Most Summerfest headliners don't go on until 8pm or 10pm, a lot of people like to get their Summerfest on early. Kitty, who hasn't missed a Summerfest in nearly 20 years, looked over the schedule to find some not-to-miss shows that will happen while the sun's still out.
Wed. June 29:The Nod 3pm at the Cascio Music Stage. Garage rock from Madison. Find out why Rob Thomas of 77 Square says their music is smart and jangly pop reminiscent of Cake or Spoon.
Thurs. June 30Mighty Short Bus noon at the Briggs & Stratton Stage. See Project M champ Frank Busch in his natural element..on stage with his band.
The Jimmy's, 2pm at the Briggs & Stratton Stage. A great blues band featuring our favorite rock n roll farmer, Jimmy Voegeli
Bascom Hill, 5pm at the Miller Oasis. More great Madison music!
Friday July 1:Big Bob & the Ballroom Blitz with Greg Koch, 4pm at the Harley Davidson Stage. Greg Koch just might be the best guitar player in WI.            Check this show out and experience real gristle!
Saturday July 2M & I Employee Party, Noon at the Classic Rock Stage. What? That's not a band name?
Sunday July 3
De La Buena 6pm at the Harley Davidson Stage. Danceable Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz. Say hi to Jeremy, the drummer. He used to work at Triple M!
Monday July 4
Summerfest is closed. What's up with that?
Tuesday July 5Elusive Parallelograms 6pm at the Cascio Music Stage. That just might be the coolest band name ever! They play alternative experimental pop rock.
Wednesday July 6
Mike Droho & The Compass Rose, 6pm at the Cascio Music Stage. Hey it's Season One Project M winner Mike Droho! Woo hoo!
Thursday July 7Locksley, 3pm at the Rock Stage. Little Steven loves 'em, they're on tons of commercials..and they're from Madison!
Friday July 8Sue DeBaco & The Double Down 6pm at the Potawatomi Stage. How about a little blues for your evening listening pleasure?
Saturday July 9Pat McCurdy 5pm at the Briggs and Stratton Stage. How about a little Sex & Beer everybody?
Sunday July 10Daniel & The Lion, 4:30 at the Cascio Music Stage. Featuring another Project M winner, Jimmie Linville. It's a Summerfest Trifecta!
Arcade Fire captured the attention of the entire mass of 100,000+ people Friday night.
15 minutes before they took the stage, faces turned up to the sky as around 7 parachutists trailed what looked like pounds of glitter on top of the audience. Shouts of awe rang across the field as what we all thought was glitter started raining down in a random pattern across the sky. As it began to get closer, the mystery of the falling objects progressed into further confusion. It wasnât glitter â it was something else. As I managed to jump up and grab a package, I realized that it was a packet of several bands with different colored blinking lights on them. After people connected to lights to either their bodies or a piece of clothing, a gargantuan sea of flashing lights surrounded the main stage.Â
Better yet, Arcade Fireâs energized performance catered to the stereotypical Roo attendee by having a movie screen playing clips/short films behind them that coordinated with the theme of each individual song. There were repeating images of people dressed in strange, almost doll-like outfits, a short film of people riding bicycles that looked as if it had been produced in the 70s, & colorful or colorless patterns that was designed to induce a particular feeling as you listened to each individual songâs lyrics. You couldnât have walked away if you wanted to. It was absolutely magic. If you havenât seen Arcade Fire perform live â I would strongly suggest finding out where theyâre touring this summer and buying a ticket, today if not sooner.
*Photo by MusicAllies*
Yesterday at Bonnaroo, you couldnât get a free moment if you tried. The lineup was stacked with artists that couldnât be missed, performances that had to be heard. Everyone seemed to be enjoying stage hopping in order to hear the wide variety of artists whose performances exceedingly overlapped. Hereâs how my day wentâ¦
Ben Sollee 1-2pm
Belafleck & the Flecktones: The Original Line-Up 2-3:15pm
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals 3:15-4:30
Warren Haynes Band 4-5:30pm
The Decemberists 5:30-7
Ray LaMontagne 6:15-7:45pm
Florence + the Machine 6:45-8:15
Bobby Long 8-8:50
Arcade Fire 11-12:30
+ MORE!
I had a hard time making decisions â who to see, how long to stay at which performances, & when to eat/sit. Straight from Vermont, Grace Potter proved that her music was ârockâ label worthy as thousands of people watched â her voice captured a tone that most singers could not pull off in a controlled manner as she masterfully does herself. She also impressed with her guitar skills & simultaneous head banging/luring electric piano playing.  And the Nocturnals entertained with solos from their guitarists + the happiest face that you will ever see from any drummer out there.Â
Ray LaMontagne also mesmerized the crowd with his shy/humble demeanor and calming voice. His song choices included several songs off of his recently released album, âGod willinâ and the Creek Donât Rise.â And believe me when I say they are as good live as they are recorded. You wouldnât have even been able to point out a discrepancy had he not sang as freely as he did.Â
The highlight of Friday night â the headliner. Arcade Fire, captured the attention of the entire mass of 100,000 people attending Bonnaroo. About 15 minutes before they took the stage, something that no one will forget happenedâ¦read on to the next post for the detailsâ¦
Listen to the Ray LaMontagne interview below!
