Medium Cool is a weekly series related to popular culture, mostly film, TV, and books, with some music and games thrown in. We hope it’s a welcome break from the anger, hate, and idiocy we see almost daily from the other side in the political sphere.
Arguments welcomed, opinions respected, fools un-suffered. We’re here every Sunday at 7 pm.
It’s summer – tonight let’s talk about outdoor concerts, music festivals, outdoor theater, and any other outdoor cultural activities.
Have at it!
JMG
Coming up Saturday is the local super fancy resort’s Marie Antoinette farm stand (everything is excellent, I’m a regular patron, but real is real) annual tomato festival. The best BLTs and Bloody Marys ever (the latter are pretty much just vodka over a mushed up tomato!). It’s funny. They grow tons and tons of flowers outside, but use their greenhouses for the tomatoes.
Oclarkiclarki
We lucked into seeing Jimmy fly his Catalina along the Columbia River before landing prior to his concert at The Gorge in Washington State about 20 years ago. Big thrill!
West of the Rockies
A play at the Elizabethan Theater in Ashland, Oregon is amazing. First attended in July 1977 when I was 15 and madly in love with a girl two years older than me.
FastEdD
Here’s a song about summer. I wrote, recorded it and did the video. Enjoy!
https://youtu.be/I3cvrYxA3mY?si=jcY1nPitQzjTRD6v
Miki
Monterey Jazz Festival 1975 – Dizzy Gillespie Quartet with Cal Tjader, Etta James, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Betty Carter, Blood, Sweat & Tears, and Sunnyland Slim, “Piano Playhouse” with Bill Evans, John Lewis, Marian McPartland and Patrice Rushen, The Meters, Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin Big Band.
That ain’t gonna happen again.
Leto
I shared this with UncleEbeneezer two posts below, but wanted to put it here as well because it’s really cool:
Jazz Band Covers Nirvana on the Spot (ft Ulysses Owens Jr)
Juilliard Jazz Professor Hears Nirvana for the First Time
It’s the same professor in both videos, one with his band, the other him solo. Both are amazing and just really cool to watch/listen to. Seeing what extremely talented musicians can do, on the spot, is always so fun to watch.
HinTN
Haven’t made it yet but there’s a huge theatre shindig every year in Louisville. We’re going to outdoor Shakespeare in Nashville on Labor Day.
Suzanne
So I went to many outdoor music festivals as a teenager, and I loved the music, but fuck that heat. But then about 12 years ago or so, I got to see Guided by Voices perform outdoors in McCarren Park in Brooklyn. OH MY GOD, I understood why people enjoy outdoor concert events!
A Ghost to Most
There is no better outdoor venue than Red Rocks. Unless it’s hailing.
suzanne
@A Ghost to Most: I have never been to Red Rocks, but I absolutely want to.
I saw R.E.M., Modest Mouse, and the National perform at the Hollywood Bowl in 2008. WHAT A VENUE.
David 🐝KHive🐝 Koch
Shakespeare under the stars at Central Park’s public theater
mrmoshpotato
Does an open air stadium count as outdoors?
Craig
Wednesday I went with a bunch of friends to see Kelley Stoltz and his band play in Jack Kerouac Alley, between City Lights Books and Cafe Vesuvio in SF. Great show. They do a small series of these shows throughout the year. It’s tremendous fun. Wish I could post photos.
Almost Retired
The Hollywood Bowl! It’s all about the vibe. Not the best outdoor acoustics in the world, not the most comfortable seating and not a bargain venue.
But when you’re in your seat with your picnic basket full of wine and maybe something to eat, it’s magical.
You’re not in modern, IRL Hollywood – which smells like urine and the tears of disappointed tourists – but in a fantasy of a never-existed glamorous Hollywood Golden Age.
martha
@A Ghost to Most: Hahaha! Yes, I can see it from my house, and some nights I’m really glad I’m old and anti-social…
SpaceUnit
@martha:
I can see it from my house as well. We must be neighbors.
And I too have learned to avoid crowds.
eclare
@Suzanne:
It’s currently 89 in Memphis and the sun is still out. So I’m a no on outdoor summer festivals.
azelie
My favorite outdoor music festival is Festival International de Lafayette (Lafayette, LA). It started as something that focused on francophone music but has expanded considerably. It’s free, there are five stages of interesting and joyous music.
