting...

 

[GAD]

I’m sure old people said the same things about the original Woodstock.

 

[Westerly Wood]

I’m sure old people said the same things about the original Woodstock.

when you watch the movie (original woodstock), the people in town were remarking how peaceful and respectful they were, walking thru town to get to show. the 99 woodstock is a totally different animal.

 

[Midnight Toker]

I know people that went, and have hung out w/ and shared stages w/ several of the bands that performed. The planning was very poor, and turned out to be a corporatized money grab under the guise of the spirit and folklore spawned by the original Woodstock, which put off a lot of people once they arrived. Many good acts performed w/ the best intentions, and as for the mayhem that ensued….you can chalk that up to basic human mob mentality. Even the most peaceful kids w/ the best parenting will do things they never thought capable of when a few bad apples start the ball rolling. Every kid is capable, no matter how morally strong. Yes, even your own kids! I’d wager 99+% have never acted that way before, and likely never will again. I find mob mentality a fascinating subject in sociology/behavioral science. It proves that no matter how technologically advanced we become, there are still deep rooted animalistic tendencies in all of us.

 

[Westerly Wood]

you can chalk that up to basic human mob mentality. Even the most peaceful kids w/ the best parenting will do things they never thought capable of when a few bad apples start the ball rolling. Every kid is capable, no matter how morally strong. Yes, even your own kids! I’d wager 99+% have never acted that way before, and likely never will again. I find mob mentality a fascinating subject in sociology/behavioral science. It proves that no matter how technologically advanced we become, there are still deep rooted animalistic tendencies in all of us.

all good points.

 

[GAD]

I had friends who went and they had a wonderful time. While bad things did happen, all documentaries are designed to entertain and to make a narrative point and there is no such thing as an impartial documentary. Could it be accurate? Absolutely. I wasn’t there and I haven’t watched the documentary. It’s also likely that the drastic changes in society in the decades between shows showed up in crowd behavior.

 

[GAD]

Worth a read:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/08/13/riots-deaths-sexual-assault-maybe-woodstock-was-always-nightmare/

While ‘99 was clearly worse, ‘69 was not necessarily the utopia shown in the film.

 

[Westerly Wood]

Worth a read:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/08/13/riots-deaths-sexual-assault-maybe-woodstock-was-always-nightmare/

While ‘99 was clearly worse, ‘69 was not necessarily the utopia shown in the film.

re '60, no doubt...
When I was on AGF back in 2008, Woodstock was a thread for sure. Guy I knew said he went with a few friends, but they left after a few hours. He said everyone was wacked out on drugs, it was muddy and dirty as heck, they just decided to go back home...

 

[Midnight Toker]

Worth a read:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/08/13/riots-deaths-sexual-assault-maybe-woodstock-was-always-nightmare/

While ‘99 was clearly worse, ‘69 was not necessarily the utopia shown in the film.

Indeed. They were likely several emergency helicopter food and water drops away from complete anarchy. It was after all declared a NY state of emergency. A few kids were born there, one to-be mother having to be airlifted to a nearby hospital. Now THATS what I call bad parenting…from day 1!!

As for all the local shops saying all the kids on their way there were polite and friendly….didn’t get the same reception when leaving covered in a mix of mud and cow manure.