HIPSTER RUNOFF

So there I was, standing in a massive Adidas shoebox that was located inside the festival grounds of a relevant alternative event, and I had 2 ask myself, "Where the eff am I?" After attending so many relevant alternative events, experiencing life as a VIP and sometimes stepping outside of the VIP area in order to experience life as a 'common alt' with the herds of non-VIP alt consumers, I find myself wondering if the 'sponsored' experience has helped or hurt the State of Alt.

The Sponsored Experience////////
If an experience isn't sponsored, did it ever even happen?

Festivals, VIP areas, sporting events, mainstream events, stadiums, amphitheatres, holiday parades, and even youth sports teams' entire seasons. A brand It seems chill that relevant alt festivals are 'monetizing', 'going mainstream', and getting top tier brands. It seems chill that top tier brands have embraced alt events as a place to expose their brand to 'high-end early adoping tastemaking consumers.'

But while entities who are grandfathered into the highly lucrative buzz machine get richer and more powerful, who are the economic victims of The_sponsored_experience? Or is it chill 2 be hella sponsored as long as u invite local vegan, grass-fed, organic venders to make some $$$ by selling relevant food-truck-wave food at ur alternative event?

Pictured: Sponsored Ice Cream Experience

I feel scared and sad. Scared for our children, and future generations of alt who will never get to experience chill indie vibes and websites without being overwhelmed by the sponsored experience. Scared for the future of buzzbands, who will be forced to cultivate sponsored buzz in order to be looped into the sponsored indie buzz machine.

Pictured: Sponsored MP3 farming experience

But maybe I <3 the sponsored experience. Getting free iPhone cases, alcohol, cards to redeem free MP3s from a startup music service, and chillwave koozies. Sometimes I even get XL t-shirts. Maybe the sponsored experience is a good thing 4 evry1. Maybe the sponsored experience is where art and commerce intersect, creating a portal of synergistic vibes that allow us all to chill and vibe like never before.

Can a band 'go mainstream' without embracing the sponsored experience?
Have u ever had any chill times within a sponsored experience?
Have u ever exploited a sponsored experience to get free _________?
Are brands wasting money by sponsoring experiences [via marketing]?
Sponsored experience in a sponsored experience experience sponsorship?
Is a blog only as valuable as the sponsored content is blogs?
Do u ever wish that ur own life was a sponsored experience?
Will the sponsored experience enable all great art, music, and architecture for the rest of time?
Can a 'new authenticity' emerge now that 'authenticity' is a sponsored experience?
Is 'government' a sponsored experience [via taxes]?
Is 'life' a sponsored experience?
Is society a sponsored experience?
Can u sponsor a sponsored experience?

Pictured: I got this coupon at a relevant music festival, exposing me 2 the Pepsi Max brand

///Can we ever get away from the Sponsored Experience?

Photo via HoustonFreePress

Walking around
a relevant music festival
I don't usually venture outside of my 1 bedroom apartment
Usually just listen to buzzbands home alone in my undies
smoking dank
TV on mute in the background

Just vlogged as I documented the popular phenomenon of 'fence jumping', a new authentic way to enter a music festival to see some of today's most relevant buzzbands (without purchasing an official ticket/wristband/7 day pass). Wanted to give yall an 'organic feel', utilizing modern 'guerrilla journalism' techniques to bring yall along as I jumped the fence at a relevant music festival. Feeling kinda like an 'embedded reporter' during Desert Storm: The Quest for Osama Hussein [via Geraldo Rivera].

As you can see, I was kinda a 'coward' since I waited til the fence fell + the security guards were busy chasing other bros when I 'rushed that shit', seeking the soft rock crowds watching Chromeo as my 'Underground Railroad' 2 freedom. For once in my life, it felt good to 'disappear into a crowd of people who all looked the same as me.'

Music Festivals are so expensive these days that hardcore authentic alts can't see their favourite buzzbands while chilling with a social_network of likeminded bros. Festivals seem to be catering more towards 'rich kids' who get 3 day passes as their high school graduation gift + young adults who still want to feel like they are 'young.' Really prices me out, since I am an authentic buzzband fan without a real job (mainly because I spend all day researching buzzbands for the sake of my own iTunes collection and I am waiting to one day have my own job in 'the industry').

Fence jumping is really my only option for experiencing a music festival. Here is footage of me 'fence jumping' in some sort of basketball arena during a California electro rave event/Lakers game.

Honestly feel like I've always hated 'fences' ever since I was a maisntreamer living in suburbia, and my parents had one around our backyard. It seemed like it was meant to 'guard' our house, making sure bad ppl didn't come in during the middle of the night and kill us. After living in an mixed media art residency & organic farming commune for the past 2 months, I feel like I realize that people are inherently 'chill' and aren't looking to steal ur flat screen TVs. Thing fences hold back society.