My favorite outdoor concert ever was Gillian Welch and David Rawlings at Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace near Joshua Tree, CA. They were touring for the Harrow and the Harvest. It’s a large courtyard connected to a restaurant out in the desert. A beautiful night under the stars listening to great music. Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven used to do a multi-day festival there, too, and people camped out or stayed in desert motels.
mrmoshpotato
@martha:
@SpaceUnit: But can you hear it?
zhena gogolia
OT except it’s music, but I’m now obsessed with the voice of Robin Gibb. We’re reading a great book about the BeeGees by Bob Stanley, and whenever he discusses a song I call it up on my phone.
SpaceUnit
@mrmoshpotato:
Not usually, but every once in a while. There was an EDM show a few years ago that I could hear. It was really loud.
Scott S.
@Almost Retired:
the bowl is a magical place. And you get to see (almost) all of the LA peeps. Gives you just a great sense of what makes this city so great.
just saw Herbie Hancock and the Headhunters play the Headhunters LP in it’s entirety for the 50th(!) anniversary of its release. Transcendent.
martha
We have such great memories of season after season at American Players Theater in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Mostly Shakespeare and the classics, performed in an outdoor theater near the Wisconsin River. You picnic near the parking and hike up the hill to the theater. Omnes will know.
One particularly amazing night, probably 20 years ago. King Lear. Final scene. Thunderstorms in the far distance, then slowly, slowly approaching. Lear is betrayed by everyone, his daughters are dead or dying, Gloucester and the Fool are dead. The lightening and thunder is taking its time, but the foreboding and heavy humidity were timed, as if by fate. I’ll remember it forever.
GB in the HC
Merlefest, 20 years running (minus a couple during Covid).
The biggest and bestest celebration of Americana music imaginable.
Doc Watson played every year until his unfortunate passing. Regulars including Sam Bush, Peter Rowan, Jerry Douglas, John Cowan, Old Crow Medicine Show, Steep Canyon Rangers.
Some highlights over the years include John Prine, Taj Mahal, Bob Weir, Emmylou Harris, The Avett Brothers, Levon Helm, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Tedeski Trucks Band, even Elvis Costello showed up one year.
Four days of great music on thirteen stages.
Hard to beat this annual festival.
martha
@mrmoshpotato: We can hear the base tones on still nights, if the wind is right, very far away. It’s an absolutely amazing venue for concerts, and the number one place we take visitors for day tours.
mrmoshpotato
@GB in the HC: Wow. That’s quite the list.
martha
@SpaceUnit: *Waves hello*! We try to go to a couple of concerts a year, but I am a weather wimp as I get older. Hail and t-storms aren’t my thing anymore.
mrmoshpotato
@martha: Boombastic!
eclare
@zhena gogolia:
There is a really good documentary about the BeeGees, dives into how they wrote their music and their relationships. It gives their music respect.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9850386/
It’s on numerous streaming channels now.
Sean Nuttall
One of the best nights of my life was in 2007. Made a spur of the moment to go to the Mann in Philadelphia to see Jethro Tull w/ Peter Frampton opening.
Picked up my wife & headed straight down. Sat on the Lawn & watched a night of pure perfect 70’s rock.
At the Mann you have a perfect view of Philadelphia skyline as it morphs from daylight to night
Frampton played to almost 10 & then Tull played for 2 more..
God do I miss the 70’s
mvr
@A Ghost to Most: Definitely a wonderful venue. And musicians seem to love it. Musicians playing a place they like can lift a show. Only been their twice, both for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. 1st time he cancelled Lincoln to play there. But then it seems he bought all of his Lincoln fans free tickets (or at least me and several hundred others) so I forgave him for that. :-)
KatKapCC
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is technically in the fall, but October can often still be fairly summer-like in CA, even in SF. Haven’t been to that in years but it was always a fantastic time.
