Bizarre Festival. 17-19 Aug
Mike Fransted Dudenews.com
50,000 fans, Rock n' Roll, sun, bungee jumping, and margaritas. The things that come to mind for the 15th Annual Bizarre Festival
The drive was easy. I arrived on to the camp area around 2 on the 17th. Jenny and Mitch had a primo campsite already picked out. The VIP staff where really nice and answered all my stupid questions with no dumb looks. Friday was really a chill night with artist like Tricky and Guano Apes, who I don’t partially care for. Foo Fighter headlined with a really good stage show and set. This was the first time they headlined a festival show sho they where really psyched. I spoke to a cool and sober Dave Grohl after the show and he really had a good time. He respected the fans for they’re dedication to theirs artists to come to these events. He just wished her could take some time off to enjoy some camping and music. Friday ended with no major incidents. The usual hang out at the campsite and drink till dawn.
Saturday started off with a little rain in the morning that gave way to a cooler morning. The campsite was just off from a coffee stand that had awesome coffee. The hangover faded around 2 just in time to see Staind. For the short time they where on stage they really rocked. The only thing that really bugged me was the fucking camera crew running in circles around Aaron while he did an all acoustic “Outside”. His mother was there looking on from side stage with a huge smile on her face.
Green Day was nice surprise of fun when they took a kid out of the audience that played guitar and took over lead on “Basket Case”
Speaking of surprises, Queens of the Stone Age, with a new lead singer. Not to take way from the vocals of Josh or Nick but I guess it was to try our some new material. In three year they have gone from a coool ass kickin 3-man thang to a 5 man, I don’t know what direction I want to go, band. This lead singer had attitude also. He looked like he just got done kicking the shit out of a dog or some. Don’t get me wrong, I really love this band, but what I loved most was it’s hard rocking simplicity and approach to rock. Keep it simple Josh.
Our Saturday night was kicked into high gear with the highly anticipated Stone Temple Pilots. We did not know what to expect. Would they suck? Would they be all tired? None of us knew. Scott Weiland came out and fucking rocked our world. This was a band in high form and tip top shape. Europe really has missed them over the last 9 years, as Scott was quick to point “Now that I’m off of probation.” It was a total high-energy show with the trademark naked in the American flag thing that got ripped of at the end of the show. They where the best thing at Bizarre this year, without a doubt.
Prodigy came on next with a techno assault. Time to go back to the campsite and eat and drink and whatever. After the sun, the booze and other party favorites took its toll, none of use went to see a 2 hour behind schedule Nickelback who finally came on stage around 4:30 am.
Sunday came around………….More to come |
