The real problem may be that this almost-all-day event was scheduled for a Friday. It started at like, 3 p.m. On a Friday. Not a Saturday. It boggles the mind. Most people do not get off work until 5 and then get to endure the hell-on-earth that is rush-hour traffic leading to that unholy intersection of I-35 and I-70 where this concert is situated.
This terrible choice of weekday also means that most people get to miss all the opening bands, including some very good bands like Cage the Elephant and Daughter. Alas, I am one of those weirdos with a job Monday through Friday, 8-5.
But it's not ALL bad. Once you've survived all the nonsense and overcome the disappointment of the bad timing, there are some awesome bands still playing. The two-stage setup was a stroke of genius since there is virtually always music playing, while one band plays on one stage, they set up the other stage for the next band.
Kitten rocked out on the smaller stage. Their hit single G# was played beautifully, although the lead singer was gyrating on stage in a raunchy display that matched the beautiful and bittersweet sound of the song like a clown at a funeral. But whatever, she was cute as hell.
AWOLNATION took the main stage and rolled out all their big hits along with a few lesser-known - but still awesome songs. It was a different experience hearing them live. Musically it may not have been as great, because the keys were turned down way too low and some songs just don't have the same production quality when a band plays live, but that is to be expected. On the other hand the crowd was great and sang along, waved hands and jumped along with the lead singer, who knew how to keep it lively.
Ms. Mr. was up next at the second stage. The rising star has one brilliant hit, Hurricane, which everyone loved, but their other songs were less than thrilling. There are bands that become well-known thanks to a single and from there, people discover the rest of their work is also great and they grow from there. Then there are so-called one-hit-wonders, who are only known for that one good song they did, because it really is the only good one. As of now, it appears Ms. Mr. may be in the latter category.
Then Alt-J brought the most enthusiastic crowd thus far in the night. The curious, unique sound of the band has captivated audiences and quickly made these guys a big hit. They have already played some large, sold-out shows in KC before and this outdoor event was no different. Folks danced to the dance-able parts or stared, entranced throughout the set - which included their great singles and lots more. These guys could easily have been the headliners.
Coheed and Cambria appeared to be a far-less popular follow-up. Their attempt at face-melting metal was not really the crowd's cup of tea.
Phoenix was set as the headliner for this event, however, it could have just as easily been Alt-J or even AWOLNATION. Phoenix has some great songs, but not everyone was all that excited to stick it out after 10 p.m. to see them live. Why? Because it's Friday damn it. A lot of concert-goers - myself included - were already exhausted and wanted to beat the crowd escaping the maw of death that was that cluster-fuck traffic situation getting both in and out of the park.
Again, this is a logistical shortcoming like nothing seen since the Japanese lost the Battle of Midway. It's friggin FRIDAY. People have been up since early in the morning, worked all day, endured rush-hour and in many cases, went without dinner just to see the later half of the show. We're TIRED. And the headliner was a good band, but nothing amazing.
So it was not a great surprise that hundreds of people decided to leave early, following Alt-J's satisfying set. It was also not a great surprise that leaving the park was even MORE difficult than getting in. I spent over an hour getting out. It would have probably been over 3 hours - seriously, I am not exaggerating - if not for the hairbrained scheme of a random stranger who spoke to the driver in the car in front of me, then passed the word along back to me.
Following the car ahead of me, we ditched the stand-still nightmare where we had only crawled about 30 feet in 45 minutes, rolled side-long around a steep, grassy incline, then gently dropped off the lawn and onto the street where cars seemed to have tons of space and were driving at a steady clip onto the bridge to salvation. Hundreds of people were trapped in their cars, turning off the engines to sit out 15-20 minutes, only to start up again and roll a couple of feet and then stop and shut off the engine all over again. It was disgusting.
To summarize, I can appreciate how awesome and convenient it might sound to see some of the greatest new alternative rock bands all at one place, at one time. But IT'S NOT. The Buzz selected a Time and Place that make a virtual nightmare out of a great idea. Unless the day of the week is moved to a Saturday or the location is changed to somewhere other than Daedelus' labyrinth, I am not going again, and I urge you not to either. You can see these great bands at better venues, better times, save money and spare yourself all the time and stress.
Now for Previews:
Tonight there are few tempting shows in Lawrence!
Truckstop Honeymoon will be playing at The Granada! Any fans of folksy Americana need $10, be there at 8 p.m.
Ras Neville and the Kingstonians are playing reggae at the Jazzhaus for just $5 at 10 p.m.!
Muscle Worship will be rocking out like a punk at The Replay Lounge also at 10 p.m.!
Thursday, the 3rd, Gold Panda will be at The Granada. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. This is some weird, interesting electronica, but I like weird, so it might be awesome.
See you out there!
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