Well, not really - Roberto and JR nailed down the details pretty well and I'm not typically one for remembering that "that one note on that one song..." But holy crappamolie that was a killer concert - so here are my quick hits:
1) Glenn Kotche is a heckofa drummer. My two blogging chronies are axe-men so their Nels Cline fawning isn't surprising, or unmerited. But as a drummer with lofted seats, my aerial view afforded me perfect fixation on Glenn's movements for the first third of the show. Those interested can check out his Wilco kit here. His movement between such a tightly wound mess of equipment is at once deftly economical and perfectly spot-on.
1b) Note to our Aussie readers: Nels and Glenn will be playing an "improv jazz" duet at the Melbourne Jazz Fest on May 7. Those of you down-under should not miss it and let us know if you go, JR is thinking about making the trip.
2) I haven't been to a show with so much pre-concert, expectant energy in a while. You really got the sense you were a part of something special amidst a who's who of Pittsburgh music lovers. The grandeur of the venue certainly played a part in the excitement - a tremendous hall save for the 80 or so obstructed view seats that Roberto mentioned and the thick, stinky air.
3) I didn't care much for the acoustic set. It was a nice way to break up a marathon show, but as such it felt like more of a sideshow than an exposition. I am, however, always a fan of kitschy floorlamps for creating acoustic set intimacy. Nice fringed lampshades, fellas.
4) Damn that's a small stage! I first noticed how small it was back when Feist and her band were crowded in there last year. But with Wilco's packed laboratory of amplification and instrumentation, Nels' spastic movements were held in check. Whether or not the stage benefits the performance, it's always refreshing to see big bands who play big stages in big venues reign it in a little.
5) The PG made a big deal about Wilco joining a "supposed 2:45 minute club" - typically Springsteen, Phish, Dead territory. An interview I read quoted Tweedy saying that the goal of this tour is to "leave (the fans) wanting less" and play as long as they're allowed. By any account, I'm sure no one left feeling like they didn't get their money's worth.
I certainly couldn't have asked for more and will be eagerly anticipating my next "Evening (into early morning) with Wilco".
Showing posts with label Wilco. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wilco. Show all posts
Monday, April 12, 2010
Another Wilco Review
Apologies to non-Wilco fans for today's barrage. Anyway...
For some perspective on where I'm coming from, this was my 7th (maybe 8th?) time seeing these guys. The latest album and A.M. are my least favorite Wilco records. I would say I was pretty diehard for a good while between Summerteeth and Sky Blue Sky. And I'm still still a big fan.
As concerts go, this one was great. As Wilco concerts go, it was slightly above average. My #1 Wilco show would have been at Massey Hall in Toronto. Part of it was the setting, part of it was the setlist, and part of it was certainly seeing Nels Cline live for the first time. Jimmy's review below rings true with me. Cline's energy, musical proficiency, and bizarrely captivating body movements add so much to Wilco's live presence that he can really save a show, as I think he did at the Palumbo the last time they came though town. So imagine my disappointment when I found my seat last night and couldn't even see him at stage-right without standing and leaning way forward. (For those, like me, who may have thought there is not a bad seat in Carnegie Music Hall: there are about 40 of them, actually, in the back corners of the second balcony). I thought I would just suck it up and sink into the music.
My seat assignment surely took a bit away from my enjoyment of the first set. But, even accounting for that, I felt like the band took a little while to warm up. "Shot in the Arm" was where I really started feeling things, and I think by "California Stars" they were in full swing. When "Impossible Germany" rolled around and those sweet-ass guitar lines began to weave themselves together, it was time to move. Luckily, there were a surprising number of empty seats in the first balcony, and the staff didn’t seem to care at all when we snagged some prime seats not too far off-center.
I would have expected the acoustic set to be a highlight. As "Poor Places" built into an awesome symphony of noise, some roadies carried out a smaller drum kit, some keyboards and a selection of acoustic guitars. The noise subsided and the band assumed their new positions on the stage within the stage. "Spiders" was an interesting choice for the first song of this set. Probably a better idea in theory than in practice, unfortunately. While I don’t fault them for trying to switch things up on what usually turns into an epic electronic jam, it left me wanting more. Luckily they followed with a highlight of the show for me, "More Like the Moon." A very mellow, very underrated Wilco tune in my opinion. This was the first time I'd heard it live, and it did not disappoint. The rest of the acoustic set was fine, but nothing game-changing. It was definitely a nice touch and a cool opportunity to see Wilco tone things down a bit, but I was glad when, during "Airline to Heaven," the roadies began to break down the acoustic stage.
