Missile Range Opens For Free Concert

Hit-makers Plain White T’s perform a free public concert at PMRF Wednesday evening, as the base plans more community events

Remember the hit song Hey There Delilah?What about the more recent chart-toppers, 1, 2, 3, 4 and Rhythm of Love? These platinum tunes were produced by the band Plain White T’s, which is heading to the island this week to perform at Pacific Missile Range Facility. The Westside Navy base is hosting the punk pop band Wednesday (May 13) and invites the public to rock out free of charge.

“The idea of having entertainment, athletic events and basically sharing these types of events with the community is from the interest of our command to become closer with our ohana on the island of Kauai,” says Chip Kreisman, PMRF Morale, Welfare and Recreation director.

Plain White T's play at PMRF Wednesday. Photo courtesy PMRF

Plain White T’s play at PMRF Wednesday. Photo courtesy PMRF

The show starts at 6 p.m. and the band is expected to play for approximately 90 minutes.

“Our goal at establishing a start time of 6 p.m. was for our guests to enjoy the show on a Wednesday night and then be able to get home at a reasonable time to start their next day,” Kreisman explains.

The concert will be on the beach near the base’s restaurant Shenanigans.

“It will be a quality concert on a beautiful venue … with no charge,” says Kreisman. “It doesn’t get much better than that.”

Plain White T’s, whose members hail from the Chicago area, started making music together in the 1990s when founding members Tom Higgenson, Dave Trio and Ken Fletcher played at venues in their hometown. Fletcher left the band several years later, but Tim Lopez, Mike Retondo and De‘Mar Hamilton since have joined. The band’s first and most notable hit single was the sweet, lyrical Hey There Delilah, which earned Grammy nominations and was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2007. Plain White T’s songs continue to climb charts and it seems the group has no plans to slow down anytime soon. Their latest album American Nights was released in March.

The five-member band was on tour at Navy bases in Asia and, luckily enough, decided to stop at PMRF on their way home.

The concert will include the sunset. Photo courtesy PMRF

The concert will include the sunset. Photo courtesy PMRF

“This will be the first of several name entertainers that we hope to bring to PMRF to share with our sailors and the community at large,” says Kreisman. “We are a very small base, and with the help of our community attendance at this event, we can look forward to many large-named shows provided by Navy Entertainment.”

What’s more, the show will be family-oriented with children welcome to attend. There also will be food available from local vendors and base organizations.

“The community does a great deal to support our military at Barking Sands, and it is our pleasure to give back when we can,” says Kreisman.

The Navy’s annual Independence Day celebration also will be open to the public and will feature the band Dishwalla. Additionally, several athletic events, including another mini-triathlon, are set at the base in the near future.

Outside food, drinks, coolers and tents are among items not allowed at the concert, and photo IDs are required for anyone over 18. Call 335-4446 for more information.

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