SacBee Article

RADIO DAZE - SACRAMENTO STATIONS ARE BATTLING IT OUT WITH THEIR SUMMER MUSIC - FESTIVALS
NewspaperMay 30, 1999 | Sacramento Bee, The (CA)
Author: Chris Macias Bee Pop Music Writer | Page: EN16 | Section: ENCORE
2127 Words | Readability: Lexile: 1080, grade level(s): 8 9
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The Sacramento area may have two strikes against it for the upcoming concert festival season, but there's still no reason to sing the summertime blues. Sure, a prime outdoor venue was lost in the closing of the Cal Expo Amphitheatre, and most of the big music festivals such as Lilith Fair won't be coming to town.

But there will still be plenty of music cutting through the area's summer breezes, much of it courtesy of the area's most popular radio stations. KWOD, 98 Rock, The Zone, The End and FM 102 are all hosting music festivals, featuring multiact lineups and modest ticket prices.

Gary Bongiovanni, editor of Pollstar, a trade magazine that tracks concert grosses and trends, said that radio-sponsored music festivals are becoming increasingly popular with both radio stations and audiences.

"It allows (radio stations) to make a more direct identity brand in the marketplace," he said. "The public seems to like them because they can see lots of acts for a low ticket price."

However, he noted that with the rise in radio-sponsored concerts there's also been an increase in resentment from artists who feel obligated to participate in them.

"Some acts feel coerced into playing them," Bongiovanni said. "The implication is that they get more airplay if they do them and less if they don't."

In addition to the radio festivals, the new 3,500-capacity Two Rivers Grove in Discovery Park is hosting an eclectic group of shows this season, ranging from contemporary jazz to classic rock to women singer-songwriters. And there's no forgetting the free concerts held each Friday evening at Cesar Chavez Plaza.

Here's the lowdown on this summer's radio-sponsored concerts and other pop music festivals in Northern California:

SACRAMENTO RADIO-SPONSORED FESTIVALS June 10

Festival: The Endfest, sponsored by The End (KNDN, 107.9 FM)

Where/when/how much: Hornet Stadium, 5:30 p.m., $19.99, 766-2277 (BASS)

Performers: 98 Degrees, B*Witched, Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Blessid Union of Souls, Shaggy, Tone Loc, Vengaboys.

Outlook: In a meeting of Top 40 stalwarts from today and yesteryear, Jordan Knight and Joey McIntyre (two-fifths of 1980s teen sensation New Kids on the Block) share the lineup with contemporary heartthrobs 98 Degrees. Along with the Euro-pop group Vengaboys, 1980s rap star Tone Loc will also be on hand to cool off the crowd with some "Funky Cold Medina."

June 13

Festival: A Day in the Zone, (KZZO, 100.5 FM)

Where/when/how much: Discovery Park, 11 a.m., $15, 766-2277 (BASS).

Performers: Better Than Ezra, My Friend Steve, Everything, the Flys, Six Pence None the Richer, others.

Outlook: This show tackles the more melodic side of alternative rock. Better Than Ezra, which has scored hits with "It's Good" and "Desperately Wanting," headlines.

June 17

Festival: KWOD 106.5 Really Big Show 3, (KWOD, 106.5 FM)

Where/when/how much: Memorial Auditorium, J and 15th streets, 5 p.m., $27.50, (916) 264-5181 or (916) 766-2277 (BASS).

Performers: Blink 182, Smashmouth, Eve 6, Lit, Marvelous 3, Orgy, Moby.

Outlook: This show samples the alternative music landscape, from smart-aleck rockers Blink 182 and Lit, which scored an alternative radio hit with "My Own Worst Enemy," to techno-godfather Moby. Orgy, which wowed 'em at the Crest Theatre on St. Patrick's Day, is also on hand with its industrial-pop sound.

June 20

Festival: Third annual 98 Rock

Jamboree, (KRXQ, 98.5 FM)

Where/when/how much: Hornet Stadium, CSUS, 2 p.m., $19.99; (916) 766-2277 (BASS).

Performers: Limp Bizkit, Kid Rock, Staind, Oleander, Simon Says, Loudmouth.

Outlook: Though usually a heavy-metal fest, strains of hip-hop will be heard at this year's 98 Rock Jamboree in headliner Limp Bizkit and Kid Rock; the latter mixes pulverizing guitars with DJ scratching and rap vocals. A second stage of local acts will also be featured. Bands to play that stage may be nominated at Skip's Music or through the 98 Rock Website (www.krxq98rock.com).

July 24, 25

Festival: Sacramento Cal Expo Jazz Festival

Where/when/how much: Cal Expo Parking Lot A, noon July 24, 11:30 a.m. July 25. Platinum Circle seating (includes complimentary lawn chair, buffet, up front seating, free program, free parking) $125 each or two for $200 (advance only); V.I.P. Gold Section $60, $70 at gate; general admission weekend pass $50 (advance only); general admission $30, $40 at gate. (916) 766-2277 (BASS) or (916) 428-8203.

Performers: Spyro Gyra, Lee Ritenour, Roger Smith, Joe Sample/Lalah Hathaway, Special EFX/Chieli Minucci, Waymon Tisdale, others.

