Bye-bye Big Mele, aloha Poifest, and let's exhale a big lungful of howzit for the Cypress Hill SmokeOut. Cypress Hill headlines
SmokeOut music festivalStar-Bulletin
Those single-day rock festivals in particular, held at the Kualoa Ranch and the grounds of Turtle Bay Hilton, have become but fond memories. It appeared there would be nothing to take their place, leaving Hawaii's mosh-happy music fans high and dry.
Until now. The L.A.-based Golden Voice concert promotion organization, responsible for the Big Mele festivals held at Kualoa Ranch, will make a return to the picturesque Windward location for the hip-hop act's successful annual festival.
Cypress Hill themselves have been regular visitors to the islands, including being a featured act at a previous Big Mele. Hawaii is just one of the new tour stops for the festival this year, its third one.
The SmokeOut is described as establishing "a forum of unparalleled diversity and excellence by combining the biggest names in hip-hop, rock and electronica" -- although, truth be told, the lineup of the festival that's scheduled to play here on Oct. 21 tips the scales more to the rock side.
Pennywise, Suicidal Tendencies and Guttermouth, veteran punk acts long familiar to Hawaii audiences, fill out the six-band bill, with psychedelic hip-hop punkers Kottonmouth Kings making their island debut. Cypress Hill will end the festival with their own set, but as of press time, there will be "one more surprise act (to be announced)."
Who could it be? Hard rockers Deftones (who shot a music video on the Big Island several months ago) are rumored to be that sixth act, and they are part of this year's festival lineup, along with rappers Redman and Method Man, Fear Factory and the Long Beach Dub All-Stars, the offshoot band from local favorites Sublime.
Tickets go on sale Sept. 22 for $30 in advance, with applicable service charge.
They'll be available at all Tower Records and Video locations, Cheapo Music (formerly Jelly's) in Puck's Alley and Pearl Kai, Hungry Ear in Kailua, Pearl Harbor Bloch Arena, ITT Kaneohe HCBH, Schofield ITR, the UH Campus Center and all Ticket Plus outlets, or charge by phone at 526-4400.
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