Lansing - Thousands jammed the Louis F. Adado Riverfront Park on Monday and gave a hearty, beer-guzzling welcome to the sleaze-loving Texan trio, ZZ Top.
Playing to a sold-out audience, ZZ Top kicked off the Common Ground Festival's first night in a weeklong schedule of concerts.
By 7:30 p.m., the temporary festival gates were on their way to being packed. The hot summer sun gleamed off sunglasses as music resonated through the downtown area. The show opened with Gunner Ross & T.N.T., Michigan's Ted Nugent tribute band led by a former Nugent drummer, and their take on the Motor City Madman's music inflicted party fever over the massive crowd.
True ZZ Top fans brought out their lawn chairs and their kids to enjoy the starry night's entertainment. The festival's ferris wheel and food stands oozed neon light into the city's downtown.
The Texan trio hit the stage around 9:15 p.m., breaking Lansing's normal decibel range with the hit song "Got Me Under Pressure."
Guitarist Billy Gibbons and bass player Dusty Hill took the stage by storm donning their iconic long, cone shaped beards, decked out in shiny black coats.
"We're still the same three guys, playin' the same three chords, in the same ol' boots," Gibbons yelled to the crowd, adding he was glad to be back in Michigan.
His words pumped the audience up even more as he led the group into the classic, "I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide."
But the best performance of the night was probably "Cheap Sunglasses," where the vocal troubles that seemed to ail Gibbons throughout other songs all but disappeared; he sounded as good as ever.
Those two consecutive pieces of rock history first appeared on the band's 1979 release, "Deguello."
Longtime ZZ Top fan and Lansing resident Kevin Dittmer said he wouldn't miss a chance to see the band perform, but also plans to come back later in the week.
"They've been around as long as I have," Dittmer said. "But it's a good thing to bring in newer acts to play here too."
A combination of live bands and a fairground atmosphere attracted a variety of ZZ Top fans, from families sitting together on blankets to loud groups of high school boys. Food vendors, carnival rides and an artist merchandise booth lined the back of the park, behind the concert crowd.
Entrance passes good for the entire week are sold out, but single-day tickets are still available and cost $28 each at the gate.
"Tonight was sold out with ZZ Top, and we're coming close to selling out on a lot of days," said Malinda Barr, spokeswoman for the Common Ground Festival.
Music of all kinds was a draw for many area residents.
"This is sweet," Waverly High School junior Nick Kamar said. "I'm glad it's in Lansing. I usually have to travel to see bands I like."
Okemos resident Sylvia Lange said her family has the all-week pass and has gone to the festival for the past couple years.
"The line went on forever," Lange said. "But it moved really fast, and my kids like the music."
Chowing down on a corn dog, Sylvia's 8-year-old daughter, Kacie Lange, reminisced about last year's concerts.
"I like the music, especially when Meatloaf was here," Kacie Lange said. "I also like eating the elephant ears and riding on the ferris wheel."
Meanwhile, food vendors plan on staying put all week long. Flat's Grille from East Lansing, which had a booth at the festival, decided to try a new product out on the crowd - sweet potato chips.
"The business so far has been really good," said Flat's employee and advertising senior Katie Lewis. "It's good advertising and a lot of fun to just get outside."
