She & Him make music for an eternal springtime, when the temperature is warm enough to go riding with the top (or at least the windows) rolled down and the radio turned up. They occupy an alternate universe where the saddest of songs feel as warm as sun showers; the rain may be coming down, but somewhere nearby, everything looks bright. What began as a fascinating, no-strings attached collaboration evolved into a bona fide, touring band, and She & Him are here to stay. Zooey Deschanel and Matt Ward are as comfortable and complementary a musical pair as Les Paul and Mary Ford.
Brit Daniels has carefully crafted the indie-rock band Spoon’s reliably alluring, taut rock-n-roll sound that has defined their career for nearly two decades. This year, they are celebrating the release of their latest record, Transference, which offers nothing less than the methodological brilliance that has come to be expected from Spoon.
Manchester Orchestra is a five-part American rock band from Atlanta, Georgia led by vocalist Andy Hull, whose vocals rings pure and honest, gently sharing eloquent stories of hope, loss, and love. Andy provides an intelligent mouthpiece for his generation, providing the words that will surely be scrawled lovingly within the cover of spiral-notebooks across the nation. Their newest album, Mean Everything to Nothing, is an elaborate, collaborative project that confirms the evolution this young band has encountered through touring and performing.
Flaunting a mix of Southern pride, erudite lyrics, and a muscled three-guitar attack, Drive-By Truckers became one of the most well-respected alternative country-rock acts of the 2000s. Led by frontman Patterson Hood and comprising a rotating cast of Georgia and Alabama natives, the band celebrated the South while refusing to paint over its spotty past. History, folklore, politics, and character studies all shared equal space in the Truckers catalog.
Minus the Bear is the Seattle-based band defined by their ability to produce a unique, indie influenced sound accented by rock-n-rock and sensual funk grooves. Their sound involves a mix of pele-esque guitar-taps and electronics, with a Don Cab-esque sophistication of composition. Their new record OMNI maintains this inimitable sound and vision that is guaranteed to gratify any live audience. “One of the things we wanted to do was capture more of the live energy. We feel like the live show is really where you get to see what we’re doing,” said guitarist Dave Knudson.
The Sustainable Living Roadshow is a caravan of educators, entertainers and activists coordinating cross country tours that empower communities and individuals to utilize sustainable strategies for a healthier planet. Based in California, the roadshow visits university campuses and community events across the United States, encompassing a fleet of non-petroleum based renewable fuel vehicles. At each stop, the caravan sets up experiential learning-village’s, featuring workshops, speakers, and entertainment.
Following their 2007 album New Wave (which Spin Magazine named Album of the Year), Gainesville, Florida natives Against Me! explore a fresh side to songwriting on their newest album, White Crosses. Churning out a distinctive blend of punk, rock, and even folk that is impossible to label, they have toured all 50 states and foreign lands from Iceland to Australia, forging an intense connection with their growing legions of fans.
Cirque Bzerek “Los Angeles Circus” is an innovative, fiery, caberat extravaganza combining aerial acrobatics, clowning, and other traditional circus performances with punk rock and burlesque influences. Cirque Berzerk has been entertaining audiences since 2005, with their signature spin on contemporary circus theater. It’s an event that’s been described as a circus on acid: French burlesque meets Sweeney Todd meets Cirque du Soliel and P.T. Barnum’s worst nightmare. Forecastle will be the first major festival in the country to host them, apart from Burning Man.
One of new wave’s most innovative and successful bands, DEVO is back to sport their hazmat suits and signature “Energy Domes” for a new generation, DEVO is touring the country bringing back 1980s classics such as “Whip It” and “Secret Agent Man” as well as new music from their latest album, Something for Everybody that resonates the same venerated, funky style, that has made them a cultural sensation.
The ship, if you will, has all the bands on board now and the last to arrive, fashionably late, is none other than THE SMASHING PUMPKINS! They will be headlining Saturday night (July 10th) of the festival (right after DEVO…can you imagine?). Going 90′s super-band rounds out a perfectly balanced festival. Friday you have your jam bands with a folky-country rock flavor (Widespread/Drive-by Truckers/Lucero). Saturday you have a blast from the past with The Smashing Pumpkins, DEVO, Cake and Cap’n Jazz (with a bunch of great indie bands including Wax Fang). Then close everything off with a huge bang from modern acts like The Flaming Lips, Spoon, She & Him, and Ted Leo, supported by more great Louisville acts like The Fervor, Dawn Landes, The Pass, The Ravenna Colt and The Commonwealth. Each day is beautiful in its own way and will provide something everyone can enjoy. This will no doubt go down as one of the best festivals this year and one of the best Louisville has ever seen.
A breakdown of the music lineup can be found here: http://forecastlefest.com/lineup, including live performance videos from each Forecastle artist.
