How many bands can you think of that have their own holiday where fans from all the world congregate in one place to see their favorite band perform live all the songs you know and love? You're probably not going to come up with many bands as you're reading this, but in actuality the only band on the list that has their own holiday is 311.
Every other year since 2000, thousands of 311 fans from all over the world gather every March 11th to bask in each other's company as 311 puts on an exquisite show to pay homage to all the fans that have supported them over the years and to all that have gathered there in attendance to witness this monumental and special occasion. The first 311 Day occurred at the State Palace Theatre in New Orleans, LA. That night 311 played 47 songs, their longest setlist to date. The next one happened in 2002 at the UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans where they churned out 59 songs, twelve more than they played the other year. They played at the same venue in 2004 where they blasted out 68 songs, nine more than the 2002 concert and lasting for over 5 hours. Many consider this 311 Day concert to be the best as they played rarities, covers, and songs that they haven't played in awhile.
For their 2006 concert, they played at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN. This was the first 311 Day to be held outside of New Orleans, as the UNO Lakefront Arena was damaged by Hurricane Katrina the year prior. Nevertheless, despite the location change, 311 was able to pull off a stellar show and excite the masses that had gathered there. Likewise for the 2008 concert, which returned to New Orleans at the New Orleans Arena where they continued the tradition. For 311 Day 2010, 311 will be playing in Las Vegas, NV at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. For this celebration, there will be 3 amazing days of celebration and all the stops will be pulled out for this occasion. The day before the big concert, there will be a 311 Fan Party where thousands of 311 fans from all over the world will partake in drinks, music, and each others' company as they listen to a DJ crank out the tunes of 311 over the soundsystem! The next day is of course the massive celebration where 311 will blow the roof off the place with a monumental concert and one which I'm sure will fail to disappoint the crowd. The day after the concert, there will be a 311 Beach Party, where everyone will be relaxing poolside as they enjoy some drinks, BBQ, and the sounds of The Wailers as they get the crowd moving and grooving as they bask in the sun and in each others' company.
311 Day is surely an exhilarating and unifying experience as fans flock from the world over as they partake in this biennial ritual to see the band they've loved all these years, some who might be seeing the band for the first time. While I haven't personally been to a 311 Day celebration, I have had the pleasure of seeing 311 twice in concert and if it's anything like what I saw at those shows, it wouldn't cease to amaze me. So for those 311 fans reading this, wear a 311 shirt, crank out some 311 tunes on your stereo, or hell just throw your own 311 party altogether, and just know that thousands of other people are doing the same thing worldwide, listening to the band they love with the people that they love. Happy 311 Day everyone!!
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