GB in the HC
@mrmoshpotato: That’s just the start!
suzanne
@eclare: Teenage Suzanne went to many outdoor festivals at 110+. Never again.
scav
Outside the blimp hanger (McCurdy?) at Fort Warden. Wheeler is good, but indoors. And Centrum has a bit of everything: Fiddletunes, blues, jazz — zydeco was the last I saw. Mom practically haunts the Choro events every year.
SpaceUnit
@martha:
I used to try to go at least once a summer. These days I don’t recognize the names of most of the music acts.
I try to keep up with music, but most of the stuff I like is a bit more alternative than pop. Don’t think I’ve listened to the radio in the last ten years.
mvr
@GB in the HC: It wasn’t Merlefest and it wasn’t outdoors but I have fond memories of seeing Merle and Doc together in an old union hall in Portland in the 70s. They really enjoyed one another.
zhena gogolia
@eclare: I have to watch that.
Leto
@suzanne: speaking of the The Mann theater here, Sept 17 The National and The War on Drugs.
GB in the HC
@mvr: Sadly they feuded for a couple years before Merle died. They would still tour but would enter the stage from opposite sides.
narya
At Ravinia:
Congo Square complete w African musicians
Bonnie Raitt w Keb Mo
zhena gogolia
@eclare: It’s on Max! Can’t wait.
Villago Delenda Est
Back in ’82 I went with some army buddies to an all day rock festival South of Frankfurt, headlined by Foreigner, Blue Oyster Cult, and more. It was an amazing experience.
geg6
My two greatest concerts were from the same band, Bruce and the E Street Band. One was early on, I think 1975, before he blew up huge. It was at the Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh (now the Benedum Center). Small venue, the crowd went insane and it was magic. The second was at PNC Park, I think 2002. First time I heard him play “The Rising.” The whole stadium was in tears.
Prescott Cactus
.
billcinsd
The best Outdoor show I saw was the first. Joe Jackson at Park West in Park City, UT. Joe never thought he’d be playing outdoors, on the side of a hill. That was the day after I moved to Salt Lake City for grad school, 38 years ago.
billcinsd
@eclare: 60’s era Bee Gees were amazing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDf0R1s6txM
Almost Retired
@Scott S.: Right?! You can see a not so great show at the Hollywood Bowl but it doesn’t really diminish the experience. My theory is that everyone suspends their LA cynicism at the Bowl and just enjoys the show.
Craig
@eclare: great movie. Gave me a much better understanding of the group.
realbtl
I’ve been to Red Rocks several times and agree it’s great. Though I would put the Greek Theatre above Berkeley when the city stays fog free as a close competitor.
Phylllis
@GB in the HC: My late husband and I saw Doc Watson and David Holt at the Newberry (SC) Opera House* a couple of times. Spellbinding both times. Would have loved to see him at Merlefest.
*Not outdoors, but a damn fine music venue.
Steve in the ATL
Pink Floyd at the Berlin Wall in 1990!
zhena gogolia
@billcinsd: 💜💜💜
Craig
A great show I saw outside. Butthole Surfers on The Mall in DC for Smoke-In 89, the successor to Rock Against Reagan. Wild show for free with gorgeous fireworks overhead.
mrmoshpotato
@Steve in the ATL: Were you at that show?
Phylllis
@zhena gogolia: It’s a great doc, with some lovely, bittersweet moments. I was on a musician documentary binge a few years ago and watched this after watching one about the Cowsills. Talk about a 180° contrast between the two families.
GB in the HC
@Phylllis: David Holt was hugely supportive of Doc when Doc’s health declined enough to make playing on stage difficult.
zhena gogolia
@Phylllis: Did you watch Get Back? I watched it three times. I’ve given up Disney+ and it’s the only thing I miss about it.
mrmoshpotato
@geg6: The Boss was awesome both nights at Wrigley Field back in 2012.
zhena gogolia
@mrmoshpotato: I saw him in 1975 and 1981. Best live shows ever. (But both were indoors.)
Danielx
@mrmoshpotato:
Betchurass, especially if hail is coming down or if it’s 90+ degrees.
owlbrick
@realbtl: I saw Dead Can Dance at the Greek on a clear night like that back in ’97, with the city lights across the bay, and I have to say, it was probably the most magical experience I’ve ever had at a concert. Truly transportative. It was like Lisa Gerrard was opening a portal through time and space; and I wasn’t even partaking of the loose joints someone was passing around the crowd.
mrmoshpotato
@narya: OT – Great Harvest Bread Co is apparently just down the street from Hewn on Central St.