Is fence jumping a 'common occurrence?' Has it been around 'since Woodstock'/Woodstock 99?
Should music festivals just be 'free'?
Are authentic fans 'being priced out' or are there plenty of great ways to get into a music festival for free, like 'calling into a radio station to try to win tickets'?

Feel like maybe music fans feel like they are entitled to see bands for free since they steal mp3s for free 'on the reg.' Maybe artists should start some sort of model where mp3s + merch + admission are 'free' if they pay an annual subscription rate.

Seems like fence jumping is probably a 'huge safety hazard.' Always go back to this video of Californian tweens trampling one another as they try to 'hop the fence' at the Electric Daisy Carnival Music Festival at the Rose Bowl. U can see a few lil electro fans 'honestly convinced that they are about to die.'

Not sure if this type of chaos happens everywhere, or just in the rave-centric environment of California. Feel like traditional fence jumping is a series of isolated incidences by strategic bros who have circumnavigated the festival grounds multiple times looking for 'weak points' in the security line, kinda like  modern, alt version of 'Normandy: Saving Private Alt.'

What elements do you have to evaluate when you consider fence jumping ur way in2 a festival?

• How high is the fence + your athletic ability
• If you really have the right 'gear' to jump fences. Tennis shoes / utility boots / no loose clothes + purses that could get caught in the fence
• Always safe to not take any form of identification, so u can claim ur an insane homeless person if ur caught
• If you run in a 'pack' do you have a better chance of getting thru? Usually there are only 2 to 4 security guards in a certain area
• Level of security (you don't want to end up being tackled by a huge black dude with a taser)
• Is there only one line of fences between your jump point and the crowd space?
• How quickly can u make it into the safety of the crowd?
• Does the security guard look like he'll 'put a boot in ur ass' if he catches you?

Might just watch some youtube tutorials to make sure I have good 'fence jumping technique.'

What can music festivals do to combat fence jumpers?

• Barbwire fences
• Electric fences
• Pit bulls / guard dogs
• laser fences
• Building moats around music festivals
• Increasing police force + pay-as-you-go security guards
• Working with local government officials to press serious charges against captured fence jumpers, making sure they see jail time so u can 'set an example'
• Paying police force 'by commission' for the number of fence jumpers they catch. This will be fueled by 'reverse racism' if the security guards are black, and they have the opportunity to tackle + beat
• Also white middle aged security guards are effective because they will take out their dissatisfaction with their lives' on a fence jumper  bc they represent 'wasted youth'.
• Hiring some sort of army/militia from a 3rd World country, paying them 'above market wages' based on their country's GDP

Whose side are yall on?
Do you think every1 should be able to see/steal art for free, or do u think music festivals deserve to make money?
Can music festivals make enough money off exclusive sponsorship that the 'price of admission' isn't even necessary any more?
Are John C. Coachella (founder of Coachella) and Jeffrey Lollapalooza 'rolling around' in piles of money?
Should fence jumpers be 'thrown in jail?

Are 'fences' just societal constructs that oppress us / create an illusion of 'property' which doesn't really even exist?
Are fences 'unchill bottlenecks' that harsh community vibes?

Worried that 1 day festival security guards will have the 'go-ahead' to 'shoot-to-kill' all fence jumpers.

Do u have any good advice for people who run music festivals + fence jumpers to broker some sort of peace?
Should I start some sort of 'crowd control consulting service' since there are so many music festivals these days?
Do people rlly need to jump fences since bands play so much/there are so many goddamn music festivals these days?

photo via some twitter

There's nothing more demeaning
than going to a music festival
and standing with 'the common folk'
General Admission status confirms ur status as the 'cattle' of the music industry.
Herded around some field like u have no brain
It's sorta like a modern version of 'poor people'

It is a collection of people who are 'poor' in terms of cultural relevancy
People paying $200+ to 'be a part of the festival'
Watching buzzbands play their instruments
in the same way that Middle Americans watch 'the goddamned TV'
turning into 'couch potatoes'

They loaf on their blankets
smoking weed
paying for $10 beers
eating metaphorical sausage on a stick [via consumerism]

I never want to sit with those people
College bros, festival bros, cool dads with money having a chill weekend
Girls who just want to get half naked and have bros stare at their tits
Parents who brought their babies to the festival (some without earplugs)

I am a part of the VIP section
We live behind a fence
a buffer zone
from negative/mainstreamer vibes

Whether ur a buzzband
an insider
a blogger
a newspaper man
the 'manager' of a buzzband
or some1 who just has 'connections

Every1 who is 'some1' is in VIP
(and also a few unchill bros who ruin the vibes)
Free alcohol, free food, free 'gear' [via festival sponsors]
They take care of us, because they need us

VIP is about 'feeding the buzzcycle of life'
Very Important Persons don't need to be a part of 'the mainstream crowd'
We are tastemakers for those 'fucking trendstreamers'

Many people will ask 'Do u think ur better than me because ur VIP?'
My answer will be, "yes.
I earned the right to be VIP
Do u know how many memes I've dropped?
How many eyes have seen my tweets?
How many buzzbands I've both broken and euthanized?
How many genres I've created?
For you to question my place in the VIP
Is to question my purpose on this Earth
Let me be with my people
This is not just about social status
This is about the future of Indie

Please, please, please
Just let the VIPs 'have their day in the sun'
Getting off the internet for once
to converge and mingle
Internet bloggers off the internet
to watch the bands they blog about
in the raw.

