Riverbland Anticipation

[CMF Newsman]

It’s that time of year again. I can feel it creeping in like a guilty teenager after curfew. The only difference being—I can’t figure out how to ground this mischievous troublemaker, and it never seems to learn from its mistakes.

You have probably guessed that the name of the arrogant little monster I describe is Riverbend. Excuse me, as I dramatically sigh, in all of my excitement. This festival annually ruins the lives of those who are downtown natives and under the age of 50. Well, that might be an abrasive statement. Allow me to amend. It just ruins the lives of downtown natives, regardless of age.

I say this because it consists of ridiculous traffic at typically peaceful hours as our little city is bombarded with tank tops, flip flops, and plastic beer bottles. In my experience, it does nothing for the local music scene except pull people away from the already struggling venues trying to support it, as it is nearly impossible to book a band and have a reliable turn out.

chattanoogapulse.com/music/music-feature/riverbland-anticipation/

[joedog]

Do monsters come out after dark? Are there zombies we need to know about?

No, the City proved that WON'T happen back in early April.


Or did they........
BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Bryan Stone]

this is a good article

[LimitedRecourse]

With a little bit of tweaking, Riverbend could be a GREAT festival...one example: have a stage RESERVED for LOCAL artists to play all day & night during each day of the venue.

[Tsavodiner]

"Is the SWAT team REALLY necessary to end the Bessie Smith Strut?"

Ask Tory Hardy next time you see him....

[daworm]

With a little bit of tweaking, Riverbend could be a GREAT festival...one example: have a stage RESERVED for LOCAL artists to play all day & night during each day of the venue.

Because so many people are crowding to see them already...

Hey, don't get me wrong, I used to be one of the local musicians (never quit my day job, though). But if people won't go see local music the rest of the year, why would the festival waste a stage on it? And who would come to see most of the local acts? The idea is to get people to come and spend as much as possible. A lot of the "music scene" wouldn't be caught dead there in the first place, and wouldn't spend money there even if they did show up, at least if the current scene is anything like it was in the early 90's (I don't get out much anymore, so maybe it has changed). Riverbend doesn't make money on pin sales. Riverbend makes money on the cut they take from the vendors. The talent they sign has as much to do with who'll attract a crowd that buys more funnel cake and beer as it does with who is a better band. Local bands aren't that kind of draw.

[Deleted]

With all the moaning and complaining I hear and read about Riverbend, I keep in mind that there are so many people who do get so much pleasure out of the event as indicated by the crowds that show up.

Different strokes for different folks, eh?

[vanstheman]

As Yogi said ....."too crowded,nobody goes there anymore".

[LimitedRecourse]

A stage that featured local talent would help defeat two of your arguments, in that more people would actually see the local bands (70,000 - 100,000 possible per day/night) and that would get more people to look for what they heard after Riverbend was over. The second point is that many of those who wouldn't be caught dead at the venue because they hate the music choices WOULD decide to go (and spend some drinking money) if one of their local favorites were there. I believe you are assuming defeat before realizing the potential gain for everyone...Riverbend, the public and the local artists. Think of the publicity some of the local bands would get when the Riverbend Experience DVD is shipped nation wide.

[daworm]

A stage that featured local talent would help defeat two of your arguments, in that more people would actually see the local bands (70,000 - 100,000 possible per day/night) and that would get more people to look for what they heard after Riverbend was over.

I think you are being overly optimistic. Most of that 70/100K walk right on by the side stages to sit in front of the barge. The best you could hope for is that the local groups would be on the stage across from the main stage and people might hear them while waiting for the main act. Ask Gary how much that helped out Moccasin Bend.

I (used to) like local music, and I like some acts at Riverbend, but to me, it seems that they are two entirely different crowds that wouldn't mix very well at all.

[Walker, Texas Ranger]

Ask Gary how much that helped out Moccasin Bend.

We played on the old Bud Stage down near the Olgiati Bridge. Even so, we had one of the largest crowds that week, especially for a 6:00pm show.

If the band had been anything more than a "one-shot" grouping, I would have been able to book a good number of gigs afterwards, based solely on the exposure we received at Riverbend.

[davrik]

I would like to add that many of the local bands love playing Riverbend. They view it as good resume fodder, a chance to perform to a large crowd with professionally prepared sound equipment, and a wonderful opportunity.

I think Riverbend may use the old adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Because of the overall success of Riverbend, it is hard to argue with that philosophy.

[Bryan Stone]

there is not a big local music following in this bland town,.... I don't think adding more or taking it away would effect the festival in anyway

and on an average night there isn't 70k - 100k people @ the festival,... that's absolutely nonsense.

go hang out on 700 acres w/ 80,000 people and then try and tell me there's roughly that many on any given night @ Riverbend

STOP MAKING THINGS UP RIVERBEND!!!!!!!!!!!! Your festival has some very nice highlights here and there but overall IT SUCKS!!!!!!!!!

your "Chip Baker self-promotion VIP party" is a joke. Throw me some spiffs or a couple of nice UNUM's stage shows and I'm there,... other than that,...

forget it.

[LimitedRecourse]

"I think you are being overly optimistic."

Maybe...but I think that working together is better than being antagonistic.

[daworm]

Sorry, wasn't meaning to appear antagonistic.

[LimitedRecourse]

No offense taken, sir.