The University of Utah's version of Woodstock has returned for its 17th year and this season features its usual slate of diverse musical acts during its three-day schedule.
Mayfest '92, scheduled Wednesday through Friday on the lawns outside the U.'s Olpin Student Union Building, includes reggae, grunge-rock, punkish pop/rock and ethnic folk and jazz performers.Mayfest, one of the largest music festivals in the state, is free to students and public. The festival traditionally draws more than 15,000 spectators over its three days, and individual concerts have had crowds as large as 5,000.
Running from noon to dusk each day, the festival also includes eight food booths with differing cuisines, 80 arts and crafts booths and informational stations from student groups and chapters and national organizations.
Additionally, Mayfest '92 will feature special half-hour performances during set changes, including Mexican folk dance, modern dance, an intertribal powwow, a 14-piece jazz ensemble and comedy. It will also include the traditional giant Twister game.
But chief among Mayfest's draws is its music. This year's acts are:Big Drill Car (Friday, May 15, 4:30 p.m.; punkish pop/rock). This Orange County, Calif., quartet has broadened its musical scope to include funk and early '80s rock influences, which blend with high-energy pop on its recently released "Batch" album.
The Fluid (Friday, May 15, 6 p.m.; punk- and garage-rock). Though this Denver act came from Colorado's hard-core punk-rock scene, the quintet has diversified, adding psychedelia and grunge to its punkified garage attack.
Inner Circle (Thursday, May 14, 9 p.m.; reggae). Hailing from Kingston, Jamaica, this six-piece band finally saw its 10 years of experience pay off with the hit single, "Bad Boys," the theme to Fox Network's "Cops" TV program. They're touring on the strength of their "Black Roses" album.
Ivo Papasov and his Orchestra (Thursday, May 14, 3 p.m.; ethnic jazzy folk). The acknowledged master of wedding music and ethnic folk, Bulgarian clarinetist Ivo Papasov and his six-piece ensemble play Greek, Romanian and other European wedding songs in an aggressive jazz-rock style. And the band prides itself on its ability to make anyone dance.
Ride (Friday, May 15, 7:30 p.m.; guitar-pop/rock). This English quartet has already been hailed as the logical successor to the Smiths. The recently released "Going Blank Again" album features the band's trademark melodic guitar pop and twin vocal harmonies.
Skankin' Pickle (Thursday, May 14, 7:30 p.m.; ska). This San Francisco seven-piece band is ahead of its contemporaries, with reggae, funk- and punk-rock thrown into its brisk ska - which is typically of a light-hearted nature. Pickle is touring on the strength of its "Skafunkrastapunk" album.
Treepeople (Wednesday, May 13, 9 p.m.; grunge rock). Though not originally from Seattle, this quartet plays loud, hard and fast music in the Seattle "grunge" style, except with more attention to melody and pacing. The "Something Vicious For Tomorrow" album also includes a wicked (and thoroughly appropriate) cover of the Smiths' "Bigmouth Strikes Again."
In addition to the national touring acts, Mayfest '92 will feature a schedule of local acts, including Doghouse (Wednesday at noon), Speak No Ill (Wednesday at 1:30 p.m), HYPC (Wednesday at 3 p.m.), Stoneface (Wednesday at 6 p.m.), Iceburn (Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.), Gospel (Thursday at noon), Salsa Espreso (Thursday at 1:30 p.m.), the Skeletones (Thursday at 4:30 p.m.), House of Cards (Thursday at 6 p.m.), Cottonwood Gang (Friday at noon), Skin 'n' Bones (Friday at 1:30 p.m.) and the Decomposers (Friday at 3 p.m.).