MF #24
Kaaboo 2018
Date
September 14th, 2018
Location
Del Mar, California
Reason
Sneak
Kaaboo was back for another year at Del Mar Racetrack, just 20 minutes away from my apartment. While I was working full time in the event industry, my current employer Pro Systems would not be participating in Kaaboo this year. I had worked Kaaboo the previous year for Tica’s Tacos, but that crew would not be returning to the event. If I wanted to go, I needed to find my own way inside.
This year’s lineup looked decent but didn’t have the starpower of the previous year, at least for my tastes. I certainly wasn’t about to purchase a ticket to a parking lot festival, but I still kept my eye on the event. I had a feeling I wouldn’t need a ticket to go to the show. My biggest draw was the Foo Fighters. They are one of my Dad’s all time favorite bands and I had never seen them perform live.
As fate would have it, I was scheduled off from work for Friday, the first day of Kaaboo. With a free day and no competing plans, I decided to attempt to go see the show. While I didn’t have a ticket, I held onto my large staff credentials from the previous year. I donned my 2017 Kaaboo lanyard and drove down to Del Mar Racetrack around 11:00 am. With my insider knowledge of the venue, I parked in the neighborhood above the track, and walked directly down the back service route to the production entrance.
As always, I made sure to look the part. I walked into the venue dressed in all black, just like all the other production workers. While I thought I might have to talk my way in, I never ran into security. I walked from my car straight into the venue without an interaction.
Now that I was inside, I had to keep a low profile for the next hour or so until the crowds showed up. Luckily, I wasn’t the only *employee* with little to do. I found a shaded area with reclining chairs and made myself comfortable while I waited for the crowds to fill in.
The gates opened at 1:00 pm and within 10 minutes of doors the venue started to fill in. I slipped into the crowd and began to enjoy the show. The crowds were insane this year. The venue felt overcrowded. As soon as the music started, the stages filled up from the front all the way to the back.
Nelly opening up Friday of Kaaboo 2018
While there were huge crowds, everyone was in high spirits. Nelly kicked off the festival with the first amazing performance of the day. As a huge Baltimore Ravens and Ray Lewis fan, watching Nelly perform the hit song Hot in Here was an absolute treat. I made a fool of myself as I attempted my best squirrel dance, smiling from ear to ear.
Gucci Mane followed up Nelly with an interesting and entertaining set. While it wasn’t my particular cup of tea, I had fun busting out my zoom lens and attempting to photograph the set from deep in the crowd. Thanks to the daytime sunshine, I was able to capture clear photos despite the long distance and small lens aperture.
Incubus followed Gucci Mane on the Grandview stage. This set was fantastic. I was surprised at how many Incubus songs I recognized. Hit after hit after hit. I felt like I knew all their music despite never having a specific Incubus phase. They were just that prolific of a group. The band played an amazing set, with the lead singer Brandon Boyd showcasing his incredible vocal range. At this point in the day I was in full on music festival mode. I had a smile I couldn’t shake.
Brandon Boyd performing with Incubus – an incredible live singer.
Foo Fighters were set to headline the show and I wanted to be as close as possible. I knew the crowds were large this year, so I headed straight to the Sunset Cliffs stage as soon as Incubus excited the stage. Arriving a full hour before the Foo Fighters were scheduled to start, I was able to catch the end of the Halsey performance. The last ten minutes were all I needed to know I made the right call staying at Incubus until the very end. Regardless, I made my way to the dead center of the crowd and pushed forward when the majority of the Halsey fans chose to exit at the end of her show.
I waited out the next hour surrounded by fellow Foo Fighters fans. Looking around, I noticed an insane amount of Foo Fighters shirts. Almost everyone was rocking the band’s merchandise and there seemed to be a never ending supply of different styles and designs, all supporting the same band.
As soon as they took the stage, it became clear why the fanbase was so rabid. Dave Grohl was on fire, excited to be performing back in Del Mar after a 27 year hiatus. The last time Dave was at Del Mar, he was playing drums for Nirvana while opening for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Now that he was on guitar and vocals, the drums were covered by Taylor Hawkins. Taylor was putting on a world class performance.
The Foo Fighters rocking out at Kaaboo Music Festival
Just as Taylor was lighting the crowd on fire with yet another impressive drum solo, the band decided to highlight their star drummer by raising him vertically up in the air about 30 feet above the stage. Not just Taylor, the entire drum riser lifted off the stage floor and floated above the crowd for all to see.
I was ready to take some photos of the set, but I was little prepared for the drum kit to go way up in the air. As the drum kit started rising above the stage, I quickly grabbed my camera from my bag and started shooting. I tried to get both shots that showed off how high Taylor was above the stage and close ups that showed just how much energy he was putting into that drum kit with every stroke.
Taylor Hawkins mid drum solo for the Foo Fighters
Right in the middle of the show a train passed by a few hundred feet behind the back of the stage. It was quite the site and was instantly noticed by both the audience and the band. Dave Grohl didn’t miss a beat, making a quick remark on how he hoped the train enjoyed the show, before launching into a short riff of Mystery Train, the famous blues track.
Taylor Hawkins and Dave Grohl switched places for a rendition of the Queen song Under Pressure. Dave held down the drums while Taylor sang his way through the classic tune. He then returned to the drum kit as the band finished out the final few songs before wishing the crowd a goodnight.
Just like that, Friday at Kaaboo was over. I was thankful for yet another day at a music festival. Without dipping into my pockets, I got my camera into the show, I photographed a few amazing bands, and I had a fantastic time. I couldn’t wait to get back to a music festival, but unfortunately I had work the following day.
Confession time, I did try to go back to Kaaboo on Sunday using the same path I walked down on Friday. Unfortunately, I arrived too late and there was a security guard stationed at the entrance. He laughed at my attempt to get inside with last year’s band and quickly turned me away. I decided to not press my luck and headed back to the car, content with just one free day of a music festival.
