It may have been two-plus months since concerts small and large were shut down across the world. But the return of live music this past Memorial Day weekend may as well have been two years.
Go ahead. Let out a big sigh of relief, toss your horns into the sky and bang your head. Sunday’s 5th annual Memorial Day Metalfest at Fitzgerald’s, normally a national calling of bands that this time was a condensed version featuring 10 San Antonio artists playing to 25 percent capacity, was literally music to the ears of those in attendance.
But it also may have provided more questions regarding the scene.
Through the tireless efforts of Fitzgerald’s co-owners Sharon and Karen Perkins, bar staff and FocusStar Media promoter Matt Louderback, live metal reigned supreme once again. A night after hosting cover band Black Molly, the venue’s indoor and outdoor metalfest marked the official return of original-artist music. And while preparations included booking bands, dealing with possible cancellations, figuring how much staff to have on hand and abiding by city and governor-mandated rules for reopening, a tornado warning and flood watches lasting into the morning threw additional curveballs into the equation for good measure four bands into the night.
As such, ATM’s coverage was temporarily stopped and had every intention of resuming on a second trip to the bar only to be halted by partial closures of highways due to cars being stalled. So with apologies to headliners The Crowned plus Even In Death, Requiem Rust, Decimate, Wrathtongue and 2019 Wacken Metal Battle Regional winners Vernon Of Persia, coverage was limited to a 35-photo slideshow and videos here and below of Pigweed, All Stories End, Hijo De Puta and openers Dioxis.
Although the number of those wearing protective masks could be counted on one hand out of roughly 40 people for the first half of the evening that swelled to what was supposed to be an indoor capacity of 77 and “unlimited” outdoor patronage by the time Pigweed played inside during the storm, the evening was as successful as could be expected considering the Covid-19 era in which live music finds itself. Interestingly enough, Pigweed, a group of seven members, played with only four before a fifth joined his mates on backup vocals for final tune “Fake For Now” (see ATM coverage below). One of the missing members, it was acknowledged to ATM, was absent due to his concerns with contracting the virus.
So where do we go from here?
Fitzgerald’s has more events scheduled including Blackened (Metallica tribute act) this Saturday plus a $7 gathering Saturday, June 13 featuring Bridge 13, Saving Jackie, My Madness and We Inertia.
Other venues, such as Bonds 007 Rock Bar on 450 Soledad St., are slowly working their way back while trying to meet all regulations to a tee. Rush tribute act Exit Stage Left is scheduled for Friday, June 19; a package headlined by Austin act Bury The Rod with Athanatos, I Am Heir from McAllen, Nevallum and Astray Thru Eternity on Saturday, June 20; and Pigweed’s return Saturday, July 18 with Waking The Sleeper, Saving Jackie, Ammo For My Arsenal, Meridian, Dose Makes The Poison and Lonestar Massacre (see ATM’s Concert Listings for details).
“For our capacity, we can have 57 people in the bar,” says Bonds co-owner Dirce Eguia, whose two-story establishment offered a trial opening downstairs only last weekend but has not hosted a live act since the shutdown. “When you space the tables and chairs 6 feet apart and can have no more than six at a table, it only leaves chairs for 54 people. Everyone is supposed to have a seat, so we can't even get to 57. When they raise the limit to 50 or even 100 percent, we will be in the same boat. Until this changes, we cannot increase. There are so many rules. It requires extra staff. At a time when we want to keep expenses low, we are having to add for extra labor and disinfecting supplies.”
And what about national tours that are supposed to hit the Alamo City this year? Some have been postponed. Others such as As I Lay Dying with Whitechapel plus Ministry with KMFDM and Front Line Assembly have been rescheduled for early 2021.
International acts Krokus and Steve Grimmett’s Grim Reaper, both of which were scheduled to play the second installment of the Tierra Sagrada festival Sept. 19 at Sunken Garden Theater, have canceled their tours due to traveling restrictions and risks. Replacement acts are being sought, including the challenge of finding a worthy headliner to replace Krokus for a fest that already includes American artists Dokken, Riot V, Lita Ford and local openers Jessikill, according to Din Productions promoter Alfred Mejia, to avoid canceling outright.
Krokus’ appearance was to be part of its farewell tour, which begs the question: what’s going to happen with the older bands’ concerts? Although KISS played its San Antonio farewell last Sept. 8 at the AT&T Center, area fans are supposed to have another opportunity to see them Oct. 1 at the Germania Insurance Amphitheater in Austin. But if cancellations and postponements for KISS’ scheduled 3-year trek and other acts last into the new year, might we have already seen these older artists for the final time? Same with Judas Priest, which was originally planning on kicking off its 50th anniversary tour here at the 2020 River City Rockfest until the festival was axed for good last year, pre-Coronavirus. But now, even The Priest’s scheduled Oct. 6 gig at Freeman Coliseum is in jeopardy.
The concert scene may have returned last week. But it’s still more of a crawl than a sprint, let alone a walk. As with most things, time will tell whether the comeback continues to grow. Or whether a spike in Covid-19 cases, particularly during the fall and Texas “winter,” forces a second, perhaps larger, shutdown from live music.
“All we can do,” says Syrus guitarist John Castilleja, “is stay safe and see what way the wind blows.”
In case you missed them: Part 1: The Shutdown; Part 2: The Anticipation
