Miami Nights

Did everyone hear that loud thud back in October? That was the sound of Bang Music Festival's organizers falling flat on their faces after offering South Floridians the weakest festival lineup I've ever seen. Nope, not even the lure of Kanye West and the Smashing Pumpkins could get us off our asses to buy tickets. Rumor is that prior to canceling, the event barely had sold 20 tickets. Well, Bang's Web site has been updated to say "BANG! A Higher Musical Experience Coming In 2008."

I don't fault them for trying, Bang 2006 still goes down in my book as the best festival event ever held south of Lake Okeechobee, even if Daft Punk single-handedly made it unforgettable. But don't hold your breath Miami, rumors were swirling back in October that promoters felt Miami wasn't as profitable as they had hoped, instead deciding to take their bland pop/rock/hip-hop line-up north to where everything is commercialized and consumer-oriented. Yes, if rumors prove to be correct, Orlando could be the home of Bang in 2008. I'd personally like to see Bang organizers try the multi-stage, one-day format I personally fell in love with and book acts that are pushing musical boundaries. But if bland is what they want, by all means Orlando, keep it.