TED NUGENT

June 17, 2016
Laconiafest
Laconia, New Hampshire

One more day in Laconia, and the weather was beautiful, blue skies and bright sun and motorcycles everywhere! This was day 7 of 9 days of music and more at the Weirs Beach Drive In, a new music festival that runs during the Laconia Motorcycle Week, and today was one I have been looking forward to, The Great Gonzo, The Motor City Madman, Ted Nugent!

It was starting to get dark out when the lights went down and the fog machines kicked in and Ted Nugent slowly started his way towards the stage playing a blistering version of “the Star Spangled Banner” Then the fun started with “Gonzo” then into one of his infamous love songs “Yank Me, Crank Me”, so far Ted wasn’t disappointing with his set list. He continued on into “Snakeskin Cowboys” with a lively banter directed to the audience. “Wang Dang Sweet Poontang” had the crowd singing along and that continued into “Free For All” with snippets of “klstrphunky” thrown in between songs. “Good Friends and a Bottle of Wine” seemed to be the theme for the evening, As Uncle Ted was in a good mood and started into “I Still Believe” off of his latest album, “Shut Up and Jam”, the only song off that album on his set list. His ode to his old friend and hunting mentor, “Fred Bear” the only slow moment of this night.

But what Ted Nugent concert would be complete without him playing the title track off of his 1977 album, “Cat Scratch Fever” he followed this up with the classic “Stranglehold” and that ended the set for the night, or did it?

The crowd was loud enough to bring out Ted for one more song. My favorite, “Great White Buffalo” and that brought the night to a close. Just wish he had brought the flaming arrows and put the headdress on.

The set was full of classic Nugent, played well by a solid backing band consisting of Greg Smith on bass and newcomer Jason Hartless on drums. My only disappointment was not seeing Derek St. Holmes up there with Ted and Greg, but he has his own thing going these days.

Ted put on a fantastic show, with some political ranting but nothing I feel the audience didn’t agree with, great selection of his greatest hits. He is touring across the U.S. this summer be sure to catch him!!!

Little did we know that Friday would end up being the last day of Laconiafest, with Sevendust cancelling for Saturday along with a lot of the other bands.

Laconiafest was an experience, but what new festival doesn’t have its growing pains. I hope that it doesn’t end on this note, but comes back next year, with a better plan and better organizers.