(Hadn’t heard of Hewn before)
JeanneT
I once got out to the Clearwater Festival in the late 90’s – lots of excellent folk music and amazing food vendors, but the highlight of my visit was walking up to the gate and being greeted by a slender elder gent sitting on the fence rail, plucking bits of tunes on his banjo. Of course I made sure to go to his performance and sang my heart out with all his songs…. Miss you, Pete Seeger!!
NotMax
Used to make a point of going to the always funky 9th Avenue Street Fair in Manhattan in the days before that whole area became gentrified.
Took an out of town couple to Times Square for New Year’s Eve (early 1980s). Had tickets for an indoor concert right there which let out at 11:30 or so. The place wasted no time shooing the audience out. Probably still have impressions left by their tightly clutching my arms once we hit the crowds outside.
Major TJ Kong
The biggest (most people) and among the best outdoor shows for me was Gary Wright, Peter Frampton in JFK stadium in 1976. The sun was strong and I really got baked. My favorite outdoor venue is the Mann Center. I remember sitting on the lawn with great music, a full moon, and the city lights behind you.
Danielx
Saw Goose earlier this summer outside and I haven’t attended a more musically joyous event in quite a while, if ever.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lsjafQauyB8&pp=ygUQZ29vc2UgYnV0dGVyIHJ1bQ%3D%3D
Mousebumples
Love Summerfest in Milwaukee. During college, I’d catch a shuttle in (staying with my parents during college break) and spend most of at least 1 day. Caught Styx (*without Dennis DeYoung) multiple years in a row!
I’ve only been to one show on the mainstage, which was fine? Halsey was the headliner, and I like her music, but the Show was less impressive.
I’ve walked around Red Rocks, and I’d also love to see a concert there. (the one concert I’ve seen in Denver area was Queen + Adam Lambert which was at the Pepsi Center, I think)
martha
@SpaceUnit: Agreed! When husband and I are driving through Morrison to go to Golden for dinner or whatever, we look at the schedule and I’m like “who?” LOL
owlbrick
A couple weeks ago I caught Willie Nelson… Dylan and John Mellencamp opened… it was a great show. The old guys still have it. Mellencamp rocked, actually, and had a great vibe with the crowd; and Willie was amazing. I hope I’m half that energetic and capable if I make it to that age. I wasn’t sure how much I really wanted to go beforehand, but my kid is a Willie fan, so I was happy to go for his sake. I have absolutely no regrets, and am so glad I did. Willie’s son Micah was playing with him… he was really good too.
martha
@realbtl: Ah, the Greek. My college years, and the fog made it magical.
What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?
Saw Bruce a few years ago at Nats Park. Just saw Lyle Lovett at Wolf Trap a little over a week ago. His Large Band is phenomenal (so is Bruce’s band but everyone knows that). Have also seen BB King there.
Back around Y2K I saw Bob Dylan and Paul Simon when they were touring together at what was then called Nissan Pavilion. Concert was great but took us like 2 hours to get out of the parking lot afterwards. Saw Willie Nelson at Merriweather Post Pavilion a few years back. Have also seen Wilco, Belle and Sebastian, Andrew Bird, Spoon, Yo La Tengo and Ex Hex there.
When I was in college I spent a summer on campus and Springfield OH, where my college was, did an outdoor performance series at Ferncliff Park, which was just off campus. Saw Man of La Mancha there. Might have been the first musical intended for adults that I saw live.
My dad taught at Grand Valley State University and when I was in high school they used to have a outdoor classical music concert series in the summers and my parents would occasionally drag me to them. I NEVER EVER let on but I generally enjoyed them despite classical music being totally not cool.
NotMax
@eclare
Surprisingly engrossing documentary on The Cowsills, Family Band. Should still be on Prime.
Phylllis
@zhena gogolia: Yes. Good stuff. Hubby and I managed about an hour and half or so a night; took us about two weeks to get through the whole thing.
