Fifth of July

[low_delta]

We were going to see Tom Petty at Summerfest. To do this, we had to get down there before the gates opened, and get in line for wristbands to get us into the lawn for free. I had planned on getting there sometime between 1:30 and 12:00, but it was not to be. And even if we had gotten there by noon, we might not have gotten wristbands. We were walking past the main gate at 12:15, when we heard an announcement that they were out of general admission seating. Looking at the website now, I don't think they were even available in the first place. The lawn seating at the amphitheater used to be free, but this year, it was free only for four of the eleven shows. Actually, the bleachers used to be free too. :-(

So we wandered around the fest for a couple of hours. Got some ice cream and wandered through the vendors' tents (I bought a shirt). We sat and watched Roster McCabe for a while. I liked them. A guitarist like Santana, and a singer like Stevie Wonder. A little Latin sound, some soul, a dash of reggae. Then we watched the first part of Rumbrava's set. My favorite Jazz duo, Mrs. Fun was joined by a conga player and a singer/electric cellist, doing Latin music. Not bad, but not great.

There was another band playing at 5:00 that I wouldn't have minded seeing, but I didn't want to stick around there for another three hours. And Cracker would have been fun, but they weren't on until 10:00. We left around 3:30. Would have had to stay twelve hours to get my twelve bucks-worth. We came home and grilled some steaks for dinner.

Then we went to the fireworks here in town. Good show, as always. Saw a couple of new fireworks, one of which got a huge response from the crowd. I wish I could remember quite what it looked like.

I was really hoping to see Petty at Summerfest. He's someone I'd like to see, but not pay a lot for.

Comments

[beckmermaid.livejournal.com]

Oh that's too bad :( I would have liked to have seen him too-especially somewhere like Summerfest- he's one of the few bands I've always liked and haven't seen. Concert ticket prices have gotten ridiculous. I think we paid like $200 apiece to see Paul McCartney (which I didn't mind since it was an amazing show), and even 10 years ago, I went to see Paul Simon/Bob Dillon (By myself since noone wanted to pay that much to go with me!) for $85. It'd be nice if festivals like Summerfest would help make it more affordable/free for the masses.

I have fond memories of Summerfest as a kid! :) I love Milwaukee in summer.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Some shows are better at Summerfest. Like the Violent Femmes or Bodeans.

That place keeps getting more expensive. I remember when it was $6 or $7 to get in. Now our discount tickets are $12, or $15 at the door. All the lawn and bleacher seats at the Amphitheater were free. Of course there are people who remember when the main stage acts were free too, and it only cost $2 to get in. *shrug*

I try to avoid the really expensive shows, but sometimes you've just got to shell it out.

There's a festival of some kind about every weekend. Almost every night has a free concert in some park or other. Have you been to the Calatrava art museum? Pretty amazing!

[mellary4.livejournal.com]

I saw Tom Petty waaaay back in the 70's. I'm thinking it might of been 1978 or 1979ish. There was an old theater called The Uptown (I think) around 52nd and North or there about. I saw Devo there too. The Tom Petty concert is one of my favorite that I've ever gone too. The Devo concert on the other hand was pretty darn bad. They were a new band and apparently didn't have much money because when one of the band members threw one of their hats out to the audience, a roadie had to run out and wrestle it from the guy who caught it and take it back to the band. Then one of their speakers caught on fire. We thought it was part of the show but it wasn't.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

I never used to think too much of Petty. But somewhere along the way, I realized how good he is. I'll have to see him one of these days at some non-summerfest venue.