It was quite the day for slinging cream. After nearly depleting all of our Blue Bunny resources for the hungry folks at the We <3 Long Beach BBQ, Nick and Rachel replenished our stock and arrived to Costa Mesas scenester hotspot, The Lab Anti Mall, just as things were getting underway.
While waiting for Urban Outfitters to setup, Free Yr Radio provided fun fare for people to partake in, including a pin-making station and the GOOD Photo Booth inside the wood finished Yaris. There was a great turnout for the event with plenty of people lining up at Bessita II for free frozen goods; even employees from the malls thrift/boutique shops came out to claim theirs.
After grabbing a bite to eat at the delicious, yet affordable Gypsy Den, Rachel manned our hatchback while Nick and I met up with the crowd inside. College radio, KUCI 88.9, brought their mash-up savvy DJ to warm up the scene and enlightened the audience how free, community radio is important to the integrity of the music industry.
Upon taking the mic, Jamie Lidell was joined by a saxophonist, keyboard player, drummer, bongo player and guitarist for the first portion of his performance; defying the spatial constraints of the platform. The group ignited the stage with their costumed flare, double saxophone playing and rolling around on the ground. Yet after thanking the musicians, Jamie performed the remainder of his British soul pop set in original solo form – reaffirming how Lidell gained his music credibility as a one-man band.
By the end of the show, Rachel had dispersed the rest of the treats and made way for Bessita IIs travel to the next port of call, Miami. We headed to the Marriott for vehicle drop-off, whereupon lobby guests created a ruckus at the arrival of the Ice Cream Man mobile. Just another day en le tour de Bessita.