I know… it’s already 3/17. Aside from missing my flight and then having the flu again, I had to let the experience settle a while. I know 311 Day is not in Los Angeles, nor are they from Los Angeles (They do live here now and are based here). What does this all have to do with Los Angeles? Countless fans, including myself, that made the trek all the way to New Orleans for the show are. Many of you might be asking: What the hell is 311 Day?
Well, it’s a celebration that takes place every year on March 11th (3/11) by rock group 311 and their fans. Since 3/11/2000, the band has done a show every two years in New Orleans (aside from 2006, where it was held in Memphis due to Katrina) to celebrate the event. At this special show they play a MUCH longer set and often play rare or unheard songs for fans. The last few shows have been about 5 hours each. That, in my opinion, is something to behold itself.
Now before I get into the show that went on last week, let me talk about this band and my opinion of them for a minute. First thing to know: I am a fan. I am a big fan. I have, however, met a good amount of fans that are much bigger fans… I’m sorry. I can’t do the tattoo thing. (Props to all those that have them! I saw some great ones!)
I usually get a few of the same responses when I bring up 311 to people: “Oh yeah, I remember listening to them in middle school/high school”, “Are they the guys that do ‘Amber’/'Love Song’?”, or “Yes! I love 311!”. No matter what, the rate of me turning people into fans after bringing them to a show or giving them a CD is pretty high.
Not everyone likes them, of course. Not everyone likes everything. People have different tastes. I’m all for that. I don’t like a lot of things out there, but I accept that it exists. I hope others are the same way.
I was first introduced to 311 by my sister when I was 10 or so and she took me to my first show. I was hooked. The positive vibes, the unity of the fans, the mind-blowing live shows. Could a boy ask for anything else?
I am open to many different types of music and have seen many phenomenal shows over the last 16 years. Bands have caught my attention over the years and have come and gone. The only one that I still make an effort to go and see if they are within a 6 hour drive is 311. I will even fly across the country to Louisiana to see a one night epic show. I tell people where I’m going and they look at men funny. “Just for a concert?”, they ask. Either I explain it to them or I sigh and say, “Yes, just for a concert.” I talked to many fans about this fan dedication while in New Orleans, and even had a couple in depth conversations about it.
Why, unlike most contemporary bands, are 311 fans so dedicated? Some claimed it is the bands positive lyrics and vibe, some contribute it to the live shows and energy, and even some would scream “It’s the fans!” One fan and I were talking about it and the names Led Zeppelin, Grateful Dead, and Phish came up in comparison, which I believe many people would consider an honor. The live shows and the following of the fans is parallel. 311 recently had one of their biggest tours ever to date. This was a year after releasing 2005’s Don’t Tread On Me. This year’s 311 Day sold out in a matter of hours and the scalpers were charging obscene amounts in comparison to the last show. The show had better live up to all of the hype. Did it?
The show. I have been to countless shows and 3/11 day in 2006… and I must say: this one blew everything out of the water. The energy of the band, the fans, the songs played, and of course, New Orleans. They couldn’t have picked a better city to hold the event. I’m glad I made it back alive. One more day in that city probably would have killed me (in a good way). Unfortunately, I didn’t get to go to the 2004 show so I can’t compare it to that. Some fans claim that show was the best. I say this was the best for me. 311 played a whopping 63 songs that night (how many bands do you know that can do that?). The phenomenal set list can be found here.
Highlights included:
- First time EVER playing “The Continuous Life” live.
- First time EVER playing a cover of “The Joker” (Steve Miller Band).
- During “Applied Science”, Chad (the drummer) and his set elevated 15 feet high.
- Played rare jewels such as “Summer of Love”,”Right Now”, and “Today My Love”.
- All the B-sides they played throughout the show.
- The video screen, c02 blasters, and confetti canons were pretty cool. (at one point, you couldn’t see a foot or two in front of you with all the confetti)
- Ending on “Paradise”.
I will admit, however, that it was weird for the show to end on “Paradise”. No encore or anything. Fans lingered and chanted, hoping to hear a couple more or to hear one of the usual concert ending songs. But they never came back out. I figured it was the venue curfew and maybe they were forced to cut it like last time. Or they wanted to end on “Paradise” to change it up. In reality, none of us can complain. This show tops them all. It is forever etched into my memory (thankfully I will remember this one better) and in my heart. Thank you to all the band, management, and all the 311 fans that came from around the world to see this special show. The experience, as Nick put it, truly was “Paradise”.
For more on 311, check out:
Special Thanks to Peter Raspler and 311 Management.
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