Archive | Festivals RSS feed for this section

Countdown to Bonnaroo: 18 Days – Artist of the Day: Mac Miller

19 May

Let me tell you about my fascination with Mac Miller.  I’ll be completely candid and admit I’ve never listened to the hip-hop wiz kid and yet he is one of the acts I am most excited to see at Bonnaroo.  Why?  As an independent artist you don’t just move 144,000 copies and appear at #1 on the Billboard Chart when your debut album is released; especially in a day and age when CDs are not selling (you may want to check out the millions of YouTube hits his songs have gotten too).  I want to see what he is all about and why Blue Slide Park became a chart topper.  I would think that Bonnaroo is the going to be the biggest stage the 20-year old has played to date and I want to see him crush it. Heck I want to like him and know that this acclaim is warranted.

Sunday June 10, Which Stage, 03:00 PM

Tags: , ,

Countdown to Bonnaroo: 19 Days – Artist of the Day: The Dirty Guv’nahs

18 May

Do you ever hear a band and wonder how does it seem practically no one outside where they are from know who they are?  I still can’t even remember how I came across The Dirty Guv’nahs but what I can tell you is I am damn glad I did and I want to know why the rest of the world doesn’t know about this incredibly talented band from Tennessee.  Last year on the way to Bonnaroo I was listening to them nonstop even though they weren’t going to be there and well now a little wish has been granted to me.  All you have to do is listen to “Baby We Were Young” and “We’ll Be The Light” to understand what you’ve been missing out on.  And flat out, if you like southern rock and roll, The Guvs are for you!

Tags: , , ,

Countdown to Bonnaroo: 20 Days – Artist of the Day: Charles Bradley

17 May

Yesterday it was about one of the next great soul singers and today it’s about a seasoned vet just being discovered and unleashed to the world, “The Screaming Eagle of Soul,” Mr. Charles Bradley.  Last year he dropped No Time For Dreaming, an album that drew national acclaim and it was well warranted. Having moonlighted as a James Brown impersonator, Bradley has soul in his veins and has made a name for himself after years of being, well, undiscovered.  Performing under his name and the moniker, “Black Velvet,” Bradley should bring a little funk to the party in Tennessee this summer.  Another artist festival goers should be excited to check out.  Viva Bonnaroo!!

Tags: , , , ,

Countdown to Bonnaroo: 21 Days – Artist of the Day: Michael Kiwanuka

16 May

Do you ever hear a voice that just captivates you and can stop you dead in the tracks from everything you are doing?  To me, that’s Michael Kiwanuka.  The British soul singer may only be 24 years old but man does he have some incredible pipes and sounds as if he’s been doing this for a lifetime.  A relatively new name to the majority in the US, it won’t be long until his on everyone’s radar for being included as one of the next generations incredible soul singers.  His delivery is so eloquent and I encourage you to download his EPs, go on Spotify, buy a couple tracks on iTunes and you’ll understand exactly what I mean.  Bonnaroo scored a major achievement with Michael Kiwanuka set to perform at this year’s festival.

Tags: , , , ,

BONNAROO Artist Additions and Schedule Announced

15 May

Just a shade over three weeks away and Bonnaroo is coming together more and more each day.  Today even more artist additions were announced (they actually leaked on the site last week) including The Dirty Guv’nahs, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Penguin Prison, GZA anda handful more!  You can view the whole artist lineup HERE.

Also the exciting news is that the schedule was released which means the agony of trying to figure out what bands you are going to see, miss, run from to another, etc. can begin as you plot and plan how to attack this incredible lineup.  You can view the whole schedule HERE.

Personally I can’t wait to get the 2012 festival underway with Tennessee’s own, The Dirty Guv’nahs!

 

 

Tags: , , , ,

Countdown to Bonnaroo: 22 Days – Artist of the Day: Young The Giant

15 May

 

Getting a chance to see Young The Giant rise to stardom has been truly awesome.   I’ve had the opportunity to see them in front of 30 people and 20,000 people.  In little lounges/bars and on the grand stage at Lollapalooza along with a handful of other venues in between.  And when I say these California kids can rock, see them live and you’ll witness the passion, energy and enthusiasm that has propelled them to attract a mainstream audience.  Still riding the high off their self titled album which produced hits “My Body,” “Cough Syrup” and “Apartment,” Young The Giant is definitely a band you are going to want to see at Bonnaroo.

Tags: , , , , ,

Countdown to Bonnaroo: 23 Days – Artist of the Day: The Civil Wars

14 May

Wow, what a (well deserved) rise to fame for The Civil Wars.  Not only did they figure out how to cross over to multiple genres of music but the got to perform on the biggest stage of them all earlier this year at the GRAMMY Awards (I still think they got hosed on the miniscule performance time) and have two GRAMMYs to show for it, Best Folk Album and Best Duo/Group Performance.  And man is Barton Hollow a great album that everyone should have in their collection.  Even more exciting is the duo of Joy Williams and John Paul White now bring their beautiful melodies to Tennessee for what is sure to be a great performance.  With Williams pregnant, it should be interesting to see if this affects their set, I suppose not but you never know. Bonnaroo baby, maybe?

Tags: , , , , , ,

Countdown to Bonnaroo: 24 Days – Artist of the Day: Black Star

13 May

When I saw Black Star on the lineup for Bonnaroo I couldn’t believe it.  We’re talking Mos Def and Talib Kweli, reunited and ready to drop some of the best beats of the festival. I’d had the chance to see Kweli once before but this is going to be something special.  Having released only one album, it was like a flash in the pan and now the duo are slated to finally come out with a new record together.  I can remember in high school cranking Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star and having “Definition” on repeat; “1,2,3, Mos Def and Talib Kweli, we came to rock it on to the tip top, best alliance in hip hop, why oh.” Indeed that should reign supreme next month.  I mean we are talking like this is one of the top 10 shows not to miss at the festival this year.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Countdown to Bonnaroo: 25 Days – Artist of the Day: The Temper Trap

12 May

If you read my blog you know my affection for bands from Australia and The Temper Trap might as well lead the pack.  Back in ’09/’10 it was all about “Fader” and “Sweet Disposition,” the latter skyrocketed the band as it got crazy club play being remixed by some top tier DJs and now the wait for new material is over as they will be fresh on the heels of dropping their sophomore effort when they perform at Bonnaroo.  I can’t wait to finally see the indie-rockers live, been wondering if I’d ever get the chance.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Countdown to Bonnaroo: 26 Days – Artist of the Day: Alice Cooper

11 May

Really there is not much to say except YES YES YES!  Having never had the opportunity to see Alice Cooper perform live, this is going to be a treat.   I mean we are talking about rock royalty taking the stage at the greatest music festival there is, Bonnaroo.  It’s a match made in heaven.

And I don’t know about anyone else but every time I hear “School’s Out” I think of Dazed and Confused. Can’t wait to see everyone singing-along to this.

Tags: , , , ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →