This past Saturday was anything but a regular day at the races as about 50,000 music fans stormed the gates at Suffolk Downs, eager to experience the sights and sounds of MixFest 2000. MixFest is an annual concert organized by Mix 98.5 FM, a Boston radio station that plays contemporary rock and pop music.
Last year, the concert was a two-day event, featuring a free show at Government Center and a relatively inexpensive one at Foxboro Stadium. This year, however, the entire show was moved to Suffolk Downs Racetrack. Though ticket prices rose from $15 to $35, the show's stellar lineup easily compensated for its price.
Two gargantuan stages were constructed side-by-side at the north end of the track, allowing one band's equipment to be set up as another played. A few one-hit wonders took the stage before noon to play 20-minute sets for early arrivals. Among them were Lisa Loeb, the Corrs, and Fastball. Also featured were Swedish pop superstars Roxette.Transportation was rather challenging, though, as the majority of attendees came via the MBTA Blue Line. Its four-car trains proved grossly inadequate for so many people.
As the sun poked through the clouds, the track continued to fill to the sounds of Tufts' own Guster, whose now-famous combination of acoustic guitar melodies and inventive percussion summoned the crowd to their feet. Dancers and revelers trampled the beach blankets that had been set up by many of the radio station's older listeners, much to their chagrin. Next up was '80s chick-rock band the Go-Gos, who put on an entertaining - if barely memorable - set.
The jumbo jets landing at Logan provided an interesting diversion between sets, and so did the concession stands, which advertised BEEF, PIZZA, and FRIED DOUGH in enormous letters. Not only did MixFest have the look of Woodstock, but it also featured authentic Woodstock prices. A slice of pizza would set one back four bucks. A comedy troupe staged a show at the opposite end of the track, and money-hungry college marketing reps - prevalent in this neck of the woods - passed out free samples of their products from the shade of tents.
When Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals took the stage, the show truly began. The group played through a set of its radio-friendly blues-rock. Harper's gritty vocals and incredible talent on both the guitar and the lap steel shone brightly, especially on the group's cover of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love." Bassist Juan Nelson showed off his skill with the hit "Steal My Kisses," which closed the set.
Clad in leather pants with a Stratocaster strung around his neck, Matt Scannell of Vertical Horizon may have been the best-dressed rock star of the event. His band, which released four full-length CDs prior to finding its niche in American pop culture, proved it had every right to be there. Fans seemed to agree, and many had brought signs along that they waved frantically during the band's 45-minute set. Included were the hits "You're A God" and "Everything You Want," as well as underground favorite "We Are." The band's tightness brought these otherwise-ordinary rock songs to life, and inspired the growing crowd.
Gritty-voiced R&B-funk songstress Macy Gray was up next. Backed by a 12-piece band, Gray got the crowd moving fast with her hip-hop stylings, and proved that hip-hop can exist in a live environment. During "Sex-O-Matic Venus Freak," she incited the crowd to chant "the dick!," over and over again, in celebration of "the most beautiful and creative instrument there is." Though she was met with some trepidation at first, the crowd gradually obliged, and was moving in sync with the music when the first bars of the famous, famous single "I Try" closed out the set.
Neo-garage rockers Smash Mouth then lit up the stage with such hits as "Can't Get Enough Of You Baby," "All Star," and "Walkin' On The Sun," but the crowd refused to get into the bands more obscure punk numbers. Singer Steve Harwell wore a Celtics Jersey and rambled on about being stoned, and drummer Kevin Coleman played an impressive solo. Though a quartet, Smash Mouth performed with a percussionist and keyboard player. They did play well, but the crowd seemed to be mellowing out for the next performer, former Tufts student Tracy Chapman.
Her black locks tumbling in the wind, Chapman walked onstage wearing a sleek leather jacket and sunglasses. She immediately launched into a set that spanned her entire career, from delicate acoustic folk ballads to rollicking blues-rock. Though her backing band held the set together, nothing compared to Chapman's soulful voice. Thousands in the crowd attempted to sing along with each song. Her loyal fans may have known the words, but they still could not match Chapman's emotional intensity. As was expected, Chapman closed with "Give Me One Reason," and certainly did not leave the crowd disappointed.
It was somewhat difficult to tell whether the next act was the Goo Goo Dolls or Johnny Rzeznik's ego. With his Bon- Jovi-style hair, look-at-me stage directions, and silver pants, the band's singer-songwriter tried just about everything he cold to draw attention to himself, even during songs like "Full Forever" and "January Friend," which are sung by bassist Robbie Takac. He accepted lit cigarettes from roadies and pranced around in circles while bad-mouthing Christina Aguilera (which seems to be a new rock trend). And he let the crowd know that he's rich enough to pay someone else to play guitar for him, even though he attempted to smash two. All in all, however, the Goo Goo Dolls' set was fantastic. The group played every one of its hits, even though Johnny pointed how "f-ckin' sick of them" he is. With adequate lighting and an hour's worth of great songs, the Goo Goo Dolls played an awesome show, even though they succumbed to every rock clich?©.
The Barenaked Ladies, however, stole the spotlight. Yes, they played "One Week" and "It's All Been Done." Even "Brian Wilson." But their amazing stage personality is what took the crowd by storm. They turned the BEEF, PIZZA, and FRIED DOUGH signs into an improvisational rap. They played a note-for-note rendition of "Say My Name" by Destiny's Child. They also sang a medley of songs by bands that had previously played, and threw in their own favorite, Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On." Then they offered $1200 to anyone who would take their pants off, and one man actually did (no word on whether he was actually paid). The entire band line-danced for the crowd, and lead singers Steve Page and Ed Robertson even made out. They were the only group permitted to have an encore, and they certainly earned that.
Once the show wrapped up around 9:15 p.m., the crowds stormed the Porta-Potties and formed a line at the nearby T Stop that easily rivaled those at Disney World on a sunny day in July. The hassle - and the $35 - were worth it, though. Hopefully, MixFest will continue to be an outdoor music festival Bostonians can look forward to year after year.
