Merriweather Makes Ready- Howard County Times

Howard County and Hollywood, California have at least one thing in common: When it comes to live music, nobody does it better.

Billboard Magazine, the music industry trade publication named the Hollywood Bowl and Columbia’s Merriweather Post Pavilion as two of the country’s top amphitheaters for 2010.

"We’ve got great reviews,” said Merriweather spokesperson, Audrey Schaefer, “but that doesn’t mean we can’t always improve.”

 So, what upgrades can concert goers expect when they pass through the gates this season? “Well, no matter where you are sitting this year, it’s going to be a better experience,” pledges Schaefer.

 First off, there’s good news for anyone who’s ever sat inside Merriweather’s pavilion on a sticky summer night.

“We are installing these new fans that use what is called whale technology,” Schaefer explains. “A normal fan has blades that are twenty-four inches. These are twenty four feet with a four feet diameter. They are going to be able to move four thousand cubic feet of air. It’s going to be a lot more comfortable, and interestingly enough, getting the humidity out even improves the sound quality.”

Fans who prefer to stretch out on the lawn will notice an improvement as well. The big TV monitors on display there are being replaced with High Definition screens.

“I expect that this will be a really fantastic season,” says Schaefer. “The line-up is shaping up to be really incredible and there are many more shows to be added.”

In the meantime, get out your calendars; it’s time to start planning this year’s concert outings in Columbia.

The Sweetlife Festival kicks off the season May 1 with headliners, The Strokes. Last month, the modern rockers released, “Angles,” their first CD in more than five years. The band’s Merriweather concert is one of only 5 dates they are scheduled to perform in the U.S. this summer.

“The Strokes were our dream band to get,” says Jonathan Neman, one of the organizers of the festival. The event is the creation of Neman and his partners, owners of the D.C. based restaurant group Sweetgreen, known locally for their network of healthy eateries.

 Last year, the inaugural Sweetlife Festival was held in the parking lot of Sweetgreen’s Dupont Circle location, drawing a crowd of approximately 1000 people.

“We always knew we wanted to something much bigger,” says Neman. “We can’t think of a better venue to do this than Merriweather. The place is legendary. I’ve seen some of the best shows of my life there.” In keeping with the company’s vision, concessions will offer organic food, and an on-site farmers market will feature produce and snacks from local growers.

A number of additional multi-band all day concert events are on tap for the 2011 season. Now in its third year, the M3 Rock Festival has been such a hit, that a second day has been added to the hard rock happening.

“It’s the end all and be all if you’re a heavy metal fan,” says Schaefer.

The daylong event, May 14, will feature such headliners as Whitesnake and Tesla. A kick-off concert will be held the night before with Baltimore’s own Kix.

“As a kid, I saw some of my favorite bands play at Merriweather,” says Kix bassist, Mark Schenker. “For me, as a local guy, to walk out on that stage and stand in the same spot as some of my heroes is kind of surreal.”

Self described, “Punk rock summer camp” returns in the guise of the Vans Warped Tour July 26. Now in its 17th year, this perennial summertime favorite is an eclectic mix of musical genres including punk, hip-hop and electronica, along with star athletes from the world of extreme sports. More than 60 bands will perform across 3 stages. Among the noteworthy artists headlining the main stage this year are alternative rockers Less than Jake and Against Me!

If your taste runs more Pinot Grigio than Pabst Blue Ribbon, then The Capital Jazz Fest may be more to your liking. This year’s annual three day contemporary jazz and soul showcase, from June 3-5, boasts a line-up that includes Natalie Cole, David Sanborn, and twelve time Grammy winner, Herbie Hancock.

Although dates and headliners have yet to be announced, organizers have confirmed that the Virgin Mobile FreeFest will return sometime this summer. This relatively new festival is quickly becoming one of the region’s biggest live music events, and as the name implies, it won’t pinch your pocketbook.

“Yes, it will still be free,” says Schaefer.
  
Not every show at Merriweather this season will be an all day event; single concerts this year include a range of acts from all ends of the musical spectrum.

“There is at least one show for everybody,” says Schaefer.

The first female artist in over a decade to score three Number 1 singles from the same album, Katy Perry will please the pop crowd when she brings her “Teenage Dream” tour to Merriweather June 15. Earlier this year, Perry won two People’s Choice Awards, including “Favorite Female Artist.”

Two of the more acclaimed bands in the indie rock world will touch down in Columbia this summer. Folk rock band The Decemberists, will try to top last summer’s much buzzed about Merriweather performance with a return engagement to the venue June 13. The quintet recently earned their first-ever number one album with their sixth release, “The King is Dead.” U.K based band, Mumford and Sons, will perform June 9. The Londoners debut release, “Sigh No More,” earned them the 2010 Brit Award for “Album of the Year.”

The undisputed kings of the Jam band scene; Phish return for a two night stand June 11 and 12. “Phish love Merriweather,” says Schaefer. “The 2011 shows will make it their 7th and 8th times playing here.” The band still holds the record for the fastest sell-out in Merriweather history.

For country music fans, there may be no bigger star at the moment than Miranda Lambert. Earlier this month the songstress won four Academy of Country Music awards, including Top Female Vocalist, plus Record, Song, and Video of the Year for “The House that Built Me.” Lambert brings her Texas twang to Merriweather July 15. Multiple Grammy winners Sugarland, coming May 22, are currently burning up the country music charts with their fourth CD, “The Incredible Machine.”

Between 1972 and 1980, Steely Dan released seven platinum selling albums and helped define the soundtrack of the 70’s. This summer the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers are putting a unique spin on the concert experience by letting fans help determine their set lists by voting online. Hear if your favorite classic rock hit made the cut when Steely Dan performs in Columbia August 2.