Countdown to Bonnaroo: 17 Days – Artist of the Day: Old Crow Medicine Show

23 May

It will be a get down good time on Saturday afternoon, June 11 as Old Crow Medicine Show, bring their folk, bluegrass sound back to Bonnaroo.  The Nashville, Tennessee based band should feel right at home and put on an energetic set worth catching.  Having recently wrapped up the Railroad Revival Tour with Mumford & Sons and Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, I wouldn’t be shocked to see some surprise guests at some point during the show (M&S perform three hours later).   Best known for the song, “Wagon Wheel,” I for one can’t wait to hear this tune live and in person.

Saturday 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM – Which Stage

Countdown to Bonnaroo: 18 Days – Artist of the Day: Wiz Khalifa

22 May

If you asked most people how they first heard of Wiz Khalifa, my guess would be either “Black & Yellow” or his arrest on drug charges in North Carolina which was plastered all over twitter.  For me, I remember hearing his track “Say Yeah” in which he sampled Alice Deejay’s “Better Off Alone.”  One of this summer’s festival darlings and in support of his latest album, Rolling Papers, Khalifa should put on one heck of a performance (check the videos from Coachella) at Bonnaroo.  Sadly in my case, after sorting through the schedule it looks like I’m going to miss the show (conflicts with Mumford & Sons who hands down put on one of the best live performances).

Now Playing: Aloe Blacc – “I Need A Dollar” David Dann Remix

21 May

I love the original but this remix is pretty good too.

Countdown to Bonnaroo: 19 Days – Artist of the Day: Chiddy Bang

21 May

What’s not to love about Chidera “Chiddy” Anamege and Noah “Xaphoon Jones” Beresin, the duo who make up the hip-hop group Chiddy Bang.  I like many first heard of these guys from their song “Opposite of Adults” which sampled MGMT song “Kids” and pushed them to stardom.  Having also sampled Radiohead, Tinie Tempah, Sufjan Stevens and Passion Pit into their repertoire, be on the look-out for a full length album very soon.  Bonnaroo be ready, these boys are coming to give a spark to Saturday afternoon.

Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM – This Tent

Now Playing: The Dirty Guv’nahs (@dirty_guvnahs) – “We’ll Be The Light”

20 May

Happy Friday, y’all.  Here’s a little feel good music to get the weekend started.  If you’ve never heard of The Dirty Guv’nahs from Knoxville, Tennessee, you can thank me later. And do yourself a favor, check out more tunes from these guys.

Countdown to Bonnaroo: 20 Days – Artist of the Day: G. Love & Special Sauce

20 May

There is nothing like seeing G. Love & Special Sauce perform live.  Having seen more than a dozen shows and while I have found the more intimate settings always the better performances, the grand stage at Bonnaroo is going to be rocking in a few short weeks and a set I am not going to miss.  Ready to get down with some blues music and hip-hop from the Philly born and breed artist, the only two disappointing things will be the set length and still coping with Jimi Jazz no longer in the band (I know it has been a couple years but still).  Fresh off the recent release of the latest LP, Fixin To Die (sick album produced by The Avett Brothers) and with a career that has spanned nearly two decades and provided countless memories through music, let the sun shine because this is going to be a bright spot on the festival.

The Band:  Sunday 12:30 PM – 1:45 PM – Which Stage

Solo: Sunday 2:45 PM – 3:15 PM – Sonic Stage

Countdown to Bonnaroo: 21 Days – Artist of the Day: Portugal. The Man

19 May

To this day I’m not really sure when or how I stumbled upon Portugal. The Man but what I do know is I am a fan of their music.  What I really love more than anything about the experimental/psychedelic indie rock outfit are the vocals of frontman John Baldwin Gourley. He has such a distinctive voice that is hard not to have linger in your head and crave more.  One of my favorite songs from the catalog of tracks spanning six albums (number seven will be released in July) is “People Say.”  Give a listen below and I’ll see you at the show.