Craig
John Waters sponsors The Mosswood Meltdown in Mosswood Park in Oakland a couple times a year. Lots of garage rock, and then bigger headliners like DEVO. Great day outside.
Jacqueline Squid Onassis
I tend to enjoy outdoor concerts less – larger venue, more people, worse sound – but I’ve seen a few. The first was The Who at Shea Stadium in 1982. David Johannsen and the Clash were the openers. The crowd loathed Johansen but was into everything else. I’ve also seen the Go-Gos and the B-52s in outdoor venues. The week before last, my friend took me to see Amyl & the Sniffers open for Sleater-Kinney at Pioneer Courthouse Square and the people watching was just great. So were both bands.
Danielx
@martha:
Tedeschi Trucks Band plays a two or three night stand there every summer. They are worth a listen or three, though they are one of those bands best seen live.
Craig
@martha: yeah, I love that venue. Designed by genius Bernard Maybeck.
NotMax
Theater?
Oddest production ever appeared in was A Man for Alll Seasons performed in a two week run in a dinner theater.
Steve in the ATL
@mrmoshpotato: ja—that’s why I mentioned it! Not a Floyd fan but the whole thing was awesome.
geg6
@Major TJ Kong:
I saw the show in Pittsburgh at Three Rivers Stadium on the same tour! It was great!
narya
@mrmoshpotato: yes, yes he was, though the sound at Wrigley isn’t great. The “let’s mourn Clarence together” tour.
hueyplong
I have happy but fuzzy memories of a Bootsy Collins and Kool & the Gang concert a few years back. “Wild and Peaceful” is still in my personal top ten, probably as an intro to the genre.
John Revolta
Hey y’all- LOOK!
Up in the sky!
It’s a bird!
It’s a plane!
It’s SUPERMOON!!
The full moon is very close to the Earth right now and it makes the moon look extra big and totally awesome!
(It’s also a “blue moon” which doesn’t make it look any different but it’s rare that the two should happen together)
JCJ
@martha: That is indeed a great experience. I have been to several performances over the years. I need to go again!
Danielx
@Steve in the ATL:
year after the wall came down?
geg6
Also saw Weezer and Green Day at Heinz Field (I refuse to call it Acrasure Stadium) a few years ago with my younger niece. It was excellent. Last summer we saw Ed Sheeran there and he was amazingly great.
hueyplong
@geg6: Condiment manufacturers are ok, but insurance brokers are a bridge too far.
Craig
@geg6: Stillers fan here. It’s still Heinz Field to me and my friends. Always will be.
Phein64
Strangely enough, the Illinois State Fair:
In 1989, the girlfriend and I saw Steve Earle (pre-prison) open for Bob Dylan, which I credit with us getting married. In 1992, we caught the Violent Femmes opening for the B-52s (with Julee Cruise), which my wife credits with causing her water to break, and us speeding back to Champaign-Urbana.
Leto
@geg6: I wanted to see Weezer here in Philly for their upcoming 30th Anniversary of the Blue album (their first album), but tickets evaporated instantly. I also wanted to see Baby Metal here next month, but even the handicapped spots sold out instantly, then they went back up on the resell market for 3-4x as much.
/shrug
prostratedragon
@FastEdD: Noice!🙂
prostratedragon
@Miki: Wow, all-stars for nearly everyone.
Danielx
@Craig:
I feel you. Closest big outdoor venue was originally called Deer Creek Amphitheater. It’s been through three or four corporate sponsors and current official name is Ruoff Mortgage music center or some such, but everybody knows Deer Creek.
Danielx
@Phein64:
Now THAT is a concert story.
UncleEbeneezer
The first time I went to the Hollywood Bowl I went to see Mos Def’s Black Jack Johnson band because it had Living Colour’s drummer and bassist. Little did I know that the headliner, Femi Kuti would be so damn amazing. Made me fall in love with Afro-Beat/jazz.
Likewise, we saw Elbow (who we love) at The Greek and it was a stellar show but again the real surprise was Devotchka as the opener who we immediately fell in love with.
Vegoose in 2004 was a pretty amazing outdoor concert experience. Got to see Spoon on the small stage, Primus on the second smallest stage and The Codetalkers, who ended up becoming one of my all-time fave bands.
