Advertised as “Three Days of Peace and Music” Woodstock ‘99 intended to celebrate 30 years since the 1969 festival, and an event to define the Millennium.
However, things did not go according to plan. Instead, what ensued was a weekend of total chaos, including violence, sexual assault, dehydration, and even death.
The three-part series explores the chaos that unfolded at Woodstock ‘99, how it happened, and mostly importantly, why.
So, who performed at Woodstock ‘99? Newsweek has everything you need to know.
Who Performed At Woodstock ‘99?
Over the weekend of Friday, July 23 to Sunday, July 25, over 400,000 people descended on the former Griffiss air-force base in Rome, New York ready to see their favorite bands and musicians at the famous Woodstock festival.
The line-up of Woodstock ‘99 was a totally different vibe to ‘69.
Whereas 1969 saw the likes of Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix perform, Woodstock ‘99 saw a line-up consisting of mainly heavy-metal and nu-metal acts from Korn to Limp Bizkit, Rush, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and more.
As heard in Trainwreck: Woodstock ‘99, some people believed the heavy music may have contributed to the chaos that unfolded over the weekend as their music captured the spirit of the increasingly, angry audience.
For example, before performing “Break Stuff,” Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst encouraged the crowd to do exactly that.
Moments later, the crowd was surfacing on plywood from fences, climbing up sound towers, participating in hard-hitting mosh pits, and more.
As seen in rock band Trainwreck: Woodstock ‘99, Durst said in an interview coming off stage following his performance “It’s not our fault, that’s all I can say.”
At the Red Hot Chilli Peppers performance, a candle vigil was arranged by an anti-gun group.
However, just as they covered Jimi Hendrix’s “Fire,” a literal fire behind them enraged as the flames from the candles became almost like the kindling of bigger fires.
On Sunday night, bonfires raged across the Woodstock grounds, with people throwing items into the flames, including plastic bottles only feeling the fire.
Headlining the first evening on the main stage, known as the East Stage, was Canadian rock band, Rush. The festival was opened by funk and soul icon James Brown.
On Saturday, The Tragically Hip opened the day and Metallica closed the day, proceeded by acts like Limp Bizkit and Rage Against the Machine.
On the final day, the main stage was home to acts such as Willie Nelson, Creed, and the final act, the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
On the last day of the festival, staff and fans suspected a special surprise act such as Bob Dylan, Guns N’ Roses, Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, or Prince would close out the festival, but this never happened.
Newsweek has the full Woodstock ‘99 lineup below.
Friday, July 23, 1999
East Stage
James BrownG. Love & Special SauceJamiroquaiLiveSheryl CrowDMXThe OffspringKornBush
West Stage
SpitfireOleanderThe Umbilical BrothersmoeLitBuckcherryThe RootsInsane Clown PosseGeorge Clinton & the P-Funk All-Stars
Emerging Artists Stage
F. o. N. Linda Rutherford & Celtic FireSugar DaddySticky PistilBijou PhillipsMike ErricoKing KongaBen LeeBeth Hart BandLiars Inc. Chris Pérez BandSherri JacksonChris McDermottMoby
Saturday, July 24, 1999
East Stage
The Tragically HipKid RockWyclef Jean with the Refugee AllstarsCounting CrowsDave Matthews BandAlanis MorissetteLimp BizkitRage Against the MachineMetallica
West Stage
SpitfireGusterBruce HornsbyEverclearIce CubeLos LobosMickey Hart/Planet DrumThe Chemical Brothers
Emerging Artists Stage
Young & Fabulous!Gargantua Soul3Serial JoelAmerican PearlFull Devil JacketOld PikeStrangefolkDDT2 Skinnee J’sGigolo AuntsFatboy Slim
Sunday, July 25, 1999
East Stage
Willie NelsonThe Brian Setzer OrchestraEverlastElvis CostelloJewelCreed, featuring Robby KriegerRed Hot Chili Peppers
West Stage
SpitfireMike NessOur Lady PeaceRusted RootSevendustCollective SoulGodsmackMegadeth
Emerging Artists Stage
Kirsti GholsonMoe LoughranThe ScoldeesThe SupersuckersStormy MondaysBig SugarMuseJohn OszajcaPoundPushmonkeyCycleflyIndigenousJohn EntwistleReveille
Trainwreck: Woodstock ‘99 is streaming on Netflix now.
