So, I spent this Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, 2005 at the 2005 89X Birthday Bash. It promised to be a fun time, but I had my doubts and they soon proved to be an infuriating reality.

This year’s Bash took place at the State and Fox Theaters in Detroit. A third stage was set up between the two theaters in the parking lot/daycare area. I’m serious. There’s a daycare playground in the parking lot between the two theaters.

Anyhoo, this was so cool. Well, it would have been. To be able to see bands (a total of about 30 were scheduled) in both historic and architecturally-sweet theaters simultaneously while having a little outdoor venue in between the two awesome concept. However, the greedy corporate bastards suckered us in and came out victorious yet again.

You see, the concert was oversold. No limits were set for ticket sales, as they should have been. Whatever the capacity of the smaller theater is should have been the limit. But with no limit, chaos reigned supreme.

The two headliners, The Killers and Social Distortion were set to play at the same time. This should not have been a problem. One should have been able to go and start with one band, get up mid-set and head over to the other theater and watch the other band finish their set. Unfortunately, I estimate over half the crowd, myself included (hence the rant) did not see either.

The bands were going to go on around 9:30 or 10pm. I estimate this time as the play list of the bands was not accompanied by a time schedule. Brilliant, eh? At about 8pm, people began lining up to try to enter either theater. By 11pm, the time the concert was scheduled to end, probably 80% of the people who were in line at 8pm were still there.

I decided not to attempt to stand in line after about 30 minutes of this. Thankfully, there were a couple of DJs on the outside stage who were remixing some very cool songs. So the day wasn’t a total loss. Plus, my friend who accompanied me had purchased my ticket, so it was his $35 or so wasted, not mine, at least.

I also got to see Sum 41, Unwritten Law, (both outside) Brendan Benson (at the Fox) and 30 Seconds to Mars (at the State). So, I at least saw one band at each venue.

30 Seconds to Mars features Jared Leto (Fight Club, Panic Room, My So Called Life, etc.) on lead vocals and guitar. As a film geek, this was neat. Plus, he was walking around all night. And we got to talk to a guy whose friend’s friend was getting a booty call attempt from Jared. So it’s like I was famous for the night! (That’s sarcasm there, people.)

Don’t get me wrong. I had some fun. But overall? Weak. In addition to the overbooking, there were some serious organizational and procedural issues.

First, there were no directions as to how to get from venue to venue. So, as my friend and I attempted to walk out the front door of the State Theater to go to the Fox, we were instructed to go back to the side doors. As we attempted to do so, I was stopped by security, freaking out because my friend and I were coming in the wrong door! As we explained that we were just lost and had already come in the other side, I was asked to relinquish my key clip. I protested that I had already come through security with it and was told that they should have known better. I didn’t feel like putting up a fight over a two-dollar item, so I gave it up. I asked if I could at least have it back after the concert. Nope. I was told I could take it back to my car. However, there was no reentry.

OK. Perhaps a sign prior to entry would have been helpful. Then I could have taken my dangerous key clip back to my car prior to entering. No such signs were posted.

Next issue: No traveling from venue to venue with drinks or food from other venues. I fail to see the logic in this. Wouldn’t all the venues be interconnected for the day? This was just another way to get more money as far as I’m concerned.

All right. I guess that’s it; just poor organization and lots of corporate greed. But after all, isn’t that the American way? Sigh. I’m going to invent a time machine and go back to Woodstock 1969.

Grade: C-

Taryn can be reached at tas75@comcast.net .