We at the Volume One world headquarters are awfully excited to hear that lots of local bands are scheduled to play their original music for Summerfest this weekend.

Since thousands of people are expected to come and go throughout the day, the type of exposure an event like Summerfest can bring is unlike that of a show at a club, bar or coffee house. The constant stream of listeners within an earshot of a band throughout the day are people of all ages and interests. If acquiring fans at a regular gig is like fishing in a familiar pond, playing Summerfest suggests a much larger body of water.

Now I'm not here to bash cover bands, and note that there will be at least one cover band playing Summerfest. The energy that is the difference between a song's recording and a handful of people hammering out the same song in front of you is a really exciting thing. And where else am I going to hear a hot cover of "Message in a Bottle" around here?

Anyways, it's that same energy I'm looking forward to hearing Saturday from musicians with original music as well. Groovitational Pull, The Thundermen, 40 Fingers, Meridene, and The Daredevil Christopher Wright will be playing throughout the day. And Summerfest really gets you going, go to the Rockin' the 4 Corners concert the night before for a pre-Summerfest celebration, where you'll hear QuinnElizabeth, Innerburst, The Brutal Truth, Smokin' Pony, A Semester at Sea, Survive the Drive and 3 Pill Morning.

Considering that some of these bands are of a high school age (a time where exposure is especially hard acquire), the boost Summerfest gives them is even more gracious. We want to commend DECI for thinking of some of the other bands in the area when selecting their lineup. This year's Summerfest will rock in a way it has never rocked before.