KEXP Barbecue in Brief

The music was awesome, but the lack of foresight made me rather angry:

1. This was an ALL DAY event, and they wouldn't allow reentry? I got there at 4:00, parked in a 1 hour zone, and figured I'd pop out to move my car at 5:00. I weighed my options at the gate and figured I would gamble and just not move my car. Luckily, no ticket. But the no reentry thing really would have chapped my hide had I arrived earlier and/or gotten a ticket because of it.

2. The food situation was ridiculous. It is called a BBQ. Umm, you have 6 bands but only 1 vendor at a BBQ? Why even call it a barbecue then? I jumped in line while the band before Vela was still playing and still ended up missing most of the Vela set, including John's crowdsurfing stunt. So much for being able to check out this Vela band that everyone keeps raving about. I know the BBQ has been growing in size, but when I hear KEXP's own Don Slack standing in line complaining that they had the same problem last year that tells me they haven't learned their lesson.

3. Only 2 tables and 6 chairs in the eating area? Luckily the rain had held off and I could sit on the grass to eat. However, if it had poured and turned everything to mud I would have much preferred wiping off a chair.

4. Outhouse lines did indeed look crappy. Luckily I didn't have to wait in one of those.

Basically, as one of KEXP's $500 members, I didn't feel all that respected. This was all stuff I'd except at some corporate show, but not from a station that is usually all about the listener.

PELA threw down the Seattle performance of the year - hands down.

Not enough porta potties (lines were 7-10 deep).

No handwash stations.

No onsite water fountains.

Beer was fairly cheap $4.

Lines for food were over an hour long.

Those beach balls with corporate logos? Those were like one giant analog pop-up ad.

Let's hear it for the freeloaders! KEXP doesn't need to pay John and the lame staff (save for Kevin Cole), anymore cash!!!