Though Lollapalooza hasn't been on the road since 1997 (after which its organizers were unable to secure a headlining band), the concept of multi-act, day-long touring festivals that it brought into vogue continues unabated. Festivals that will return in 2000 include the Vans Warped Tour [ tickets ], Ozzfest [ tickets ], Fleadh, the Further Festival, and the George Strait Country Music Festival.

The Vans Warped Tour is tentatively set to launch June 28 in Las Vegas. The 36-city tour is expected to feature Green Day (the tour's biggest selling headliner to date), Long Beach Dub Allstars, Good Riddance, Anti Flag, NOFX, Snapcase, Flogging Molly, Stingrays, TSOL, Millencolon and Hot Water Music.

Warped has become one of the most successful touring festivals on the road--doubling its attendance since its debut run in 1995--by combining a mix of music, extreme sports, and technology displays.

Ozzfest 2000 will have its namesake Ozzy Osbourne at the top of the bill (reportedly for the last time), but the remainder of the lineup and an itinerary won't be announced until March. MTV Online recently reported that an e-mail has gone out to fans registered with Osbourne's website encouraging them to email Ozzy@artistdirect.com with a list of five acts they would like to see on the bill.

After an absence in 1999, The Further Festival, which showcases former members of the Grateful Dead, is expected to return to the road for the fourth time. Promoter John Scher of Metropolitan Entertainment said that Bob Weir and Mickey Hart will be on board for the tour, but Phil Lesh will not. The Further Festival is expected to play at a combination of arenas and amphitheaters, either from mid-June to late-July, or from mid-August to late September, Scher said. As in 1998, four to six acts are expected on the bill, as well as acoustic performances between sets.

Since its short test run in 1996, the George Strait Country Music Festival has evolved into a full-fledged touring festival, with the Straitland country fair concourse of carnival games, arts and crafts vendors, sponsor exhibits and radio station booths. Running April 29-June 11, this year's tour has been reduced to 10 shows, down from 17 in 1999. In addition to Strait, the 2000 lineup features Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Asleep at the Wheel and Lee Ann Womack.

Fleadh debuted as a New York-only event in 1997. By 1999, it had grown into a four-city, multi-stage event. This year, the tour could make stops in up to nine cities. Though the event was held exclusively outdoors in previous years, in 2000 it will be held at indoor arenas in Denver, Boston, Toronto and Chicago. Outdoor shows are planned for New York and San Francisco. Toronto, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Houston are other potential stops for the tour, according to producers.

Fleadh's 2000 lineup has not been confirmed. The tour's past performers included Van Morrison, The Chieftains, Elvis Costello, Hootie & the Blowfish, Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals, The Saw Doctors, John Lee Hooker, Black 47 and Taj Mahal.

It is likely that Lollapalooza will again be sidelined in 2000, sources said. Meanwhile, H.O.R.D.E., which was off the road in 1999, is considered no better than a longshot to return in 2000.

''We would love to see the H.O.R.D.E. go out this year, but only if it is perfect and makes total sense,'' booking agent Jonathan Levine of Monterey Peninsula Artists told LiveDaily. ''With that, we are exploring some options, but there is nothing else to discuss at this time...The H.O.R.D.E. earned the reputation it developed, and to put it out in any way that might compromise that is not an option.''

Definitely missing from this year's festival lineup is Lilith Fair. After a successful three-year run, thirty-something founder McLachlan pulled the plug, saying that she and several other female artists want to start families. A self-professed "hands-on" person, McLachlan said that she would not delegate authority and responsibility for the tour.