Bumbershoot Memories: Beck '97, and the Angry Mob
Posted Aug. 29, 2007 at 10:38 am by Chris Kornelis
I don't want to say things have gotten worse since 1997. But, they haven't gotten better. I paid something like $9 a day to get in, the lineup was remarkably more intriguing, and I was a teenager. But, frankly, I've never put much stock in the Bumber lineup as an indicator of the quality of the festival. The highlights of the festival, at least for me, have always been in the events that were not on the schedule.
Take, for instance, Beck's end-of-evening set at Memorial Stadium in '97. He was on his "Odley" tour, and was the reason I had even paid Bumbershoot any attention. Problem was, Cake was playing on a side stage at close to the same time (they went on 15 or 20 minutes sooner), and one member of our party was all about Cake. So, we compromised, which every Bumber party must do at some point. We decided we'd hit the first half-ish of Cake's set, and show up late to Beck's.
Now, in 1997, there were no Technicolor wristbands required for entry in the the evening sets in the stadium, as there are now. And, as we made our way toward the entrance, we heard a few mumbles from patrons walking upstream: "you're not going to get in."
True. We weren't going to get in. There were no less than 500 angry people outside the gates when we arrived. Stadium was at capacity, and security wasn't letting anyone else in. But, like I said, I was a teenager, had yet to discover beer, instead favoring adrenaline. So, we made our way to the front of the crowd, crawling through planters, and squeezing between our considerably older colleagues.
Just as we made it to the front, which, was on the verge of mosh pit, we heard someone yell, "Just go!" And at that very moment, about 50 or 75 of us did just that, and as a few larger individuals tussled with security, my friend and I walked through the gates, just as the man of the hour launched into "Devil's Haircut."
Wow, now that I think about it, that was the first of two times I've had to weasel my way into that stadium to see Beck. But, that's another story altogether.
Topics: Bumbershoot 2007
Comments
Cake and Beck...now that's a lineup I'd pay $35 to see. Although in '97 I was only 10, the good shows are always a tad out of reach, too bad.
Posted Aug. 29, 2007 at 11:42 am by MaggieTim Seely & Actual Tigers playing a noon slot at Mammorial Stadium several years ago was pretty cool. David Byrne in a Slim Goodbody outfit that same year (I think) was rad. Indigo Girls playing to a Mammorial Stadium crowd that well exceeded fire code. Los Lobos playing way over by the fence that looks out onto Fisher Pavilion was a rare treat. Pavement in Key Arena or Mercer Arean — I forget which — reminding me of my question about why the fuck any B'shoot events are held inside. Steve Miller almost making me walk out last year by playing too many blues covers is a sour note. Kelly Willis in the Flag Pavillion like 10 years ago was great, because Kelly Willis always makes me smile. And I think Sass Fucking Jordan actually played the mural amphitheatre one year. Remember her? Hopefully you don't, and hopefully you'll skip Fergie and Sean Paul in that vein. That's all that comes to mind. I've been under the influence of controlled substances at most B'shoots, which is actually something I'd recommend.
Posted Aug. 29, 2007 at 11:48 am by SeelyDiamond Dave, a yellow lycra body suit, white suspenders, and a spewing bottle of Jack Daniels in his crotch. 'Nuff said.
Posted Aug. 29, 2007 at 12:12 pm by Travis RitterWasn't 97 when Mojo Nixon played on the mural amp stage?
Posted Aug. 29, 2007 at 1:17 pm by Andrew CI remember that year because I was watching Cake with some friends and we tried to head over to Beck, but this idiot Eric was on acid and lost his dog. I ditched him and his posse and rode the bus home. The day before the Real Mackenzies played the Flag Pav and the bassist passed outside the beer garden. That pretty much ruled.
that was one of the greatest years for me too... although i almost got smashed to death. does anybody remember the guy that was trying to climb the fountain and instead he got shot up in the air. i think that happened on the last day sfter blues traveler,... insanity.
Posted Aug. 29, 2007 at 4:43 pm by adrii don't remember the fountain, but I do remember Blues Traveler. Specifically, that we got there early and were surprised to see all these "old people" getting down to some "old guy." We quickly go into it, too. Wasn't till later that I learned it was David Byrne. Yes, I was a pup.
Posted Aug. 29, 2007 at 4:47 pm by Chris KI remember being in awe of Beck being able to shakedown a crowd of however-many thousand that were there that night with just his voice and harmonica on "One Foot In the Grave" and then getting his Philip Bailey on with "Debra" which was still two years away from being released. Man, what a show. With Sonic Youth earlier in the day on the same stage debuting material from those instrumental EP's that also weren't out yet...
Posted Aug. 30, 2007 at 7:16 am by KellyThat was a historic day at Memorial Stadium. Sonic Youth, Shawn Colvin (which I skipped, but still is nothing to sneeze at), Medeski, Martin & Wood, Beck. Maybe one more I'm missing. I was up front at MMW w/2 short girls. Towards the end, as the teenagers pushed up front for Beck, they couldn't see anything and weren't tall enough to get fresh air. It was sardine can tight. And Beck got pissed off at the unruly crowd a couple of times. A great show, but we now have wristbands BECAUSE OF that show.
Posted Aug. 30, 2007 at 12:04 pm by Samah, you're right. I think Joan Osbourne was on the bill that day, too.
Posted Aug. 30, 2007 at 1:59 pm by CHris K