It was supposed to be the alternative and indie rock scene's answer to Bonnaroo. The line-up seemed impossible to beat: Radiohead and Beck headlining the first day, the Beastie Boys topping off the second day, and everything from Elliott Smith to The Roots in between. People were already hailing it as the concert of the summer. And for Radiohead fans like myself, who had been waiting for the band to return to the States for a couple of years, it was a dream come true. I bought a ticket for the first day and I was set to attend the Field Day Festival on June 7th, 2003.Trust a good thing not to last. The concert was suddenly canceled, then not canceled, then canceled again. It looked like all my efforts were for nothing; Field Day was doomed. And then, at the 11th hour, only three days before the scheduled kick-off of the concert, the good news came: Field Day would be moved to Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey and would be smashed into one day. Radiohead, Beastie Boys, and Beck would still play. Fans rejoiced. Well, actually, fans were really pissed when they found out that half the bands they were supposed to be able to see wouldn't be performing. Losing The Roots? A tragedy, for most. I include myself in that most as well. But we comforted ourselves with the knowledge that we had already bought our tickets, and we were guaranteed a spot at this new-and-not-so-improved concert. But what were the Field Day organizers if not consistent? Well, consistent with bad news, anyway. We were very kindly informed, forty-eight hours before the concert, that we needed to buy new tickets.

One $97 dollar ticket and one $144 round-trip train reservation later, I was set to go. "You're seeing Radiohead," I kept telling myself. "It'll be worth it." It would be sunny and beautiful with great music and great people and so what if I got stuck with seats, I could sneak onto the field. Nevermind that summer had already been day of rain after day of rain, and that Giants Stadium was notorious for it's tight security. I was going to pack a bag, get some money, and go. That was the plan.

When I woke up on June 7, at 6:30 in the morning to be able to catch my 7:15 train from Union Station in Washington DC to Penn Station in New York City, it was starting to rain lightly. The sky was grey. I got into my car and drove to the metro. Halfway there, it began to rain in earnest. That should have been my first hint.



June 7, 2003



7:03 a.m. - God, trains are small. Why didn't I bring a pillow? Or at least a book? Well, whatever. All I need to do is focus on Radiohead. This is worth it, this worth it...

8:17 a.m. - Why is the train stopped? What do you mean electrical problems?

9:00 a.m. - Stopped again. I'm going to cry. I want to sleep, but now I'm too anxious. Right now, my sleep count is at 4 hours. I'm hungry. I want breakfast. I want to be in New York.

11:07 a.m. - Running late??? I nod off and suddenly we're running late??? Well, really, should I expect anything less than tons of problems? By now I should know better.

12:04 p.m. - Hello New York! Finally! Oh, and you smell just as bad as ever! Now all I have to do is make it to Port Authority and get a bus to the stadium. Now... where is the subway entrance? And which line is Port Authority on? Dammit, where's the map? The Metro has maps. Screw you, New York.

12:42 p.m. - I have my ticket, and I am boarding the bus for Giant Stadium. As long as it's not pouring out, everything will be fine.

12:43 p.m. - It's pouring.

1:38 p.m. - All I'm doing is standing in the line to get inside and already I'm soaked. Man, am I glad my mom made me pack that poncho.

1:50 p.m. - Liz Phair! Yeah! Oh... she's done. Well, that last half of the last song was great. Glad I got to see something. My seats are actually quite good... but not covered. Within 5 minutes, I'm soaked. And very unhappy.

2:15 p.m. - They seem to be running a little late, as they have to constantly sweep water off the stage and onto the front row of the pit. I'm not envying them too much right now. I'm sure that'll change later on.

2:21 p.m. - Hi Beth Orton! Oh look at you, so British and cute. Oh, and you tell funny jokes too! "I can't believe you're all out here in the rain... you must really love Radiohead!" Yes, Beth, I do believe you have hit the nail on the head.

3:11 p.m. - I like Beth Orton a lot more now. She played a really great set. Not really my type of music, but it actually put a smile on my face for the first time today. She deserves a pat on the back for that one. Or maybe I just really like British people. It's probably both.