Forecastle’s 2010 keynote speaker will be Rob Coughlin, former President of The Surfrider Foundation – a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. Rob also served as Chairman of Conservationists for Jimmy Carter, Special Assistant for the US Environmental Protection Agency, and as a Board Member for the Conservation League and Solar California Council. He speaks on numerous environmental topics, including endangered species, population stabilization, ocean protection, the history of the American environmental movement, and individuals making a difference.
Three day passes, priced at $150, and single day tickets, priced at $60, are on sale now at http://www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 1.800.745.3000. They are also available at ear-X-tacy in Louisville, Shake-It Records in Cincinnati, CD Central in Lexington, Indy CD and Vinyl in Indianapolis, and Grimey’s in Nashville. Exclusive boat slips, VIP packages, and other premium ticketing options are also available, as well as campground accommodations and on-site hotel rooms. Visit www.forecastlefest.com for details, along with directions, campground, lodging information, and more!
DAILY SCHEDULE:
Friday, July 9
Saturday, July 10
Sunday, July 11
Widespread Panic
Drive-By Truckers
Manchester Orchestra
Cirque Berzerk (LA Circus)
The New Deal
Lucero
Dead Confederate
Margot & The Nuclear So and So’s
Treasure Fingers
Ana Sia
Big Gigantic
All The Day Holiday
Light Pollution
Frontier Ruckus
Kinetix
Savoy
Garganta
Tony Desaro
Andy B
The Tillers
Arnett Hollow
Adventure
Dangerbird
Maiden Radio
Yardsale
23 String Band
SMASHING PUMPKINS DEVO
CAKE
Bassnectar
Umphrey’s McGee
Cirque Berzerk (LA Circus)
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Cap’n Jazz (reunion)
We Were Promised Jetpacks
Cloud Cult
EOTO
Break Science
Mimosa
Foxy Shazam
Mucca Pazza
Two Fresh
That One Guy
Bear Hands
Civil Twilight
Wax Fang
Frontier(s)
The Tillers
Black Diamond Heavies
Lucky Pineapple
Booty Sweat
Amtrak
The Disco Aliens
Willy Joy
Brett Eugene Ralph’s Kentucky Chrome Revue
The Broken Spurs
The Deloreans
The Children
Scanners
Straight A’s
Nerves Jr.
Scott Mertz
The Flaming Lips
Spoon
She & Him
Minus The Bear
Against Me!
Cirque Berzerk (LA Circus)
Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek
Dar Williams
Joe Purdy
Ted Leo and The Pharmacists
Boombox
Papadosio
Company Of Thieves
Paper Route
Heavyweight Dub Champion
Jukebox The Ghost
Morning Teleportation
Greenskeepers
Death On Two Wheels
500 Miles To Memphis
Dawn Landes & The Hounds
Vandaveer
Pop Empire
The Ravenna Colt
John Napier
Quantum 38
Sam Gracie
Paul K and The Weathermen
Parlour
The Fervor
The Pass
Whistle Peak
Iamis
The Commonwealth
Six White Horses
Quinn Erwin
The Jefferson County chapter’s 2nd annual free outdoor event honoring our connection to the struggle to end MTR in Eastern Kentucky. Event hosted by KFTC, Heine Brother’s Coffee, and Carmichael’s Bookstore.
We have the following incredible artists donating their time and energy:
Word is Congressman John Yarmouth and Daniel Martin Moore will also be there.
Details are still being worked out but it looks like BBC and NABC will be selling beer, Ramsi’s and Boombozz will be selling food, and of course there will be coffee from Heine Brother’s Coffee and books to peruse from Carmichael’s Bookstore. There will be kid friendly activities including “Muffintop Removal” by Shelly Beisel and people will be welcome to add to our banner project, an anti mountain top removal art project started by member Whit Forrester.
Bring your checkbooks! There will be awesome festival t-shirts and posters by Cricket Press. We will have a membership package like last year and tons of really great information about this great state and how to make it greater. You can also register to vote and above all we invite you to come HAVE FUN.
Do You Realize that the Flaming Lips are coming to Louisville this summer?? Will you have a “Ball” seeing Widespread Panic? Will you go “Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga” for Spoon? The answer is yes… because they are your initial Forecastle Festival 2010 headliners! Full listing of the initial lineup below… but look forward to 60+ more bands announced later. We, as always, will keep you posted.
Three-day passes for $150 and day passes for $60 are on sale now at Ticketmaster or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at ear X-tacy, Shake-It (Cincinnati), CD Central (Lexington), Indy CD & Vinyl (Indianapolis) and Grimey’s (Nashville). VIP packages are also available.
For now, mark your calendars for July 9-11, 2010.
Initial Line-up
Flaming Lips
Widespread Panic
Drive-By Truckers
Spoon
Bassnectar
Heavyweight Dub Champion
Break Science
Dar Williams
Minus the Bear
Cap’n Jazz
The New Deal
Two Fresh
Mimosa
Lucero
EOTO
Savoy
Boombox
Mucca Pazza
Company of Thieves Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek
Morning Teleportation
and plenty more to come!
