Tag: Forecastle
Warning: Attempt to read property "post_id" on null in /dom375187/wp-content/plugins/enhanced-category-pages/classes/ecp/Enhanced_Category.php on line 143
Warning: Undefined array key 0 in /dom375187/wp-content/plugins/enhanced-category-pages/classes/ecp/Enhanced_Category.php on line 232
Top 10 Bands You Better Not Miss at Forecastle This Weekend
If you’re one of the lucky ones heading out to Louisville KY for Forecastle Festival this weekend, we know you’re gonna flock to see the headliners—and we’re right there with you. Forecastle’s big guns form quite the armory this year with sets from Run The Jewels, LCD Soundsystem, PJ Harvey, Spoon, Weezer, and Sturgill Simpson. Not to mention the glorious return of the beloved Screaming Eagle himself, Mister Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires.
That said, if you scroll on down the lineup, it’s fully packed with exciting, dynamic acts right down to the very end. Here’s a list of the top 10 bands it would be criminal to miss.
Big Thief
Brooklyn’s Big Thief’s music, rooted in the songs of Adrianne Lenker (guitar, vocals) paints in vivid tones. Their highly anticipated second record Capacity was release last month and shows us the gentle side of being ripped open, and then recounts the second act of pulling oneself back together to prepare for it all to happen again.
Whitney
Whitney tries to make the kind of songs they’d be jealous of if someone else got there first. Formed from the core of guitarist Max Kakacek (ex-Smith Westerns) and singing drummer Julien Ehrlich (ex-Unknown Mortal Orchestra),the band itself is something bigger, something visionary, something neither of them could have accomplished alone.
Aaron Lee Tasjan
East Nashville-based musician Aaron Lee Tasjan has always considered himself a songwriter first and foremost, writing his own off-kilter folk-inflected songs since he picked up his first acoustic as a teen guitar prodigy. His New West Records debut, Silver Tears, shows his artistic ambitions and solidifies him as one of the most intriguing singer/songwriters to emerge in sometime.
Adia Victoria
Adia Victoria is establishing a fresh reference point on the musical landscape. From blood-born howls to idiosyncratic phrasing, she is the big red dot saying You Are Here. The Nashville-based artist travels the lands of rock, afro punk, and country, squarely situated in the continent of the Blues.
Mondo Cozmo
Born in Philadelphia and now based in East Los Angeles, Mono Cozmo raised a big middle finger to all opposition, and in 2016 began releasing songs that could’ve been cut under the influence of a “Champagne Supernova” inside a Seattle warehouse if this were the nineties…but it’s not. His latest work, Plastic Soul, will be released in a few weeks. He did it all by deconstructing everything you know and reconstructing it with a rawness the world hasn’t felt since Pearl Jam’s Vs. or Springsteen’s Born To Run. That’s Plastic Soul.
John Moreland
John Moreland’s latest album, Big Bad Luv, is the record he made after, after everything in his life changed. For the better. He sings in one of those accents from flyover country that’s impossible to locate and implausible to mimic. (Texas, by way of Northern Kentucky, but mostly Tulsa, as it happens.) He sings directly from his heart, with none of the restraint and filters and caution the rest of us would apply for public protection. He sings with resolute courage.
Twin Limb
Forecastle will be a hometown throw down for Twin Limb. Louisville’s own Twin Limb is proof that a band can be a powerful trio without being a “power trio”. Friends, Lacey Guthrie and Maryliz Bender decided they were going to build a musical edifice together, with the producing prowess of Kevin Ratterman. Together, an organic blend bringing post-punk guitar sprinklings to a yearning, but militaristic amalgam of soaring vocals, percussion, and slowly-kneaded accordion.
Lucy Dacus
Sharp lyrical observations, playful turns of musical phrase, hooks that’ll embed themselves in your frontal lobe for days is what you’ll experience at Lucy Dacus’ set this Saturday afternoon. She has a keen sense of self and that shines clearly on her debut No Burden.
