Capitol Federal Park at Sandstone (formerly Sandstone Amphitheater)

The Strange Noize Tour featuring Tech N9ne, the Kottonmouth Kings , and (hed)p.e. comes to Capitol Federal Park at Sandstone on Saturday, August 30th.  Openers include X Clan, Dirtball, and Prozak. Tickets to the concert are $35, and are on sale Saturday July 18th through all Ticketmaster Outlets and www.ticketmaster.com. 

Omaha’s 311, hip hop icon and fellow “green” advocate Snoop Dogg and opener Fiction Plane came, saw and musically conquered Capitol Federal Park’s largest and most excited crowd of the summer.

Despite a potential disparity between which fans would stay for which performers, the massive fan assembly seemed poised for equal portions of Snoop and 311 (with Fiction Plane added for good measure).

Not only did the night house top-notch performers and a bevy of attendants, it was also the first concert in recent memory not plagued by pre-show or post-show downpours.

Read a review by the Star’s Bill Brownlee here.

Click here to read a review from The Pitch’s Wayward Blog.

All photos by Paul Chokota

After a rain-laden soundcheck and about half an hour of sprinkles, last night’s show headlined by Hinder and Staind was met with the enthusiasm of fans who wouldn’t let being soggy stop a good time.

Opening acts Jet Black Stare and Alterbridge got the crowd warmed up while visitors took a look at the venue’s new seating arrangements and sipped (or chugged) Capitol Federal Park’s $5 beers.

Among the tents of vendors, many attendees were surprised and excited to receive free concert tickets to upcoming Cap Fed Park shows, including The Rock and Roll Dream Concert and the Benefit for Greensburg.

The mild night of heavy rock ended with dry fans and and smooth traffic.

Read a review of the show here.

All photos by Paul Chokota

It was a hot, humid day framed by heavy showers, but it was filled with enough enthusiasm to make none of that matter.

This year’s Vans Warped Tour sported some of the biggest names of the summer in a diverse rock lineup that ranged from the pop of Paramore to the metal riffs of August Burns Red.

Though the challenges of maintaining green practices during an event as large in scope and scale as the Warped Tour are demanding, with the help of staff and concert goers, the day ended as a success.

Read The Pitch’s take on the day here.

The Star’s Timothy Finn had this to say about his time at Warped.

To sum it up, fans turned out by the thousands to see their favorite acts throughout a scorching day and faced the downpour that brought the show to a dramatic close.

The Devil Wears Prada performing “Still Fly”

Forever the Sickest Kids performing an acoustic set:

All photos by Paul Chokota

Saturday saw thousands of music fans from across the metro filing in to share in the excitement of Mix 93.3’s 13th annual Red, White and Boom summer music event.

Fair weather helped the predominantly young crowd enjoy a diverse pop and rock lineup, headlined by 2007 American Idol winner Jordin Sparks.

Emceed by Mix’s radio personality Swank, the day of music included an expert Guitar Hero III performance.

The crowd proved receptive to Capitol Federal Park’s green initiative by properly sorting their recyclables and taking all of the supplied “green” buttons from Kansas City’s environmental group Bridging the Gap. The buttons include information on how individuals can take steps to a more sustainable future, reminding those who wear them to participate in bettering tomorrow through social responsibility.

The Kansas City Star’s Timothy Finn was at the concert and shares his synopsis here.

John Kreicberg of The Pitch shares his take on the show here.

Check out select performances from the show, reposted from Mix 93.3’s Web site:

Jordin Sparks: No Air

Metro Station: Shake It

Boys Like Girls: Thunder

The Last Goodnight:

Lifehouse:

All photos by Paul Chokota

Capitol Federal Park at Sandstone developed a new view on the fan experience with their new “up close and personal” general admission section.  Eighteen rows of the previous seating area has been removed to allow for fans to receive a festival atmosphere experience.  The fan that would typically purchase a lawn ticket will now have a chance to enjoy the show from the once precious front row seats.  Ten rows of seats remain in the lower GA section.  These are on a first come, first serve basis.

On some shows the lower GA section will be regulated by wristbands for the first 5,000 patrons to arrive at the lower section, but this is on a show by show basis.  We do not encourage nor allow camping at the venue gates or surrounding streets.  For those interested in the blanket on the lawn atmosphere, this is still available and is purchased as a general admission ticket as well.

We believe that this change is a positive one.  It opens the flow of the park and allows for the laid back atmosphere we hope to achieve.

The Bonner Springs Police Department and Capitol Federal Park at Sandstone, in cooperation with metropolitan area law enforcement agencies, are pleased to present the 10th Annual Kansas City Metropolitan area DARE Festival. Sandstone donated the use of their facility for a celebration of area student’s decision to be drug and violence free. This is the 10th anniversary of the festival and it’s the longest running bi-state DARE Festival. The festival was held Thursday May 8, 2008 from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm. The event was open to all DARE students who have completed the DARE instruction during the 2007-2008 school year. Acts on the stage at the event consisted of Retro Bill serving as Master of Ceremonies, DARE student choirs from Kansas and Missouri schools, a host of dignitaries as well as local talent.
“DARE has become an annual event that the staff looks forward to hosting. The enthusiasm shown by the kids and the pride shown by their teachers and local officers confirmed the benefit of this valuable program,” Kevin Pew, General Manager, Capitol Federal Park at Sandstone.

PickRset is a website that collaborates with bands to get fans involved in choosing set-lists for the concerts they attend. For instance, you can help pick the set list for the Mayhem Tour on July 22nd at Capitol Federal Park at Sandstone.