Merriweather Post Pavilion
Tucked away into Symphony Woods, nestled in a forest in Columbia, Md., between Washington and Baltimore, lies a sleeping giant otherwise known as Merriweather Post Pavilion. When it awakes, great recording artists brings it to a whole new electric level of performance. Legends have played here: The Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, the Who, Jimi Hendrix, Madonna, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, and more continue to travel through to one of the country's most beuatiful and well-designed outdoor sound stages.
Spaced across 40 acres, many musicians have left their mark on the outdoor setting over the past 40 years. Green Day had the first 15 rows ripped out to create a mosh pit. Tom Jones had loge sections added, with a re-grading of the lawn to allow for a slope that provided better stage views. Jack Johnson inspired Merriweather to add solar panels, composting and LEED-certified structures.
Merriweather was originally built to be the home of the National Symphony Orchestra, with a stage designed by Frank Gehry, who also designed the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles for the LA Philharmonic. But likely due to revenue potential, the stage was opened to louder types of music that would sell out. Classical music does get its share of the Merriweather calendar, along with jazz, blues, R&B, hip hop, electronica, pop, country and rock. Other events are held in Symphony Woods, including the annual Maryland Wine Festival, which draws nearly 30,000 people.
The calendar begins in spring and holds performances through September. This year's calendar includes Lilith Fair (with Sarah McLaughlin, Indigo Girls and Cat Power, among others), Barenaked Ladies, “Rock the Bells” with Snoop Dogg, Lauren Hill, A Tribe Called Quest and various other artists; and David Gray. Food is available at the pavilion, as are alcoholic beverages. Performances take place rain or shine, which is sometimes okay if there's to be mud involved.
Posted by Rin-rin Yu