Pell
Born and raised in New Orleans but forced, at 13, to relocate with his family to Jackson, Mississippi when Hurricane Katrina hit and destroyed their home—has been praised for fusing precise lyricism and soulful singing into an eclectic sound, entirely his own.
Sun Seeker
Sun Seeker has drawn applause for their unhurried breed of Cosmic American Music and with BIDDEFORD (Third Man Records), their long awaited debut EP, the Nashville-based band more than affirm their promise. The EP – which follows Sun Seeker’s widely acclaimed Third Man debut single, 2016’s “Georgia Dust” b/w “No One Knows” (TMR322) – sees Alex Benick (guitar, vocals), Asher Horton (bass guitar, vocals), and Ben Parks (drums, vocals) exploring nostalgia, melancholy, and emotional turmoil via laidback psychedelia pollinated with tight harmonies, classic folk songcraft, and country rock spirit, an ageless approach that is simultaneously archetypal and now utterly their own.
REVIEW: Forecastle Festival Day Three
The last day of Forecastle was sweltering, and inclement weather loomed for later in the day. Waking up that morning, we were in for a bit of an unpleasant surprise. We had been made aware of Animal Collective’s cancellation days prior to the festival, but it seemed that Dan Deacon suddenly just disappeared off of the schedule. Besides these disappointments, there was much to look forward to including Toro Y Moi, The Forecastle Incident, Purity Ring, and the legend Robert Plant.
Toro Y Moi
I first saw Toro Y Moi during his SXSW set this year where I thoroughly enjoyed his set of chill pop, and sounds of R&B, jazz and funk. His Forecastle set was no different. Walking up to the main stage there was a decent crowd gathered who were getting down to his music in the late afternoon. He set the tone and was an appropriate act to be placed before Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.
Greensky Bluegrass
Greensky Bluegrass was the optimum choice as opener for The Forecastle Incident on that afternoon. Fast-paced blue grass with hints of rock and roll amped up the crowed, if you couldn’t tell already by their name for what you would be in for. A cover of Prince’s “When the Doves Cry” was a pleasant surprise.
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Leaving Greensky Bluegrass and walking over to the main stage to catch Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, the noise overlap from stages was incredibly evident. All weekend the overlap had been bad, and is one of my biggest complaints about this festival, but for some reason Sunday during the late afternoon it was just the worst. Making my way halfway down the Grace Potter crowd to the soundboard, sound overlap from the Red Bull Ocean Stage was intense. Every word coming from El-P & Killer Mike could be heard crystal clear- annoying is an understatement.
But knowing how Grace Potter brings it to the stage, either way, noise overlap or not, this audience was about to get a real afternoon treat. Her stage presence is always amazing and on point. Her energy is incredible as she dances around on stage in a sparkling ensemble, killing it on her guitar, laying on the ground to flick off her shoes, and her piano skills are addicting. It’s hard to be in the audience at a Grace Potter show and not be drawn into her music and lyrics by her genuine emotion, it’s quite addicting.
The Forecastle Incident
After an absolute high was implanted in the audience from Greensky Bluegrass, there was an overall feeling that anyone at the Boom Stage for The Forecastle Incident was about to be treated to something special that afternoon. How could this set not be special when you have The String Cheese Incident, Sam Bush, Ronnie McCoury, Jason Carter, and Andy Thorn all on one stage. The set was a mix of Cheese and bluegrass favorites, completely instrumental. With so much talent packed on the stage, the music that was produced that afternoon was memorable and impeccable. At the end of the set I left feeling absolutely content and fulfilled, but also unsure of when, and if ever, I will be treated to something like that for awhile, or ever again.
