WBCN River Rave 2001
May 26, 2001 Foxboro Stadium Foxboro, Massachusetts
Story by Tim Halldin Photos by Christopher Wright & Sarahdanielle Rocheleau



On Saturday May 26, 2001, Boston, Massachusetts radio station WBCN held it's annual River Rave at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. A ten hour show which included 23 different performers on three different stages such as : The Rave Tent, The Pit Stage, and The Revolving Stage, which was the main stage. Fans from the whole Northeast lined up as early as 9:30 am in the morning, to see their favorite artist to perform at what will be the last River Rave to be held at the old Foxboro Stadium. A new stadium right next door should be ready next years event.

In the Rave Tent fans were dancing and having fun to the music of "Liquid Todd". Up next in the Rave Tent was "Keoki", a group that will be a favorite for all walks of ravers. Finally headlining the show in the rave tent was "Fatboy Slim". Everyone in the Rave Tent danced to Slim's hits like "Praise You" and "Funk Soul Brother". Included in the set was their latest single "Weapon Of Choice". If you missed Fatboy Slim make sure you check out their latest video for "Weapon Of Choice" which features actor Chris Walker dancing and flying around in his apartment.

As we headed over to the Pit Stage, we saw fans enjoying the music of groups like "Bleu", who were the first to go on, "Cave In" and "The Shelia Divine", who are not only getting a great amount of air play on WBCN, they also got a lot of attention from the fans that day as well. Bands like "New Found Glory" and "Tantric", kept the music rolling for everyone waiting to see Eve 6 and Stabbing Westward. When Eve 6 hit the stage they got a great response. They totally rocked during their 30 minute set which ended with their hit "Inside Out". Headlining the pit stage was "Stabbing Westward". Being the most anticipated act on the pit stage, the fans jumped around and rocked out while the band played all their hits including "Nothing". If you missed Stabbing Westward make sure you check them out this summer on tour with The Cult and Monster Magnet.

On to the main stage other wise known as the revolving stage, "American Hi Fi" and "Coldplay" opened the day up for everyone. Also featured on revolving stage was Boston's own "Dropkick Murphys". Definitely check out "Dropkick Murphys", their hard core sound is filled with fat riffs and heavy chunky hooks. They had a loud pounding set which was the definite warm up that day for all the slam dancers in the mosh pit. Lifehouse, an up and coming new band hit the stage and played their 30 minute set with full, energy. Frontman and lead singer, Jason Wade, was very grateful for being able to perform at the River Rave and thanked WBCN for giving them the opportunity to play. Their latest single "Hanging by a Monment", seemed to be the crowd's favorite song also.

Flying all they way up from Florida, in the middle of recording their third album, was Atlanta's own "Sevendust". Lead Singer Ljohn Witherspoon commented on how Boston is their favorite place to play and that Sevendust has a very big following out here. Sevendust's set list included material from their self titled debut & from their last release, "Home". As always "Black", their first hit single went over best with the audience. "Everlast" was up next and played a great set which included the hit "What it's Like". "System of a Down" full on metal attack was pretty brutal. Serj, Shavo, Darron & John's frightening 30 minute set when well with anyone who dared to enter the pit. System of a Down opened their set with "Sugar", from the latest release.

The Cult is back! Ian Asbury on vocals, Billy Duffy on guitar and Matt Sorum on drums. Opening their set with the classic "Little Devil". The Cult was powerful enough to shake the foundation at Foxboro Stadium right down to the ground playing in support of their brand new album, "Beyond Good & Evil". If you were not there that day and you missed the Cult, all I have to say is that it's your loss! Included in their set was "Fire Woman" and "Sweet Soul Sister" from the Sonic Temple album. "She Sells Sanctury", "Rain", "Wildflower" and from 1994's self titled album they played "The Witch". Drummer Matt Sorum, is back and better than ever. After leaving Guns N' Roses and Slash's Snakepit, we must thank Matt for reforming one of the greatest rock n' roll bands of all time. The Cult took time to display some material from their latest release, including the new single "Rise". Make sure you check out the Cult this summer when they play at a venue near you.

Punk rockers Green Day were next on the bill. They played a great set which mainly featured material from their album, Dookie, which has sold over Ten Million copies. Opening their show with "Welcome to Paradise", and continuing on with songs like "When I Come Around" and "Longview". The crowd behaved very well, no there was no mud fight during Green Day's set like we all saw at Woodstock 1994. Green Day closed their set with the 1994 hit single "Basketcase".

Up next Live took the stage playing material from their classic album "Throwing The Coopper". Included in their set were songs like "Iris" and "Selling the Drama". Live ended their set with a rare duet with "Tricky". Hard Rockers "The Black Crowes" were up next on the bill. The Black Crowes mixed up their songs in a timely fashion. Playing material from the recent album and classics like "Twice as Hard" from 1990's Shake Your Money Maker as well as songs like "Remedy" from 1992's Southern Musical Harmony and Compainion.

The bad boys from Boston, Aerosmith hit the stage at 9:10 p.m.. After 30 years of playing rock n' roll, Aerosmith is still a treat to see live. They sounded real tight, and Steven Tyler's voice was the best I've ever heard it. Playing classic tunes like "Back In the Saddle" and from 1975's Toys In The Attic, "Sweet Emotion". Aerosmith also played their most recent hit, "Jadded", from their new album Just Push Play. Closing their set with "Train Kept A Rolling", from 1974's Get Your Wings. Aerosmith will be on tour all summer long in support of Just Push Play. If you have never seen them live, or even if you have seen Aerosmith, make sure to check them out, you won't be disappointed.

Closing the day was the ever so spooky and controversial Marilyn Manson. Onstage in his own style of heavy n' hard-shock rock. Playing material from his recent release Holy Wood, Marilyn Manson sang about today's youth during "Dissposible Teens". From his last album, The Mechanical Animals, Manson rocked out on songs like "The Dope Show", and his version of the Eurythmics song "Sweet Dreams". After playing through a half hour rainy set Marilyn Manson closed the whole evening out with his anthem from the Anti-Christ Superstar album, "Beautiful People".

	If you live anywhere in New England you have to make plans to see this show next year! There is a little bit of everything here and though the sets are short, the energy is high and it's one show that you just can not miss! The WBCN River Rave has more "Bang for the Buck" than any other radio station event in the whole Northeast!