Photos by Nicole Hall
“You’ll love the Levitt.” The opening remarks from organizer Vicki Howe now make her seem more clairvoyant than event organizer. Like many, it was my first time at the outdoor pavilion, and I was there with a clear goal: to see the Denton band Bowling For Soup (@bfsrocks). As a child of the 90’s, I was eager to hear the party anthems of this Grammy-nominated quartet. Now being privy to what happens “under the stars,” let me just say: look out, sports fans, because there’s a new scene in Arlington.
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Bassist Glen Farris contemplates the large crowd at Sunday’s show
Sunday’s concert was the third in a series that will take place this summer, with longtime Dallas staple The Polyphonic Spree (@polyspree) kicking things off Friday. Suitable really, as the choral rock band has ignited a fire in the Dallas music scene, launching the careers of indie rock sensation St. Vincent (@st_vincent) and half of the alt-country duo The O’s (@wearetheos).
Concert attendees braved the impending weather
Denton music was on the menu for Sunday’s performance, though, and Doug Burr (@DougBurr) took the stage at 7pm. While the rain clouds began rolling in shortly after he started, it was Burr who brought the thunder. Playing songs that span nearly his entire seven-album career, Burr and band wowed the audience with 16 songs from “Blood Runs Downhill” to the weighty “I Love to Hate You”. Remaining humble, the enigmatic Burr took more than one opportunity to thank the teeming audience for welcoming him.
Jaret Reddick kicks off Bowling for Soup’s show with enthusiasm
Amid cheers rivaling those of a larger venue, Bowling For Soup frontman Jaret Reddick led his mates on stage around 8:30 p.m. Even between songs, the band personified their fun-loving image with quips like “this song is for my ex-girlfriend; she couldn’t be here tonight”. The entire band seemed at home; not hard to imagine given their 22 years of onstage experience. While their motivation for starting the group wasn’t…shall we say…unadulterated (the band formed so “they could hang out and drink beer”), their success has been no less authentic. They have headlined domestic and international tours, and were nominated for a Grammy award in 2003 for the party anthem, “Girl All the Bad Guys Want.” Though the first wave of their fans have aged, the quintet still puts on an energetic show with timeless tunes that carry weight with Generation Z fans.
Gary Wiseman rocks the drums as an appropriately-attired young fan looks on
Jaret Reddick & Erik Chandler
“You’ll love the Levitt.” Amidst a wave of enthusiastic fans, Dentonites Doug Burr and Bowling For Soup took the stage Sunday night. If you missed the Denton invasion, Arlington will host many events like this one throughout the summer.
To check out future concert and movie times, or see other events near you, check out the Levitt Pavilion.
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