Big Music Fest is not without its big promises – and it delivers.
The sky stayed clear, and the muggy hot air ushered in droves of fans to the festival at McLennan Park; a simple-walk-up-the-path from the intersection of Ottawa and Strasburg. (Tip – this is where Gate 1 General Admission is. Read the full list of what you can take in. And take out money BEFORE you go into the Festival. ATM’s are located just beside the Lost and Found tent in front of Gate 1 GA.)
The midway carnival was still in full effect; food and merch vendors lined the walkways and splash pad leading towards the stage area. The skate park is fenced off.
There is only one mood that can categorize the festival – a very, very good mood.
The beer gardens (both VIP and Public) were overflowing as the crowds in the pits surged back and forth to the sounds of Moist, Collective Soul, Bryan Adams Styx and more. A collective dance party ensued with familiar hits like “The World I Know” (Collective Soul) and “Criminal Mind” (Styx). I’ve got to hand it to the latter – I’m not sure if I’ve ever heard that many thousands of people join in on “Bohemian Rhapsody”, but I also wasn’t around for the Queen days of yore.
All in all, Big Music Fest accomplished what it set out to do – it’s an amazing weekend of high caliber talent, firmly planted into Kitchener. The changeover set times between artists was short and sweet. The food from the vendors is not dissimilar from any other festival you’ve attended; long sticks of chips, massive French fry rings and I think I saw someone walking around with a plate of macaroni with pulled pork. Prices seemed at par for what you’d get at any festival.
Kitchener was represented well – KOI’s tent was busy showcasing the September festival, among others. Let’s not forget that people with tickets from out of town are now staying in our hotels, eating at our restaurants, maybe even taking in a pint at one of our local pubs after the show. You really can’t undermine what Big Music Fest has done for our local economy.
And really – it was just an awesome coming-together of music lovers.
Tonight it’s Aerosmith and Slash (and Kim Mitchell. And Big Wreck. And more).
“When you’re at a concert, everyone speaks the same language.”
More tomorrow, music fans!