3:34 p.m. - Spiritualized are taking the stage... sitting down. Sitting down? What? Wow. Hey, wow, they're really good live. I mean, really good. But why aren't they moving? This is kind of boring. I've moved up under cover now and am slowly drying out in a seat that is not mine. I feel cold and exhausted. As my eyes slowly slide shut, I think about how hungry I am.

4:48 p.m. - Gah! I missed Spiritualized! What happened? I just closed my eyes for a second and then next thing I know they're gone and now these other people are on stage. Oh, hey, it's Underworld. Aww, the one with the glasses is so adorable! I yawn too loudly as people pass me to run down the bottom of the seats to start dancing. That looks really fun. But I'm finally approaching semi-dry... I don't know if I want to tempt fate yet. I content myself with bobbing my head in my seat.

5:40 p.m. - Underworld was great, made me smile. But I can't seem to get my mind off the countdown to Radiohead. I feel bad, but the rain has put me in a horrible mood. I wish I was on the field, and I wish it was sunny. Oh, Blur. Hi, Blur.

6:30 p.m. - Bye, Blur. Have a nice flight back to England Blur. Yes, we know you're from England and you're used to the rain. You told us five times. But you did play "Boys and Girls" and "Song 2" so you're definitely not on my bad side. You're a fun band, Blur. Come back sometime Blur.

7 p.m. - Hi, Beck's set! Hi, Beck's roadies! Bye, Beck's set-wait, what?! Where's it going? What the hell is going on? Why aren't they setting up for Beck? Hey, it's the Beastie Boys set. Wait, where the hell is Beck?!

7:12 p.m. - "Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm so sorry, but Beck fell backstage and is now at the hospital. He will not be able to perform tonight. He sends his regrets." No! I wanted to see Beck! I was excited for Beck! This was the part where my day was supposed to pick up! I even went back into the rain! I'm soaked again! Will nothing about this day go right?!

7:40 p.m. - They've been sweeping water off the stage for half an hour now. The Beastie Boys' set is up. They're still sweeping water off. I guess they don't want to risk another artist getting hurt.

8:00 p.m. - "We're just three MC's and one DJ and we'll be getting' down with no delay! Mixmaster Mike, whatcha got to say?" Beastie Boys, I love you! You make me dance! You make me smile! You make me rap along, no matter how ridiculous I sound!

9:23 p.m. - The Beastie Boys need to rehearse. We got an encore... "Intergalactic," complete with forgotten lyrics. How does one forget the lyrics to one of their biggest hits? Why, Beastie Boys, why? Oh, hey, it stopped raining.

10:00 p.m. - Do not make us wait any longer, Field Day managers. Please, bring us Radiohead. Their stage is set up. There are even cool light thingies! You keep clearing the stage... and then having roadies come out again. This is so cruel.

10:13 p.m. - Ew. Could those girls, PLEASE stop flashing the cameraman? Seriously, put those away!

10:26 p.m. - Lights? Where did the- And sound! The music stopped! The music stopped so that means... Oh my god. Oh god, oh god, oh god, it's time for Radiohead!!!

12:15 a.m. - There. Are. No. Words. For. That.

12:23 a.m. - I'm not here, this isn't happening. And, really, I mean that in the best possible way.

2:35 a.m. - I think I can fit on this seat comfortably enough. I should be able to sleep my way back. I wish I had my Discman. I want to listen to more Radiohead. That just made it all worth it. I'm soaking wet. I'm exhausted. I'm starving... I've had one piece of pizza today. I think I'm dehydrated. I don't know how I'm supposed to drive home from the metro in the morning. But I don't care. I don't care. That just made it all worth it. 110 minutes, two encores, and the best band in the world just made that whole day worth it.



Union Station, Washington DC. June 8, 7:35 p.m.



"Waiting 'till the Metro opens up?"

"Yeah, I took the train back really early this morning."

"Where were you coming from?"

"New York. I went to a concert up there."

"Really? Was it good?"

"Oh man, I don't even know where to begin...