My second day at Sunset Strip Music Festival began with a bit of wandering in the street and from club to club before I finally settled in for a performance by artist Jordan Cook that was nothing short of a stellar. This amazing blues musician took to the stage at The Roxy and absolutely blew me away. He didn’t talk much or jump around the stage. There was very little flair, but he performed his ass off.

The Roxy was nearly empty when I entered right before Cook’s set started, but after he got going, the place gradually filled with wanderers who never found their way back out the door. His husky, gravelly voice immediately grabs the listener’s attention as his fingers skillfully dance their way along the guitar, cranking out classic riffs and chords and displaying an awesome amount of talent. At one point Cook, down on his knees, sang without the microphone, and the Roxy was so quiet, it was possible to hear every single smoky syllable.

Jordan Cook at The Roxy. Photo by Kevin Reevers

Cook and his band had the audience entranced, and the show was just getting started. He went on to play a few songs with his boys, but then performed “Seven Deadly Sins” solo. Cook started out just singing at the mic and strumming on his guitar, but somehow found his way over to the drums, playing them and his guitar at the same time. Drummer Danny White finally came out and took over for Cook on the kit, and as the singer headed back toward the mic, he whipped out a harmonica, playing away before anyone could figure out where it had come from. At the end of the song, bassist Shaun Green rejoined the band to finish out the show. The whole set was a mesmerizing experience that left a lasting impression. For all those who missed Jordan Cook, it will not be long before you hear his songs; he is definitely a force to be reckoned with.

What could top such an awesome performance? A crazy one. Brooklynites Matt & Kim were set to rock out on the Strip, so I headed that way to catch what I assumed would be a fun and wholesome show. The crowd was one of the more eclectic at the festival, with everyone from families to teens to 40-year-old fans waiting impatiently for Matt & Kim to take the stage. When the duo finally appeared, madness ensued, and it didn’t come from the crowd.

“You should go fucking nuts,” Kim told the crowd. “Do it for me. Make today regrettable.” With those words of inspiration, the show was on.

Kim dancing on the crowd at SSMF. Photo by Kevin Reevers

Matt & Kim’s set included hundreds of balloons being tossed by the crowd, Kim exposing her crotch and the body ink that adorned it, Kim surfing the crowd and popping her booty while in the air, and of course, music. Mash-ups and mix-ins popped up throughout the set, including “Final Countdown,” Biz Markie’s “Just A Friend,” “Move Bitch,” and my personal favorite, “Better Off Alone.”

It was a whirlwind show filled with an insane amount of energy and a giddiness that could only come from the exuberance of youth and whatever was in the red SOLO cups Matt and Kim were drinking from. The wild fervor was contagious, and members from the crowd created a large circle in which they had some sort of mosh-pit/crash area. Overall, it was a little bit unreal, but undeniably fun. Matt & Kim, I would party with you any day.

Up next was Bush, and due to my height deficiency and size of the crowd, I couldn’t see anything. However, I could hear Gavin Rossdale’s sweet, sweet voice. It was a completely different show than the one I had just left, but no less enjoyable. The crowd was a bit more mature and content to just let the music wash over them. Bush played “Little Things,” “Glycerine,” “Afterlife,” and many others, as well as a cool cover of The Beatles’ “Come Together.”

Rossdale ventured into the crowd a few times during the set, easily moving from one end of the huge audience to another, granting an intimacy to the performance that is difficult in such a large and open venue. The sun set behind the stage as Bush played, and a cool breeze swept along the Strip, carrying the voices of those singing along. It was a lovely show and added yet another dynamic to the varied acts present at the festival this weekend.

Gavin Rossdale performing at SSMF. Photo by Kevin Reevers

While waiting for headliners Motley Crue to take the stage, I headed to the Plush Lounge in the Key Club to check out one of the DJs that would be spinning all day. Kenny Wilkins was on the tables, playing ambient and trance with some deep bass mixed in. The scene seemed at odds with the rock and roll sets on the Strip. The cool, subterranean lounge was a world removed and brought another flavor to the Sunset Strip Music Festival. It was an excellent escape of slick beats and chill darkness.

Keen to grab a spot where I would be able to see Motley Crue, I headed back up to street level and tried to stake out a space. As I waited for the legendary band’s set to start, the audience grew, pushing in toward the stage, as each person jostled to get as close as they could to see the Crue.

Gene Simmons of Kiss was one of the festival fans this weekend at SSMF. Photo by Kevin Reevers

At this point most people were tired, drunk, and ready for Motley Crue, so the atmosphere was ripe for a fight…or five. However, security was on top of the situation, and when a scuffle broke out near me, they were quick to respond and cap the problem. It was all handled very well, and what would a rock concert be without a drunken brawl anyway?

Before any other issues arose, Motley Crue finally took the stage. They opened with “Wild Side” and went on to perform most of their biggest hits throughout the show. “Same Ol’ Situation,” “Shout At The Devil,” “Primal Scream,” and a stripped-down performance of “Home Sweet Home” filled the set list. “Girls, Girls, Girls” was accompanied by a montage of beautiful women on a giant screen behind the stage; even Justin Bieber made the cut. During the show, audience members ripped down a small tree that was blocking their view of the jumbo screen and then passed the branches around in celebration. Just one of the perks of being surrounded by intoxicated people.

Vince Neil gets the crowd going at SSMF. Photo by Kevin Reevers

There was a lot to see on stage as well, with a number of breathtaking pyrotechnics and other razzle dazzle spicing up the show, including fire balls, fireworks, fog machines, and everything else that could be fired up and shot off to bring some extra flair for the headliners. One of the greatest special effects was the large hand that appeared on the backdrop screen and “lifted” Tommy Lee and his drums, taking them on a ride around and upside down. After a few moments of pounding away on the drums to the sounds of dub beats, all while rotating around on the track, Lee was joined by Deadmau5 for a ride. “Love Rollercoaster” blasted as they rolled along.

The surprise appearance and numerous special effects added a sensationalized element to the show. Motley Crue continually expressed how happy they were to be home, and the crowd was happy to see them. Sin was definitely brought to the Strip this year for this wild weekend of rock & roll.

Check out my coverage of Friday night’s club shows here!