Woodstock looks to Prospect Park for 40th Anniversary show locale
Word about a 40th anniversary of the legendary Woodstock Fesitival has been jumping around for a while, but it’s starting to look more promising as the days pass. As Brooklyn Daily News reports, Michael Lang, original Woodstock curator, is hoping to use Brooklyn’s Prospect Park (specifically Long Meadow) for a free day long revival of the music festival. Of the location in New York City, Lang attests that Prospect’s Long Meadow would aptly host the most people. “‘It’s big, it’s convenient. There’s public transportation - and Brooklyn’s cool,’ said Lang, 64…’There’s no space anywhere in Central Park as large as the the Long Meadow in Prospect Park.’” (Daily News).
Lang, a Brooklyn native, knows that in order to bring his ideas for a free day-long show into fruition, he will need to acquire $8 to $10 million. In his own words, “I’d love to do it. But it’s been a very tough year” (Daily News). If it does all work out, he hopes to bring over 150,000 people to the park for a festival more in line with the original and less in line with the near-tragic 30th Anniversary attempt. The festival hopes to bring legends such as Neil Young and Crosby, Stills, and Nash, as well as newer jammier groups like Phish and Dave Matthews Band.
In addition to Prospect Park, Lang has been looking at Coney Island and Queens’ Flushing Meadows, but their capacities are significantly less (more or less 50,000). Lang would like to stick with Prospect Park, but unfortunately, because he has waited so long to begin plans, August 15th, the Festival’s original date in 1969, is already occupied. Lang says he would rather be a week or two off than put on a less than stellar show, and Prospect Park is still his first choice.
Still no definites in any sense, but at least we know that Woodstock ‘09 is in the works, even at its very meager beginning stages. Also, we know that it will probably be FREE. That’s news enought to get people amped for what could feature some pretty amazing music. We’ll try to keep you up with more news as it comes along.
Impossible! I think the best way to pay homage to Woodstock ‘69 is to do as I have been doing by going to all the local Brooklyn concerts paying homage to the 60’s / 70s - (Prospect, Brighton) - I fear the disillusionment factor ..
too bad im in texas….lol
I’m excited and NYC!!!! that means everything is legal that day as long as you don’t hurt someone
This should be Woodstock 2009:
Noon-2:00 DAVE MATTHEWS BAND
2:30-4:30 ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND
5:00-7:00 CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG
7:30-9:30 PHISH
10:00-12am THE DEAD
PHREE PHISH!!!! Never would happen….
DMB will bring 70 thousand plus people. We’ve seen it before at their Central park show.
Add a stellar old school group and you got yourself another 30K.
Pretty simple….bring Dave Matthews Band and/or Phish and you will fill the place.
I’ll believe this when it happens…
maybe if they get Phish they can play Free.
Free!!!! Now that is awesome!
Apr 9th, 2009 at 8:08 am
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