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Untitled Document
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| Rock the Bayou – The Experience |
| By: Thais Grossi |
| August, 29, 30, 31 and September, 1 |
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In the middle of a hurricane threat on a 3-day weekend because of the American Labor Day holiday, hundreds of people went to the same place where a journey back to the past was expected to celebrate the 80´s rock´n roll scene. It was Rock the Bayou´s debut, a 4-day party with over 100 bands, following the line of the big rock festivals from Europe that recalled very much the already set Rocklahoma. The promised structure, explained in details on the event´s website, www.rockthebayou.com, impressed everybody´s eyes with its 3 stages, camping field, temperature controlled bars, relaxing tent and several other things showing the idea of an organized festival.
Not to mention, obviously, the classic headliners that would play: Queensryche, Sammy Hagar, Alice Cooper and Bret Michaels. |
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Arriving there we could park the car on an uneven grassy ground for 15 dollars, after an 8-minute walk we were able to arrive at the arena and it was impossible to ignore the big amusement park with a ferris wheel from where we could listen to the screams of those who were having fun. Everywhere we could see people carrying beach chairs and camping gears and the line to buy the tickets was almost nil. People may have bought them in advance. The audience was a big mix from children to adults around 70 years old and we have to highlight the amount of scarves and bandannas (on the waist, under and over hats, in the wrist or all of those at the same time). Since it´s a festival in Texas there is no need to mention the large number of boots and cowboy hats and, of course, the “clones” of classic hard rock characters. I saw at least 35 “Tommy Lees”, 27 “Bret Michaels” and one Brian Adams in the audience and no, I wasn´t seeing things because of the hot sun.
The terribly hot temperature, 40 degrees Celsius, added to long walks on an uneven and very muddy ground would make anybody discouraged, right? Wrong! |
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All these tings were compensated by an amazing atmosphere and the great environment coming from all those working under heat, from the ticket booth staff to the producers, from securities to police officers. If we were in the 70´s I´d say it was the peace and love aura but as we are not there, I don´t know how to explain the reasons for that collective harmony that made me feel as if I were dreaming. The structure promised by the organization was all there together with plenty American delicious things such as hot dogs, pizzas, pretzels, turkey thy, frozen lemonade, soft drinks, water and beer.
The music was non-stop, every time there was a new band on stage and it was impossible to watch them all. Meanwhile backstage we could feel a summer camp atmosphere. |
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The artists´dressing rooms had been built on buses (to the big stars) and on trailers (to the others, not so big), most of them refused to stay there though and were happily hanging around between the stage and the press tent interacting and having fun. Even a certain sad farewell atmosphere happened when we had to say goodbye. Peace was ruling and even Yngwie Malmsteen, known by his moody personality, wasn´t that bad, although he won, the unwanted prize, “Rock the Bayou´s worst personality 2008.
Long life to the festival that had an amazing debut making us miss it already.
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