Word: woodstocker
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...first Woodstock became a symbol of communalism by accident. Says John Scher, an executive with Polygram Records, which invested in Woodstock '94: "There's this myth that Woodstock was a free festival. It wasn't a free concert at all, and it wasn't intended to be a free concert." On that weekend in '69, the kids broke down the fences; the promoters couldn't stop the influx, so they gave in to the inevitable and announced that the show was free. It was a huge money loser for its backers...
This time around, the financial stakes were higher. To stage the first concert, promoters spent $3 million; Woodstock '94 cost more than $30 million. Tickets to the original were $18; this time they were $135 and had to be purchased in pairs. In 1969 there weren't even official T shirts; in 1994 there will be an official CD-ROM. The Eco-Village, ostensibly devoted to educating the public about the environment, resembled a strip mall where you could buy clothes, camping gear and even Woodstock air ($2 a bottle). The promoters will reap an estimated $5 million...
...action that bespoke little peace and love, the organizers of Woodstock '94 lodged an $80 million lawsuit against rivals who tried to hold an event called Bethel '94. That festival was to take place on the original Woodstock site and was to include such performers as Melanie and Country Joe MacDonald, who appeared in 1969. The suit was settled out of court. Although Bethel '94 was later officially canceled, 12,000 people gathered there spontaneously, and Woodstock veterans like Arlo Guthrie stopped by to give free, impromptu performances...
...naked capitalism of Woodstock '94 ran counter to the professed ideals of many of the musicians who played there. The roster included such "alternative" groups as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Porno for Pyros and Candlebox, which are supposed to be anti-commercialism. Some top alternative acts, such as Pearl Jam, rejected invitations to appear at Saugerties, as did rocker Neil Young, another of those who played the first Woodstock. The morals vs. money debate raged among fans. "I refuse to participate in something I believe is nothing more than making money off people's lust for the past," said graduate...
...promoters of Woodstock '94, and some of the musicians, say the commercialism can actually help support idealism. "((Woodstock)) is really corporate," admits bassist Mike Dirnt of the Berkeley punk band Green Day. "But that's one of the reasons we're playing. It's helping us make up a lot of the money we've lost touring, being out there keeping our ticket prices low." The best-paid acts received $250,000, and all will receive a share of ancillary royalties. Promoter Scher of Polygram Records says he turned down sponsorship offers from such companies as Marlboro, Coors, Budweiser...