I am fortunate that at a young age I was introduced to the Allman Brothers Band and haven’t looked back since. When I think of some of my favorite songs to this day, I have Gregg Allman to thank. Luckily I’ve had the opportunity to see not just the Allman Brothers Band but also Allman solo and what live shows they have been. With the lingering health concerns for Allman I am going to relish the opportunity to see him once again and what better stage than Bonnaroo.
Today is a special day and not just because it is Bob Dylan’s 70th birthday. Today Foster The People officially released their debut album, TORCHES. Before I go on, please get this album because I promise you won’t be disappointed.
From beginning to end this disc is simply, awesome. While “Helena Beat,” “Pumped Up Kicks” and “Houdini” are the only tracks many have heard, would you believe it if I told you none of those are the best songs on the CD? While I do indeed love those songs, “Call It What You Want,” “Miss You” and “Warrant” could all be considered the top track.
I compare TORCHES to Maroon 5’s Songs About Jane for the simple fact that I can’t recall a debut album having so much potential for hit after hit since.
Also I’ve been fortunate enough to see these guys four times already and if you can somehow swindle your way into one of their shows (just about every date is sold out), you’ll really see what these fellas are made of; talented musicians on the rise.
Check out their performance of “Helena Beat” on Jimmy Kimmel last night.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I don’t know about anyone else but my thought is you can never listen to too much reggae. One of the artists I have been listening to a lot lately is Anthony B. His new disc, Rasta Love, dropped in February and features guest spots from a handful of power players including Peter Tosh and Gyptian. Anyone attending Bonnaroo should be jazzed for what is sure to be a high-energy performance.
Do You Hear The Music? 