Bayfest Reviews Part II
Magic!
One hit wonder. Catchy song that dominated the summer, but the rest of their catalog is crappy as hell. Canadian reggae. I've heard some godawful drunken renditions of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun at karaoke bars, sung by staggering Ohio State coeds with thick trunks and thicker ankles. (Worst looking girls I've ever seen were in Columbus Ohio and it hasn't been close). Those ragged, intoxicated beef cows sounded ten times better than Magic! did doing that song. The lead singer was off key all night, even on their signature song, and his backing band dragged and/or raced ahead in every song. Timing was absolutely terrible. These guys shot their wad with the one summer song and had nothing else to offer. Playing Bayfest may be the highlight of their careers. Seeing them there was a lowlight of mine.
Earth Wind & Fire
I was ten the first time I heard Phillip Bailey and the EWF crew funk up the radio. Love them then. Love them now. Despite their advanced age (Baily and the crazy-looking bassist Verdine White are both 63) they delivered what was probably the best set of the entire event. I saw them back in their 1970s full funk heyday with the white suits, stacks, flashing lights, fog, mirrors and 500 singers/dancers/horns on stage. They were a little like KISS to me at that time. Blew me away with their showmanship and even more so with the music (which KISS never really did although I do love most of the KISS catalog). EWF just put together a fantastic and infectious musical experience. They were still great, but obviously slowed by age. Not slowed? Phillip Bailey. Well, maybe slowed a little. But he still took on the insane notes of Fantasy and comported himself very well. I was amazed to hear someone of his age and longevity still hit those tones. So what if the band was half a step slower, looked like they might be hurting in places (like hips and joints) and they didn't have quite the energy they had in 1977. The idea that they've been doing this and doing it well for 40-plus years is amazing. I looked around and saw people dancing. Young and old. My kids were dancing away and loving it. So were the old people in front of us. I love EWF and was glad to see them for the fourth time still kicking it.
Overall
When I first saw the lineup I was not entirely unhappy. Thought it would be good. The closer it got and when we started looking at how the acts were spread out, it became apparent that the event was going to SUCK. They booked Ludacris, Alabama and Stone Temple Pilots at the same time on a Friday night. Two of the three acts I was interested in seeing were ruled out because Friday is football.
Saturday they had Joan Jett and Kid Rock at the same time as Jane's Addiction and All That Remains. So I had to choose between two mediocre "eh, I sort of want to see that" bands AND the Auburn game. I had clients in town I had to entertain so I missed the whole game and endured a slow Joan Jett set and a profane Kid Rock red fest.
Sunday was devoid of anything ANYBODY wanted to see with the exception of one person who wandered over to Bradley Gilbert (who the hell is that?) and we went from Magic! to EWF. One hit (four years ago) wonder Foster The People was our other lame ass choice.
Today I saw where turnout was pitiful for the event and the organizers were "scratching their heads" wondering why. The main guy blamed it on so many people being disappointed that Alabama lost that they just stayed home. Idiot.
Meanwhile the Biloxi casinos truck tons of bands people would probably be willing to see in week after week. Styx, Asia, Rick Springfield, Foreigner, Journey, ZZTop, O'Jays, and tons more have been there recently.
Meanwhile Hangout Fest draws huge crowds with lineups that feature Tom Petty, Outkast, Stevie Wonder, Dave Matthews (who sucks penii), The Black Keys, Macklemore and more like that.
And the Bayfest organizers are "scratching their heads" over shitty turnout? I've helped sponsor the event for six or seven years. I watched ticket prices go up this year by $15 each as the talent level dropped significantly. Unless Bayfest 2015 hits a talent home run, I've sponsored my last one. I'd hate to see it go, but I think people in Biloxi or somewhere else would do a better job than Mobile does at this point.
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