The third set just killed. "Via Chicago" was on par with the best versions I've heard, and from "Jesus" through "Monday" the whole band was on fire. One thing I always appreciate about Wilco is their ability to blend the old and new songs into a set and make them all fit harmoniously. I thought this was really on display in the third set, especially with a great "Candyfloss" in the middle. I can’t say I've ever found myself pulling Summerteeth out just to hear that tune, but it was right on time last night. And I love that it led into "Hate it Here" and "Walken," both of which completely rocked, and both of which were standouts of the night for me.
Overall, I wouldn't rank this as one of the best Wilco shows I've seen, although certainly better than the 2007 Palumbo show. Maybe somewhere in the middle for me. That said, it's Wilco. This is hands-down one of the best live bands playing today, and I have yet to walk out of a show disappointed.
For some perspective on where I'm coming from, this was my 7th (maybe 8th?) time seeing these guys. The latest album and A.M. are my least favorite Wilco records. I would say I was pretty diehard for a good while between Summerteeth and Sky Blue Sky. And I'm still still a big fan.
As concerts go, this one was great. As Wilco concerts go, it was slightly above average. My #1 Wilco show would have been at Massey Hall in Toronto. Part of it was the setting, part of it was the setlist, and part of it was certainly seeing Nels Cline live for the first time. Jimmy's review below rings true with me. Cline's energy, musical proficiency, and bizarrely captivating body movements add so much to Wilco's live presence that he can really save a show, as I think he did at the Palumbo the last time they came though town. So imagine my disappointment when I found my seat last night and couldn't even see him at stage-right without standing and leaning way forward. (For those, like me, who may have thought there is not a bad seat in Carnegie Music Hall: there are about 40 of them, actually, in the back corners of the second balcony). I thought I would just suck it up and sink into the music.
My seat assignment surely took a bit away from my enjoyment of the first set. But, even accounting for that, I felt like the band took a little while to warm up. "Shot in the Arm" was where I really started feeling things, and I think by "California Stars" they were in full swing. When "Impossible Germany" rolled around and those sweet-ass guitar lines began to weave themselves together, it was time to move. Luckily, there were a surprising number of empty seats in the first balcony, and the staff didn’t seem to care at all when we snagged some prime seats not too far off-center.
I would have expected the acoustic set to be a highlight. As "Poor Places" built into an awesome symphony of noise, some roadies carried out a smaller drum kit, some keyboards and a selection of acoustic guitars. The noise subsided and the band assumed their new positions on the stage within the stage. "Spiders" was an interesting choice for the first song of this set. Probably a better idea in theory than in practice, unfortunately. While I don’t fault them for trying to switch things up on what usually turns into an epic electronic jam, it left me wanting more. Luckily they followed with a highlight of the show for me, "More Like the Moon." A very mellow, very underrated Wilco tune in my opinion. This was the first time I'd heard it live, and it did not disappoint. The rest of the acoustic set was fine, but nothing game-changing. It was definitely a nice touch and a cool opportunity to see Wilco tone things down a bit, but I was glad when, during "Airline to Heaven," the roadies began to break down the acoustic stage.
The third set just killed. "Via Chicago" was on par with the best versions I've heard, and from "Jesus" through "Monday" the whole band was on fire. One thing I always appreciate about Wilco is their ability to blend the old and new songs into a set and make them all fit harmoniously. I thought this was really on display in the third set, especially with a great "Candyfloss" in the middle. I can’t say I've ever found myself pulling Summerteeth out just to hear that tune, but it was right on time last night. And I love that it led into "Hate it Here" and "Walken," both of which completely rocked, and both of which were standouts of the night for me.
Overall, I wouldn't rank this as one of the best Wilco shows I've seen, although certainly better than the 2007 Palumbo show. Maybe somewhere in the middle for me. That said, it's Wilco. This is hands-down one of the best live bands playing today, and I have yet to walk out of a show disappointed.
An Evening With Wilco - A Rookie's Review
So as it happens, most of the SITKOT crew made it to the Wilco show last night at Carnegie Music Hall, and what a show it was. I must confess that although I have listened to Wilco for years - I started getting into them when Yankee Hotel Foxtrot was released - this was the first time that I've seen them perform live. I can honestly say that it was one of the best shows that I've ever seen. Because my other SITKOT comrades are going to be better with the details, having been to a show or seven, I'm going to keep my review brief and just give a few highlights.
