Big Ass (hole) Show

Okay, we've posted enough about how much of a hassle it was to get to compete to play this thing--here's how it went.

First let's say how grateful we were/are that we got to play. Thanks, seriously.

Anyway, we arrived right at 8am as instructed. Speaking of instructions, when we received the email that explained how to proceed, our time slots, set time, etc. we were completely blown away at how condescending it was. I don't know if Randi from X96 is a dick in real life, but this letter, was insulting. I know you gotta be tough with local bands and make sure they don't run wild, but why can't you just say that we're not allowed to sell our merch unless we go through the venue's booth? Instead, it reads: "Local bands are not allowed to 'pedal their wares.'" That makes us feel like beggars. Ridiculous.

After finally finding the entrance and talking with the surliest staff member we could find, we made our way to the Live and Local stage. Now, if that stage were set up next to my childhood doghouse, with its broken chain link fence, rusty nails, and rotten, swollen boards, this stage would have appeared impressive. Not being in the vicinity of any kennels, the stage looked quite pathetic next to the grandeur that is the USANA Amphitheatre. Not to mention the location.

Imagine a baseball diamond and the concession stands along the outer wall. Then imagine a parking lot on the other side of the concession stands. That's where the Live and Local stage was. It actually looked like you weren't supposed to go back there. Very uninviting, no signs whatsoever as to what went on through the small entrance between the bathroom and security guard station, nor was there a line-up posted of local bands. In fact, there was no mention at all that there was even another stage! X96 has, in the past, been known to overshadow one of their events with another under their same sponsorship.

So while we unloaded our gear onto the grass, we heard all of the other local bands complaining that this was a tad bit insulting. Listen, it's not that we feel entitled to equal treatment as the national acts, but this was seriously embarrassing. We had fans paying $20 (before smithstix wonderful 8$ surcharge) just to see us play in a parking lot.

Fast forward to our set. We stuck by the local stage the entire time because the main stage had absolutely NOTHING to offer. We were supposed to get 20 minutes--we ended up at about 16 because of being "behind schedule." What schedule? The local stage was done at 3:30pm and the main show went until 9 o'clock. What's the rush? Anyway, despite a lot of negative aspects, we had a WONDERFUL show. Something must have ended at the main stage because during our second song, I kid you not, the people showed up in droves. Literally hundreds of people! It was fantastic. The response was amazing and we even had a lovely woman from City Weekly come over to us after our first song and give us waters. We didn't have any and we were quite worried that one of us would pass out in the heat.

So, yes, the stage was in a poor location with literally zero advertisement and there was not a single friendly staff person on the grounds. But despite all that, we had one of our funnest shows to date--albeit the shortest.