SummerFest Recap, Day 1

As I sit here today, music is on my mind. For a myriad of reasons, I suppose. One reason is I'm sitting here listening to The Farewell Drifters new album "Echo Boom" (which I am thoroughly enjoying...not at all what I was expecting and I am happily surprised). Another reason is decompressing from Free Press Summer Fest 2011. And that is the gist of today's entry.

I had the privilege of attending this event in the gloriously spectacular area of Eleanor Tinsley Park near downtown Houston. My sister-in-law joined me and she had a friend who was kind enough to open her apartment to us (which is great because I ended up leaving my truck parked there for the duration). Her friend even offered to drive us to the Fest and pick us up afterwards. We took her up on her offer. So we drive over to the park and just happen to see some of my sister-in-law's friends walking, so we get out and join them. I'm already enjoying the vibe being generated but the companionship and all the attendees in general. This was to be a theme for the weekend. This was about people having fun and not getting trashed and starting crap.

So after a slight speed bump getting in and waiting in a really, really long (but fast moving) line, we enter. We begin our walk to the Main Stage (which unbeknownst to me at the time, is where we would end up for the majority of the weekend) and as we walked, we looked at the various booths, stages and vendors. It was a cool scene (though sadly, not literally).

We get to the Main Stage and setup close to the middle, close to the stage. Not long after, we are rewarded to a great show by Big Boi (one half of OutKast). Wow, such a good unexpected show. Look, I don't know about you but I've witnessed a lot of Hip Hop/Rap shows and it's a mixed bag. Sometimes they're good shows but more often than not (and I mean 8 times out 10), they're nothing more than self celebratory circle jerks where the main act keeps pulling their posse into the show and letting them perform. Or the sound is so bad, it's like the subway automated voice yelling at you. Not fun. And even though Big Boi did pull some fellow performers on stage to perform with him or instead of him briefly, it didn't diminish the show but rather enhanced. And there were no sound issues (which was to be that way for the most part at the Main Stage for the weekend). Big Boi threw down some classic OutKast with "ATLiens", "Ms. Jackson" and "I Like The Way You Move" (though I've always considered it a Big Boi song more so than OutKast) and some new stuff off his solo effort. It was a nice mix and worked very well and the crowd really responded, despite the heat. Funny aside occurred here: about two songs in, I felt someone tapping my shoulder. I turned and saw an old friend that I went to High School with. I have seen and hung out with her many times since but just found it funny to run into her there (this would happen again 3 other times with her).

So after Big Boi, we went to procure refreshments. Long lines and crowds were to be a recurring theme but in 99% of these interactions, they were positive and everyone was polite and respectful. Which still amazes me with the heat that things didn't get ugly. Thank goodness for small miracles, I suppose. So drinks acquired, we moved back to the Main Stage (here on, know as "MS" for laziness sakes) to catch the always amazing Ms. Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. This time, we just copped a squat on the hill rather than join the unwashed masses. The Dap-King's brand of updated soul/funk was refreshing to hear and Ms. Jones knew how to shake her "groove thang". It was a great show and I'm glad I got to see it.

Next, we walked around a bit, met up with more people (including one very hot chica...yow! Not that there weren't a ton of very attractive females there and more than a couple I talked to and maybe even got some numbers...well, never mind :P), had Meeting #2 with my friend and relaxed a little before the next show. And the next show was Beirut. Beirut, as I knew they would be was amazing. Such a distinct sound and any band that can play the instruments they do, and weave together such disparate sounds together will always interest me and get my respect.

And then we reach the final act of Day 1: Ween. Now, I'm not a big Ween fan. In fact, we had planned to leave early and get started on the rest of the evening early. Plus, I was getting hungry and I preferred not to buy food there, so I was ready to jet. But then Ween, took the stage and I actually found myself enjoying it. Ended up staying for most of the show when the group decided it was time to leave, so we left. There were some other events that occurred but I haven't received permission from the parties involved to relate them so for now, those stay private.

Lessons learned on Day 1:
- I need to not wait so long to eat, especially if "adult" beverages are involved (I know, I know!)
- Houston in June is extremely hot (okay, being a resident for my entire life, this is nothing unknown)
- Apparently, I am still attractive to the opposite sex and still have a little game
- Ween is much better live
- Big Boi can put on a good show and I would see him again
- My magic powers still work

Day 2 to be continued in the next installment....