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If we're gonna argue Lolla vs. Osheaga, the latter is bound to have a better crowd all weekend. FWIW.
Is it really that much better? Like, Lola's nothing special, but I always assumed this one filled up with 18-20 year olds from New York overdoing it on legal booze.
There's some of that element, but overall everybody was much more civilized and responsive to each other. For instance, I spend a few hours at the Picnic Electronik stage during last year's festival (for Hi-Lo, Paul Kalkbrenner, and Mura Masa), and I found the vibe there to be chill and easy going. Whereas it would have been douchey AF at an equivalent American festival. In addition, I requested at various times whether people could not talk during sets, which got nice and polite responses.
Launchy - do you typically find the Osheaga lineups unquestionably better? Serious question.
They are usually pretty much the same. But I do think they take the best elements, skip the bloated over priced headliners (2015), and add more interesting undercard acts. All killer no filler.
I also am just not a fan of huge 100k person festivals anymore. Seeing an act like Radiohead in a crowd less than half of that is just more fun. Plus Montreal is way more laid back and fun than Chicago; Parc Jean Drapeau is (usually, we'll see this year) such a cooler venue for a festival than Grant Park. Like Asscrack said above, the crowd is much less obnoxious. Also your money is worth 25% more there.
Theres a reason why I keep saying this is my favorite North American festival. And given that ppl constantly call me out as a Gov Ball/Livenation shill around here, thats saying something. I am literally telling you this is better in every way than the biggest Livenation fest on the continent.
Launchy - do you typically find the Osheaga lineups unquestionably better? Serious question.
They are usually pretty much the same. But I do think they take the best elements, skip the bloated over priced headliners (2015), and add more interesting undercard acts. All killer no filler.
I also am just not a fan of huge 100k person festivals anymore. Seeing an act like Radiohead in a crowd less than half of that is just more fun. Plus Montreal is way more laid back and fun than Chicago; Parc Jean Drapeau is (usually, we'll see this year) such a cooler venue for a festival than Grant Park. Like Asscrack said above, the crowd is much less obnoxious. Also your money is worth 25% more there.
Theres a reason why I keep saying this is my favorite North American festival. And given that ppl constantly call me out as a Gov Ball/Livenation shill around here, thats saying something. I am literally telling you this is better in every way than the biggest Livenation fest on the continent.
That's fair. But I still think a lot of that is relative to the experience and not the lineup. It's ok to admit that for you Osheaga has that je ne sais quoi.
I have never been to lolla, and I probably never will. Osheaga always has a very slightly weaker lineup for me, but the conflicts at lolla always seem way worse. The venue is unquestionably better at Osheaga. Montreal is more interesting than Chicago. Everything I've heard about lolla crowds makes me want to steer clear. Osheaga is also half the distance from me. The only way I ever see myself going to lolla is if I move to the Chicago area, which I don't foresee happening in the near future (or at all really).
I have never been to lolla, and I probably never will. Osheaga always has a very slightly weaker lineup for me, but the conflicts at lolla always seem way worse. The venue is unquestionably better at Osheaga. Montreal is more interesting than Chicago. Everything I've heard about lolla crowds makes me want to steer clear. Osheaga is also half the distance from me. The only way I ever see myself going to lolla is if I move to the Chicago area, which I don't foresee happening in the near future (or at all really).
How can you make both of these statements in the same post?
Lolla is an absolute no brainer for me living in Chicago. I do like Osheaga's lineup this year too but just can't swing it. Considering the crossover they usually have the undercard, it isn't usually enough to warrant the extra expenses on travel, especially when Lolla usually pulls solid headliners (besides 2014, ugh).
I have never been to lolla, and I probably never will. Osheaga always has a very slightly weaker lineup for me, but the conflicts at lolla always seem way worse. The venue is unquestionably better at Osheaga. Montreal is more interesting than Chicago. Everything I've heard about lolla crowds makes me want to steer clear. Osheaga is also half the distance from me. The only way I ever see myself going to lolla is if I move to the Chicago area, which I don't foresee happening in the near future (or at all really).
How can you make both of these statements in the same post?
I have seen pictures/videos of lolla and read about the shitshow that is getting from one side of the park to the other. At Osheaga the two main stages are(were) right next to each other and there is a big hill behind than you can sit on and still get a perfect view of the stages if you want to relax. The walk to other stages is very cool and wooded and the whole venue is almost completely surrounded by water. Lolla is basically a giant open rectangle. Of course all of this goes completely out the window this year as Osheaga is going to be set up completely different.
Post by Launchpad McQuack on Mar 3, 2017 11:56:51 GMT -5
Its not hard to make that statement when Parc (at least in previous years) is the coolest venue for a festival imagineable.
It has everything. A water front, you can go wandering around in the woods and come upon crazy giant art sculptures, a fountain like Roos but double the size that you can jump into, the main stage has a hill in the back so even if you are a shorty you can see the stages.
Osheaga usually happens during the international fireworks competition too. So each night during the headliners you have countries competing in fireworks contests over your head. And its not like a handful being shot off like after a headliner at roo or lolla. Its a legit crazy hour long spectacle that people come from all over the world for in and of its self.