Buzzbands getting a day to chill
and have a therapy session
about 'how insane the demands of being a buzzband are'
Talking about themes of displacement, label pressure, fan scrutiny, and 'selling out'

Music Festivals aren't just for fans
they are legitimate 'safe havens'
for some of the important members of the buzzosphere
Let us have our chill sesh
Nestled behind the tall fences of the VIP section

This is our time.
Our Time.'

C.R.H.
I am a culturally relevant human.
I earned this pass.

VIP
WHAT HAPPENS IN VIP
STAYS IN VIP
ANYTHING MOTHERFUCKING GOES
BUZZBANDS FUCKING BUZZBANDS
BUZZBANDS FIGHTING BUZZBANDS
BLOGGERS HANDJOBBING BLOGGERS
NSFW XXX CUM SHOTS EVERY 15 MINUTES

Have u ever been to a music festival?
Were u VIP? Or did u 'stand with the masses'?
When u go to a music festival and stand with thousands of people, does it make u feel 'less unique' because all of those other people like the same buzzband that u do?
Do u feel 'closer to the music' when u are granted 'elite status' at a show/festival?
Is there a 'social hierarchy' in the live concert experience, and do u ever see urself escaping from your social class?
Are buzzbands 'the most important' part of the live show, or do the promoters/venue have a higher status?

Photos by the cobrasnake http://thecobrasnake.com/partyphotos.html

Sometimes I wonder what the future of the music festival is. It seems like most music festivals are 'so corporate' now that they are sort of losing their identity, and don't fully take advantage of middle America. I feel like raves are sorta like the NASCAR of live music events. It sorta caters to the massive market of 'low-end' consumers who just need an excuse to drink/do drugs/assimilate with their weird interpretation of alt culture.

feel like 'low-end alts' might be the future of mass alternative markets. The high-end indiesphere 'isn't where all the money is. Apparently this 'rave' called Electric Daisy Carnival drew 185,000 people.

Music festivals really are getting out of hand. This rave seems chill because there are 'free refills' on water [via water fountains].

not every1 can afford fiji/smart/vitamins/coconut water.

Fans want to 'create their own merch' instead of buying overpriced tshirts and tote bags.

Got this for free with my Sega Saturn when I was 10 and turned it into a rave necklace.

Definitely give this bro props for his Super Ninendo controller built in to his rave flair.

Zany Spongebob Bro. Wonder if it is still 'quirky' 2 'like Spongebob' of if that phase died in the 1990s.

Maybe lil Muppet Backpacks are a chill rave prop

Got really effed up. Had 2 throw up behind a dumpster

Also had to poop and pee thru my leggings

Luckily raves hire custodial staff to make sure everything is clean.

But still, gotta wear an electro gas mask to 'keep out' negative vibes / port o potty fumes / vomit fumes out of my nose

Wonder if there is a new genre of bros who work out just so their bodies look good at raves.

sup bro pt 2

sup bro pt 3

Who is more authentic 2 ravers, Deadmaus or Mickey Mou5e?

Worried about this lost clown bro

Wonder if she tore this shirt after putting it on, or if it was some premeditated slashing

Just want to go to a place with progressive thongs.

Do u want ur parents to drop u off at the rave after telling them it is a 'Late Night Soccer Tournament'?

Or do you want to use a rave as an opportunity to reconnect with ur mom after 'dropping E' together?

Not sure if this is a juggalo or a raver

Sometimes music festivals aren't about watching live bands play mp3s in a live setting. It is about going outside, being around other human beings congregating with a group of like-minded people who live the same era / society / scene as u /// These are the People of Coachelly as photographed by the cobrasnakes. //////

All photos by thecobrasnake

Coachella seems like it was a really fun family event that you could bring ur kids to Pissed at my daughter for falling asleep, but I couldn't find a 3 day baby sitter for less than $300 Had to spend $100 on protective ear buds / head phones. Sad I couldn't borrow them from my bro who loads luggage into planes for Southwest Airlines H8 my dad + mom for tagging along and making sure I stayed alive the whole time. I guess they were right, because I got scared of alt terrorists backpack bombing the venue Wonder if Coachella was a safe place to bring your unborn child? Good place to bring ur family dog, just as long as u clean up the poop 'I thought this was the Regional Hot Dog Convention.' My bro got really hyper from eating too many french fries Will next year's Coachella be in 3d? A lot of films this year went 3d to make more money, so I think music festivals will have to go 3d in order 2 compete Were there more blipsters at Coachella or more Golden ppl? Feel like a lot of people showed up from a forest where they had just killed a bunch of animals to turn into post-ironic clothing Bear hat bro These people killed a few animals I think these people are from Montana, or some sort of conceptual state of existence/America. < Might just wear conceptually matching outfits with my bro. He will wear an ironic Eagle Shirt, and I will wear an ironic Dolphin shirt. Wonder where this girl got her XX shirt Wonder if XX bras were the big trend at Coachella

