re: M.I.A. – I skipped the pay show at the Pool, too. It was cold, rainy, and outdoors – and on priniciple, I object to profiteering at the Pool, which was created by collective artist and neighborhood will, not Live Nation/TicketB@st*rd capital investment.

the Siren press pass is not for this little blog, either ; )

It is hot and crowded, etc. But I’ll give them credit for one thing, for providing some of the hottest (no pun intended) acts for free. That M.I.A. show last year was better than most shows that I’d seen for money, and when I remembered that show, it was one of the reasons why I couldn’t bring myself to pay $37 to see her at another outdoor show this year, in ultra-trendy Williamsburg. (Another reason was that my attentions had shifted a little, toward an obsession that was actually influenced by M.I.A., among other things. So I chose to stay at home and watch a Bollywood movie instead.)

Anyway, if you’re into whatever’s on the bill, the Siren Fest is a very good deal. I bet it helps to have a VIP press badge, though. I mean, I assume it also helps to get you a better spot(?)… Ten years ago, I could have gotten that pretty easily, because I was still writing rock reviews for print publications (albeit not very big ones). In recent years, I don’t even want to be bothered trying (and am not sure if I even want to write about anything connected to contemporary rock – though I still enjoy some punk rock now and then). So, last year, in order not to be stuck in some crushing crowd all the way in the back, I actually stood near the men’s room and watched through the side fence. But at least I had some room to dance there, and it was still a good deal.

(P.S. Sorry for all the long tangents; a venue can bring each one of us different thoughts and memories…)

but BSS was a great note to end on.