In case you missed it, the lineup for this year’s Wakarusa Music Festival was finalized late last week. Topping the bill is a solid eclectic mix with Pretty Lights, The Avett Brothers and Primus all set to headline the festival, with LMB favorites Umphrey’s Mcgee, Girl Talk, Ghostland Observatory, Big Gigantic, EOTO, Orgone, Blitzen Trapper and tons more joining them to round out the festival’s ninth year in operation.
The festival returns to the Ozarks on May 31-June 3, 2012 and tickets are still on sale. READ MORE
The NYC live music scene picks up again with a bunch of great shows happening this week, including the Black Keys, the Barr Brothers, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings along with plenty of other highlights. Check it out: READ MORE
Medeski, Martin, and Wood | photo © WHITperson
Although last week there were a ton of shows going on due to CMJ, I think I’m actually more impressed with this week’s selection. Check it out…
Photos by Eric Tsurumoto
One of our newest contributors, Eric Tsurumoto, got some amazing stuff at this year’s Newport Folk Festival just a few weeks back. Here are his notes and his amazing set of photos from the two-day festival. –Justin
Newport Folk 2010: Day One (Saturday, July 31st)
I didn’t even make it into the festival grounds before I was greeted by a familiar voice. Just over a hill, was a bluegrass prodigy by the name of Sarah Jarosz performing one of Saturday’s opening sets. It was short but sweet, paying homage to the historic festival. She even covered “Ring Them Bells” by Bob Dylan. After her set, I caught a very familiar band by the name of Blitzen Trapper. Their set was just as good this time around as it was the first time I saw them at Bonnaroo.
Then after a short interview with Sarah Jarosz and bit of time looking around the festival grounds. I was drawn to a loud tent that at first didn’t seem fitting. But after further investigation I found myself in front of a enthusiastic crowd, dancing to the tune of a Celtic folk metal band (yeah I’m sure you never heard that musical description before) by the name of O’Death. O’ Death quickly reminded me of the historical relevance of Newport Folk. The festival didn’t gain their reputation for being traditional; they have continued to reinvent the genre year after year. READ MORE
Photo by Justin Ward
Blitzen Trapper played two nearly identical sets at High Sierra, both on the Big Meadow Stage and set around the same time each day, and man did these guys looked tired. Having done tour after tour in recent years and working hard on the road this year to promote their latest release, Destroyer of the Void, I’m surprised they had the energy to make it through their final set of the weekend.
The set was good because I definitely like the band’s music, but past that it lacked any energy or vibrancy that I would have expected from a band playing the early evening set at the Big Meadow. Next time they need to bring it or they won’t be converting any of the heads anytime soon. READ MORE
Here is a smattering of other photos from our crew’s first day at High Sierra. I had an amazing time on day one but definitely hung back and bit and turned it in early. My friends raged hard and made it a few spots I didn’t, so I lovingly poached some of their photos here. Videos from Surprise Me Mr. Davis end the first day of coverage for us…so much fun memories to sort through after this festival. We’re already planning for 2011 as well. READ MORE