Post by Saint Raptor on Mar 3, 2017 12:24:23 GMT -5
I've never been to Osheaga but have done Lolla twice. The park is massive and it does take awhile to get from one main stage to the other but the amount of music is amazing. There is basically always a band you want to see playing at any given time. I'm coming from Toronto for my 3rd Lolla this year because I absolutely love the festival and think it's the most well run festival I've been too in terms of layout, amount of food options, quick lines at bars, the ability to stay in one area and see bands start one after the other, and just the overall atmosphere.
I've heard good things about Osheaga and the lineup this year is almost worth me giving it a go but the headliners don't do it for me. Unless Lolla craps the bed with their headliners, I can't see myself changing course.
And yes, avoid Perry's and you'll avoid the people you want to avoid.
2017 Shows Sam Roberts Band, Wilco, Local Natives, Ryan Adams(!), Chance the Rapper, Future Islands, Frightened Rabbit, TOOL, Field Trip Music Festival, Gary Clark Jr., Arkells w/July Talk, Gorillaz, Tom Petty, Metallica, Muse, Incubus, Lollapalooza (!!!),Kings of Leon, Deep Purple & Alice Cooper, Father John Misty, War on Drugs
Post by RedFrog Intern on Mar 3, 2017 13:02:35 GMT -5
Not to mention a food truck festival coincided with the festival last year too. Going there to get a brew and a bite to eat before leaving for the festival was a real treat
Post by Launchpad McQuack on Mar 3, 2017 13:18:19 GMT -5
The Just for Laughs comedy festival also coincided with Osheaga last year as well. Louis CK, Aziz, ect were all doing shows the days leading up to and during the fest. Damn last year really was unreal.
Its not hard to make that statement when Parc (at least in previous years) is the coolest venue for a festival imagineable.
It has everything. A water front, you can go wandering around in the woods and come upon crazy giant art sculptures, a fountain like Roos, the mainstage has a hill so even if you are a shorty you can see the stages.
Osheaga usually happens during the international fireworks competition too. So each night during the headliners you have countries competing in fireworks contests over your head. And its not like a handful being shot off like after a headliner at roo or lolla. Its a legit crazy hour long spectacle that people come from all over the world for in and of its self.
Its really amazing.
Can you explain the two stages right next to each other. They don't have to two acts playing at the same time do they?
Its not hard to make that statement when Parc (at least in previous years) is the coolest venue for a festival imagineable.
It has everything. A water front, you can go wandering around in the woods and come upon crazy giant art sculptures, a fountain like Roos, the mainstage has a hill so even if you are a shorty you can see the stages.
Osheaga usually happens during the international fireworks competition too. So each night during the headliners you have countries competing in fireworks contests over your head. And its not like a handful being shot off like after a headliner at roo or lolla. Its a legit crazy hour long spectacle that people come from all over the world for in and of its self.
Its really amazing.
Can you explain the two stages right next to each other. They don't have to two acts playing at the same time do they?
No. Each stage switches off. That way the main stages have less down time and as soon as one act ends another begins... It doesn't look like they are doing that again this year or next though.
I am worried that the construction over the next two years may take away from the quality. That's why this year I may just do a single day of the fest to scope it out. Either way it'll be back to normal by 2019.
Would love to get your take on two concerns I've heard about Osheaga from friends (have a lot of Canadian friends so know quite a few people who go). Two complaints I've heard are:
1. Getting off the island at the end of the night is terrible. My understanding is you need to take a train to get to the venue and if you stay for the full headlining set, you have to wait a ton of time to get into a train because every one is packed leaving. Heard that after Florence in 2015, my friends had to wait nearly two hours to leave.
2. Heard it's an extremely young crowd given 18-19 year olds can drink in Montreal. So there's a ton of drunk teenagers running around that make the crowd bad. One of my friends (26 at the time) said some drunk 19 year old went up to her and said "I hope I'm as cool as you when I'm your age" getting a beer a couple years ago.
If we're gonna argue Lolla vs. Osheaga, the latter is bound to have a better crowd all weekend. FWIW.
Is it really that much better? Like, Lola's nothing special, but I always assumed this one filled up with 18-20 year olds from New York overdoing it on legal booze.
So we went to lolla, then found Osheaga and have done it ever since (the past 5 years)... but it is 10 hrs closer for us, cheaper and smaller (which I like - Lolla is great, but huge and exhausting). Generally I think Lolla has a slightly better lineup - now with the 4 day fest more so. But Osh usually scores some very good acts that Loll doesn't have. So, as with everything, it's about your subjective opinion, line up wise. The crowd is actually not very drunk, or that different age wise from Lolla- not nearly as many under 21's from the states as you think. But I liked the crowd at Lolla too. However, I have rarely seen the passed out drunks up there that I see at other fests. Montreal is a beautiful city, very manageable, and the weather is just about perfect. The smaller size is key, I think - the more people, the more assholes. But, it has gotten more crowded every year, and with the new venue seemingly smaller, it could be more of a shit show this year.
