97X Next Big Thing Throwback: 97X Next Big Thing 2

Coachman Park was the setting for The 97X Next Big Thing 2 on December 8, 2002. After the record breaking 17,000 people in attendance in 2001, Coachman Park limited the number of tickets that could be sold to 14,000. Those in attendance saw the first 97X Next Big Thing appearances of The Used and Something Corporate / Andrew McMahon. Both of whom have gone on to perform at four and six Next Big Things respectively. The show also featured an appearance from 13 time Grammy Award winner and 2 time Academy Award Nominee, Pharrell Williams who hit the stage with his band N*E*R*D* at sunset. OK GO’s lead singer, Damian Kulash performed his entire set from a stool, having broken his ankle weeks prior to the show. The Used made their Tampa debut on the NBT stage having flown in on the red eye from LA the night before. Their set was memorable for several reasons, but primarily because Bert encouraged the crowd at one point to “Throw anything they think should be on this stage.” This resulted in hundreds of bottles and items of garbage be thrown at the stage. Bert also made an appearance during the first song of Unwritten Law’s set and proceeded to smoke a “special” cigarette onstage in view of the Clearwater Police. He fled the scene before anything could be done, but there was a warrant out for his arrest that wasn’t taken care of until NBT4 where he was immediately arrested after their set. Cypress Hill headlined the lineup which also included Earshot, SR-71, Bowling For Soup, Finch, Blindside, Authority Zero, Our Lady Peace and Everclear.