For those keeping score at home we Bolded the names we guessed prior to the lineup announcement (sorry Phish phans). Not bad, but we aren’t going to Vegas any time soon.
The anticipation is killing me, and I know we will find out tomorrow (we will be live tweeting @backseatsandbar) but we’ve heard some more names floating in the air. Initially we thought, Spoon, The Pogues, Tool, Widespread Panic, Umphrey’s McGee. Then we heard that Tool is out, so we crossed them off the list. I also questioned Widespread since they played last year and to play the same fest back-to-back would be unusual. Next, Forecastle dropped some more clues and we added Drive-by Truckers and Ted Leo and The Pharmacists to the list. Finally, we’ve received some more info about possible Headliners. None of our initial bands are on the list, which gives me pause, but we’ll see. If this is right, we should all be psyched because the list includes The Flaming Lips, Bad Veins, Passion Pit, Lightspeed Champion and Phish. Although I really hope Spoon turns out to be accurate too (see clue 5). Also, can I request that My Morning Jacket headline? Judge for yourself below.
Possible Headliners w/ Forecastle Clues (thanks RJE):
1. Latitude – 5 degrees by 15’00″ Longitude 20 degrees by 15’00″ Your guess: Midlake
Result: FIND OUT ON 3/31!
2. Past her tongue she whispered of the glowing horizon in front of them Your guess: The Ruby Suns
Result: FIND OUT ON 3/31!
3. JK relinquished for the night and watched his favorite NBA team Your guess: Great Lake Swimmers
Result: FIND OUT ON 3/31!
4. Loose lips sink ships unless the ship is zero Your guess: Flaming Lips
Result: FIND OUT ON 3/31!
5. This is a story you may not believe but I’ll tell it to you if you pull up your sleeve Your guess: Bad Veins
Result: FIND OUT ON 3/31!
6. The Captain’s ship cracked the laws physics as it thrust through the water Your guess: Lightspeed Champion
Result: FIND OUT ON 3/31!
7. The sailors dropped their lines and caught the sweet ambrosia of the seas Your guess: Phish
Result: FIND OUT ON 3/31!
8. Chaos filled the entire ship as the peaches fell over into the sea Your guess: Passion Pit
Result: FIND OUT ON 3/31!
9. Drive by Truckers (they will be in the area, Indy on the 10th Kansas City,MO on the 13th and Cincy on the 15th).
With festival season quickly approaching, many folks are either fawning over the Coachella, Sasquatch or Bonnaroo lineups or patiently waiting for the lineups for the other large-scale fests to be announced. Next week, one of our favorite festivals will be annoucning their 2010 artist list… Lollapalooza.
We here at Backseat Sandbar love a lot about Chicago and Lollapalooza is where is much of that love lies. Back in 2006 on a mission to see only a few bands we had never seen, we bought a ticket for the festival to check it all out and got so much more for what we had bargained for. The bands that we attended the festival to see were only a few of many performances that amazed. In one day, we saw Sparta, Pepper, Hot Chip, Feist, Andrew Bird, Queens of the Stone Age, Matisyahu, Blues Traveler, The Frames, She Wants Revenge, Red Hot Chili Peppers, BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE, and of course Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell (with a guest appearance from Peter DiStefano and Patti Smith!). All that in one day. Imagine an entire weekend of that caliber!
Back in November, we posted about Lolla’s choice to put the lineup in the hands of the people. On Tuesday April 6th, Camp Lollapalooza will be announcing the results of the voting by releasing their full lineup. The Chicago Tribune threw out some rumors in a February article, including the newly reunited Soundgarden, Lady Gaga, The Strokes, and Green Day, as well as some names that nearly made us fall back even further in our chairs. The xx! Yeasayer! Cut Copy! Hot Chip! Dirty Projectors (who incidentally posted the Lollapalooza date on the tour page last week, and took it down the same day)! We’re crossing our fingers.
As of this morning, advance 3-day passes are on sale now at the Lollapalooza website and are running $190 to start with, then $215 when those sell out. This is an incredible price for such a well-organized festival in Chicago’s beautiful Grant Park. Well worth your money and the first full weekend of your August.
Check it out. We guarantee you it will not disappoint.
MAN MAN is developing a solid fan base across the country, but they must have a crush on KY because they are coming back again. Just of f the top of my head, they played Buster’s in Lex for Halloween 2009. They played Forecastle Fest 2009 in Louisville. The were at Headliner’s in Louisville in 2008 and at the Dame in Lexington in 2007. For some reason, I feel that there was another Headliner’s show in there somewhere. Regardless, you have had plenty of opportunities to see this amazing and/or insane band live and I hope you took advantage of it. If not (or even if so), mark your calendar for May 13th (Thursday) for MAN MAN’s show at Cosmic Charlies in Lexington, Kentucky. Tix are $12 (or $15 if you are under 21). Show starts at 8pm. No word on an opener yet.