1) Nels Cline - Guitar God. Yes, I just did. Perhaps I am biased because I am still fresh off the show last night, but I never expected Nels Cline to have some of the most insane chops that I've ever witnessed. On many of the songs from Wilco (The Album) and Sky Blue Sky he absolutely shredded the guitar, but in an always appropriate, never cheesy way. Even on the more country-tinged songs, his country soloing stayed within the genre and was smokin'. Unbelievable.
2) The Length of the Set - It was also amazing how long the set ran. I had heard that Wilco puts on some long shows, but this was incredible. Three plus hours of solid music. Their albums can't do their live show justice. During the show, I couldn't help but think that Wilco is like a modern day version of the band Television. Great soloing with purpose and catchy riffs flourishing throughout almost every single song. My highlights were "A Shot in the Arm", "Walken" (which was not even one of my favorites on Sky Blue Sky), "Impossible Germany", "Company in My Back" and "Theologians". In particular, the soloing by Nels in "A Shot in the Arm" was nothing short of magnificent.
Overall, the best show of the year so far and one that will be hard to top by any other band coming to the 'Burgh. When I think about the expansiveness of Wilco's catalogue and the fluidity of their performance last night, I can safely say that they are one of the great bands still creating relevant music that should have generational staying power.
Ok - two small gripes about the venue. First, anyone who has been to a performance at Carnegie Music Hall knows that it tends to get stuffy, and that is usually during a 1.5 hour show. When we were approaching hour three I felt like I was standing in a pressure cooker. I was thinking to myself, "Thank God this is a Wilco show and not a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert because more than one person might have passed out from the stench." And I'm not talking about the song "That Smell".
Second, I was sitting on the first level and the doors leading into the atrium were open during the acoustic set and there were people talking very loudly, to the point where Jeff Tweedy even commented that he could hear the talking and that he was dedicating the next song to the working people in the audience who paid $50 to see a Wilco performance and not talk in the lobby - or something like that. I know that it was hot and stuffy, but jeez, show a little more respect for a world-class band closing out their tour in our fine city.
1) Nels Cline - Guitar God. Yes, I just did. Perhaps I am biased because I am still fresh off the show last night, but I never expected Nels Cline to have some of the most insane chops that I've ever witnessed. On many of the songs from Wilco (The Album) and Sky Blue Sky he absolutely shredded the guitar, but in an always appropriate, never cheesy way. Even on the more country-tinged songs, his country soloing stayed within the genre and was smokin'. Unbelievable.
2) The Length of the Set - It was also amazing how long the set ran. I had heard that Wilco puts on some long shows, but this was incredible. Three plus hours of solid music. Their albums can't do their live show justice. During the show, I couldn't help but think that Wilco is like a modern day version of the band Television. Great soloing with purpose and catchy riffs flourishing throughout almost every single song. My highlights were "A Shot in the Arm", "Walken" (which was not even one of my favorites on Sky Blue Sky), "Impossible Germany", "Company in My Back" and "Theologians". In particular, the soloing by Nels in "A Shot in the Arm" was nothing short of magnificent.
Overall, the best show of the year so far and one that will be hard to top by any other band coming to the 'Burgh. When I think about the expansiveness of Wilco's catalogue and the fluidity of their performance last night, I can safely say that they are one of the great bands still creating relevant music that should have generational staying power.
Ok - two small gripes about the venue. First, anyone who has been to a performance at Carnegie Music Hall knows that it tends to get stuffy, and that is usually during a 1.5 hour show. When we were approaching hour three I felt like I was standing in a pressure cooker. I was thinking to myself, "Thank God this is a Wilco show and not a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert because more than one person might have passed out from the stench." And I'm not talking about the song "That Smell".
Second, I was sitting on the first level and the doors leading into the atrium were open during the acoustic set and there were people talking very loudly, to the point where Jeff Tweedy even commented that he could hear the talking and that he was dedicating the next song to the working people in the audience who paid $50 to see a Wilco performance and not talk in the lobby - or something like that. I know that it was hot and stuffy, but jeez, show a little more respect for a world-class band closing out their tour in our fine city.
Setlist: Wilco at Carnegie Music Hall - April 11, 2010
As they've been doing during this "An Evening With Wilco" series of shows (the last of which was last night's), Wilco played sort of three sets in one set. No breaks except for a very brief one before the encore. I think they played from roughly 8:10 to 11:10. 37 songs in three hours. Not bad.
Three of us from the blog were there, so a review or recap may follow, depending on motivational levels.
Mostly Electric:
Wilco (the Song)
Bull Black Nova
You are My Face
I am Trying to Break Your Heart
One Wing
Shot in the Arm
On and On
Company in My Back
Deeper Down
Handshake Drugs
California Stars
Impossible Germany
I’ll Fight
Poor Places (feedback into stage change)
Mostly Acoustic:
Spiders
More Like the Moon
Someday Some Morning Sometime
Not for the Season
When You Wake Up Feeling Old
Don’t Forget the Flowers
War on War
Passenger Side
Airline to Heaven (during stage change)
Mostly Electric:
Via Chicago
Box Full of Letters
You Never Know
Jesus, Etc.
Theologians
Heavy Metal Drummer
Candyfloss
Hate it Here
Walken
I’m the Man Who Loves You
Monday
Thank You Friends
Encore:
Casino Queen
Outtasite (Outta Mind)
Three of us from the blog were there, so a review or recap may follow, depending on motivational levels.
Mostly Electric:
Wilco (the Song)
Bull Black Nova
You are My Face
I am Trying to Break Your Heart
One Wing
Shot in the Arm
On and On
Company in My Back
Deeper Down
Handshake Drugs
California Stars
Impossible Germany
I’ll Fight
Poor Places (feedback into stage change)
Mostly Acoustic:
Spiders
More Like the Moon
Someday Some Morning Sometime
Not for the Season
When You Wake Up Feeling Old
Don’t Forget the Flowers
War on War
Passenger Side
Airline to Heaven (during stage change)
Mostly Electric:
Via Chicago
Box Full of Letters
You Never Know
Jesus, Etc.
Theologians
Heavy Metal Drummer
Candyfloss
Hate it Here
Walken
I’m the Man Who Loves You
Monday
Thank You Friends
Encore:
Casino Queen
Outtasite (Outta Mind)
Monday, January 4, 2010
Wilco Coming April 11
Crappy cell phone pic of (I think) Wilco at AJ Palumbo.What a fine bit of news for the first post of the new year: Wilco returns to Pittsburgh on Sunday, April 11, 2010, for the first time since their stellar
Tickets go on sale Saturday at 10:00 am via Ticketmaster. $35-$38.50.
Stream/Download:
Wilco - "Wilco (The Song)"
Wilco - "Don't Fear the Reaper"
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
A syllabic aside regarding recent reviews of Wilco (The Album) that go out of their way to retroactively diss Sky Blue Sky
Why the sudden hate
on Sky Blue Sky? Can’t folks just
dig on (The Album),
be cool with the past?
“Hate it [there],” they say. "Welcome
back, Kidsmoke Nova."
“Miss u, YHF.”
Either way, let’s all agree:
Nels Cline is badass.
Download/Stream:
Wilco - "The Thanks I Get"
on Sky Blue Sky? Can’t folks just
dig on (The Album),
be cool with the past?
“Hate it [there],” they say. "Welcome
back, Kidsmoke Nova."
“Miss u, YHF.”
Either way, let’s all agree:
Nels Cline is badass.
Download/Stream:
Wilco - "The Thanks I Get"
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
That's all folk
Folk Alley recently polled its listeners to compile a list of the top 100 folk songs, the top ten of which are:1. "This Land Is Your Land" - Woody Guthrie
2. "Blowin' in the Wind" - Bob Dylan
3. "City of New Orleans" - Steve Goodman
4. "If I Had a Hammer" - Pete Seeger
5. "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" - The Kingston Trio
6. "Early Morning Rain" - Gordon Lightfoot
7. "Suzanne" - Leonard Cohen
8. "We Shall Overcome" - Pete Seeger
9. "Four Strong Winds" - Ian and Sylvia
10. "Last Thing on My Mind" - Tom Paxton
See the rest here, which reveals what an interesting list it is. Initially marked by most of the standout tunes and artists you'd expect to find, as you read on you'll see it's filled with a healthy handful of surprises, and seems to lack some key contributors to 20th century folk. What's most interesting about this list to me, though, is this discussion which it has generated among Folk Alley's listeners--i.e., the people who, in theory, created the list.
