The worst thing that could ever happen to you is being asked to help move a couch but attending the 7th annual Old Couch Fest is likely the best thing that happened all week to the hundreds (if not thousands) who came out Saturday night. The sounds of Eric Pettit Lion, Rock Steady, Van and the Movers, and Dave Zollo bounced back and forth between the Capitol Theater (who hosts the yearly event) and the buildings all up and down the 200 block of North 3rd Street and the rest of the downtown, and there was much fun to be had. “When Old Couch (Fest) originally got started it was more Americana (music), blue grass, and it’s sort of evolved,” said Jeff Poulter, a Capitol Theater board member and volunteer who helps organize the festival every year.
“Really, we have all genres of music. And we always try to highlight local bands and bring in a regional or national (act)..
.It’s become one of Burlington’s more popular summer events.” The all-ages crowd (which even included some doggos on leashes) had plenty of good food to scarf down courtesy of Smokey Blue Bar-B-Q and Coal Haus 337 along with popcorn, candy, and Mississippi Moon monster cookie ice cream sandwiches.
The beer and booze flowed like wine; some took the opportunity to get down and dance it up, and the good vibes seemed to be infectious all throughout the crowd. Iowa band Eric Pettit Lion, who have played the festival every year since its beginning, opened the night off with their alt-country style which also had moments that sounded like some of the Grateful Dead’s more upbeat tunes. Rocksteady played two sets underneath the Capitol Theater’s marquee in between the main stage bands with sets mostly of 80’s and 90’s rock covers, which included No Doubt’s “Just A Girl,” which seemed to energize the entire block.
Fairfield band Van and the Movers brought their brand of “red hot blues” to the fest but started their set with a particularly fun and hypnotic cover of the “Peter Gunn” theme song. And the night closed out with a set from Dave Zollo, of Iowa City, who replaced area band 11:11, who had to cancel prior their appearance. With just a drummer and Zollo on keyboards and vocals, the scaled back performance featured a nice blend of gospel, soul, blues, and rock and roll, and Zollo’s singing (and sound overall) gave hints of Randy Newman and was the perfect set to close out a fun night and another successful year of the Old Couch Fest.
For some, it wasn’t a hard decision to come out to this year’s Fest, especially knowing how much fun the event has been in previous years. Molly Christensen was one attendee who made it out with best friend, Kristel, along with Kristel’s son and niece, and Molly’s ride-or-die doggo, Diesel. “This is my third time (at Old Couch Fest),” Christensen said.
“I just like the open-air festival part of it. It’s always good weather and great time.” But Saturday night was also the first Old Couch Fest for some attendees, and it didn’t disappoint.
Heather Becker and Dawn Heald, both from Danville, were eager to see what all the buzz was about and were pleasantly surprised. “We’d heard so much about it, but this was our first time being able to come,” Becker said. “They’ve all been great,” Heald said about the bands.
But Heald added she was a little disappointed that, despite being billed as an event that you can bring your couch to so you can sit in comfort and luxury, there was not a couch in sight. Just a sea of lawn chairs and picnic tables likely owned by the city or county. “It (was supposed to be) the ‘couch concert!” Heald protested.
“She’s more of a futon girl!” a friend joked. But Becker and Heald have already committed to coming back next year. Poulter expressed remorse for the lack of couches at this year’s event but put the seating situation into perspective.
“Not that we’re against couches, but as the event’s grown and become more popular, we have less room,” he explained. “Early on, we encouraged couches but in later years (people would bring them and not leave with them) ..
. “We had recliners and all kinds of home furniture that people wanted to part with that people that came with, watched one last show and then left ..
. “I ended up hauling away couches for two-to-three days after the event.” But Capitol Theater manager Kara Ewinger said this year’s Old Couch Fest was overwhelming a success and expects the tradition to continue for many years to come.
“It gets better and bigger each year, especially since we’ve (it’s become a free event),” she said. “I’m seeing a lot more pets here, which I love..
.And we have so many volunteers at the Capitol, and we couldn’t do this without all of the volunteer help that we have..
. “(The Old Couch Fest acts) kinda like a fundraiser for (the Capitol Theater) for the year as well. We’re a non-profit, and we’ve got big dreams and things we’re working towards, and just to have everyone congregate here as a community on a beautiful night and enjoy the music, it means a lot to us.
”.
