Des Moines beats us on July 4th
Posted on May 13th, 2008 – 4:20 PMBy Chris Riemenschneider
I don’t mean to pick on Des Moines. It looked like a fine city the half dozen times I’ve driven straight through it on my way to Austin. But how is that we here in the much more populated and presumably hipper Twin Cities get stuck with REO Speedwagon, Eddie Money, the Zombies and Barry “Greg Brady” Williams for our big Fourth of July weekend festival, and Des Moines gets this?!
The 80/35 Festival, July 4-5, featuring the Flaming Lips, the Roots, Drive-by Truckers, Frank Black/Black Francis, Girl Talk, Jakob Dylan, Andrew Bird and more. More details at www.80-35.com. The $50 two-day pass is a steal, if you ask me. Sure, it’s not free like Taste of MN, but I bet they also aren’t getting nearly as much city support and sponsorship money as Taste does.
5 Responses to "Des Moines beats us on July 4th"
We’re heading to Milwaukee’s Summerfest over the 4th of July. Many of the Des Moines bands are there along with about 700 other groups. Summerfest is the BIG Music treat! It’s time for a Road trip in spite of soaring gas prices!
Don
Chris, perhaps it’s the same reasons most of the truly interesting acts pass us by every year (for those who doubt this, take a look at pollstar.com): a lack of quality midsize venues, promoters with no vision, and audiences who sit on their hands. I was fortunate enough to see Wilco in Austin this week, and even the engagement of their fans was at a level we can’t seem to muster here. I’ll get flamed for this, but it’s true.
Then again, maybe it’s the weather.
I too am going to Summerfest that weekend. Being from Milwaukee I’ve been attending the event for years. This year will be the 16th summer that my wife and I will entertain a group of our friend to this event. If you’ve never been you must.
What gives? Stay here and I’ll make it worth everyones time by dueting with the guy from REO Speedwagon on ‘Here I Go.’ Plus, I throw real money into the crowd.
Come on Chris! Give credit where credit is due. Seether and Finger Eleven, while not as cool as the Lips or the Roots, is a MAJOR step up from the years past. Those acts are VERY hot now and a major step in the right direction for the Taste. Baby steps Chris, we can’t turn taste of minnesota into mini bonnaroo overnight.
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