First Impressions

Posted Jun 17, 2008 at 09:12 PM in General, Reviews

This post was written by Britt Festivals Marketing Specialist Krissy Rowan.

This summer marks the first time I attended a performance at Britt Festivals. I have attended concerts at different venues across the country, and let me tell you that Britt has a unique quality that no other venue can match. The smell of picnics and freshly uncorked wine mixed with laughter and smiles is a refreshing change of pace. I haven’t felt so relaxed for a long time.

There is a sense of community at the Britt pavilion that I didn’t realize still existed. Strangers actually chat with each other! I even saw a woman ask the people sitting behind her at the Crosby, Stills and Nash concert if she was blocking their view. What a stark contrast to the way people treat each other on a day-to-day basis.

Not only does the amazingly beautiful atmosphere at the Britt Pavilion blow my socks off, the performances so far this season have been pretty amazing as well.

I loved Crosby, Stills and Nash! It was neat that Graham Nash was bare foot during the entire performance. Their performance style was engaging and casual. The band shared stories, made fun of how long they have been playing music and joked about the fact they never play a song twice the same way since they have gotten older.

Speaking of being older, watching the baby boomers around me enjoying the music of their youth is a testament of the impact the band had back in the 1960s and 70s. Even though I am only in my mid-twenties, I found their music meaningful and timeless.

Nash really got the crowd going with some choice words for George W. Bush. The band has always spoken out on political causes, and world citizens speaking out on causes they believe in. There is no question of the group’s political leanings, with lyrics like “military madness is killing your country.”

The second half of the show was mellow, with lots of acoustic numbers. The repetitive dark acoustic riff and the wonderful harmonies of “Guinnevere” performed by Crosby and Nash was simply enchanting.

My favorite moment of the evening was when the audience got to sing-along to “Our House.” It was so much fun and made me feel like we were all connected.

The band finally rocked it hard with “Wounded World,” “Southern Cross,” and “For What It’s Worth.”

I was kind of disappointed that there wasn’t an encore, but overall the show was fulfilling and fun.

LeAnn Rimes rocked the house! That girl has some lungs. On June 9th, I attended her concert and enjoyed it very much! LeAnn showed her songwriting talent in this concert (she co-wrote the songs on her new album Family).

Every woman in the audience could totally relate to the song, “Good Friend and a Glass of Wine,” the quintessential anthem for women. The teens in the crowd really seemed to enjoy when LeAnn sang “I Want You to Want Me," a song by Cheap Trick, originally recorded in 1977 for their album In Color, though the version from the band's 1978 album At Budokan subsequently became better known than the original. I have to admit I was on my feet for this song, right along with my 12 year-old concert neighbor.

LeAnn’s comments to the crowd were really sweet. She thanked everyone more than once, saying she’s seen performers come and go during her time as a performer and is grateful to remain popular.

A word of warning to all: it only takes one performance to get hooked on Britt Festivals. It is truly a unique experience. I have tickets to see Michael Franti Spearhead on the 21st and I cannot wait!

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