I first started attending shows at Merriweather Concert Pavilion in the mid-‘90s. Back then, I didn’t mind sitting on the lawn on a humid night only half listening to the music with a group of friends. It was the quintessential summer experience for anyone growing up in either D.C. or Baltimore – situated as it is between the two in Columbia. It was also one of the few area concert venues that our parents would allow us to go to unchaperoned (little did they know we were mostly rolling around on blankets in the throes of young love soaking up the atmosphere and the scent of music festivals everywhere: patchouli and pot. I remember one particularly pungent Steely Dan show).
The one frustration about the location, for us Baltimore City kids anyway, was that the artists almost always inevitably would shout out “Hello, D.C.” from the stage – Baltimore gets the short shrift again.
For a time in the aughts, I was managing an entertainment and events website that frequently sponsored shows or covered them at Merriweather. During that stage of my life, the majority of my June through August evenings were spent on the venue’s grounds. I saw amazing shows that I probably wouldn’t have bothered with otherwise, such as Rock the Bells (I can’t remember much other than Lauryn Hill was ages late, but, then, when isn’t she?). I also saw shows that were definitely not up my alley, but provided a great time anyway, such as the two or three years in a row that I was present for Vans Warped Tour. I’m pretty sure I caught Blink 182, Papa Roach and Fall Out Boy somewhere in the haze.
But the best time ever at Merriweather was when Baltimore’s Virgin Fest (free!) moved from Pimlico Race Course (I was at those, too!) to Merriweather in 2009 and 2010 with insanely stellar lineups including Weezer, Public Enemy, St. Vincent, Joan Jett and Edward Sharpe. At one point, Flavor Flav even walked right up to me and said hi. Plus, there was a Ferris Wheel and free stuff and people dressed like shrubs!
Now, I’m decades older and I don’t sit on the lawn anymore – basically on principal (I’m not entirely sure I’d be able to get up again). But, I’ve still managed to score tickets to dozens of shows over the years and I’m glad Merriweather’s still there for the next time I want to catch an outdoor concert on a warm summer night.
Here are some of the highlights from my years in the pavilion at Merriweather:
1994: Peter Gabriel and Midnight Oil – Just wow. Arrested Development was also on the bill. (Tickets back then were $25!)
1998, 2000: Pearl Jam – PJ always made you feel like it was an honor to “win” their ticket lottery.
1999: R.E.M. – They sang “(Don’t Go Back to) Rockville,” which is a plea from Mike Mills to his girlfriend not to return to her home in Rockville, Md.
2001: Depeche Mode – Merriweather is the perfect-sized venue to see Dave Gahan and the rest of the group. This was the Exciter tour so it included “The Dead of Night,” “Walking in My Shoes” and “Dream On.”
2004: The Cure – 99.1 WHFS presented this show as the Curiosa Festival. Tickets were $60, which seems steep to me even now. I think Interpol and Melissa Auf der Maur (Hole) also performed.
2005: Pixies – This was a post-reunion show and probably the largest venue I ever saw the alternative rock band in. (Tickets were $40)
2008: R.E.M. with Modest Mouse and The National – I never pass up a chance to see R.E.M., but I think I recall The National being disappointing.
2009: Jane’s Addiction with Nine Inch Nails – Two of my favorites of all time together on one bill. Incredible!
2014: Beck – I went alone to this Thursday night show at the last minute and had a great time singing along to “Devil’s Haircut,” “Loser” and “Hell Yes.”
There were so many other shows over the years that I can’t remember them all, but I do know I was dragged by my former spouse to both Van Halen (I think that happened twice – once with Gary Cherone and once with Sammy Hagar) and a Metallica tour in the late ‘90s. With a concert venue like Merriweather, you never know what or who you’re going to see, but it’s almost always a good time. Rock on!
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We Need More Barenaked Ladies – Adam Stone on one of his favorite bands
Merriweather and Ol’ Blue Eyes – Michael Olesker on remembering the beginning of Merriweather and Columbia
Running into the Sun (But I’m Running Behind) – Alan Feiler on musical bragging rights
Merriweather on My Mind – Molly Blosse on summer concerts as an escape from reality
Reeling in the Years – Simone Ellin on feeling like an old Steely Dan fan
To share your own stories, please go to www.facebook.com/JMORELiving and let us know who you’ve seen at the concert pavilion.
Follow Merriweather’s announcements and updates at twitter.com/MerriweatherPP
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