Postby sloopjohnc » 06 Aug 2010, 19:29
Dave/Hatz is more adventurous than I am at HSB these days. Friday is easy because there is really only one stage.
For Saturday and/or Sunday, my gameplan the last couple years is get there when it starts or close to, pick a favorite stage and stay there. Last year, it was the morning after my buddy Kevin's and my 30th HS reunion so we were in no shape to hike around.
Whether it's Dave or Kevin, we've each taken walks to see other stages while the other stays put. I think the days of Dave and I leaving our lawn chairs while we scouted out other stages is gone. As crowded as it can get around 3 or 4 in the afternoon, it is spread out pretty well and bathrooms (when I decide to use them instead of a eucalyptus tree or bush) and food is pretty damn accessible.
Except for Friday night, it would be my preference to stay away from the big Star Stage, which is murder to try and get a good view of the performers. There are so many good acts and stages, I'll opt for the better vantage point over an artist or a band that I might like better.
This is to Les: The music is great and it is a cool festival with a good vibe, however, I said last year would be my last because it was so crowded. But HSB is kinda like parenting----it's good to have a short memory and by the time the next one rolls around, I've forgotten the hassles from the one before. The hassles are more of my own making though, getting older and not wanting to put up with as much bullshit as I did when I was younger.
The music pretty much makes up for the hassle---last year we saw bluegrassers Kieran Kane and Kevin Welch, Billy Bragg, Robin Hitchcock, Mavis Staples, and Mike Farris (who was great) at one stage. We could've stayed and seen the Knitters next, but I was fried from the night before. That's a pretty great cast of characters for one five hour span though.
Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk!