The "How badly will Langerado fuck up this time?" saga continued earlier this week when the much-maligned festival sent out a mass email to fans asking for band suggestions.
"Help us round out the lineup and show off the sonic sweetness coming out of South Florida," the email begged. Help us, indeed.
After a two-year hiatus following the cancellation of its 2009 installment, it was announced in March that Langerado was being resurrected. The 2011 edition of the festival would be held at Markham Park in Sunrise, October 8 and 9.
Things seemed on track for the former South Florida mainstay's comeback.
But in the following months, it became apparent that some of the poor judgment from two years earlier had carried over. The $150 festival's initial billing announcement on June 1 contained only 31 bands. For comparison's sake, Hopscotch Music Festival in Raleigh, NC is $105 for 157 acts over three days, while FYF Fest in Los Angeles is $30 for 37.
Quantity aside, some fans just didn't like the lineup, claiming it was too similar to that of 2009's Langerado attempt. Nothing against Ben Gibbard and company, but the two incarnations of the festival do share the same headliner in Death Cab for Cutie, along with a few other acts.
So Langerado has now taken to the internet, asking fans to "Suggest local bands for the lineup." Normal festival organizers might scout some talent. Or um, invite some musicians they like.
Perhaps we're being too harsh and Langerado's people are doing a fine job promoting community involvement. Or perhaps they're lazy. Or just out of touch with the local music scene.
Whatever the case, go to Langerado's website and submit your top three South Florida bands by July 1. The winners will likely be whichever desperate bands vote for themselves the most.
Langerado Music Festival. Saturday, October 8, and Sunday, October 9. Markham Park, 16001 W. State Rd. 84, Fort Lauderdale. Two-day tickets cost $150 to $180 via langerado.com. Call 954-389-2005 or visit markhampark.com.
-- Alex Broadwell
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