THE JUXTAPOSING IMAGE OF CAMARADERIE – VAGOOSE 2005

With an affinity to resurrect the fabled festivals of  yesteryear, Superfly Productions, Big Hassle media and a coterie of sponsors, producers and others in search of the lost ambience of Monterey, Woodstock and Watkins Glen have apparently found the correct equation for this mystical, musical formula.
The Protean bands of October 30th in Las Vegas were reminiscent of the glory from legendary haunts years ago where eclectic bands would unite and the collective support of the fans would equate to the galvanized, i.e., polished efforts much like that of Big Hassle Media and Superfly Productions at both Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee and this embryonic venture in Las Vegas.  The spirit is alive and well, it just took awhile for others to recognize how best to capture the moment(s).

Events of this magnitude are always an example of Music Academia and the arduous efforts to bring musical acts of both past and present have exceeded all expectations in both demographic areas.  The temerity and dedication of a staff (led by Ken Weinstein & promoter Ashley Capps) is a prime example of overcoming the angst and harangues of the cynics of mass migration as opposed by the pundits who know the value of such historic happenings that occur during the nomadic existence across the highways of America while they are in search of personal identity.   These events, if now proposed on a regimented, i.e., annual basis are two distinct entities that are a cross section of talent that extends from iconic bands of The Counter Culture & Psychedelia (Phil & Friends) to the chanteuse allure of The Sleater-Kinney Band.

A myriad of talent seems to be pivotal in trying to express the value of universal acceptance to the malleable generations that frequent an event of great impact. 
In an era of corporate saturation and efforts to expand monopolized control, the musicians and fans suffer equally from corporate “rock”’ with vocal banality and the anomalies of less talented bands and musicians.

Bonnaroo & Vegoose are the lurid signs of awareness that all is not lost among the faithful who see these events as a method of commonality, a surfeit that grows on a consistent basis.  From the bright, sunny mornings of Vegas to the always torrential rainfall of Manchester, these are the efforts that instill belief in organized events after nearly three plus decades of ruination.  After leaving Vegas on an early flight and thinking of the fine line that separates these North American festivals, the words from Field of Dreams seems to be flashing through the recesses of my mind, “If you build it, we will come”.

(As a footnote to this two day extravaganza, Warren Haynes was living proof that he is truly the best guitar player on the planet, Phil Lesh verifies why he is the proverbial “time capsule”, and his friends are an ever expanding group of talent that shows little signs of an eminent demise.  Dave Mathews and Trey Anastasio were equally accepted by the 40,000 fans and the anticipation of the mirrored image in Manchester was now the conversation of the day.  Kudos and plaudits to the staff, the bands and the fans…The music is alive and well, it just took someone with a little vision to restore the credibility that began long ago amidst the backdrop of Golden Gate Park and Haight Ashbury.)



Cheers

Don Aters – Haight Street Music News - 2005