 |
| Sure Fire Soul Ensemble |
Friday, December 4, 2009:
Saturday, December 5, 2009:
Sunday, December 6, 2009:
And then that was it. 3 bands. That is all I got to see. In my list of things that can be done better next year, I'd like to see the music staggered. There's no reason why Scarlet Symphony (at Ruby Room), Transfer (at U-31), The Silent Comedy (at Ken Club), and Unclie Joe's Big Ol Driver (at Beauty Bar) should all "headline" at or around the same time. I'd like to maybe see some matinee shows at the busier bars (like U-31 and Bar Pink) and then let those places have their standard busy Saturdays and encourage the true music fans to branch out to the other venues around town. I think I'd like to see a little more random bills, too, instead of all similar bands playing the same bars, though I understand this had to do with the sponsors, too. There were great bands at every bar and prioritizing, at least for me, came down to shortest lines, convenience of working my way back towards home, and cheapest drinks.
After Silent Comedy played, a few friends dropped by and we ended up staying up way too late, which was really fun at the time, but made me miss the band management panel that I really wanted to see, and regrettably, I missed Avi Buffalo, the one band I said NOT to miss. I rode my bike the 2.6 miles and arrived in time to catch the Social Media panel, a bit of the songwriting panel, then have lunch at Luigi's while listening to The Blackheart Procession, before heading to the mainstage to meet with Presidents of the United States of America to do their merch.
I should also note that the street fair seemed very lightly attended. For one, people could line the sidewalks of El Cajon Blvd and listen from outside the fence, but I imagine a lot of people were recovering from a big Saturday as well as the fact that the free Cityfest was going on in Hillcrest all day long. Hopefully that can be adjusted next year. I had fun selling merch and there were a lot of PUSA fans who came out specifically to see the band. I had my shining moment when the band announced that I was their merch girl and asked me to lean out of the tent. They couldn't see me and turned it into an impromptu song as they had the entire crowd wave at me. I'm waiting on the video for that, but hope to have it in a couple days.
After they wrapped up, the sun was dropping quickly and I still had a bike ride home to think about, so I didn't hang around. Since I recently got this bike from my sister, I haven't been able to get a proper headlight or tail light, have no helmet, and the brakes need work, so I cautiously rode home on sidewalks on Meade.
I thought I was done with the weekend, took a nice long shower, and settled in to True Blood, until Jake inquired about the closing party at Casbah. How could I say no? So we caught Apes of Wrath and The Growlers and caught up with all the good people who came out before finally drawing the weekend to a close.
All in all, it was a great weekend. I hope attendance continues to rise, but I have that hope in general for the San Diego music scene all year round, anyway. We have so much talent in this city and there's no reason why San Diego shouldn't be on the map as a music destination.