It's really part of an ongoing discussion among modern music fans about what "folk music" even is. To the hardcore folkies it may be a very narrow genre indeed, but to most of us it's likely something broader and rather more elusive. Words like "roots" and "traditional" are often associated with what we think of as folk, but where does a revelation such as "Like a Rolling Stone" fit into that category? Many might say it doesn't. Others might wonder what makes "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" a better folk tune than "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda." Is Americana implicitly folk? Neither Emmylou Harris nor Guy Clark made the cut, but the Carters slipped in there multiple times. So where to draw the line in the ever-shifting sands of country/western?
In Pittsburgh, we're lucky to have a unique organization to foster and stimulate this ongoing conversation with the local music community. Since 1976, Calliope has brought folk music to new ears and taught its instrumentations to new hands. In working with established folk legends while also scanning the nation for up-and-comers to introduce to its audience, Calliope is more than a concert promoter. Calliope's longtime ticketholders will attest that the organization has played an important role in bringing acts to town that might otherwise fall under the radar of the local promoters.
Calliope recently announced its '09-'10 concert schedule, which is a great example of its efforts to enrich the local live music scene. But, with acts ranging from the Klezmatics to Corey Harris (and, I must mention, the legendary Richie Havens, who's criminally absent from the Folk Alley 100), it also gives us a great point of reference to keep the discussion going: What is folk?
Download:
Billy Bragg and Wilco - "California Stars" (Woody Guthrie)
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Video: Wilco on Conan
The new album is out next week, though it's been streaming on the web for about a month or more. No stops in Pittsburgh on this tour. Here's "You Never Know" (and some sweet western suits) from last night:
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Happy birthday, Joey Ramone
A friend was recently lamenting the fall of those days when setlists were only gotten through friends who saw the show, arguing that the excitement of mystery and the anticipation of waiting has been dulled by the advent of the internet. I suggested that he not search for setlists if he doesn't want to know what's coming.
Anyway, today is Joey Ramone's birthday, and tonight the Boss takes over the Igloo. Recent setlists tell us that "Hungry Heart" has not been a staple of recent shows. But, I've heard tell that Bruce originally wrote that song for The Ramones at Joey's request (confirmed by good old Wikipedia), so you can probably hope for that one tonight.
A more exciting number you might also hope for would be "I Wanna Be Sedated," which Bruce and the band covered in Boston a few weeks ago upon a fan's request:
Anyway, today is Joey Ramone's birthday, and tonight the Boss takes over the Igloo. Recent setlists tell us that "Hungry Heart" has not been a staple of recent shows. But, I've heard tell that Bruce originally wrote that song for The Ramones at Joey's request (confirmed by good old Wikipedia), so you can probably hope for that one tonight.
A more exciting number you might also hope for would be "I Wanna Be Sedated," which Bruce and the band covered in Boston a few weeks ago upon a fan's request:
If you're on your way to the show, enjoy. And if you have seats on the floor, try not to do anything that could screw up the ice worse than it is already.
Download:
Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band - "I Wanna Be Sedated"
Wilco - "Color Me Impressed / I Wanna Be Sedated"
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Wilco stream Wilco
Wilco is streaming Wilco at Wilcoworld.
Whether it leaked first by the band's intentions isn't clear (to me anyway), but either way they've made it official now. The sound is sure to draw the same "dad-rock" aspersions that followed Sky Blue Sky, but with a lighter mood and a kickass cover, you have to hope some of those naysayers will cool it this time around. Enjoy.
Whether it leaked first by the band's intentions isn't clear (to me anyway), but either way they've made it official now. The sound is sure to draw the same "dad-rock" aspersions that followed Sky Blue Sky, but with a lighter mood and a kickass cover, you have to hope some of those naysayers will cool it this time around. Enjoy.
Friday, May 8, 2009
New Wilco cover art
Slow day in music news, except for this totally rad announcement from Wilco.Not a lot of shows this weekend, that I'm into at least. Maybe we'll have a review of Gwar for you later this weekend. Who knows. Crazy costumes, deboweling celebrities, spraying slime on the audience, that kind of thing... modern entertainment at its best.
Friday, May 1, 2009
New Wilco track: "The Jolly Banker"
Though it's not on the tracklist for their forthcoming eponymous LP (due June 30), I'll gladly take some more Guthrie goodness from Tweedy & Co. Download it from Wilco's site, and why not donate a few clams to the Woody Guthrie Foundation while you're at it?
