As a producer and engineer for PDP Productions, Brian Westbrook is well schooled in the science of sound. In fact, he's finishing up his bachelor's in sound recording technology at UMass this year. And as PDP's founder and owner, Brian's father, David Westbrook, normally cites band management, gig procurement and marketing/PR as his areas of expertise. For this, the third annual Greenfield Rock Festival, however, the Westbrooks say they'll be relying heavily on sheer mathematics to persuade pop, punk and rock fans to journey over to Greenfield's Energy Park July 25-26.
"We have expanded to a two-day event this year, and we have two stages on Saturday, so we can accommodate twice as many bands," David says of the multi-day bill that promises more than two dozen acts. "But still, we've managed to keep the admission price for both days down to a total of $8. I defy you to find anything close to that."
Despite being easy on the greenbacks, Westbrook senior adds, this year's Greenfield Rock Fest (greenfieldrock.com) was actually able to up the quality quotient as well, bringing the likes of Boston-based indie notables Therefore I Am, female-fronted In Flight Radio and Bethlehem, N.Y.'s Venomentality into the 2008 fold, amid a field of homegrown talent.
"All we've ever really wanted was an alternative musical outlet in Greenfield besides folk and jam bands," says Brian. "I'm a fan of all genres, but back when I started Hydraulic Sandwich seven years ago, there were hardly any youth-oriented shows in town. Now, PDP gets a steady turn out of more than 100 people for its regular Youth Center shows, and for this year's Rock Fest we're expecting several hundred."
Meanwhile, over at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield, the venue's July 26 offering may not be free or even cheap—in fact, admission ranges from $30 to $60, depending on your proximity to the onstage activity—but its organizers promise one night of the best Freestylers the genre has to offer.
It's Freestyle Invasion Live, featuring the feel-good stylings of Cynthia ("Changes on Me," "Endless Nights"), Johnny O ("Fantasy Girl," "Highway of Love") and a host of other '80s/'90s icons on a bill rounded out by NYC DJ Mickey Garcia and assorted talent courtesy of Hot 93 radio.
"We've certainly never had any event of this genre before," notes Global Spectrum's Matt Hollander, General Manager of the MassMutual Center. "But ever since we announced it, I've been amazed at the steady stream of freestyle fans coming out of the local woodwork to inquire about it."
To answer any other queries you may have—or procure tickets for the show online—visit ticketmaster.com.
Last up, some Farm-fresh info out of Mansfield, Mass. After more than 20 years migrating throughout the country's heartland, the annual altruistic event for agriculture, Farm Aid, will make its New England debut at Mansfield's Comcast Center on Sept. 20.
"New England was built on the strength of independent family farmers," said event co-founder John Mellencamp at a July 15 press conference in which the Bay State locale was unveiled.
In addition to perennial performer Mellencamp, Farm Aid faithfuls Willie Nelson, Neil Young and Dave Matthews will also plow through their catalogs. For more information on the event, performers or ticket pricing, kindly point your browser to farmaid.org.
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. Box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 698-9373 or email Garycarra@aol.com.
