by Harold
We went to Raleigh for the first time for a special cause — to see a free Better Than Ezra concert. The first time I saw BTE (can I write that? I guess so), it was as part of Bill Clinton’s first inauguration celebration, and they played an in indoor tent on the National Mall. And oh yeah, I was 12 so I went with my dad.
I don’t think the set list has changed that much — Good, Desperately Wanting, King of New Orleans were still the crowd favorites. But two of the original members are still there (left and center in the picture) and they were as good as I remembered.
The event itself is great. First of all, it’s free, and it actually lasts about 10 hours (BTE was the last of eight bands). Second, while I wouldn’t go as far as the website and say it draws “some of the world’s top recording artists”, each event was headlined by bands that everyone would recognize (this year was Joan Jett, Filter, Candlebox, Charlie Daniels Band and Tonic).
Third, and I hope future organizers copy this idea, there was a stage on the opposite end of the park for up-and-comers or local artists to play while the main stage wasn’t in use. So there was always live music somewhere in the park. For us, that meant listening to “The Balance”, a local band who dedicated one song to a fallen comrade — and, of course, Michael Jackson.
Parking was easy (we went to the Children’s Museum lot for $1/hour) and there were some good eating options across the street (see a newer post). It was unfortunate that the BTE concert was the last one of the summer, but I definitely look forward to coming back next year.
Laura
Harold