Would love to get your take on two concerns I've heard about Osheaga from friends (have a lot of Canadian friends so know quite a few people who go). Two complaints I've heard are:
1. Getting off the island at the end of the night is terrible. My understanding is you need to take a train to get to the venue and if you stay for the full headlining set, you have to wait a ton of time to get into a train because every one is packed leaving. Heard that after Florence in 2015, my friends had to wait nearly two hours to leave.
2. Heard it's an extremely young crowd given 18-19 year olds can drink in Montreal. So there's a ton of drunk teenagers running around that make the crowd bad. One of my friends (26 at the time) said some drunk 19 year old went up to her and said "I hope I'm as cool as you when I'm your age" getting a beer a couple years ago.
Last year getting off was much better because they have made improvements. That being said, Saturday night sucks because they also have an international fireworks competition that night that brings even larger crowds to the island (but is also awesome to see). Yes, it's a pain. But leaving Lolla by train is worse. I don't find the crowd to be younger than any other fest I've been too. It's still expensive for 18yr olds... And I've seen way drunker crowds. But that's just my experience. I probably gravitate towards the acts that draw an older crowd - there have been a few acts that I felt like I was surrounded by obniouxious teenagers.
Would love to get your take on two concerns I've heard about Osheaga from friends (have a lot of Canadian friends so know quite a few people who go). Two complaints I've heard are:
1. Getting off the island at the end of the night is terrible. My understanding is you need to take a train to get to the venue and if you stay for the full headlining set, you have to wait a ton of time to get into a train because every one is packed leaving. Heard that after Florence in 2015, my friends had to wait nearly two hours to leave.
2. Heard it's an extremely young crowd given 18-19 year olds can drink in Montreal. So there's a ton of drunk teenagers running around that make the crowd bad. One of my friends (26 at the time) said some drunk 19 year old went up to her and said "I hope I'm as cool as you when I'm your age" getting a beer a couple years ago.
Getting to the Metro on the way out of the old setup was an absolute clusterfuck. People literally busted down a huge fence because they were so packed together. It was borderline dangerous, people were getting squeezed. That's pretty much my only complaint about the whole thing, also not that quick getting in either. This can be fairly easily avoided if you just go during the end of the headliner or wait until way after.
The crowd is fairly young, but not the youngest I've seen. It's also a much more mature young crowd than I feel you get in the states.
Post by The Foot Fuckin' Master on Mar 4, 2017 2:32:08 GMT -5
Getting out via metro is definitely a pain, but no way that it takes two hours to leave. I was at the end of the crowd departing on Sunday last year (due to being up front for Radiohead) and we were on the subway by 11:45.
The end-of-day Osheaga subway situation gets a bad rep. While it's true that there are large crowds waiting to get into the station and on the train at the end of each day, my experience last year was that the line moved relatively quickly. It took my crew a half-hour to get from the island back to the part of town we were staying in after Radiohead's headlining set on Sunday.
Can't speak to the Lolla vs. Osheaga debate as I've never been to Lolla before, but I fell in love with Osheaga last year. To date, it's the best festival experience I've ever had. Already planning to return in 2019 when the festival moves back to its normal facility.
Post by Launchpad McQuack on Mar 4, 2017 16:54:18 GMT -5
Last year I didnt really have to deal with that end of the night rush at all. I left before RHCP the first night. Saw Todd Terje instead of Lana the second night, and by the time he was done the main stage crowd was already gone. And on Sunday I drove to the fest instead of taking the Metro.
Looking at this years headliners, I am pretty positive I will be ending my nights at the side stages and be able to leave really easily.
Post by Launchpad McQuack on Mar 4, 2017 17:02:30 GMT -5
As far as the crowds age, its the same as every other festival. Do VIP if you want to cut down interactions with youngins. I really dont have much of a problem with it; and I actually think the crowd here is so much less obnoxious than most other fests I have been to.
2021 08-07: Japanese Breakfast @ Union Transfer 09-08: My Morning Jacket / Brittany Howard @ The Mann 09-18: Soccer Mommy @ Union Transfer 10-01 thru 10-03: Austin City Limits Music Festival 10-19: Waxahatchee @ Union Transfer 10-27: Arlo Parks @ The Foundry 11-09: Squid @ Johnny Brenda's 11-17: Monophonics @ World Cafe Live 12-01: Caribou @ Union Transfer
Alabama Shakes - Sunday Andy Shauf - Friday Arkells - Saturday Dawes - Saturday Father John Misty - Friday
Here are the Lolla days:
Artists playing Lolla on Friday, so Osheaga Saturday or Sunday: Bishop Briggs Cloud Nothings Crystal Castles Foster The People Little Dragon Majid jordan Phantogram PUP Run The Jewels Tegan And Sara The Districts The Lemon Twigg Whitney
Artists playing Lolla Saturday, so Osheaga Fir or Sun: Vance Joy Russ Glass Anmials
Artists playing Lolla on Sunday, so Osheaga on Friday or Saturday: 6LACK Barns Courtney Carseat Headrest Joseph Justice London Grammar Maggie Rodgers Milky Chance Noname Rag n Bone Man Sampha Sofi Tukker The Shins
