see every band on my "must see" list at City Stages

Man, I am so freakin’ exhausted. My feet hurt. I’ve got a little sunburn going on. I am more opposed to this Monday than any other Monday in recent memory.

But damn, I did it up right. I saw everyone on my list – and then some. I hung out with friends a little. I spent some good time with my boyfriend. I sang, I danced, I managed to avoid getting vomited on (poor chick during the Wailers set wasn’t so lucky).

This was a definite success.

Tonight:

The Wailers at 6:30
Michael Franti and Spearhead at 8
(maybe just a little of) Shooter Jennings at 8:30
and then…
The Flaming Lips at 9:45

Tonight:

Blind Melon at 5:40
and then
North Mississippi Allstars Hill Country Revue at 7:10
and then
Al Green at 8:15
or
Buddy Guy at 8:40
and then
Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals at 10:25

Galactic with Chali 2na from Jurassic Five at 7:45
Citizen Cope at 9:15
Old Crow Medicine Show at 10
The Roots at 10:45

The boyfriend is working late, so J and E (from work) are going with me. Free tickets, good music, good people and free BEER passes…I am going to have a damn good time.

I’ve been going to City Stages pretty much every year since I was about 14. I’ve seen some EXCELLENT shows (BOB DYLAN, Outkast, the Roots, Snoop Dogg, James Brown, The Black Crowes, George Clinton, the Violent Femmes…), but I’ve also managed to miss at least one act each year that I really, really wanted to see (Johnny Cash, Arlo Guthrie, Peter Frampton, the Killers, Ryan Adams…).

How does that happen every year? Well, to tell you the truth, for the past 5 years, I’d probably get too drunk in the afternoon and have to go home and pass out before sunset. Not this year. No way. The local radio station owner just gave me free weekend passes, and really, wouldn’t it be rude to not take full advantage of that?

So this year, I’ve got a schedule and a willing accomplice/boyfriend and more money for bottled water than you could shake a stick at.

And the plan is to see…

On Friday:
Galactic (with Chali 2na from Jurassic Five!)
Citizen Cope
Old Crow Medicine Show
The Roots

On Saturday:
North Mississippi Allstars Hill Country Revue
Buddy Guy
Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals

On Sunday:
The Wailers
Michael Franti and Spearhead
The Flaming Lips

And yeah, there will be about 90 other bands playing during the weekend and I’m pretty easily distracted (another reason I’ve missed good shows), so the problem is going to be keeping my ass on track so I don’t end up watching the freak show that is Diana Ross when I should be singing along to Wagon Wheel.

I am going to attack this festival like a ninja on meth. Bet on it.