GMC lacrosse team works security for concert
BY TIMOTHY DONAGHY
This past weekend, the Pickle Barrel in Killington experienced one of the biggest acts to come through Vermont in years; Long Beach’s own Snoop Dogg. Snoop played two sold-out shows as part of his U.S. tour, and was the first time he ever played in Vermont.
Opening for Snoop was Burlington’s own Aztecs, a three-piece hip-hop group who got the crowd moving and excited for Snoop.
After a short set by the Aztecs, the stage crew started setting up for Snoop, which set off a ‘Snoop’ chant by the audience. With the chanting and anticipation of seeing the internationally known star, it was still well over half an hour until he finally took the stage.
The lights dimmed, and the beginning to “Murder Was the Case” came on. To further build up the anticipation in the room, Snoop was heard before he was seen. He eventually came out alongside longtime friends/label mates Daz Dillinger and Kurupt, and continued to play a phenomenally amazing show, mixing up old classics such as ‘Gin and Juice’ along with new songs such as ‘That’s That’ off of his latest album.
Snoop, never hiding his affinity for ‘da chronic’ took a couple smoke breaks during his set, all while praising Vermont for having ‘some good shit.’ A few audience members decided to follow Snoop’s idea of a smoke break, but with the added security, most of those plans were foiled.
After playing an hour and a half long set of back to back hip-hop classics, Snoop told the audience how much he liked Vermont and playing here, and genuinely told the audience that they were all his ‘homies.’ He ended with having the entire house put up peace signs, and sing “Sha na na na, sha na na na, hey hey hey, Snoop Dogg,” and closed out with “Boss’ Life” featuring Akon off of his newest album, The Blue Carpet Treatment.
Members of the Green Mountain College lacrosse team had an interesting opportunity as Rob Labate, the GMC lacrosse coach and Pickle Barrel manager set up a deal that if the team worked as extra security at both shows, the owner of the venue would supply the team with funds to order reversible jerseys and other practice/warm up gear, which Snoop thought was pretty cool, although he claims he’s ‘never understood that game.’
All and all, Snoop rocked the house in Vermont, and he claims that it is not the last time. The show ran smoothly, proving the Pickle Barrel’s ability to handle and safely run a show of this large a scale. Snoop Dogg will be back in the 802 to rock Vermont again in the future, but until then, look out for his new album “Ego Trippin’” coming out March 11, 2008.