Ray Lamontagne Int
*Pictures taken by MusicAllies and Bonnaroo 2011 Cams*
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Itâs the 10th Anniversary of Bonnaroo and you can feel the excitement in the air as people are lining up at the main entrance from the campground. The vendors have fully prepped everything and await the arrival of those who forgot to bring the essentials with them â food, beer, sandals (yes, that happened). They know that since the fest itself sold out, theyâre bound to make a killing. And they will!Â
I took an hour or so to check out the various stands that were set up â handmade nomadic shoes, hammocks that you can fold into a pouch, hand-crafted jewelry and clothes, itâs all there, and itâs all unique in some fashion. Itâs basically the most amazing assortment of gift shops that youâve ever seen.Â
And the food â oh the food! You can find anything and everything there â as long as itâs fried or it doesnât need to be refrigerated. So, ya know, almost anything. The food ranges from corn dogs to Thai food and your taste buds can be satisfied in under 5 minutes if you so choose. Heaven in your mouth? The answer to that question is Yes, YES!
There are 5 large stages â THAT tent, THIS tent, WHAT stage, WHICH stage, & the OTHER tent. Last night, the Band of Skulls was the highlight of the 1st day of Bonnaroo. They pulled the crowd in with music that made you want to move along with the beat â even if youâre not the dancing kind. The crowd was up for anything and everything â they couldnât get enough of it. So much so that crowd surfing to the front of the stage became the âITâ thing to do because it was the easiest way to make it through the crowd, which fanned out far beyond the reach of the tent. Never having listened to them much myself, I found myself making a note to buy their CD once I left.
Thatâs the best part of this festival â there are so many bands that youâve never heard of but when you make an effort to go watch them perform you could find your new music love! What will today have in store?Â
The line-up is stacked with Triple M artists and Iâll have an update for everyone tomorrow morning â Arcade Fire, The Decemberists, Ray LaMontagne, Florence + the Machine â theyâre all here! Check in tomorrow for your ROO update!
Yes, that was THE best 3am quote of the car ride...here'swhy...
As we left on the car ride to Manchester, TN all I could think was, âonly 14 hours of hell crammed into a tiny car and youâre there!â Thankfully that 14 hours magically turned into 10 at our driverâs refusal to stop for anything other than 1 â 1 single - pee/gas break. As my bladder screamed at him, my thoughts were only those of gratitude. We were that much closer, that much sooner.
After the miracle car ride, we finally made our arrival at the Bonnaroo campground at 3am. Our hearts sank as we realized that on the opposite side of the road there was a line of cars on the right shoulder that went on for at LEAST 15-20 miles. It was an endless sea of bright lights, tents littering the grass next to various cars, and people standing outside stretching their legs as they wait in anticipation to begin pitching their tent and actually getting settled in for the weekend. People were waiting for UP TO 7 HOURS! Either they seriously love music, or they seriously love to party. My guess is that it was a combo.Â
Getting set up was the least of our worries. It was quick, simple, but HOT. HOT HOT HOT. Iâm talking 90 degrees at 9am hot. Sweat dripping down your face as you empty the first item out of the back of your car. It may sound badâ¦but once youâre done itâs all friendly neighbors, smiling faces, beer & of course, music!Â
Read the next blog to hear about the highlights from Thursday!
Plan your San Fran trip around the Outside Lands music festival - held at Golden Gate Park. The fest is geared to the new green movement that has been taking hold across the nation - each year it includes numerous initiatives to enhance the eco-friendliness of the event. Check out the lineup + buy your ticket today!
2011 Lineup:
Muse
Phish (2 sets)
Arcade Fire
The Black Keys
Deadmau5
The Shins
MGMT
Girl Talk
The Decemberists
John Fogerty
Erykah Badu
The Original Meters
Beirut
The Roots
Arctic Monkeys
STS9
Big Boi
Big Audio Dynamite
Warren Haynes Band
Major Lazer
Little Dragon
Julieta Venegas
SIA
OK Go
The Greyboy Allstars
Josh Ritter & the Royal City Band
Old 97's
Mavis Staples
!!!