Saturday 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM – That Tent

Countdown to Bonnaroo: 22 Days – Artist of the Day: Amos Lee

18 May

I still can’t believe I haven’t had the chance to see Amos Lee perform live, that is until a little more than three weeks from now.  The Philly singer-songwriter brings it all to the table, a little folk, soul, country and R&B to project a magical sound that is soothing and relaxing.   Currently supporting the release of his fourth album, Mission Bell, released earlier this year, Amos Lee continues to get better and better.

Two shows at Bonnaroo

SATURDAY 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM – SONIC STAGE

SUNDAY 2:30 PM – 3:45 PM – WHICH STAGE

Austin City Limits Line-Up Released and Single Day Tickets Now On Sale

17 May

Not only did Austin City Limits practically sell out today (probably will by EOD) but the line-up was released and WOW, Zilker Park is going to be music mania September 16-18.  I know the line-up every year is packed with big time talent but this year already screams epic time to be had.  Amazing job by C3 Presents to put together what can easily be considered the best festival line-up of the year.  Click HERE to purchase tickets.  Full line-up below.


Friday, Sep 16

  • Kanye West, Coldplay, Nas & Damian “Jr Gong” Marley , Bright Eyes , Santigold , Pretty Lights , Big Boi , Ray LaMontagne , Old Crow Medicine Show , Cold War Kids , Delta Spirit , Foster The People, Smith Westerns, Mavis Staples , Jack Ingram , James Blake , Sara Bareilles , Wild Beasts , Brandi Carlile, Gary Clark Jr. , The Secret Sisters , Phosphorescent , Charles Bradley , Reptar , Beardyman , An Horse , Asleep at the Wheel , Futurebirds , Theophilus London , The Cave Singers , Ha Ha Tonka , Francisca Valenzuela , Miniature Tigers , Hudson Moore , Bobby Long , The Bells Of Joy , Disciples Of Christ , Sara Hickman , The School of Rock , Heidi Swedburg , Mariana Iranzi , Brady Rymer

Saturday, Sep 17

  • Stevie Wonder , My Morning Jacket , Alison Krauss & Union Station , Cee Lo , Cut Copy , TV On The Radio , Skrillex , Iron & Wine , Chromeo , Gillian Welch , Fitz and the Tantrums , Court Yard Hounds , Young The Giant , Alexander , J. Roddy Walston & the Business , Preservation Hall Jazz Band and The Del McCoury , City and Colour , Twin Shadow , The Antlers , Wanda Jackson , Abigail Washburn & The Village , The Belle Brigade , Aloe Blacc & The Grand Scheme , Daniel Lanois’ Black Dub , Fool’s Gold , Patrice Pike , The Moondoggies , Cowboy and Indian , Jon Pardi , The Warrior Gospel Band , Endurance , Tyree Morris & The Hearts of Worship , Recess Monkey , Fresh Millions , Tyler Bryant , The Kingston Springs , Chancellor Warhol

Sunday, Sep 18

  • Arcade Fire , Fleet Foxes , Social Distortion , Empire Of The Sun , Randy Newman , Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses, , Broken Social Scene , Death From Above 1979 , The Airborne Toxic Event , Elbow , The Walkmen , Chiddy Bang , Gomez , AWOLNATION , Hayes Carll , North Mississippi Allstars , Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. , The Head and the Heart , Mariachi El Bronx , Joseph Arthur , Bomba Estereo , MONA , The Vaccines ,  The Greencards , Nick 13 , Ruby Jane , Little Hurricane , MilkDrive , The Lee Boys , The Durdens , Peter DiStefano & Tor , The Q Brothers , Quinn Sullivan , The Barton Hills Choir , Seth Walker , Courtney Jaye , Leroy Powell

Countdown to Bonnaroo: 23 Days – Artist of the Day: The Head and The Heart

17 May

The Head and The Heart are one of the bands I am most excited to check out next month at Bonnaroo.  After selling more than 10,000 copies of their self titled debut album by word of mouth alone (we’re talking self burned copies), the disc was re-mastered and released last month.  Hailing from Seattle and having already opened for DMB, Vampire Weekend and The Decemberists,  The Head and The Heart are definitely one of the rising bands that are sure to strike it BIG very soon.

Sunday 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – The Other Tent