Coachella

Company

Coachella is a music festival held in Southern California that turns into a gathering of the world's most relevant buzzbands, artists, designers, celebrities, and internet personalities.

Lists: Californians, music festivals, rich ass ppl

Read more>>>>

I was just looking at the Coachella festival jpg lineup announcement, and I felt sort of underwhelmed. So many bands that appeal to a lot of different people. It seems like they are going for a sort of 'nostalgic'/'ironic' type of experience this year. Like our chance to re-live the past without leaving behind all of the pleasures of today.

I sorta wonder if 'music festivals' are still going to be authentic/fun/organic/exciting experiences. In the latter stages of the 2k0 decade, we saw music festivals morph into huge corporate events. So many mainstreamers showed up at formerly alternative festivals that by the end of the decade, festival curators were catering to maltstream audiences by booking headliners such as Coldplay, the Kings of Leon, and Jack Johnson Bro.

It seems like music festivals aren't even 'about the music' any more. Bottles of water cost $5. Plastic bottles of beer cost $15. Buying band merch costs 500% more than the unit cost of a blank tshirt. Feels like if I wanted to pay to 'gawk at famous people from afar', I would get tickets to a professional sports team. Really hope that microfestivals begin to pop up. Secret gatherings of young professional alts + 'trustafarians' who are willing to pay top dollar for a unique experience, limiting the amount of entry levs at the music fest.

Wonder if by the end of the decade, we will be dropping off our kids at Hanny Montanny music festivals.

Mind is truly 'blown' by the coachella lineup. Part of me wants to say it 'sucks' and 'all of those bands are old', but another part of me just wants to 'go have fun and listen to some awesome music.'

Which band r u looking forward 2 seeing the most at Coachella 2k10?
Which music festival will u attend in 2k10?
Will u stop going to music festivals this decade because seeing kidz/inauthentic ppl watching the same bands u like can put a bottleneck ur ability to enjoy a band/concert/mp3?

Previous Concert/Show/Festival Coverage
http://www.hipsterrunoff.com/2009/06/u-me-and-every-concert-we-attend-how-we-grow-older-with-concerts.html

The Festival Bro

http://www.hipsterrunoff.com/2008/05/i-am-the-festivalbro.html

Who do u see when u go 2 music festivals?

Guess it is music festy season again.

Coachella

Company

Coachella is a music festival held in Southern California that turns into a gathering of the world's most relevant buzzbands, artists, designers, celebrities, and internet personalities.

Lists: Californians, music festivals, rich ass ppl

Read more>>>>

Hey yall. I had a ton of fun at the Lollapalooza Music Festivals. It seems like it is meaningful, since the Chicago 'cityscape' is in the background. Not sure if this is a more authentic experience than Pitchfork Music Festival, or if p4k 'ripped off' this music festival since they 'copied them' by being in Chicago.

From what I understand, Lollypally is thrown by the bro from Jane's Addiction. He seems to be 'very young looking' even though he is probably 40-60 years old. I wonder why the Aerosmith bro looks like a 'saggy pirate' but these two old bros look like 'healthy 32 year olds'.

Photos via Stereogums

Seems like a lot of people were there 2 see 'bro bands', such as the Leon Kings Of.

Think these shirts mean that they are 'down 2 fuck.' (d2f)

Not sure if Passion Pit is a 'bro band.' Seems like this bro is 'a bro', so they have possibly 'crossed over.'

Photograph of the guy who invented 'Cherry Garcia' ice cream.

Was standing in the VIP photo pit, and turned around. Saw some sweet ass underboob, and said a prayer to the Am Appy Gods 4 inventing that tube top. Has helped me see a lot of alt tit + nip slips.

'Just chillin. Bein a fleet flox. Playing festival tunes.'

Is it still alt 2 listen 2 the song 'A-Punk' or is in mainstream since it is now utilized in movie trailers?

Hangin out, playin a music festival, holding 'wacky instruments' up 2 the microphone 2 achieve wacky effects.

Do u think that ur first festival experience is always ur most meaningful festival experience?

Matt and Kim.

Photograph of the Insane Clown Posse Slipknotting.

Feels like Woodstock when bros 'get naked' and 'put mud on their cocks.' Heard that if u use mud, u won't get an STD, and the chance of 'pregnancy' is reduced by 67%.

