Festival Review: 97X BBQ

Last year, the 97x Backyard BBQ was one of the best shows of the year. It featured Twenty One Pilots, who at the time was the most requested artist on 97x. I remember thinking the only way 2014’s BBQ could top last years was if the skeleton duo returned as the headliner. That sadly did not happen.

What did happen though was that 97x put out a lineup on steroids. Their headliner was Bastille – a band that appears on the top of the bill for many of the largest festivals in the US this summer, and the supporting acts were equally strong.

I was fortunate enough to win some VIP tickets, which got me access to a shaded tent with beer, food, and most importantly – an intimate backstage acoustic show with Bastille. (Videos here) But regardless if you were VIP or general admission, it was a great day to hear some new, live music in St. Pete.

Local band Lions After Dark got the day started early at 11:30am. They’re a favorite of the 97x production crew, and have experience as the opening band at other free shows.

As we passed noon, the BBQ bands started hitting the stage one after the next. All bands present have at least one song that gets played consistently on 97x. Some highlights of these singles throughout the day: “Dead Bolt” by Skaters, “Thunder Clatter” by Wild Cub, “Gold” by Sir Sly and “Cardiac Arrest” by Bad Suns.

My favorite of the daytime acts was a young group out of Chicago by the name of The Orwells. Most may recognize the band from their hilarious performance on The Late Show where David Letterman actually demanded an encore! (Video here) But they’re much more than some 19 year olds with a wacked out front man. The group opened up for Arctic Monkeys this spring and their on stage antics only displayed that bigger things are ahead.

Another standout act was the South African rockers – Kongos. They are the four brothers behind what’s sure to be one of the biggest hits of the year – “Come With Me Now.” Most of their other material isn’t quite as heavy as their lead single, but it still kept the crowd entertained as they waited for their big hit. Kongos are on tour this summer with Kings of Leon and Young the Giant, which should give them some great exposure.

The second band towards the top of the bill was The 1975. Over the past year, it’s difficult to find a bigger riser in the industry than this British synth-pop group. I saw The 1975 eleven months ago. They were the opening band for The Neighbourhood, and they were playing a show at the 450 seat capacity “The Social” in downtown Orlando. That show wasn’t even sold out.

Things sure have changed as front man Matthew Healy and the group took the stage for the 7:25 - 8:15 time slot. The band went through song after song from their debut album of the same title. The strongest reasoning behind the band’s increased popularity is lead single “Chocolate,” which has received over 14 million views on Youtube. Video Here: #97XBBQ

One successful British band led into the next as headliner Bastille took the stage for the final show of the night. I won’t go into too much detail, as I just reviewed the Bastille show from one night prior. But this was basically a slightly shorter version of the previous show with a much more energetic crowd!

When the band was introduced onto the stage, it was announced that the approximate attendance exceeded 15,000, proclaiming the largest crowd a 97x show has ever drawn. 

Bastille stayed consistent to the set list from the previous night, but dropped a few of the slower songs due to time constraints. Singer Dan Smith once again departed the stage during “Flaws” and took a full lap of Vinoy Park. Opener “Bad Blood” and closer “Pompeii” had the band both enter and exit the stage on a high.

In total, looking at this lineup and looking back at the day, I have to give serious props to 97x. I’ve praised them before, but this was hands down the best event they have ever put together. The lineup was stacked with new bands that have great futures ahead of them, and the entire event was put on at no cost to listeners.

Wild Cub front man Keegan DeWitt said it best during their set. He lectured that alt rock fans in Tampa are so lucky to have 97x – a radio station that promotes new music and makes it possible for bands like Wild Cub to make money and continue making music.

So well done to all bands present, but the winner of the day was 97x.