In what was the biggest rock concert I’ve ever seen on WKU’s South Lawn, 3 local bands and one visitor rocked the night away. Some estimates on the crowd size were up to 3,000, but no matter how many there were it was evident WKU was not expecting them all. If you’ve seen video of CTE’s performances on the road and in Europe, you know the energy is turned way up and the crowd gets into a frenzy. Well here was your chance, Bowling Green, to see it, feel it, and be part of it.

I had planned to take pictures from the crowd, so I snaked my way in to about what would have been 5th row if there were seats and pretty close to center. But I wasn’t there long until it became apparent the moshing was just starting up and it would be near impossible to be still enough to get a good picture, so out I went to get access to the photography pit. Once there, between the crowd and the stage, there were things going on in both directions. Never a dull moment at this show.

All four bands did a great job. Thee Japanese School Girls led off the night with a lively set, followed by Canago’s techno-dance fun music. Our locals did a fine job of warming up the crowd and the crowd responded well. Manchester Orchestra did a powerful set of their own and got to do about an hour-long set. Somewhere in the middle of this is when things started getting really interesting in the crowd. By the end of the set the metal barriers were leaning into the pit and had to be held back by the event staff. But luckily cooler heads prevailed because I have no doubt if they wanted to, that crowd would have broken the line. All during this excitement went on while Manchester Orchestra was puting out some major excitement of their own.

By the time Cage got on we were all more than ready. Wasting no time by breaking out with “In One Ear” it was just one hot song after another. Lead singer Matt Schultz did have to make a couple of announcements about the crowd takiing a step back, but they played their hour long set and ended up right at the 11 o’clock curfew time, no encore. All in all it was just what a rock and roll show should be, and I had the sense that here’s a band really on the brink of something huge. They also said to be ready for Starry Nights 2012 and that it will be bigger and better than ever next year after it’s one-year hiatus this year. So all you CTE fans, be on the lookout for those tickets because they’re bound to be hot. 

Cage the Elephant, Manchester Orchestra, Canago, Thee Japanese School Girls performed at WKU South Lawn on 9/21/2011.

About the author: Pennman bought his first 45 at age nine and has been hooked on rock ever since. He has spent much of his disposable income on music, especially live performances. He writes reviews of the shows he sees and keeps a keen lookout for upcoming shows in or near Bowling Green. He has a BA in Communications, specializing in journalism, and has dabbled in music himself, both as a player and instructor. Find more of Pennman’s work at www.associatedcontent.com/user/165511/pennman.html or visit him at www.myspace.com/pennman_bg or www.facebook.com/pennman