Latyrx featuring Lyrics Born & Lateef
Best Coast
Collie Buddz
Phantogram
Charles Bradley
Foster the People
Lotus
STRFKR
Junip
Pajama Party
The Infamous Stringdusters
The Vaccines
Toro y Moi
Vetiver
The Limousines
The Stone Foxes
The Joy Formidable
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Wye Oak
Ana Tijoux
Orgone
Lord Huron
Tamaryn
Grouplove
The Fresh & Onlys
Ximena Sarinana
Ry Segall
Sunbirds
Nicki Bluhm & The Gamblers
Diego's Umbrella
Ghost Robot
Electric Forest, "the new Rothbury," will be held from June 30-July 3 in Rothbury, Michigan. This year, the infamous Sherwood forest is speculated to be "bigger and better than ever!" Honestly, if you've never experienced the awe of the forest, what are you waiting for? It will be a vision you'll never forget!
Tickets go on sale March 5th at 11am. Early bird tickets will cost $199 for a four-day pass that includes camping.
Electric Forestâs complete list of confirmed performers is as follows:
The String Cheese Incident (3 Shows)
Tiësto
Bassnectar
Pretty Lights
REO Speedwagon
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Stephen Marley
Kaskade
Shpongle Presents The Shpongletron Experience
Railroad Earth
Laidback Luke
JJ Grey & Mofro
Excision
The New Deal
EOTO
Emmitt-Nershi Band
Skrillex
Karl DensonÂs Tiny Universe
Toubab Krewe
Bonobo (DJ Set)
Beats Antique
Big Gigantic
Chiddy Bang
Eskmo
Lettuce
Eliot Lipp
Paper Diamond
The Infamous Stringdusters
Zion I & The Grouch
Greensky Bluegrass
Feed Me
The Reverend PeytonÂs Big Damn Band
The Beautiful Girls (Acoustic)
12th Planet
The Pimps of Joytime
Rubblebucket
Archnemesis
Emancipator
Break Science
The Macpodz
VibeSquaD
Euforquestra
The Hood Internet
Lynx
Two Fresh
KRAZ (DJ Set)
The Treasures
Steez
SuperDre
Panic Bomber
Dragon Wagon
**On Saturday, Electric Forest is holding a mini-festival, within the festival, starring none other than REO Speedwagon**
Pickathon - Indie Roots Music Festival - has announced its 2011 lineup! Experience the 13th annual festival at the amazing 80 acre grounds of Pendarvis Farm on Mt. Scott near Portland, OR. Pickathon provides on of the best summer festival lineups of the year. No other festival brings you this mix of music. It is true music lover's paradise!
The Lineup:
Mavis Staples
Bill Callahan
Lee Fields & The Expressions
Califone
Damien Jurado
Thao
Fruit Bats
Ray Wylie Hubbard
Vetiver
Laura Veirs
Brownout
The Wilders
The Sadies
Richard Swift
Pine Leaf Boys
The Builders and The Butchers
Danny Barnes
Sonny & The Sunsets
Whitey Morgan & The 78âs
Mike + Ruthy
Black Lillies
Strand of Oaks
Elliott Brood
Bruce Molsky
Ages and Ages
Joy Kills Sorrow
Charlie Parr
Old Light
Ted Jones and The Tarheel Boys
Buffalo Killers
Pokey LaFarge
Rock Plaza Central
Truckstop Darlinâ
Cahalen Morrison & Eli West
Diane Ferlatte
I'm not sure why Pete Yorn decided to name his new music project after a European cave dwelling aquatic salamander, but if he stops by to play us some songs in Studio M, we'll have to ask him.
The Olms is a collaboration between Pete Yorn and...
Today's song was written by Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary. It was inspired by the 1957 novel Doctor Zhivago. No one was inspired by the song this morning. It was rejected by almost all the listeners.
Today is World Goth Day, a day to celebrate the post-punk, anti-establishment, dark clothes-wearing subculture.
I'm pretty sure I was a Goth for at least for little while, for two reasons.
1) I almost hardly ever wear pastels.
2) I used to...
Hello to all from Nfusion. Another round of challenges has moved beyond us all. Congrats to those of us lucky enough to have survived to this point. Sad to see the others eliminated as they were all very creative and talented. Good Bye to our new friends...
This morning it seemed like just about everyone was in the mood for some Funky Cold Medina...except Kitty. This ridiculous song made it all the way to number 3 in 1989. Jonathan says any song that references advertising dogs from the 80's has got...
Madison's summer music festival season kicks off this weekend with Brat Fest at Willow Island, where there are more bands than you can shake a bratwurst at! Check out the Brat Fest website to plan your itinerary.
Next up is the Marquette...
John Fogerty is making the talk show rounds this week, stopping in to see David Letterman Tuesday and Wednesday, and the ladies of "The View" on Thursday.
He's promoting his new album, "Wrote a Song For Everyone" which comes out next Tuesday...
It's a miracle that both Jonathan and KItty wanted to hear Barry Manilow this morning. They were not alone. Plenty of Fanilow's called in to vote yes. One caller claimed to have seen Manilow in concert 25 times!
