First annual Charm City Music Festival features a variety of bands

This Saturday, an estimated 9,000 people showed up to kickstart Baltimore’s first annual Charm City Music Festival. Headliners included Weezer, Flogging Molly, Stephen Marley and Southern Culture on the Skids, but Charm City Music Festival had more than just music in store: the all-day event was prepared to show visitors what Baltimore is all about. The Harbor East waterfront was decorated with booths of local businesses, popular carnival rides, as well as great Baltimore cuisine. The sun was out, the beers were cold, and the beautiful people of Maryland came to represent their state.

Needless to say, the Charm City Music Festival was filled with incredible performances.  Southern Culture on the Skids kicked off the headliners. SCOTS, as many of their fans call them, has been recording albums since 1983 and their music has appeared in a myriad of movies, but they are most known for their live performances. Their rockabilly style combined with their great sense of humor makes them a spectacle to see live, and they did not leave anything behind for Charm City. In the midst of the show, the band called a group of ladies up from the audience to throw pieces of fried chicken into the crowd, making the audience laugh.

Stephen Marley came up next. The five-time Grammy winning singer, songwriter, producer, and not to mention son of Bob Marley got the crowd going with his smooth and fast reggae tunes. Marley had no shortage of great songs to play: his latest album, The Revelation Pt. 1: The Root of Life won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album in 2012. But even so, Marley payed tribute to his legendary father, playing songs such as “Buffalo Soldier” and “Could You Be Loved,” while also hoisting his son up on stage to sing with him.

Following Stephen Marley was the Celtic punk band Flogging Molly. Flogging Molly has been known to throw crazy shows, and their performance at the Charm City Music Festival did not disappoint. The band used instruments such as the accordion, fiddle and tin whistle to keep the crowd in a continual mosh pit. Even though the crowd was wild, Flogging Molly was still able to create intimate moments during songs like “If I Ever Leave This World” and in transitions where the lead singer, Dave Kings, commended Amnesty International and mourned the death of US Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, sparking a USA chant from the audience.

After Flogging Molly’s performance, a giant American flag was draped from the stage and Sargent Stanley Fortiz of the US Army was awarded Baltimore’s Hometown Hero Award. This was the perfect introduction to The Star-Spangled Banner, performed by rock band Madison Rising. It was especially fitting that the song was performed on the anniversary of the Battle of Baltimore, the event which inspired Francis Scott Key to write the national anthem. With fireworks in the background, their rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner was nothing short of epic.

Weezer came in to close the show. The legendary alternative rock band started off with “My Name Is Jonas,” the opening track to their debut album. They continued to play many of their anthemic hits, including “Buddy Holly,” “Beverly Hills,” “Pork and Beans” and “Island in the Sun;” as well as some of their lesser known fan favorites such as “El Sorcho,” “We Are All on Drugs” and the melodic “The Greatest Man That Ever Lived.” Playing in front of a glowing “W,” it was impossible to be bored during Weezer’s two hour performance. The concert was filled not only with thrashing guitars and catchy riffs, but with small jokes that worked perfectly with Weezer’s nerd-punk style. The climax of the energy was when Weezer’s plaid-shirted singer, Rivers Cuomo, jumped off the stage to interact with headbangers and crowdsurfers. Then Weezer put their show to a close after one encore, leaving the crowd with their hit single “Say It Ain’t So.”

Charm City Music Festival also showcased Baltimore’s local music scene. Bands such as Jah Works, Loving the Lie, Kelley Bell Band, the Almighty Senators and more shined as the festival began, showcasing Baltimore’s lush musical talent. “There is so much for the local music scene,” explained Shane Dougherty, lead singer of the Baltimore band Almost Certain. The festival even made a showing of Baltimore’s local DJs, who performed for a dancing crowd in an electronic dance tent.