the mommy avenger

The last time we visited Musikfest was to see Weezer in 2019. Our experience this evening differed drastically right from the beginning.

First, Musikfest largely resolved the parking problem many faced with a brand new parking facility, better organization of the lots, and plenty of helpful neon jacketed vehicle ushers. +1 point. 

Four years ago, the festival’s food venders and free music performances attracted many families and teenagers. This evening the crowd was distinctly older, mostly comprised of mid-twenty to fifty-somethings. The smell of beer dominated the area with the accompanying patron attitudes and lack of restraint. 

The evening started about thirty minutes late as things backed up at security going through the safety checks. A few more bag checkers and gates would have made a significant difference. 

The Wind Creek Steel Stage felt very familiar with its seemingly simple rigging and set-up, yet the sound proved significantly better over many more expensive and famous locations. The tech crew and quality of the speakers, amps, tuning, and soundboard balance blew us away. The sound was impossibly clear for a rock concert from our seats in row N. The lighting rig and staff enhanced the show significantly. 

“Of A Revolution” kicked off the evening with a set that would upstage many popular touring rock groups; they held and entertained the crowd as well as the headliner. They were the best surprise of the evening. Professional, fun, extremely talented musicians, and very locked-in with each other through the whole concert. 

I learned this band has flown under the radar for many years in spite of regularly appearing high on the billboard charts because they rely on word-of-mouth instead of advertising for their fan base. 

Twenty-seven years since their first album, and they are still going strong. 

I was not familiar with their music before the concert, but I was in a significant minority. About a third of the audience got on their feet and sang along to all of their set list. Many of their songs will find their way into my music playlists over the next couple weeks.

The Goo Good Dolls came on at 9 with all the visual background and high end production light show effects we expect of a top tier touring band. They started with three of the best hits, and yet the audience seemed to have worn out their vocal cords and their energy clapping along to O.A.R. Though everyone was now on their feet and swaying through the whole concert there was a lower level of energy than I am used to. 

This was definitely not the band’s fault, who rocked and sang brilliantly. It is apparent that lead singer John Rzeznik has recovered from his vocal chord injury. I always appreciated his vocal stylings, but had not known just how good he was as a live vocalist. The performance included a great mix of their traditional 90s-influenced rock, with more modern pieces, covers, joint pieces with OAR members, and some full acoustic set pieces. 

Was it the bands’ fan base that changed the Musikfest experience from four years ago, or has the clientele of the area changed? I don’t know, but the venue’s ability to make bands sound great is unmatched in Pennsylvania. Don’t miss this annual opportunity. 

Want to know more about the hugely popular Musikfest? Head on over to their website where you can find out schedules, free events, concerts and still pick up tickets for upcoming shows that are happening now until August 13th. You won’t want to miss your chance and wait one more year to get in on the fun!

^{*we were invited to facilitate a feature, all opinions are our own*}