Lollapalooza 2 at Great Woods in Boston was a killer outdoor show and one of my first concerts without parents. It featured Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Ministry and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. All kind of in their primes.
The Great Wendt– my first Phish show, was a 3-day, festival in Limestone, Maine. Absolutely unreal party in a killer location. About 70 Thousand people in attendance and it featured all kinds of cool stuff like a glider doing aerial acrobatics while a small orchestra played Au Claire De Lune, a late-night surprise improv set and a disco jam on the flat-bed of a truck in the parking lot. Say what you will about Phish (actually don’t, no one cares if you hate them, really) they put a ton of effort into creating incredible concert experiences for their fans. You can see a bunch of footage from this festival in the documentary Bittersweet Motel.
Suzanne
@Leto: I’m going to that tour but in Cleveland! Very excited!
Suzanne
@geg6: I just saw Bruce on Thursday night at the Pens Arena….. what’s it called? PPG Paints? Mr. Suzanne got me the tix last year for my birthday, and then he got sick and had to reschedule. Worth the wait! Had a fantastic time.
kalakal
The most amazing outdoor venue I’ve ever been too is the Minack Theatre
which is built on a cliff above the sea near Land’s End in Cornwall. I’ve been a couple of times, once to see The Tempest, and the other was The Pirates of Penzance ( couldn’t resist, it’s about 5 miles from Penzance). A truly magical setting. Best natural light show was Mike Oldfield at Knebworth Festival , it was sunny with occasional light rain, constant rainbows over the stage.
geg6
@hueyplong:
I don’t even know if they operate in PA. never heard of them in my life until they bought the naming rights. And ever since, I have only heard of them in relation to the stadium. Plus the condiment company is pure Pittsburgh lore.
getsmartin
We caught several shows during the ’84 World’s Fair in New Orleans. They built a really awesome amphitheater with a superb view of the Mississippi River. We saw Cheap Trick, INXS, the Neville Brothers, Doctor John, and several other local artists. The fair itself was a bust, but the music venue was great.
surfk9
Rolling Stones mid Seventies Oakland Colosseum Mick’s 35th birthday. Opening acts: Santana, Eddie Money & Peter Tosh. I owned a t-shirt printing business at the time. The Tosh people contracted for 1000 dozen t-shirts for the tour with us. At the show most of the roadies were wearing our shirts. Got paid for the shirts with a steamer trunk filled with Colombian Gold
Jacqueline Squid Onassis
I totally forgot about seeing the No Nukes Rally concert in Central Park in 1982, so I guess I did see Springsteen live. I really only remember James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Joan Baez, Gary U.S. Bonds, and, especially, Linda Ronstadt. So there’s another outdoor concert I’ve seen.
mrmoshpotato
@Steve in the ATL: Wow! Why were you in West Berlin at the time?
(Saw Roger Waters play The Wall in 2012.)
p.a.
Rhythm &Roots fest in a state park in Charlestown RI, which began decades ago as the Cajun & Bluegrass Festival in Escoheag, but has branched out a bit musically. There’s the main stage, zydeco dance stage, & musicians’ stage- a small venue where the assorted musicians sit, jam, tell stories. Steve Riley has played it forever, either with the Mamou Playboys or with his son & other musicians. Last few years the last night headliners have been Richard Thompson, Little Feat (I guess a few originals remain), and Robert Cray. This year Emmylou Harris. Going Labor Day weekend again.
Craig
@geg6: I became a Steelers fan in the 70s because, no football team in Richmond VA, and my new neighbors were from Pittsburgh and their dad worked for Heinz.
geg6
@Suzanne:
PPG Paints Arena is the home of the Pens, for sure. Bruce puts on a fabulous show. Counting back, I’ve seen him five times. But the Stanley Theater and PNC P ark ones were just so memorable. The first because it was just such a revelation. I had no idea who he was. My boyfriend at the time dragged me to it and I was blown away, as was everyone else. The PNC Park show was not long after 9/11 and seeing the whole stadium weeping during “The Rising” was such a sadly beautiful moment.
dexwood
@Leto: Good stuff. Fun. Thanks.
mrmoshpotato
@narya: I thought the sound was pretty good.
