Date: Fri 18-Jun-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNON

Quick Words:

Matthews-Sponge-Orgy-Fastball

Full Text:

ON THE ROAD/SHANNON HICKS

This weekend's SUSAN TEDESCHI show at Toad's Place (June 18) is sold out.

The club sent its calendar up this week and it includes the club's first shows

on the calendar for September: BURNING SPEAR, for all ages, on the 23rd, and

BLACK 47, with The Reilley Clan, on September 24.

Word came from The Meadows in Hartford last week that any of you planning on

attending this weekend's OZZFEST should know ahead of time that blankets and

backpacks will not be allowed through the entrance gates Saturday night. Don't

argue with me about this. I don't make the rules, and in this case I'm only

the messenger.

While blankets have been allowed into the venue traditionally for lawn

seating, The Meadows has decided to just play it safe in advance this weekend

for a show that could get a little rough. As far as the backpacks issue is

concerned, I don't know why you would think that would be allowed in the first

place -- cameras, outside food and water, etc, are never allowed to be brought

into any venue anyway. So leave the backpacks in the car.

Also, no lawn chairs, and no spiked jewelry. They'll all be sent back to the

car or thrown into the garbage pails.

Gates to the parking lot will be opening Saturday morning at 9 am, while doors

will be opening for entry into the Meadows and its surrounding plaza area at

10 am.

Also in the Meadows vein, word came this week that for the first time in the

venue's history there will be a three-night stint by a band. DAVE MATTHEWS

tickets for a Sunday, August 8 show at the Hartford location will be on sale

this weekend, beginning Saturday, June 19, at 10 am. (The August 6 and 7 dates

are both sold out.)

Wristbands will be distributed beginning at 3 pm Friday, June 18, at all

Pro-Tix outlets only (Strawberries Music stores, Coconuts stores, The Looking

Glass in Meriden, LaSalle Music in West Hartford and Gordon/LaSalle Music in

East Hartford). The Meadows box office will NOT be participating in Saturday's

sales. The only tickets being sold Saturday at the Meadows will be for that

day's event, Ozzfest.

The wristband system will be used at all ProTix outlets. Ticket buyers can go

to the outlet of their choice on Friday beginning at 3 pm to obtain a

wristband. The number on the wristband will determine your place in line on

Saturday. The starting number will be chosen by lottery drawing on Saturday

morning between 9-10 am. The purchaser must return to the same outlet where

the wristband was received to ensure a place in line on Saturday. Possession

of a wristband does not guarantee the opportunity to purchase tickets (ticket

may sell out before your wristband number is called, in other words).

Also, there is a four ticket per person limit for the August 8 show. Tickets

for the new show are $43 for pavilion seats, and $32 out on the lawn.

Finally, also regarding The Meadows, the August 21 GOO GOO DOLLS concert --

tickets for which went on sale last week -- will also include FASTBALL and

SUGAR RAY.

The rumors are true. SPONGE, one of the best bands on the bill for the

Memorial Day radio 104 Fest is returning to the area. ORGY, another band on

the bill, is also returning. Sponge will be at The Webster Theatre in Hartford

on July 9; Orgy will be there July 14.

Until next week, I'll be seeing you... on the road.

Questions and comments concerning "On The Road" (or anything music related)

should be sent to Shannon Hicks, c/o Bee Publishing Co., 5 Church Hill Road,

Newtown 06470, or shannon @thebee.com. Include a phone number for

confirmation, please . If you don't have a stamp or a piece of paper or a

writing utensil that works, give me a call! Phone number at the office is

426-3141. Shows listed on the calendar at club locations are for ages 21 and

over unless specified.

UPCOMING CONCERTS

JUNE 18 -- The Zoo at Tuxedo Junction, Danbury; Culture at The Webster

Theatre, Hartford, Jah Works opening; Litmus at The Village Cafe,

Gaylordsville;

June 18-20 -- 4th Annual Gathering of the Vibes at Seaside Memorial Park,

Bridgeport (with Gov't Mule, John Scofield, Deep Banana Blackout, Strangefold,

Percy Hill, et al);

June 19 -- Big Toe at Tuxedo Junction; Men at Work at Mohegan Sun Casino (Wolf

Den), Uncasville; Ozzfest '99 at The Meadows Music Theatre, Hartford (Black

Sabbath, Rob Zombie, Deftones, Slayer, Primus, et al); Mighty Purple at Arts

Barn, Madison;

June 20 -- 27th Annual Reggae Music Festival & Skate Show at Woodbury Ski

Area, Woodbury, featuring Big Mountain, Djoliba, Victor Essiet & The

Mandators, et al; Fezhen at The Village Cafe;

June 22 -- Beenie Man at Toad's Place (all ages);

June 24 -- Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan & Shemekia Copeland at the Oakdale,

Wallingford; Spring Heeled Jack USA at Toad's Place (all ages), Shades Apart

and Radiation Kings opening;

June 25 -- Toy Box at Tuxedo Junction; Hootie & the Blowfish at Mohegan Sun

Casino (Wolf Den); Simple Jim at Toad's Place, What Up! and 13 O'Clock

opening;

June 26 -- The Nerds at Tuxedo Junction; J. Geils Band at The Meadows; Seal at

the Oakdale Theatre, Joan Jones opening;

June 27 -- The Allman Brothers Band at The Meadows; Susan McKeown & The

Chanting House at Towne Crier Cafe, Kila opening;

June 29 -- Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers at The Meadows, Lucinda Williams

opening; GWAR at Toad's Place (all ages), Skinlab opening.