Rock Werchter 1989

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One of my greatest days ever was July 2nd, 1989. On that day I attended the Rock Werchter Festival in Werchter, Belgium. The lineup, in order: Texas, Pixies, Tanita Tikaram, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Robert Cray Band, Elvis Costello, R.E.M., Joe Jackson, and Lou Reed. The epic day actually began the day prior, as we partied for 24 straight hours before we even left for Belgium as part of a USO trip. I promptly threw up in the bushes on the Belgian border (they let me in anyway!) Then I partied some more. We arrived late, but my buddy and I conned our way to the front of the line with a mess hall card and a camera, posing as New York Times reporters (true story.) I came very close to getting stomped in the pogo pit during the line Pixies' set after I slipped on the muddy field. I managed to stay upright in the Nick Cave pit, however. Elvis Costello was up there all by himself, just an acoustic guitar and sequencing. And he still brought it! R.E.M. was as good as you would expect. They rocked it from their opener, "Pop Song 89" through the entire set. Great live band. Joe Jackson did the same, opening with You Can't Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want,)" and playing classic after Joe Jackson classic. As for Lou Reed, he was incredible. Let's just say that if you never got to see him, you truly missed out. I've had quite a few epic days during my time. This was one of my favorite's. The video is the Pixies during their set.