Rock Iowa

Live Blogging from the 80/35 Press Conference at the downtown Central Library. I’m blogging over the shoulder of Joe Lawler. His connection seems a little snappier, I’m guessing the Register servers are a little better than my shared hosting. Still! We soldier on.

Announcement coming soon. Bit of a snafu with the microphone situation from all parties. We have a lapel mic snaked around the PA microphone. It will be a little bit echo-y, but hey. We’re Internet journalists, what do you want?

5 bands will be national, 5 will be local. — Today I mean, there will be more bands, that’s what’s getting announced.

More updates to come…

Update: Amedeo is wearing a suit jacket and jeans. Love it. Mayor just walked in, or at least towards the front. He looks a bit dressier than usual as well. I think everyone is excited.

Update 2: Just got started. Amedeo is up first. We’re getting the history of the DMMC. Yawn…

Update 3: Big hitter time. Mayor Cownie is up now. I swear to God somebody is fiddling with drumsticks behind me. There are some noisy camera ops up in here.

Update 4: Don Tripp is up now. Parks and Rec. They’re the ones integral in the $50,000 advance that really got the ball rolling.

Update 5: Joe Lawler is sitting with a new blog open titled “Band #1″. Nothing is typed in yet

Update 6: Community Foundation chair is up now. They put up the $100,000. Pretty crazy seeing all of these community leaders coming together to talk about throwing down an investment in young people of this size and of the bands they are about to announce.

Update 7: Bam! First Arts Festival comparison of the day. Surprised it took so long. Des Moines is going to be a happening place for cultural types.

Update 8: Amedeo’s back up. Bands soon? Bands soon. Media sponsors announced: Fox 17, Juice, 105.1 Channel Q, 106.3 The Capitol, Olde Maine Brewery (okay they’re not media, but have damn good beer). ‘Deo says they have looked at over 700 acts in consideration. I believe him, those lists were long three years ago when this first got cooked up.

Update 9: Talk about the date. July 4 and 5. Will start at 5pm on the 4th, all day on the 5th. City really pushed for the 4th of July date. Will be doing some fireworks after the shows. 4 stages. 2 free stages in that mix. 40+ acts, local regional and national.

BANDS!

The locals:

• Mr. Baber’s Neighbors
• The Vandon Arms
• Poison Control Center
• Radio Moscow
• Public Property

The nationals:

• Yonder Mountain String Band
• Drive By Truckers
• Girl Talk (Fuck yes.)

Cock tease time…they’re taking a break with other announcements. YPC is organizing non-profits. 15,000 paid estimated/hoped for attendance.

The headliners:

• The Roots - Saturday night headliner
• The Flaming Lips - Friday night headliner

Limited pre-sale tickets: Friday, April 18th. $40 two-day ticket. May 1st moves up to $50 and onward from there. $60 for a two-day pass is the most expensive it will get. Hell of a deal. I’d pay $60 just to see The Lips and Girl Talk on a bill together.

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