I hit the Stone Throw down in RVA on Saturday. Despite the 90% prediction of rain, it didn't happen.
I arrived a bit late, so missed almost all of the Futurebirds. I heard the last song as I was approaching the venue, but they were off the stage by the time I reached the stage. I liked what I heard, I'll probably check them out at RNR in November.
Next up was Anitibalas. Before that came on, Stone Founder Greg Koch preached to his "Brothers and Sisters in Craft Beer", and then introduced the mayor, who introduced Antibalas by proclaiming, "Ladies and Gentleman, a very popular band, Antibalas." So good of him to give them such a ringing endorsement. Are they even very popular? Anyway, they were very good, first time seeing them and I enjoyed them. They left us with a message to practice "deep unconditional love."
Next up was No BS Brass Band. Upstart locals. Lots of horns like Antibalas, but a different sound. I didn't really care for them, and it made it worse that they had to follow Antibalas.
Finally DBT played. Not my favorite set ever by them, but they were solid as always. Patterson borrowed a line from Patti Smith, telling us the "Love each other, Motherfuckers." and also urged up to "Vote these assholes out of office."
I have to say, there were a lot of unloveable motherfuckers in the crowd. Does everyone in RVA smoke cigarettes? (A thousand people smoking tobacco and not one smell of weed.) Also, drunk, blobby out of shape 20somethings walking up and standing/dancing a foot from your face, even though it wasn't crowded. People swigging their $5 beers from a plastic cup, then throwing the cup on the ground when a recycling bin is 20 feet away. Sorry motherfucker, you don't get my deep unconditional love.