Upper deck behind home plate on night one.
Seat on the field for night two.
I went down to Wrigley to listen the last time the Boss was in town.
Best sound was standing to the left of the manual scoreboard. (I walked around the block after a couple songs.)
Steve in the ATL
@mrmoshpotato: @Danielx: I was in Brussels for the summer, studying EEC law. Heard about the show and hopped a train over to Germany for it. Not that one needs much of an excuse to get out of Brussels….
OldDave
I have a couple of Amplitheater concerts in my past – the Allman Brothers at the Overton Park Shell in Memphis way back when, and John Prine a decade or so back in Pompano Beach.
Villago Delenda Est
@Steve in the ATL: Awesome! All in all, another brick in the wall!
laura
@KatKapCC: That’s my jam! I’ve been to hundreds of shows and the standouts are the 1980’s Russian River Jazz Fest with my parents and their friends, and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. That’s the weekend that restores my soul. I go with a friend, we make a book in advance and art those books up all weekend long.
narya
@mrmoshpotato: I was 200 level along third baseline both nights (friend of a friend had cubs tix so dibs on those seats). I’ve seen him maybe 30-some times—Spectrum, Vets Stadium, United Center, Rosemont, Bradley Center, Rosemont Theater, Wrigley, and Tinley Park. Wish I’d been to the Main Point.
Suzanne
@geg6: He played “The Rising” on Thursday night, and it was similarly moving. The theme of the tour was about those we have loved and lost. It was amazing to see Clarence Clemons’ nephew Jake playing the sax.
Autocorrect just tried to change that last word. DYAC! SAX! SAX!
prostratedragon
Frog Island Park in Ypsi. Wayne Toup and Marsha Ball, with headliner Junior Wells. A surprising amount of dancing, considering the bestial humidity.
Dmkingto
Just saw Lucinda Williams earlier today at Stern Grove in San Francisco. Free tickets, but reservations required. 5 minute walk from my house.
She was in fine voice, but hasn’t recovered enough to get back to playing guitar. But her band was rocking! And the weather was gorgeous. I was up on the hill among the tall trees and I never needed the 2 jackets, fleece vest, or blanket that I brought. Karl the fog never made his appearance – in fact it’s still bright & sunny at 7pm. Not normal for August in the Sunset district. (Although much more common than in years past.)
Phein64
@Danielx: Three years later, we were on our way to see the BoDeans at Follinger on the campus of the U of I, and her water broke as we got out of the car after circling many blocks to find a parking space.
After that, we didn’t buy (expensive) concert tickets when she was pregnant.
Gloria DryGarden
@A Ghost to Most: last time I went to red rocks for a concert , I was just back from a year abroad, jet lagged, having reverse culture shock. My friends let me sleep through the whole thing. It was either seals and Croft’s, or Crosby stills Nash and young. I have not forgiven my friends.
Friends in Denver are always posting concert pix, extra tic, announcing who they went to see.
a bunch of us go every winter solstice to drum up the sun, make sure it comes back. An incredible place to watch sunrise.
Gloria DryGarden
@FastEdD: that was fun! I love those so delicious bars..
Gloria DryGarden
It’s too hot, so I’ve been inside re reading Red, White and Royal Blue, a fiction about the 2020 election, when a blonde president, (looks a bit like Hillary Clinton in the story boards for the movie based on the book) is running for re-election. It’s mostly a fun fairy tale romance between her son and a prince, but it’s just so soothing to hang out watching movie clips on YouTube and reading about president uma Thurman. Just the right thing for this fraught election year.
I’m not going this year to the outdoor concerts, nor Shakespeare in the parking lot, or on the cu campus in boulder. Not even going up to the vail dance festival, which was a 2 hour drive up, and then a mile walk to the venue. Too many injuries, harder to walk. Phooey. It used to all be so fun. Such great memories.
Gloria DryGarden
@Phein64: I’m shocked by how expensive tickets have gotten. Friends won’t admit how much they paid to see the eras tour when Taylor swift came to Denver.
I think my budget concert future involves listening from outside the venues, until I get an upgrade.