Seems like the look of a bro who felt guilty, yet proud that he couldn't wait in line to use a port-a-potty, so he just 'crapped behind a bush.'

Overall had a lot of fun. I find out about a lot of new bands at music festivals. Don't really use the internet for 'sampling/stealing' tunes like most people. I just like to wander around public spaces, and see how people react to music in a live setting. Usually the most crowded stages are the best bands.

Is Lollypally mnstrm?
Would u rather go 2 Pitchfork Music Festival, Lolly, or a Chicago Bulls game?

Previous Music Festival Theory
http://www.hipsterrunoff.com/2009/07/do-music-festivals-help-u-connect-with-the-human-spirit.html

All music festivals I have 'covered'
http://www.hipsterrunoff.com/tag/music-festivals

foto by every1 is famous via ih8urfshn

I can't believe summer is winding down, and most of the music festivals with the most powerful brands are already over. I feel like festivals are soo consumerfied now that it's hard to really let the world know that you are 'a true alternative spirit.' It seems like the only way left to let the world know that you are alternative would be by 'being from another planet/galaxy/universe.' Whenever I go to a music festival, I feel like I am in a 'house of mirrors', and all I can see are poorly executed reflections of myself whenever I look around.

I seriously wish I could be an alien from another galaxy. I feel like I would come to Earth, and utilize revolutionary technology to challenge the way that people think (become an artist). If I had seen so much of 'the universe', I feel like it would make my art more meaningful, since I had a very different life experience than most humans. Feel like I would really 'get' how 'small' we all are, and try to create memes+art that makes us realize that we are 'insignificant within the context of the universe.'

I really wonder if there is life on other planets, and if they have visited our Earth. I am not sure if aliens seem 'very peaceful' or 'violent.' Hopefully they are 'chill' and just like to listen to live music at music festivals.

I wonder what aliens look like. I wonder if they would have 'personal brands' or 'universal brands' (where every1 would look the same). Maybe they could teach us all more about life. Maybe they could teach us how 2 be happy.

I think it is critical that we establish positive relations with aliens. The ultimate goal of the human race is to build a space ship that enables us to leave Earth before Earth gets too hot/the sun blows up. We must acquire technology from the aliens in order to expedite this process. I don't know if aliens have already made contact with the government and/or the illuminati, but we must begin thinking about our evacuation plan. We must realize that science is more important than the arts, and encourage students to learn about science and engineering.

There is no way that the human race will survive, unless we establish positive relations with the aliens, and some how convince them to 'show us how 2 build rocket ships.' I feel worried and sad that I won't live forever. I feel like the aliens are the key to everything. It is important that we 'show them a good time' when we run into them at music festivals, instead of 'being snarky' and 'analyzing their personal brands.'

Do yall believe that there is life somewhere out there?
Are yall worried about the human race?
How will we be able 2 live 4ever?
WTF is a 'black hole'?
Does 'space' make yall feel insignificant/deep? [via Carl Sagan]

In 2k10, HIPSTERRUNOFF.com will be a blog about 'The Mission: How can we transport 6 billion people outside of our solar system before the sun blows up.'

It's kinda hard for music festivals to 'compete' these days. All of them are basically the same, and most of them book the same acts. Music festivals must find effective gimmicks to make consumers feel like they are experiencing an inimitable event, available nowhere else in the universe. Also must make the festival 'look sweet' in pictures so that people who look at pictures think 'wish i could be there... looks totes fun.'

Do u have any solid ideas for what makes a festival 'appear 2 be' hella 'fun'?
Which of these gimmicks 'makes' a music festival better?

Should music festivals go to Home Depot to buy leaf blowers in order to make more 'toilet paper' shooters?

Photos via cobrasnatch

Releasing 'beach balls' to simulate a coastal environment?

Booking a college-themed partie DJ?

Releasing an 'inflatable heart' to represent 'the human spirit'?

Having a 'cityscape' as 'the backdrop' ur music festival [via meaningful setting]?

Would 'free weed' make music fests better?

Have moms of kids who are at the festival host a 'bake sale' to make people feel younger & let moms feel like they are a part of their alternative child's life?

Building a rollercoaster that goes over the mainstage?

Constructing a huge slip n slide for people to 'fuck' and 'grind' on?

Really just want to attend 'the perfect music festival.'

Please share your creative ideas, and other stuff that would make a music festival seem 'hella cool.' Every business is struggling to survive, and business entities must get back in touch with consumers if they want to stay around forever [via govt bailout].

What makes a music festival 'meaningful' 2 u?
If u had millions of dollars to throw a music festival, how would yall 'throw it down'?

Was looking at pix of Glastonbury Music festival. Seems like an 'overwhelming experience.' Can't believe 'this many people' want to see 'live music.'