Outlook: While not in the vein of the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, which emphasizes traditional jazz, the Cal Expo Jazz Festival focuses on more modern, radio-friendly sounds. The lineup is a who's-who of fusion and "smooth jazz" artists.

Aug. 3

Festival: Jammin' 102.5 Presents Nickelodeon's All That Music & More Festival, (KSFM, 102.5 FM)

Where/when/how much: Arco Arena, 6:30 p.m., $36, $29.50, $19.50, (916) 649-8497 (Ticketmaster).

Performers: 98 Degrees, Monica, B*Witched, Tatyana Ali, 3rd Storee, No Authority, Aaron Carter.

Outlook: FM 102.5's annual concerts are usually in a "summer jam" format - with a small army of R&B and hip-hop acts performing just a couple of songs apiece. But this year the station is presenting a more mass-appeal festival organized by Nickelodeon. 98 Degrees and B*Witched make their second appearance in Sacramento during the summer festival circuit, while Monica and Tatyana Ali bring some R&B flavor to this show.

Other Sacramento festivals Thursday through July 8

Festival: Sunset Concerts

Where/when/how much: Two Rivers Grove, Discovery Park, 7:30 p.m., various dates and admissions, (916) 442-3279 or (916) 766-2277 (BASS).

Performers: Doobie Brothers, Eric Burdon & the New Animals (Thursday); Shawn Colvin, Chris Webster (Friday); Pat Benatar (June 16); David Sanborn (June 23); Ottmar Liebert (June 24); Tower of Power (June 25); Dave Koz and Rick Braun (July 8).

Outlook: Two Rivers Grove is a new 3,500-capacity outdoor venue situated in Discovery Park where the Sacramento and American rivers meet. The performers represent a wide variety of musical genres. Parking tip: Exit at the Garden Highway from I-5 (the entrance to Discovery Park is about 100 yards east of the off-ramp).

Fridays, through July 16

Festival: Downtown Concert Series

Where/when/how much: Cesar Chavez Plaza (10th and J streets), every Friday at 5 p.m., free, (916) 442-5200.

Performers: Tattooed Love Dogs, Beatrice Nine, Hullabaloo (Friday); Okra Pickles, Jackpot (June 11); As Yet Untitled, Uncle Harlan's Band (June 18); Beer Dawgs, (June 25); The Brodys, (July 2); Mumbo Gumbo (July 9); Zoppi, Magnolia Thunderfinger, 100 Acre Wood (July 16).

Outlook: More than 6,000 people turned out for the first show of the Downtown Plaza's free Friday-night concert series at Cesar Chavez Plaza. And even when most Sacramentans were watching the Kings battle the Utah Jazz on May 14, 3,000 music lovers came to see the Di Patterson Band host the series' second installment.

Saturday and next Sunday

Festival: Sacramento Heritage Festival

Where/when/how much: Camp Pollock, Northgate Boulevard at Garden Highway, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., $10 per day, (916) 920-1121.

Performers: Groovie Ghoulies, Jackpot, Forever Goldrush, The C.U.F., Uncle Harlan's Band, Strictly Roots, Broun Fellinis, Capitol Jazz Project, Papa Roach, Go National, 100 Acre Wood, Omar Sharriff, Planet Asia, Gene Smith, many others.

Outlook: Modeled after the New Orleans Heritage and Jazz festival, this two-day music fest, now in its sixth year, hosts more than 100 acts on 10 stages. Hard rock, gospel, hip-hop, reggae, jazz and other musical stylings are well represented here. (See Friday's Sacramento Bee Ticket section for a preview.)

July 23-Sept. 24

Festival: 1999 SAMMIES Summer Concert Series

Where/when/how much: Cesar Chavez Plaza (10th and J streets), every Friday at 5 p.m., free, (916) 498-1234, Ext. 3255.

Performers: Conquista Musical (July 23), Natalie Cortez & the Ultraviolets (July 30), Little Charlie and the Nightcats (Aug. 6), Hip Service (Aug. 13), Orisha (Aug. 20), Sex 66 (Aug. 27), Chrome Addicts (Sept. 3), West Coast Rhythm Section (Sept. 10), the Brodys (Sept. 17), Mumbo Gumbo (Sept. 24).

Outlook: The granddaddy of free Friday-night concerts returns in its eighth year with a host of live music, beer garden and food from Sacramento eateries.

Regional June 18-20

Festival: Sierra Nevada World Music Festival

Where/when/how much: Riverfront Park along the Feather River, Marysville, June 18-20. Advance tickets: $65 for three days; Friday, $22.50; Saturday, $30; Sunday, $25. At gate: $75 for three days; Friday, $25; Saturday, $35; Sunday, $30. $25 per car, $35 per motorhome for camping, (415) 472-5550.

Performers: Friday: Lee "Scratch" Perry with the Mad Professor, Mix Master Mike, the Ark Band. Saturday: Sly & Robbie with Michael Rose, Israel Vibration, Andrew Tosh, Morgan Heritage, Alton Ellis, others. Sunday: Afro Cuban All Stars, Pato Banton, Horace Andy, others.

