Heedfest 11 - Dayton, OH
Heedfest is technically from Thursday night to Sunday afternoon. My group was only there for Friday night and all day Saturday. We drove from Columbia, MD area to Dayton. It's a long drive but pretty easy-prob 8 hours plus rest/recharging time.
My observations (not in any specific order of importance):
1. First thing to notice is GBV band members including Bob are at every gathering (at least Friday through Sunday). They are easily approachable and will talk to you if you choose to initiate. I only talked to Bobby Bare, Jr. for a few minutes, although if I was an outgoing person, there was plenty of opportunity to talk with Bob and get a picture with him. Mark Shue seems like a genuinely fun, enthusiastic and nice guy.
2. Whole vibe is like a family reunion, where you don't really know anybody but most have a least 1 thing in common - an unreasonable fondness for GBV.
3. I sort of felt like an imposter as I was most likely the least fanatical and knowledgeable person there about all things Bob. That being said most people there seemed to have a deep musical knowledge and appreciation for good music. Everyone was really nice, welcoming and sharing. People wearing artists tee shirts were a good starting point for striking up conversation. Spoke with guy with Tommy Keene teeshirt who was at same show from the 80's where Tommy opened for The Replacements. Ends up he was friends with Tommy. Spoke with people who dug the Feelies, The Call, The Kinks, and other fans of cool groups.
4. The crowd was about 250 people. Mix of Dayton people who had direct connection to Bob and the band; members and friends of the tribute bands, and people traveling to Dayton (couple of people from Australia made the trip).
5. Main day was held at Polish grounds which was probably built in the 50's and hasn't changed since. It is held outdoors with various places providing cover which is good cause it rained most of day.
6. Plenty of beer (not just miller lite), alcohol. Weed and weed edible products were available if you sought them out, although the brownies ended up being a little too much for some Heedfesters apparently.
7. Bob and band did not play at all.
8. Whether the cover bands were very good, good, mediocre or just bad didn't matter. The bands had fun, the crowd loved them and sang almost every song played.
9. Plenty of food provided which was pretty good and helped soak up consumed beers.
10. Dayton sucks and is a depressing place. We stayed at hotel that was blocked for the festival. Nothing happening in Dayton, no one around and not much to do. Seems like a very depressed midwest city. Hotel was the Renaissance and it was run down and old.
11. Some people made buttons, key chains and other swag that they handed out to people.
12. Some GBV fans are just annoying and a little too over the top in their need to show their fandom. This is probably their best opportunity to shine, and they realize it. Luckily not that many people fell into this category.
13. Plenty of really cool door prizes were given out (I struck out).
14. Friday night at the Yellow Cab Tavern they played La La Land- new album coming out in January which sounded great. Also played a new non-album singles compilation album coming out in the next few weeks -Scalping The Guru.
15. They did have a merch table set up with tee shirts and other items, which I heard they haven't done in the past. That was a nice bonus.
16. Will I go again?...ask me in 6 months. If it was closer, I would probably go again.
