street scene 2008

(flaming lips' wayne coyne, street scene 2005; source: creative commons)

earlier this week i was googling for information on street scene 2008, wondering if there'd even be an event after last year's debacle, and there was absolutely nothing to be found - not even on their dormant website. a couple of days later rob hagey shook things up by announcing his intention to return street scene to downtown. yet upon closer examination, it turned out he hasn't actually secured a location there, and apparently hasn't even talked to petco park owners about using their parking lots, which is where it was last held downtown.

how can street scene return to downtown when it had to leave due to growing too large, and lack of space there? i didn't attend the 2004 event in the petco lots, but the only problem i remember hearing about was that the trolley couldn't get through at times due to large crowds. seems like a few barriers would solve that problem. there's still plenty of space in that area, and hagey is scheduling on a weekend when the padres are not in town. between these lots, park at the park, and the stadium itself, a decent-sized festival could probably fit. including the area behind the convention center is a great idea, except that those uptight coronadians somehow get to tell us all that only soft music can be played there. anyway, with the underwhelming lineup at this year's coachella (save saturday), hagey wouldn't look too bad in comparison if he puts together a modest southern california music festival this year.

i still don't understand why balboa park is completely out of the picture, other than the snooty residents and park committee members who downed it last time. while hagey apparently wanted to shut down part of 6th ave., there's got to be a way to make the festival doable in the park. after all, they're holding outside lands fest in golden gate park, so why can't we do the same? just, please - no jack johnson bro!