Five Favorite Moments from the CBGB Festival in NYC
Going to the CBGB Festival reminded me of my teenage dream (which I found written in an old high school notebook – in Italian no less!): to live near CBGB so I could go to shows all the time without having to worry about getting a train home late at night.
After college the dream actually materialized, when I moved around the corner from CBGB and went to shows all the time. My only worry? Stumbling up five flights of stairs in my East Village apartment. I also had the great fortune of playing the CBGB main stage with two of my bands, and CB’s Downstairs Lounge as well, and feel honored to be an itty bitty part of the legend.
Needless to say, I was pretty devastated together with everyone else when the club closed its doors for good. So, of course, we just HAD to go to the CBGB Festival, which overall was a really fun experience.
We do have some feedback for them concerning water (promised but not delivered), food (need more trucks with more diverse dietary options so everyone doesn’t have to wait in line for an hour), merch booth (need more than one!). We also would suggest organizers make sure all stages are high enough for people behind the front row to be able to see (looking at you, Hilly stage).
Having said that, there was way more good than bad. My five favorite moments:
#1: The LUNACHICKS Set:
I was REALLY looking forward to this set as its been years since I’ve seen them. (Note: I was supposed to rock out to them with Rockmommy editor Marisa but sadly she was unable to make it … boooo!) and they did NOT disappoint. Lunachicks sounded just as good as I remembered them. The first time I saw them was not at CBGB but at the Marquee in 1990 opening for Rollins Band. I remember I was next in line in the bathroom and these amazing looking ladies ran in and begged to cut me since they said they were about to go on stage. Of course, I let them and was absolutely blown away by their set.
#2: The Young Punks Stage:
Women and gender minorities were REPRESENTED here, with amazing bands! I didn’t get to see all of them sadly, but got to hear one song by Pinkshift, some Lambrini Girls, some Scowl, full Linda Lindas set (BEST set of the festival if you ask me), and a touch of Destroy Boys. The Linda Lindas‘ set actually reminded me a little of Girls Rock & Girls Rule when they brought their buddies (Destroy Boys) on stage to sing with them for a song. So much fun!
#3: The Damned’s set:
The Damned always put on a great show, one of my favorite bands. They did not disappoint here either! It was great to see a bunch of young people rocking out to them – whole new generation.
#4: Iggy Pop’s set:
Iggy Pop just killed it with his set – age doesn’t make a spit of difference. Walked out shirtless and just rocked from beginning to end. His band, including a female guitarist, was superb as well. Hard to get more punk than that!
#5: The sheer variety of punk rock performances:
Overall the festival covered so many sub-genres, and there were people there from all scenes and of all ages, pretty damn young to pretty damn old — and everyone seemingly got along just fine or simply ignored each other. No fights (that we saw), nothing but everyone enjoying the music and their day. We had a really fun experience despite the setbacks and would absolutely do it all again! Vive le CBGB!
Michele Stork is a punk-rock musician and music business veteran, and the lead singer for NYC band Loki The Grump and drummer/singer for Allerdings!
