09/10/2011 Virgin Mobile Free Fest @ Merriweather Post Pavilion

The day started beautifully with sunshine and just a few clouds. If you've ever been to the south entrance of the Merriweather, then you know being in line before the bridge is doing pretty good. By the time of my arrival (around 10:30am) the line wound well up the hill to the parking lot and divided in two. One line extended towards the lot for the Free Ticket holders and the other for the Fan-E Pack Tickets (pronounced fanny-pack). Free is awesome but if you can swing it the Fan-E Pack gets you a t-shirt, a poster, a cup and a few other goodies all tucked in a florescent green bag. Much to the dismay of the "free" crowd, it also gets you early entry ... or at least entry before the "free" crowd.

09/07/2011 Ghostland Observatory @ The Jefferson Theater

Ghostland Observatory SET LIST

The evening started with a dismal showing of 15 – 20 people meandering around the bar in the back of the venue. A few clung to the center stage claiming an early spot on the edge of excitement with their neon bracelets and batons cracked for optimum glow. DJ Devine tinkered with his gear above them until 9:15pm at which point he unleashed the sounds of Hendrix, Daft Punk, and The Killers to name a few. The floor crowd of about 25 warmed and dancing ensued. DJ Devine mixed and dropped beats that kept the antsy feet moving but his flow from one song to the next often lost the rhythm necessary to keep the crowd in motion. The mic distorted his attempts at conversation with the crowd and his questions about readiness and having fun were answered with a few uncollected woohoos. DJ Devine ended his 30 minute set with a few friends on stage and a thorough enjoyment of his own tunes.

By now the crowd covered the majority of the floor with plenty of room left to dance. The lights dimmed and Thomas Turner took the stage with the flag of his home state of Texas flowing behind him and encapsulated himself with the buttons, switches and wires sure shake some booties. Aaron Behrens stood with his back to the crowd while a low hum of music wafted over them. And … go!