Photos via bigpicture

Damn. This picture 'seriously seems like a Where's Waldo' 2-page spread. Can't believe it is actually 'temporary shelter' for people attending some 'huge ass' music festival in England. Feel 'overwhelmed' to imagine a 'live music experience' with s000 many ppl. Wonder if I really want to 'rally around music' and 'bask in the human spirit' in that type of environment.

'Jesus christ'. Seems like an event that would 'raise enough money' to 'end hunger' or something/make a 'GDP comparison to a shitty country.'

Think the world will look like this 'when the world ends' and a portal to the center of the Earth opens up.

I wonder if they built an 'Outdoor World'/'Bass Pro Shop'/'Cabela's'/miscellaneous outdoor store nearby just to handle people who 'needed outdoor gear' for this sweet festival.

Can't believe Glastonbury lets you 'volunteer' to get into the music festival for free. Think that u have to sort through trash/recyclable materials. Seems 'green', possibly like a marketing campaign.

I wonder if a company could offer their workforce non-monetary 'compensation' for an entire fiscal year. Like a company that 'pays workers' with 'kewl bands performing'/meaningful experiences, instead of 'having a payroll.' Feel like there is a 'genre of people' who would do that, as long as you gave them a tent and a community shower, or something.

I feel inspired by seeing so many ppl 'uniting around music', willing to 'chill in a tent for days'/'set up some sort of monetized shanty town.' Feel like possibly building some sort of music festival that incorporates 'actual slums.'

Most festivals are held in a 'meaningful public space' where you can also see 'the city's skyline in the background.' This helps u feel 'connected to the music' while also 'being reminded of the power of man/engineering/archyteckchy.'

Sorta just want to 'feel' the city behind me.

Being in a crowd + seeing 'corporate America' makes me feel like I am a part of humanity.

This is a picture of 'slums' in Brazil. What if we had some sort of 'super authentic' music festival in 'slums', and 'rented' the homes from the people who 'actually lived there.' Feel like 'every1 would win' since rich people would get 'an organic experience' and 'the poors' would get $$$$.

Really just searching for the most authentic music experience possible, and I think that the modern music festival is 'isolating a demographic of authentic thrillseekers.' Sorta just mainstream + corporate now.

What ideas do yall have for the modern music festival?
Do u believe in the concept of the microfestival--charging 10 to 100 fans ~$10K per ticket to see their fave bands in an intimate, exclusive setting?
Should we 'buy out' a bunch of slum dwellers and turn the area into a music festival space?
Worried that I am 'losing touch with humanity' even though I am 'actively seeking' the opportunity to 'connect' with 'all humans.'

Photos by Chris Graham via BrooklynVegan

It's kinda weird what the whole 'indie scene' has come to. I remember back in the glory days when we didn't have to worry about corporate bullshit, but now it's like every1 is 'mad selling out.' It's like the own beautiful art that u create can eventually 'fuck society in the ass' or even 'fuck the artist in the ass.' Feel like I might start a band with a zany/intense/sillie/post-_____ brand, and try to do more to challenge the modern independent rock landscape + make generic ppl feel 'uncomfortable.' Might start 'ramming my ass' with a microphone on stage just to get people 2 think.

Feel sad that this bro didn't go to jail like that time Jim Morrison went to jail for 'showing his cock' to the audience. Feel sad for the band that came on after this bro and had to sing into a 'shit-smeared microphone.'

I feel like no matter what I/we do, we won't be able to be authentic in the modern artistic landscape. I think that the best songs of today will not win Grammy's, but instead be utilized in commercials for widely consumed products. It's s0 weird. Never thought the day where 'indie music' became 'pop music' would come while I was still on this Earth, but after attending 6 music festivals in the past month, I can't help but positively assert that mainstream = alt.

XX BONUS TITTIE SIGHTING XX

Searching for meaning
In a sea of altbros
Attending a music festival
73% male population
turn around
see a pair of titties
turn around
stick my face in
motorboat city
with white wayfarers on

Yall. I <3 music festivals. As I always say, they are the only place where I feel like I am 'home.' I get to chill with people who like like me and have similar interests, and I get to see my fave alt celebs performing/spy on them through the security gate.

Feel like I missed out on a lot of meaningful experiences.

I could have beta tested new Am Appy designs with Karen O of the Ya Yea Yeas.

Photos by Chris Graham via Brooklyn Vegan

Could have seen some zany bro.

Could have made zany faces while singing meaningful Passion Pit songs

Could have made zany faces while singing meaningful AnCo songs [via Avey Tare]

Could have made scary faces while singing with King Of Leon alphabro

Are alt music festivals all going 2 have comedy now? Might watch ADULT SWIM LIVE starring Tim and Eric. I read in a blog that they direct music videos or something.

Could have sang Karaoke with my political science professor/T.A.

Could have made angry faces about TV on the Radio's Dave Sitek about having to play to a crowd of bros even though ur a production genius

Could have talked about music industry issues & channeling ur hurt/anger into transcendent rock anthems with Trent Reznor.

