Lollapalooza's New Political Campaign
by Isabel Bussarakum | 00.00.0000

This year Lollapalooza will set forth Revolution Solution, a non-partisan political campaign that merges popular music and political activism. Partnering up with grassroots political network, MoveOn.org, the goal of Resolution Solution is “to unify the universal mind and gain favor through inspired speech, grandiose gatherings, sharing better ideas and voting decisively,” says Lollapalooza executive producer Perry Farrell, also the frontman of Jane’s Addiction.

A MoveOn.org tent will tour along with the two-day festival, hitting every stop. Voter registration drives will be provided, and MoveOn.org street teams will distribute literature to concertgoers about such Revolution Solution issues as renewable energy, artistic expression, free speech, media deregulation, unemployment, workers rights, public education, trade policy and voting rights.

There will also be a Real World – style video booth, which individuals can use to film their own political opinions. Select pieces will be aired on the Resolution Solution website.

The goal of Resolution Solution being to start a dialogue amongst people, MoveOn.org will arrange for well-known speakers to take the main stage before the final band performance at eight Lollapalooza 2004 events, to briefly speak and introduce the band. MoveOn.org will also provide large media screens to sandwich the main stage. They will air commercials and feature a uique Resolution Solution film presentation, in which celebrities and normal people start such a dialogue.

Finally, Lollapalooza’s own third-performance stage will run entirely on solar energy throughout the tour. The two days the tour will be in New York City on Randall’s Island, everything will be run “off the grid” – that is, using a mix of solar, biodiesel and hydrogen fuel cells without consuming any petroleum products.