Houston Open Air
Coast Observer
Words and Photography By: Canonblue Lalley
Houston, Texas
The very first Houston Open Air festival got off to a rocky start Saturday with lightening strikes that caused the staff at Danny Wiemer Presents to evacuate the grounds before gates even opened. Fans gathered in mass around the front gates in anticipation of seeing their favorite bands live. Gates opened about an hour and a half behind schedule, but the fans didn't allow that to dampen their spirits and everyone made their way into the grounds towards the main stages, awaiting Gemini Syndrome to take the first stage.
We were in the pit for GS when the storm clouds began to roll closer in, and just before Brian and the guys could take the stage, the emergency evacuation sounded for everyone to clear the grounds. Fans, artists, media and merchants all made their way out of the gates, not knowing when it would be before re-entry, or how that would affect the current lineup.
After an almost three hour mid-break, media got the alert that we would be allowed to resume work inside of the NRG grounds. Some bands, such as Ministry, Chevy Metal and Alter Bridge were able to maneuver their sets to fit the new revised schedule. Sadly, even more bands including Gemini Syndrome. Sevendust, 12 Foot Ninja and (the most disappointing) Anthrax weren't able to accommodate, and scratched their sets.
Alter Bridge kicked off the second part of the day, with a shredding solo from Mark Tremonti and new tracks off their freshly dropped album, The Last Hero. Ministry had a ripping set, with circle pits forming to "Stigmata" and inspiring crowd surfers to meet the metal head on.
Despite the weather and cancellations, day one ended strong with no more weather incidents and The Cult, Slayer and Alice in Chains putting on fantastic performances. Slayer put on one of the BEST performances I have ever seen, with Kerry King's bass solos and Tom Araya's iconic voice ringing through the layers of smoke and lasers.
To be honest, I was least looking forward to Alice In Chains. Having grown up on their music and Layne Staley's iconic voice and writing, I went into the show with a lot of reservations. We've all seen what it could be like when a band continues without an integral member while still playing their most recognizable material (I'm lookin at you, Stone Temple Pilots) and it isn't always pretty. When AIC took the stage with "Hollow" I inched forward, waiting for those first few notes. No one can deny that DuVall has talent, but it took me a moment to reconcile that it was him and not Layne up there. AIC followed up with "Them Bones" which is my personal favorite AIC song, and I felt myself being pulled closer to the stage with the energy and conviction and by the time Cantrell was busting out those final riffs, I was sold. It was in that moment that it hit me that I was there, the best seat in the house, inches from one of my favorite bands of all time.
Day two was not so kind. Gates were once again delayed by almost three hours due to further lightening strikes. Mothership took the stage as massive thunder clouds started to roll in, soon enveloping the sky into a scene out of the Wizard of Oz. We were fully expecting a house to drop out of a funnel cloud right in the middle of a circle pit.
Unfortunately, Mothership would be the only act to perform that day. Due to rising weather concerns, DWP was forced to make the call to cancel the second part of HOA. This was met with some serious criticism from fans and concertgoers. It's easy to understand that people were upset, with some having traveled from other countries, but at the end of the day safety is priority 1. Look, I get it. I've stood knee deep in rain with sixty pounds of gear on my back, being pelted with rain while All That Remains banged out a set. I've had a tornado touch down during a set before. When you start talking about lightening, that's an entirely different scenario.
Danny Wiemer is doing everything possible to make good on their end, including offering refunds to ticketholders and taking complaints and comments. I do not envy their position, but I have worked many a festival that they have put on, and I don't think there is any other way to have made that call.
Houston Open Air, it was real. We look forward to next year, and hopefully that infamous Texas weather will show us a better time.
