A little less than a year ago, we here at the Wigshop aired a few grievances -- for better or for worse -- about Sundown in the City and the effects it had on downtown. Before you get all up in arms, let me remind you that we do LOVE the premise of Sundown bringing people to our favorite part of the city, and we LOVE what Sundown has done to promote music in Knoxville. But we were concerned that people didn't do enough to respect downtown while they were there by disrespecting local businessowners and employees, leaving their trash and wreaking general havoc.
AC Entertainment must have heard what we (and others) had to say and decided to scale back on the event this year, cutting from 12 Thursday shows to five. Ashley Capps told Knoxville.com that 'We plan to do fewer events, but do them really, really well.'
The official schedule was released last week, and I'm curious to know what people think about it. I know lots of people are either really excited about the Drive-By Truckers or at least curious to see them live for their first time. I've seen Blues Traveler live (albeit several years ago), and they put on a decent show. Every person I've mentioned Tonic has said something to the effect of, 'Oh yeah, I remember that one song they had.' And it's always nice to see Jill Andrews take the stage.
I also noticed on Sundown's website, a 'Recycling' link where the sponsors encourage everyone to recycle their drink cups. I can't remember if that's been on the website before, but I hope AC Entertainment does make recycling as easy as throwing cups on the ground or in the trash.
So what do you all think about the acts and how having fewer shows will impact the event overall?
Thursday, April 15, 2010
A slowed-down Sundown
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6 comments:
I think that 2010 is going to be AC's year, and that they are truly hitting their stride. They are totally onto something with Big Ears, and hopefully Big Ears is going to become the "It" thing for them, and for Knoxville. I think tightening up the sprawl that is Sundown is a very smart move on their part. Everybody likes to have fun; nobody likes uncontrolled chaos. This shift will bring the fun back to the event. I am really excited for them.
Like I said on knoxify, I was hoping for quality acts. The Drive-by Truckers is that, no argument there. Though, you're right, it'll be great to see Andrews take the stage. But, since its shortened, I reckon I just expect more. I still think all the kiddies are going to come out, and folks that care nothing about the bands. Don't know, at this point, that there's any true 'fix.'
I'm not sure we got an equal trade-off of increased quality for decreased quantity. BIG EARS, if anything, makes me a little more critical 'cause now I know how amazing AC can be.
It's a confusing lineup to me. The "big" bands mostly hail from the 90s "alternative" era (nothing wrong with that) with some good local acts thrown in. Knoxville's music scene is expanding- in the vein of having Jill Andrews and the D.G.'s play, maybe they should make Sundown a platform to promote more local acts? It'd probably be more eclectic and cheaper than resurrecting Blues Traveler.
Wasn't it last year that they held those noise complaint meetings for Market Square? I thought the end result of that was to schedule fewer events on the square. I thought of this because someone told me that because Market Square was becoming such a popular event venue, Sundown had to scale back.
Whatever the reason, I am glad for the change. The line-up is expected, and will surely bring out all the crazies, young and old alike. You know the Pol will be there in his wife beater.
I like the Superdrag and Jill Andrews, but I'm pretty ambivalent about the rest. I do think it makes a lot of sense to have a local band opening for every headlining act (though honestly, there are some local bands that could completely upstage some of these headliners). Still, it brings a lot of people downtown, and it's hard to see that as a bad thing.
Don't know if you saw this article about what one Big Ears attendee noticed about Market Square:
http://www.examiner.com/x-38675-Knoxville-Restaurant-Examiner~y2010m4d17-Knoxville-visitor-notices-whats-missing-from-Market-Square
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