The KahBang Festival got off to a sleepy but musically adventurous start during the afternoon of Friday, Aug. 10. Though less than a thousand people hung around festival grounds on the Bangor Waterfront during the afternoon, the lineup featured a wide array of bands from all over the Northeastern U.S. By 6 p.m., however, the crowd began to pour in, eager to see headliners including rapper Wale and hard rockers the Deftones, as well as the high-energy, delightfully funky bands Reptar and Bad Rabbits.
Rain threatened all day, but only happened for the latter half of the Deftones set. Scheduling issues also plagued much of the earlier half of the day, with the Second Stage schedule ending up almost entirely different from what was printed in the festival program. Sadly, a set featuring rising star and New York City-via-Maine songwriter Lady Lamb the Beekeeper — her first in Maine in nearly a year, featuring Portland band the Milkman’s Union as her backup band — was cut short, to the dismay of fans gathered to see her.
Nevertheless, the ambition evident in the programming made for an excellent sampling of local and regional talent, should the music fan wish to make the effort. There were a number of other events throughout the day, in addition to music, including a skateboarding demo, chain saw art by Maine artist Pasco Grove, a photo booth courtesy of Darling’s Auto and a film tent showing music documentaries and cult movies.
Saturday’s lineup features a similarly diverse schedule, as well as headliner Bassnectar. More video will be posted on Sunday morning of the day’s festivities.
I have wanted to go to KahBangor since they started – I bought a ticket to go this year and planned on going up until I sold my ticket. I’m glad I did! First off – unless its a demi-god band on the waterfront why would anyone pay tickets to see anything? You can hear it (apparently) up to a mile away.
Secondly – nobody in this state knows how to act at a festival. I’m sure there are homeless people just like at the Zac Brown concert I DID go to asking people for change as they go in. I’m sure there will be alcoholics, and underage drinkers but if you can’t keep to yourself you have no business being there. Same as for drugs. Although watching people on drugs at times can be hilarious.
I hope there wasn’t much crime last night – but let me tell you something – tonight with Bassnectar and if people know who or what that is – AND in bangor…you can kiss kahbang goodbye. Not that Bassnectar is a bad group – its just that people from Maine on shrooms, lsd, bath salts, and other drugs will make for a bad evening.
You surely got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning! The audience yesterday was nothing like you conjured up in your feeble little mind. I had fun, the crowd had fun and we all left feeling satisfied. Thanks KahBang.
Kahbang, congrats on a great Thursday and Friday setup. Thousands have had a great time already. Bring on day two! Can’t wait for BassNectar.
“thousands”. Really now?
Peaks Hill Lodge has a program on at midnight on WABI. That sounds much more your speed. But leave the lights on. Wouldn’t want the boogie man to getcha!
Not too big of a fan of kahbang but it’s a great thing that it may (or may not?) bring business to the area. Sadly I know a few of the “owners/promoters” and it’s very sad to say that some of them do not even live in Maine. Kinda contradicts previous years statements that it’s put on by local folks…