Arts & Entertainment
 

Bash doesn't live up to hype

High prices, pushy people make city take off its smile

By Bridget Brown
The Daily Cougar

Ridiculously expensive alcohol and food and mediocre entertainment -- this is why some music fans are weary of attending huge corporate sponsored events. Unfortunately, downtown's "average Joe" Super Bowl event, Super Bash didn't break the stigma. What was promised was 50 bands and 50 bars; what was delivered was a huge overpriced, five-day flop.

Aside from Wednesday's unexpected free admission, upon entering the roped off area at Texas Avenue and Austin Street, patrons were greeted with ticket tables screaming for a $25 entrance fee.

Once paid, concert-goers moved to the next ticket booth -- this one was for drink and food tickets. A minimum $10 bought a measly eight tickets. Then it was time to take the tickets and belly up to the bar. Watered down Coors came at a five-ticket cost. To have a comfortable, fun time at the festival one needed nearly $50 to spend on food and alcohol alone.

The two indoor and outdoor stages ran bands simultaneously with several last minute line-up changes. The Burden Brothers were scheduled to play at 7:30 p.m. Friday, but ended up going on at 6:30 p.m., leaving fans who showed up just to see the group a little flustered, and wishing they would have spent their money at the Engine Room for the band's encore performance later that night. 

"There was a lot of back and forth, and we felt like puppets," Graham Guest, frontman of Moses Guest said of the band's performances at the event. "But, the stage was well set up, the sound guys were good, and we were pleased with Houston for utilizing downtown for a change."

Guest, who played both Thursday and Friday night said he also saw pushiness in the crowd, and that the prices were astounding. It may have been because of the out-of-towners, but the vibe of the event was lacking in good will. Shoving and obnoxious behavior was a common sight. 

Burden Brothers' fans were disappointed by the rescheduling, but there were a few shining moments. Jerry Cantrell also played Friday, delivering a delightful performance to those wanting to hear the former Alice in Chains guitar player delve back into his repertoire. Of course it seemed everyone there also loved Sammy Hagar. The Reverend Horton Heat livened up a crowd happy to be admitted for free Wednesday.s

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