Outlook: One organizer of this event made four trips to Jamaica for the sole purpose of convincing reggae legends Sly & Robbie to play this festival. It worked, and the ace rhythm section of drummer Sly Dunbar and bassist Robbie Shakespeare are making their first U.S. appearance in nearly 10 years. Perry, one of Jamaica's all-time great producers and dub artists, will also make a rare U.S. appearance.

July 1-4

Festival: High Sierra Music Festival

Where/when/how much: Bear Valley at State Highway 4. Advance tickets: Four-day pass (Thursday-Sunday) $110; three-day pass (Friday-Sunday) $100; two-day pass (Saturday-Sunday) $75. At the gate: Four-day pass (Thursday-Sunday) $130; three-day pass (Friday-Sunday) $110; two-day pass (Saturday-Sunday) $80. Kids (ages 6-12): four-day pass, $40; three-day pass, $30. Age 5 and under free; (510) 420-1529 or (916) 766-2277 (BASS).

Performers: Widespread Panic, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, String Cheese Incident, the Dirty Dozen, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, others.

Outlook: The ninth annual festival has a weekend of music, art and activities for children, with the venue at 7,000 feet above sea level. Workshops are held throughout the event.

July 4

Festival: The Vans Warped Tour '99

Where/when/how much: Boreal Ski Area, Lake Tahoe, noon, $21.50, (916) 766-2277 (BASS).

Performers: Pennywise, Blink 182, Cypress Hill, Black Eyed Peas, Ice-T, 7 Seconds, Less Than Jake, Vandals.

Outlook: With swarming mosh pits and skateboarders trying to pull 720-degree aerials on ramps, this annual meeting of extreme sports and extreme music is among the gnarliest tours of the summer.

San Francisco Bay Area Saturday

Festival: Guinness Fleadh

Where/when/how much: Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, 11 a.m., $45, (916) 649-8497 (Ticketmaster).

Performers: Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, Hootie & the Blowfish, Lucinda Williams, John Lee Hooker, the Cardigans, Richard Thompson and many others.

Outlook: If you're rusty with your Gaelic, "fleadh" (pronounced "flah") is a word for "festival." Tens of thousands of music lovers are expected to descend on San Francisco's Golden Gate Park for the third annual concert.

July 2

Festival: This Is Not a Festival!

Where/when/how much: Greek Theatre, Berkeley, 4 p.m., $25, (916) 766-2277 (BASS).

Performers: Sonic Youth, Sleater-Kinney, Guided by Voices, Superchunk, Rocket From the Crypt, Scarnella, Bratmobile, D.J. Todd-O-Phonic Todd.

Outlook: Who said indie-rock was dead? Headlined by art-punk band Sonic Youth, this show features some of the day's best independent rock bands, such as the critically lauded Sleater-Kinney and Guided by Voices. Expect to see many Hello Kitty lunch boxes doubling as purses in the crowd.

July 13-14

Festival: Lilith Fair

Where/when/how much: Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, 5:30 p.m., $59-$76 reserved, $31.50 general admission, (916) 766-2277 (BASS).

Performers: Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, the Pretenders, Luscious Jackson, Mya, Beth Orton, others.

Outlook: Launched in 1997 by singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan, this is rumored to be the final year for the all-female festival. R&B starlet Mya will keep fans grooving, while Beth Orton will help bring them down again with her mopey, electronica-influenced folk music.

Aug. 13

Festival: Watcha Tour

Where/when/how much: Pier 30/32, San Francisco; price to be announced.

Performers: Cypress Hill, Molotov, Royal Crown Revue, Maldita Vecindad, Control Machete, others.

Outlook: The Ricky Martin craze isn't the only Latin phenomenon in pop music these days. Rock en Espanol groups such as Molotov and Maldita Vecindad are winning over audiences from both sides of the border with their fusion of Latin music with hard rock, ska and hip-hop. The Watcha Tour will showcase some of the best Latin-tinged acts around.

CHRIS MACIAS is The Bee's pop music writer. Write to him at The Bee, P.O. Box 15779, Sacramento, CA 95852, send e-mail to cmacias@sacbee.com or call (916) 321-1253.

Caption:
98 Degrees will visit Sacramento twice this season, performing June 10 at The Endfest (sponsored by 107.9 FM) at Hornet Stadium, and again on Aug. 3 at Jammin' 102.5's Nickelodeon's All That Music & More Festival at Arco Arena.

Kid Rock brings some hip-hop some hip-hop to the usually metallic Third Annual 98 Rock Jamboree at Hornet Stadium on June 20.

Monica brings some R&B flavor to Nickeldeon's All That Music & More Festival at Arco on Aug. 3

Blink 182 headlines the June 17 KWOD 106.5 Really Big Show 3 at Memorial Auditorium.

Better Than Ezra headlines A Day in the Zone at Discovery Park on June 13.

Sarah McLachlan brings her all-female Lilith Fair to the Shoreline Amphitheatre on July 13-14.

Reggae legends Sly & Robbie will make a rare U.S. appearance when they perform June 19 at the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in Marysville.