Live music review: Been There 4 benefit at Radio East featured Mix Master Mike and Austin artists
The two-stage setup in the Radio/East backyard was the perfect setting for the Been There 4 benefit live music event – “the party to end homelessness.” The event took place on Saturday, November 8 with Beastie Boys’ wax authority, Mix Master Mike atop an impressive bill that included a raft of high quality Austin artists amid a decidedly upbeat vibe. The annual fundraiser began humbly at Camp Esperanza, the state-ordered Northeast Austin homeless encampment that The Other Ones Foundation (TOOF) set about to support with a wealth of services for folks struggling to make ends meet. The TOOF staff included many members of the music community and their friends, including filmmaker Aaron Brown (Onion Creek Productions) and his partner at Been There Lenny Barszap.
This year’s lineup did not disappoint. Doors opened at 2:30 p.m. with the first music act taking stage at 3:15. Sunrise Band opened the musical festivities, followed up by local violin and fiddle impresario Ruby Jane, then gifted Austin songwriter Lucas Hudgins, each with feel-good sounds and positive vibes.
Dance-pop act, TC Superstar switched up the mood a bit with an electronic set as day turned to night. The uptempo rhythms and elaborate stage visuals were emphasized with a mesh of dance and visual art. The vibe shift at Radio was real as the party on stage unfolded while fans moved around to the music as they prepared for an equally impressive slate of evening sets.
There was no overlap between performances which was perfect for all the music nerds in attendance. Fans could watch every set if they wanted to The sun went down and the evening cooled, but only in the literal sense. The energetic live music performances were nowhere near finished. In fact it was still ramping up when Panic Stricken delivered their interpretations of Widespread Panic tunes with their own signature, Austin sound.
Upstarts, Grandmaster jazzed things up a bit with a funky, soulful prog-rock performance. With an adeptness in musical theory and precision the collective incorporates a fictional cult narrative with their collective persona, adding theatrical elements to their energetic stage show that includes themed costumes and rituals. Their members are all accomplished young musicians with a multitude of parallel musical projects working. The Cosmic Clash has written about the collective frequently as their profile has grown.
Grateful Dead tribute band, Deadeye put on a jubilant jam band performance that built on the uplifting atmosphere of the evening. These guys shred with members that have real musical chops. They consistently deliver quality performances, attracting a loyal following of jam band fans colloquially referred to as the Jamily.
Deadeye was followed up by Central Texas folk-rock hero Ben Kweller, who put on an impressive set before headliner, Mix Master Mike. The former multi-instrumentalist member of Radish put on an impressive display of musical talent throughout his set. Kweller as this point in his career is a polished performer who knows exactly how to deliver a worthy performance every show.
The evening’s headliner took stage around 11 p.m. with the 1’s and 2’s. Legendary DJ, Mix Master Mike—best known for his role with the pioneering hip-hop group Beastie Boys and as three-time DMC DJ champion—stepped to the wheels of steel for what would be an electric display of mesmerizing vinyl scratching skills. The performance was mesmerizing as an OG turntableist put on a master class (pun intended) of DJ spectacle and knowledge.
Been There was founded by Lenny Barszap and Aaron Brown. The annual one-day music festival is just one of several fundraising events put on by the organization. In partnership with Been There for the fourth annual show, Real Ale Brewing sponsored the event and incorporated a commemorative beer menu. The showcase itself raised just under $300, 000 in donations by the end of the night.
“Been There 4 was an incredible event unlike any other but the party doesn’t stop there. The org still has a $50,000 match generously offered by Kip Lewis and an anonymous supporter that would help get them to their goal. Tell your friends, give what you can, let’s keep this going. Donate to help reach this match HERE. And if you missed the silent auction at the event, there are so many great things to still bid on — vacations, priceless experiences, music lessons, diamond earrings, fashion, signed vinyl & posters, Chris Rogers original art, etc. and put that Zilker Belts gift card towards some Been There belts (coming soon)! Bid on the silent auction HERE.” – Lenny Barszap and Aaron Brown
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