Scenestar

ARTICLE BY JAMIE SKOWRON
PHOTO FROM SUNSET STRIP MUSIC FESTIVAL

AUGUST 26-28 | HOLLYWOOD—There was an extravagant concentration of hype surrounding this year’s Sunset Strip Music Festival, which was an extremely over-produced tribute to Slash and his more than two decades in the music industry. Though his actual musical endeavors over this time period may be slim to none, especially since 1993, his persona and image have provided new and exciting commercial avenues for capitalization throughout rock and pop. In comparison to his contemporary counterpoint Axl Rose, Slash‘s progression as a commodity has been a huge success. His contributions to fashion, media marketing, and the cliché rock image have far surpassed the market value of many other musicians who have been exponentially more prolific in creating music. Some people question this recent, sudden surge of the “Slash brand,” and whether this is the final journey of a rock icon or a reborn interest in the economics of the music industry.

This festival was centered heavily on media presentation, with a sponsor list that included Virgin America, Jack Daniels, Mini Cooper cars, Brand X, Bud Light, Ticketmaster, Gibson, 98.7 FM, Vitamin Water, Monte Carlo, Coke Zero, and more. And the Sunset Strip Music Festival took full advantage, using the skewed perception of Holly-Glam goggles to radiate the Motley Crue-like glorification of the ultimate party atmosphere. Although the tickets for this multi-day event were between $50 and $100, the festival’s musical acts have little relevance to today’s state of affairs and served more as a ’90s flashback (i.e. Slash, The Smashing Pumpkins, Unwritten Law, Filter, and POD) with a weekend full of Hollywood hassles.

The only act to capture my attention and fill me with awe was The Smashing Pumpkins, who featured a brand-new addition on bass guitar. Following the previous bassist’s leave of absence, Nicole Fiorentino, a Los Angeles-based musician who has been in Radio Vago, Veruca Salt, and Light FM, joined singer Billy Corgan and the band on stage. The Pumpkins‘ presence transcended the mediocrity of this event, as Corgan engaged the crowd throughout the night with a seemingly holy beam of happiness. Later on in the set, he brought his adorable little children out on stage and gave them a taste of the crowd’s appreciation for their dad’s unrestrained expression. Delivering a memorable performance, The Smashing Pumpkins left the crowd chanting for more. Upon the last notes of the final song, most of the audience dispersed into the streets of West Hollywood. Although SSMF had the prospects of a great weekend, it definitely could have been accomplished in a one-day shot of productivity.