Review by Mo Ritz
Amaericanarama Festival 2013 rolled into western NY on July 18.
Darien Lake Performimng Arts Center ...leaves a lot to be desired. I had
managed up until last summer to avoid this venue at all costs. But found my
self on the dirt patch of a lawn last summer as my daughter had won tickets
to the Def Lepoard, Posion, Lita Ford show...the bands were okay but the
venue as I mentioned before leaves a lot to be desired . Darien Lakes
reputation of sucking and being Fan unfriendly loomed large in my mind as
I purchased tickets for this show...but I thought I'd give it a shot and try
out seats this time.
My date was called away to the big Apple and so I was left to either go it
alone or invite a guest. That was no easy task, as I asked and disclosed the
location..dread loomed. NOT DARIEN LAKE IT'S THE WORST! Take note
Live Nation, pretty please and boycott this shed and pass it by. So with my
big siister in tow off we went to The Americanarama Festival on the sixth
day of a heat wave. I was insulted in the parking lot by the Darien Lake
Parking attendant employee... Really? Shame on you! The heat was
oppressive, and so we stuck with $4.50 waters and chunks of ice that the
gentleman wrapped in a napkin for us , thanks! On a day like this you would
think maybe bottles of water would have been supplied at no cost as to
prevent any heat stroke..Yada , Yada , Yada.
Our seats seemed okay dead center section 200 brought binoculars. But
then the four people in front decided to stand and didnt seem inclined to
sit so we moved to a VIP box where a nice gentleman with a Live Nation
polo shirt allowed us to remain for the evening. Thank you for your
compassion. Kindness is key. Although uncomfortably hot, the waitress
brought us two waters $10. And two large cups of ice and "free" popcorn
nice and salty perfect on a hot day, but I gather the extra salt is added in
hopes to sell large quantities of $13.50 24oz Beers. But it helped to keep
us hydrated and safe.
So now to the reason we came to this hole...The AmericanaramA Festival!
Whoo ya! Never heard Ryan Bingham before. We enjoyed his performance
especially his fiddle player, who made me think a bit of Steve Wickham, but
not.
Next up was the jam band My Morning Jacket with lead singer Jim James
sporting a towel on his head for some songs and a circus ring leader's jacket
or not. A group of talented musicians and we couldn't understand a word
of what he was singing, unlike the West Palm Beach performance. More
water, more ice should we find shade good luck...not at Darien Lake.
Next up was Wilco. My big sister made me promise to count the guitar
changes in Saratoga! She was completely happy with this band as was I!
Thank you for playing my favorite song! It made the whole trip to the hole
called Darien Lake worth it! And Peace Love and Understanding was a nice
gift.
At dark, came Dylan. I said to big sis, "dylan seems to only come out at
dark these days!" And knowing her soft spot for blood suckers... Of course
she responded: "maybe he is a vampire! Lol! He's a lot of things but I
suspect Vampire is not in the mix. But I would go see him play that part.
I had gifted her tickets to see Dylan at UB last April as she and her husband
have long been fans of the man. I attended my first Dylan show as a
teenager with them. She enjoyed the show and thought he was in good
form and really enjoyed The Duke, as did I . Happy Trails Duke! I explained
to her what little I knew about the guitar player...which wasn't much. I
also told her that this outing is the same old setlist night after night with a
few covers randomly thrown in at "special" locations. Lord knows Darien
Lake is no special location...and so NEW for her and pretty much ditto for
me (from the West Palm Beach Show). Although, I did take note and
enjoyed the new arrangements of High Water For Chuckie P and Blind
Willie. Nice! I wished the little jam had lasted a few more minutes...after
all the sun wasn't coming up to soon. So with no surprises for me, I defer
to my big sister's take on Dylan and his cowboy bands performance. She
relayed to her husband, that Dylan was in good voice, animated, rockin'
and the band sounded good but the guitar player whoever he is seemed
nervous and kept looking at Tony & Stu for clues and back at Bob. You
really didn't hear him much but he seems like he is good. He must be, he
is after all on stage with Bob Dylan and part of his cowboy band. We had
a nice dance to Things Have Changed and I happily admit that I dig this
rendition ! Bob looks good with his hair wild and free! The years have
been kind to Mr. Dylan.
We took our leave sadly at Blowin In The Wind as my big sister had told
of the nightmare experiences and deaths upon the exiting of this hole of
a venue. A 2 hour drive east was ahead of us and we were beat up by
the heat and longed for the comfort of an air conditioned car. Would
have liked to have been able to stay for the song but these roads trips do
not permit and so Blowin in the wind blew us to the car. Overall I enjoyed
the Palm Beach show over this show. Perhaps it was Bill Weir joining in
and that it was my first opening night of the NET, I don't know. This in
no way means that these bands did not perform as well, they were on fire
and I felt too hot. Thankful to have the opportunity to attend a second
AmericanaramA Festival and looking forward to more which I already know
will be better because they aren't going to be at the hole of a venue
which is Darien Lake. Thank you for all the music enjoyed every note of it
despite the oppressive heat and terrible venue.
Happy Trails!
Mo Ritz
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