Here's the tracklist for Wilco (The Album):
1. Wilco The Song
2. Deeper Down
3. One Wing
4. Bull Black Nova
5. You And I
6. You Never Know
7. Country Disappeared
8. Solitaire
9. I’ll Fight
10. Sunny Feeling
11. Everlasting
Here's the tracklist for Wilco (The Album):
1. Wilco The Song
2. Deeper Down
3. One Wing
4. Bull Black Nova
5. You And I
6. You Never Know
7. Country Disappeared
8. Solitaire
9. I’ll Fight
10. Sunny Feeling
11. Everlasting
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Wilco teams up with Feist
According to Rolling Stone, Feist stopped by Wilco's Chicago workspace last week to record a tune for the upcoming Wilco record, which is expected in June. I'm trying to think back, and it seems to me this may be Tweedy's first recorded duet with a female vocalist? I'm not sure.
They should be wrapping things up on the album, as they're due to start touring in just a few weeks, starting in New England, arcing through the Midwest on down to the South. Sorry, Pittsburgh; you'll have to drive to Athens, OH (or, better yet, hop a jet to Spain), if you want to see the boys this time around.
Downloads:
Jeff Tweedy & Jay Bennett - "James Alley Blues" (Mediafire link)
Wilco - "Peace, Love and Understanding" (Mediafire link)
They should be wrapping things up on the album, as they're due to start touring in just a few weeks, starting in New England, arcing through the Midwest on down to the South. Sorry, Pittsburgh; you'll have to drive to Athens, OH (or, better yet, hop a jet to Spain), if you want to see the boys this time around.
Downloads:
Jeff Tweedy & Jay Bennett - "James Alley Blues" (Mediafire link)
Wilco - "Peace, Love and Understanding" (Mediafire link)
Friday, February 6, 2009
Wilco DVD Gets Early Release at Indie Stores
Doing their part to support Record Store Day this April 18, Wilco have announced that their forthcoming live DVD, Ashes of American Flags, will see an early release on that date exclusively in independent record stores around the country. Frontman Jeff tweedy told Billboard:
"Nothing beats browsing in your favorite store, listening to music, finding something new or old that you've been searching for, being ignored by the store clerks, all that. And without these stores, there's just no way Wilco would still be around. They've been with us from the very beginning, through thick and thin. Even if I wasn't in a band, I'd still support Record Store Day. It's a great thing and I'm glad we could do something special with them for our DVD."The DVD was filmed during the band's 07-08 tour. Reports suggest live footage will be limited to shows in Tulsa, Nashville, and (possibly) Chicago, so don't hold out any hope for reliving their killer set at the Palumbo Center. Look for it at Dave's Music Mine.
Also, a new studio album is expected in the next six months, accompanied by a spring/summer tour beginning in the southern states (during which they'll be stopping by Bonnaroo along with just about everyone else you could possibly want to see live this year). For now, here are a few new ones since 2007's Sky Blue Sky:
Downloads:
Wilco – “Wilco, the Song” (live on Colbert Report) (Mediafire link)
Wilco – “One Wing” (live at Lollapalooza 2008) (Mediafire link)
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Three Rivers Arts Fest Dates Announced
Pittsburgh's largest, longest-running outdoor festival is set to run June 5-14 this year. See the "official release" here.
No artists to name yet, but two items stood out:
1) Instead of the three-week format of past years, the festival only runs 10 days this year. It's been no secret that Arts Fest has been cash-strapped for years and we hope that this tighter format will increase the per-show budget - making way for a few more notable acts than we've seen recently. Remember when Wilco played?
2) Despite the millions of dollars in local and state funding spent to make Point State Park more "crowd friendly", the release gives no indication that music will return to enjoy those new digs. Indications are that we'll be rocking in Gateway Center, again. Hopefully the on-going "Bore to the Shore" project forces the concert stage somewhere other than the sweaty doorstep of 5th Avenue Place.
Looking forward to artist announcements.
Hope they bring back my favorite of last year's acts: the Avett Brothers:
No artists to name yet, but two items stood out:
1) Instead of the three-week format of past years, the festival only runs 10 days this year. It's been no secret that Arts Fest has been cash-strapped for years and we hope that this tighter format will increase the per-show budget - making way for a few more notable acts than we've seen recently. Remember when Wilco played?
2) Despite the millions of dollars in local and state funding spent to make Point State Park more "crowd friendly", the release gives no indication that music will return to enjoy those new digs. Indications are that we'll be rocking in Gateway Center, again. Hopefully the on-going "Bore to the Shore" project forces the concert stage somewhere other than the sweaty doorstep of 5th Avenue Place.
Looking forward to artist announcements.
Hope they bring back my favorite of last year's acts: the Avett Brothers:
