DAY ONE AT WOODSTOCK

AMONG THE RECREATIONAL SUBSTANCES ENJOYED BY 70,000 MODERN-DAY LOVE CHILDREN IS ESPRESSO

DATE: Saturday, August 13, 1994

SOURCE: BY KEVIN C. JOHNSON, Beacon Journal pop music writer

"I took a day off work for this?" That was Sara Killings' reaction to Day One of Woodstock '94, the 25th anniversary concert that kicked off yesterday on 850 acres of meadow and woods about 50 miles from the site of the original. When Killings, of Detroit, purchased her $135 ticket, the event was scheduled for two days -- today and tomorrow. Then a third day was added -- yesterday -- that included daytime performances by local bands and evening performances by up-and-coming national alternative rock acts such as Candlebox, Live, Collective Soul, Blues Traveler and the Violent Femmes. By mid-afternoon yesterday, Killings, 19, sporting a dyed-blond pixie haircut, tie-dye T-shirt, cutoff shorts and sandals, was wondering why she got here as early as she did.

"Those local bands, I never even heard of them," said Killings. "I'm really here for Nine Inch Nails and the (Red Hot) Chili Peppers," two nationally known bands. They're scheduled for today and tomorrow, respectively. Other acts today include opener Joe Cocker, the Rollins Band, the Band, Salt-N-Pepa, Metallica, and Aerosmith, tonight's capper. But not everyone shared the lack of enthusiasm for the first day of Woodstock '94, which drew a crowd of roughly 70,000 by late afternoon. Some 170,000 are expected for the weekend.

Throughout the day, no matter who was on the huge, psychedelic-decorated stage, the "mosh pit" in front of the stage remained pretty hyper-active as body upon body was thrashed about the area. Moshing involves bodies slamming into each other, leaps from the stage and bodysurfing -- in which moshers are passed hand-to-hand over the heads of dancers. "This makes Lollapalooza look like my backyard," said an excited Erin Hawkins, 29, of Lancaster, Pa. Though she thought the mosh pit was great, she made it clear she would be keeping a safe distance from it.

Both the Eco-Village and the Surreal Field were bustling with activity. The Eco-Village was easily the most interesting of the two. That's where socially and environmentally conscious organizations set up shop, and where vendors sold crafts, jewelry and clothing. The Surreal Field was simply shameless. Billed as a "six-acre interactive village" providing a futuristic experience for the Woodstock nation, it actually came off as a slice of Madison Avenue. On some carnival rides, logos for products such as Butterfinger and Mountain Dew were more prominent than the rides' names. Continental Airlines was there pushing its peanuts fares, and they were just a few of many.

"I feel like I'm in one big commercial," said Jason Steinman, 22, of New York City. The Wiz, a national record store chain, was set up on the field, selling tapes and compact discs of all the Woodstock performers, boom boxes and cameras.

There were also espresso and cappuccino stands, and general stores throughout the site sold cigarettes, snacks, newspapers and toiletries. Those wanting to carry home the Woodstock name found no problem there, as long as they were packing big bucks.

Denim jackets were $100. T-shirts ranged from $25-$45; baseball caps were $25; shorts were $15; burlap bags were $10; posters were $6. Most people, at least this first day, were garbed in simple clothing not bearing the Woodstock name.

For men, the most common dress was shorts and bare chests; women wore bikini tops or T-shirts with shorts. Many went all out with extensive psychedelic ensembles that seemed better suited for an underground night club three hours away in New York City than an all-day, all-night outdoor event. Those who put the least effort into looking natural were also the most successful.

Goat Mendes, 23, of Caldwell, Idaho, walked through the grounds naked and unbothered, flashing the two-finger peace symbol to not-too-astonished on-lookers as he made his way through the crowd en route to the spraying faucets where he would bathe. "It's more comfortable," said the thin and scraggly Mendes, explaining his

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