LIVE REVIEW: Dirt Fest 2011

August 23rd, 2011

Grant Trimboli

Dirt Fest
Birch Run, MI
August 13, 2011

It started like any other stormy Michigan morning, cloudy and cold with spurts of rain here and there. As my girlfriend (Katy) and I began the hour-long trek to Birch Run, Michigan we could see the huge storm heading our way. We approached the venue and could see plenty of rowdy alternative rock fans lining the streets of the Expo Center. By the looks of it we could tell this would be a day to remember (no pun intended).

Once inside, we met up with some college friends to check out the latest happenings and grab our schedule. Looking around and surveying the area there seemed to be an abundance of medical marijuana sign-up stands and paraphernalia booths. This event seemed as if it were being supported almost entirely by the business of herb, but it also didn’t seem like anyone attending was complaining either.

We decided to start our festival day with Margin of Error who claimed they where “Fucking Murderous.” They started shaky due to some technical difficulties, but soon recovered for the moment when they started a brash outcry for attention and quite possibly a hug. This left some people confused, but yet transfixed at the metal monotony that unfolded onstage. It left my girlfriend and I in utter confusion.

Trying to realign our minds, we wondered until we found alternative-rockers Last Born Legend. They ripped through five songs with a ton of energy and showcased why they deserved to play. Frontman Dustin Brown brought us into his world with a soaring display of vocals and deep, guttural growls and the band brought enough rock to make you want to stay. Definitely a highlight of the day.

Syn City Cowboys was the next on our list because they had won a radio contest to play the main stage and as such, we felt we needed to see what all the hype is about. We arrived at the stage to find they indeed brought the fans, but, at least in my opinion, there wasn’t much of anything to be seen or heard. They lacked energy and stage presence, which would be fine if they played well, but poor tuning and sloppy chord progressions stunted that as well. It was unfortunate to see such an honor bestowed upon a band who most likely weren’t ready for such a challenge, but at least it gave us a reason to be there early for the night’s true attraction, Egypt Central.

Even after a hot day of rock and roll, Egypt Central brought a level of energy and intensity so high that no one could resist. From dancing, to moshing, to the days first circle pits, this was the band people had waited to see and it was obvious they hadn’t been disappointed. The band played with passion throughout their six song set, leaving everyone in attendance sweaty and tired.

This is where our story takes a turn for the worse. After years of being stuck in bars in my sweaty clothes, I’ve recently gotten into the habit being extra shirts to shows where I know I can leave and change. This allows for maximum fun without maximum BO and honestly.

Following Egypt Central I decided to run back to my car for a wardrobe change, only to discover some to-this-day unknown asshole decided to key my car from the bumper the front of my driver’s side door. Completely enraged from the situation, I had to calm down and notify police of the vandalism, thus making me miss All That Remains, Pop Evil, Alien Ant Farm and Evan’s Blue.

I thought long and hard about even writing a review after the day’s events, but Egypt Central’s commanding performance was too great to go unmentioned on here. My apologies to those readers hoping I’d highlight more of the fest’s big acts, I hate to let you down, but you can thank the lowlife the cause $300 worth of damage to my car for screwing us all over.

Written by: Grant Trimboli (@UTGgrant)