Virginia
@FastEdD: thanks Ed. That was fun!
RevRick
When I first came to the Lehigh Valley, a parishioner invited my family to go to the then nascent Musikfest In Bethlehem. I don’t recall seeing many big name acts, but it had a quirkiness to it with separate, dedicated, outdoor spaces for polka, rock, folk, and indie music. The polka tent was a big hit, because they often invited a band from their German sister city, had a dedicated space for dancing, and tables for eating and drinking beer. Now, it’s a fairly well organized event spanning ten days and attracting 1 million + attendees.
Ten years later, a local musician and his wife joined my church, and a couple of years our church began a fundraiser for families struggling financially due to medical conditions and the seven hour event featured continuous live entertainment. Naturally, we recruited the musician’s wife to arrange the acts since she had a slew of contacts in the local music scene. Our church parking lot was converted into a food and music venue. After a few years, the musician and a buddy who often emceed local bands, who was also a member, volunteered to organize a benefit concert. The first year, the concert, held at Lehigh University, featured a variety of local rock and blues groups (we closed with the whole auditorium joining in singing “Love Train”). The second year was an Allman Brothers tribute concert. Unfortunately, the economics became unworkable for more concerts, but I doubt many churches sponsor rock concerts.
Origuy
Labor Day weekend is the Pleasanton Highland Games at the Alameda County Fairgrounds (California). I’ll take Friday off to set up the stages for the country dancing. As far as music goes, there will be several traditional and Celtic rock performers as well as harpers, fiddlers, and of course pipers. There will also be the Heavy Games, sheep herding dogs, historic reenactments, whisky tasting, Highland dancing and shopping opportunities. I won’t be dancing on stage this year, but there will be some opportunities to come and try it.
mvr
@GB in the HC: I didn’t know that. That really is very sad.
Seonachan
Medium Cool? “Outdoor cultural activities”? A Democratic convention in Chicago? Seems like this series’ cinematic namesake deserves a mention.
Another Scott
@John Revolta:
Whoever started the mania of calling every month’s full moon something clever is a monster. “Strawberry Pumpkin Spice Moon!” “Godzilla Clover Honey Moon!” “Zombie Tardigrade Polkadot Moon!”
:-/
And I was taught that a “Blue Moon” was a 2nd full moon of a month. Google tells me that it’s also the 3rd full moon of a season containing 4. I don’t like that. Please to fix.
[/old-man-yells-at-cloud]
Grr…,
Scott.
Paul in KY
I’ve probably been to over 100 music fests. Bonnaroo 9 times, The Hangout 7 times, Louder Than Life 9 times, Forecastle 7 times, ROMP 9 times, Lolla 3 times, Riotfest 5 times, etc. etc.
Paul in KY
@Suzanne: I saw Guided By Voices years ago at a now-defunct Bunbury Music Fest in Cincinnati. Was a great set!
Paul in KY
@Phein64: I saw The Femmes at Pilgrimage Music Fest in Franklin, TN. They played late in afternoon on a beautiful early Fall day. They started out set with ‘Blister in the Sun’ and you could see people running over to the stage ‘Oh shit, they’re playing that song!!!’.
Paul in KY
@UncleEbeneezer: I saw Devotchka at my first Bonnaroo back in 2011. Had never heard of them. As you know, wonderful set.
Paul in KY
@getsmartin: I went to 3 awesome Voodoofests in NOLA. They were at City Park, which is a great venue for an outdoor music fest. It seems that fest has gone bye bye. BS feuding between the guy who originally owned the fest and Live Nation.
Saw Pearl Jam, The Cure, New Found Glory, NIN, Die Antwoord, Sturgill Simpson, Big Freedia, The Melvins, OutKast, Slayer, etc. etc.
Paul in KY
@surfk9: Wow! Never saw Mr. Tosh. One of the titans of reggae. Should be in HOF.
Paul in KY
@OldDave: Saw John Prine at ROMP music fest in Owensboro, KY several years ago. He headlined on Saturday night. Looked like a tipsy hobbit up there. Crowd loved him.
A Ghost to Most
@martha: we live the other side of the Table Mountains.
Specifically, the NW corner of North Table Mountain.