If you’re ready to get funked up, Galactic will do just that. The New Orleans legends who were part of the inaugural Bonnaroo and a staple band throughout the decade long run of the festival return to bring some funk and jazz to the masses. Exuding energy and pure happiness, Galactic shows are memorable for sure and just about always include surprise guests sitting in for a song or the whole show. Knowing the grand stage of Bonnaroo, I think we can all rest assured this will be one performance to catch.
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.
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.
To most, Ryan Bingham is known as the Oscar winning recording artist for his song “The Weary Kind” in the Jeff Bridges movie, Crazy Heart. Really this is just the icing on the cake because his works before are even better and hopefully the rise in popularity gave people a chance to give a listen. With a raspy voice and one heck of a band in The Dead Horses, Bingham is a nice slice of Americana that you can’t get enough of. I got hooked on his album Roadhouse Sun but it was his disc Mescalito that really made me a huge fan.
Definitely can’t miss next month at Bonnaroo.
Scheduled to perform: SUNDAY 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM – THAT TENT
Smith Westerns was a complete surprise to me as part of the line-up but I’m thrilled they will be performing. Fresh off the heels of their second release, Dye It Blonde, the Chicago group has been gaining steam all throughout 2011. As we wrote about back in back in January, with an upbeat retro rock and pop sound (think 60s and glam rock eras), they kill it with whinny guitar riffs and not complex lyrics.
Their set is scheduled for Sunday, June 12 at 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
I remember reading a recent article in Rolling Stone with Roger Waters and talking about the possibility of getting the band back together and well, it happened tonight in London (only the second time in 30 years!)! Via Rolling Stone read THIS and watch below where David Gilmour joined Roger Waters on stage to perform “Comfortably Numb.” Nick Mason and Gilmour joined Waters for the finale.
He rocked Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Music Festival last summer and recently Rolling Stone named him “Best Young Gun,” Gary Clark Jr. may just be the next great blues musician. Hailing from Austin Texas, Clark Jr. can span many genres of music but his slick, powering guitar skills has had him compared to Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan time and time again. He’s got a ways to go but definitely off to a great start. Part of the Café Artists line-up at Bonnaroo, I can’t wait to see and hear him live.
Another band I am really into lately has been Middle Brother. Haven’t heard of them? You need to get yourself familiar pronto. A quasi super group comprised of John J. McCauley III of Deer Tick, Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes, and Matt Vasquez of Delta Spirit these fellas are crazy good songwriters and put together a really great disc after first performing together at SXSW in 2010. Releasing their self titled debut album last month, be on the lookout for the trio when you see any of their bands on festival billings.
Do You Hear The Music? 