Could have chilled with Kevin 'Bisexual JokerAlt' Barnes during a zany OfMonty set

Could have had 'my junk' eaten out by a tiger

Just coulda chilled with bros, sat in the sun on a blanket, listening to some sweet, sweet alternative tunes.

Might have also met a tuggle of entry-level girls who were just under-18 who u get drunk & 'take advantage' of.

Whenever I miss a music festival within 3000 miles of my own home, am I missing out on one of the most potentially meaningful experiences of my life?

[Photos by Chris Graham via Brooklyn Vegan]

Went to coachella. Wrote down all the bands that I saw play, then came home and made this image in photoshop. The bands that are more 'relevant' are in big text.

Feeling sad that the festival is over. I really feel like I can 'be myself' at places that seem like an AltUtopia.

Had a lot of fun at coachelly. Met some new bros, heard some new buzzbands (The Killers, Peter Bjorn and John, The My Bleeding Valentines, etc.). Twittered a lot about how I was feeling (hot, cold, dehydrated, headaches, hungry, happy) and what just happened (heard a song I liked, tall person in front of me, band being 'late' to the stage, band 'sucking', some1 'doing something stupid', etc.).

Glad that my bros and I can all twitter and experience life 2 gether.

N e ways, watched a few 'vimeos' Aka 'the alt youtube.' Saw some videos of coachella, and I'm not sure which 1 was more representative of 'THE COACHELLA EXPERIENCE.'

Video 1: A chill ass party with bloghouse DJs, alt celebs, altbros finding themselves, and that 1 song about '1 day we're gonna live in Paris' in the background.

This video makes coachella seem like a chill ass time. Doesn't even seem like u need to go to the festival, u just need 2 be 1 of many bros who 'goes to a party' at a local upscale hotel/resort, and just stands there 'looking relevant.' There are also a lot of 'bad ass product placement shots.' Think that brands are supposed to have 'strong presences' at alternative events, and then 'get blogged about.' Hotties in bikinis. Keut Am Appy swim suits. Palm Trees. Ppl in sunglasses. Seems like this video might be what 'being young, free, and chilling in the general vicinity of a music festival' might be all about.

Video 2: Some bro with a lil peen getting tazed by Cops

This video probably represents 'rebelling' against the modern music festival. It sux how every aspect of festivals have a sponsor. I'm tired of seeing my favourite band play on AT&T Wireless Stage/Chili's Stage [ via stage sponsorships ]. Tired of pissing in port-o-potties that are sponsored. Feel sad for the bro with a lil peen. Think he just wants to chill, do some salvia/acid, and watch M.I.A. and Paul McCartney perform live. I think that people got to walk around with their peens out at Woodstock. I think that festivals are supposed to be 'a safe place for tweens' since they are the people who 'purchase a $200 ticket for their birthday'/'getting good grades on their report card' [via parental reward].

Guess there's no place in the world for old men with lil peens. But it also might be viral marketing. Just can't be too sure these days. Honestly, I really posted this post just 2 ask 'how big do u think that bro's peen is when it is 100% ERECT?'

Wonder if Woodstock was even 'that chill.'
Wish there was a way to find out what the most authentic music festival experience of all time was, then start a business where we created a 'time machine', and sold tickets to attend this music festival for $300-500.

Are yall going 2 any music fests this summer? Looking forward 2 anything?
Sad that this is my last year in high school... nervous.

COACHELLA OR BUST!!!

Photo via EatSkeet

[via my mom's mini van]

I want to be an altCeleb
and interact
with the worlds most beautiful
people [via 'v.i.p.' at a music festival]

Sometimes I wonder if music festivals are a 'viable business model.' It seems like every part of the world has a series of memorable music festival which attempt to mix a lineup of Today's Stars with The Buzzworthy Bands of Tomorrow. It seems like it would be a lil bit tough to coordinate a music festival. Most bands probably don't deserve 2 get paid at a music festival, unless ur Coldplay or Jack Johnson or something. Not sure what the most expensive part of organizing a music festival is.

But yea, in 2k8, we saw a lot of new music festivals popup & a few smaller scale ones 'try to put themselves on the map.' I don't think 2k9 will be a good year for festivals because of 'the economy.' Yall should know that when 'the economy' is 'in' the 'shitter', there is less money to pay for 'luxury products.' Luxury products include:

• bands that think they 'deserve more money to play ur festival' because they have an inaccurate perception of 'how big they are'
• gas money for altbros to go on a roadtrip 'to the city'
• meaningful band t-shirts
• 3 day festival passes
• V.I.P. festival passes
• a zany wardrobe 2 wear 2 a music festival
• other items that alts use to 'stay hydrated/entertained' at a music festival
• Starbucks Coffee

I'm just sayin, yall. There's less money than ever, and it's so hard 2 'find sponsors.' I was trying to plan a music festival in Chicago for this week, but I couldn't get any sponsors because of 'the economy.' Sux 4 me, but maybe after Obama 'saves us', he will save the modern music festival. Not sure if 'electro' is gonna be as big of a draw as it was for the past 2 years. AnCo will probs be 'the most electro' band on most festival lineups in 2k10.

