Thousands show up for free Lou Gramm show in Santa Cruz
Thousands of people showed up to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk on Friday for the first free “Bands on the Beach” concert of the summer where the original voice of the rock band Foreigner, Lou Gramm, took the stage.
“It’s a good time to let your hair down and have a goodtime,” said concertgoer Mark Borbeck.
Borbeck has been making the drive from San Jose for these concerts for 10 years. On Friday, he told KION that the concert is a good place for people to relax and forget their troubles for a bit. Something he thinks is very much needed during a time of tragedy.
“It gives us a chance to let loose for a little bit,” said Borbeck.
With the Orlando shooting in mind, security at the venue was tight.
“We have really amazing onsite security and they are working alongside the Santa Cruz Police Department,” said Karley Pope, who serves as one of the event organizers.
The extra police and security were very noticeable, but concertgoer John Rice and his family said it was pretty easy getting in.
“Everything was great,” said Rice. “No problems at all.”
On stage it might have been Lou Gramm who was having a great time, but across the street employees at the Santa Cruz Surf Shop were the ones celebrating a very successful day in sales.
“Today has just been exceptionally busy, like people non-stop have been just coming in and out,” said store employee Robert Potmesil.
According to Potmesil, the shop sees a lot more customers on concert days.
“We definitely get a lot of the spill over,” said Potmesil. “People go into the boardwalk enjoy the stuff there and then they walk out and say ‘oh hey’ we will stop here too,” added Potmesil.
It wasnt just the surf shop that is seeing a boost, Pope said many of the surrounding businesses saw an increase too.
“People come down from all over the bay area and Northern California,” said Pope. “They stay the night here, they eat in the local restaurants and then the frequent everywhere the next day,” added Pope.
Next week Blue Oyster Cult takes the stage. Later in the series acts like Foghat and Smash Mouth will also perform.