Until our economy is saved, most music festivals will occur in Australia or Asia. Coachella might be in Singapore this year, and Pitchfork Festival might be in Sydney. They just have a better market 4 'entertainment' right now since Americans have 2 spend money on bread and milk.

Get used 2 it yall. Things r changing.

miss u woodstock99 [via fred durst and the korns]

What do u know about organizing music festivals?
What can we do 2 save music festivals?
Do u have any innovative business ideas besides 'legalized altProstitution'?

Yall. I was watching my favourite television channel, pitchfork.tv, and I saw a gimmick called 'Faces in the Crowd' which was sponsored by an alcohol company called Southern Comfort. The video was intended to be an authentic portrayal of the 'hype' and 'anticipation' which alternative concert-goers experience when they attend a music festival 2 see their favourite band. The video features the opinions of meaningless/random Alts who are attending a music festival, and the climax of the video comes when 3 meaningful post-entrylevel alts get to interview their favourite band, Justice.

I am still kinda convinced that this is a 'think piece'/'metaphor.'

It is the intent of marketers to let younger generations know that the brand 'gets' them and 'welcomes them.' Southern Comfort is into things like headbands, sunglasses, going to festivals, reading blogs, and downloading super hip remixes.

[video may not be viewable in ur rss reader]
Fatal flaws of 'sponsoring' the production of media which ties a brand to an alternative lifestyle

• Giving altbros who majored in film/communications the opportunity to 'roam around a music festival', looking for the opinion of 'people who look/sound interesting+outgoing.' Is this really ur brand?
• Interviewing people who 'look+sound interesting and/or outgoing' usually leads to douchey commentary which alienates the 'common man'/'common alt.' Are alts RLLY ur brand?
• Product placement shots which fail to 'look natural' to self-aware audiences.
• Outsourcing your brand's image to 'some unoriginal altBro/altBroad' who have 'an inflated sense of ___________.' This fails to appeal to the self-proclaimed+self-aware authentic alt audience.
• moments that are kinda zany that make u feel empty/like u never want to leave the internet again bc real life is a 'let down' of people who don't understand the meme economy.
• Altbros who drew a Justice Cross on their chest with a permanent marker, then got to meet Jousteece.
• Getting to hear about what inauthentic alts value, making u feel kind ashamed about how u saw the world when indie+meaningfulcore were 'in', and now u r seeing the same trends/sentiments towards music with trivial electro. This makes u feel empty + meaningless.

Overall, Southern Comfort made us realize that it is important to keep the fans away from the product. If fans interact with the product, they make it seem a lil bit less special. Justice is a band from France. Kids are from America/suburbia. Sometimes when u let these two incredibly different elements interact, it makes u realize how little u have in common with n e thing that u thought u enjoyed. Life is kinda absurd. It's just better 2 not remind ppl abt how 'hollow' everything is, and how ______ people who 'actually like something' seem.

//What are we searching 4? (think I'm just gonna start going 2 more music festivals).

n e ways... are yall gonna start drinking Southern Comfort bc they understand ur alternative lifestyle, and enjoy Justice, just like u do?
Is Southern Comfort the new Sparks?
I wonder who got paid more? P4k, Jousteece, or the videograbros? (Plz let me know if u need me 2 do n e progressive media for yall if u own a mainstream company who wants to attract the attention of GenY).

Yall, I was at a music festival last weekend to see The Justices, and I watched this band from Brazil on an indie stage, and instead of a lead singer, they had a ball of recycled materials performing.

[Photo by GVB]
<3 sustainability <3
Srsly tho...it's a good thing that Lovefoxxx is teaching people that recycling is good for our planet. For the longest time, I didn't believe in recycling. I thought it was just an initiative by politicians in the late 90s to 'get re-elected by giving people an extra trashcan that is a bright colour.' Part of me still thinks that it all goes to a landfill, but it's just to make people feel 'better about themselves/the direction of our planet' and/or add more labor jobs to 'the simple men' in our economy.

Do yall believe in recycling? Or is it the same as 'believing in God' to true alts? Do yall throw empty Sparks cans/PBR cans/Bottles of Grey Goose in the trash or in a recycling bin?

Sup with the Earth, yall? They say it's gettin bad, but it feels the same 2 me. :-( :-) :-P h8 Hurricanes.

<3 Landfill Wookie Yetis <3


[Photo by Julio Enriquez]

Been to n e good music festivals lately?

Did I miss n e 1?
Is n e demographic over/under represented?
Do u like live music, or is it better on ur iPod?