Set 1: Blackberry Blossom > Rivertrance > Quicksburg Rendezvous, Blue Moon of Kentucky, MLT, Bollymuster, Stingray, Birdland > Wheel Hoss > Birdland
Robert Plant presents The Sensational Space Shifters
He’s a legend, what else can I say? Black clouds loomed in the distance and it was only a matter of time before the skies opened up and torrential rain, accompanied by thunder and lightening, would cut Plant’s set short. Songs included, “ Tin Pan Valley,” “Black Dog,” “Going to California,” and “What Is and What Should Never Be.” Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and there were a lot of wide eyes as this was a first time for seeing Robert Plant for many. When the rain came there was no stopping it, “Upon us all, upon us all a little rain must fall…It’s just a little rain.” (Led Zeppelin)
Overall the festival was jam packed with incredible music, (for the most part) some beautiful weather, and it just was a memorable experience. The pros defiantly outweighed the cons this weekend, and if the 2014 lineup looks promising, I wouldn’t mind making the trek all the way back to Louisville.
REVIEW: Forecastle Festival Day Two
Saturday’s lineup packed in the most music and variety of the festival with acts from Shovels & Rope to Foxygen to Dawes to Matt & Kim to Jim James…the list goes on. So much to see and so little time to do it all in. The day started off with some cloud coverage, a light breeze, and a smoother entry into the festival grounds.
Needless to say, even though the day started without a hitch, the weather had a plan of its own. With the sun shining and not a dark cloud in sight the festival was evacuated around 4:40PM for about an hour after the National Weather Service issued a severe thunder storm warning cautioning wind gusts up to 60 MPH and hail. With neighboring Indiana close by and the 2011 Sugarland stage collapse still heavy in the heart of the music industry, the evacuation, although annoying to some, was an appropriate call on behalf of festival organizers.
The evacuation caused a shift in the schedule and sets were pushed back nearly 45 minutes to an hour past original start times. Conflict caused by this shift occurred for those hoping to catch headliner The Black Keys and make it to one of the late night shows as those had and maintained their original start time of midnight. Besides this minor hiccup, Saturday proved to be one full of impressive music and one of the best days of the weekend.
AMTRAC
While taking in the sights and sounds of the Forecastle grounds I came upon AMTRAC laying it down on the Red Bull Music Academy Ocean Stage, an afternoon party under the freeway if you will. Full of diverse remixes, and house with disco sounds, he set the tone for the Ocean Stage for the rest of the day. Acts to follow on this stage included MNDR, TOKiMONSTA, Nosaj Thing, and the festival favorite Matt & Kim.
Shovels & Rope
This South Carolina duo served up an afternoon set full of Southern rock, blues, and rock ‘n’ roll. The stage presence, charisma, and chemistry between was mesmerizing and sucked the crowd deeper into their songs- Then again they are husband and wife. Shovels & Rope kicked Saturday off on a high, toe tapping, southern note and treated us to set that left us pleasantly surprised and wanting more. (P.S. Please come to Athens, GA? Thanks!)
Foxygen
You must be doing something right if Wayne Coyne (The Flaming Lips) shows up to watch your set. Part musical experience and part theatrical performance, Foxygen delivered and the crowed enjoyed.
Alabama Shakes
“WE LOVE YOU BRITTANY!” resonated throughout the crowd before the Shakes even stepped on to the Mast (main) Stage that Saturday evening. A jam packed crowed stretched the entire width of the grassy field and far back past the soundboard. It seemed that this was the largest crowd the main stage had seen so far all weekend. As the Alabama Shakes took the stage a huge smile came over lead singer and guitarist Brittany Howard. Throughout there set which consisted of, “Rise to the Sun,” “Hang Loose,” “Hold On,” I Found You,” “Boys and Girls,” “Be My Baby,” and “I Ain’t the Same,” Brittany conversed with the audience, not to fill, but to simply interact. Howard’s demeanor was that of appreciativeness and delight and the crowd fed off of her enthusiasm for her craft.
The Joy Formidable
I can always respect someone who can curse like a sailor and make it sound classy and fun. First impressions of The Joy Formidable were literally, “Shit, I’d love to be friends with these people.” Saturday was my first time being introduced to The Joy Formidable which was formed in North Wales in 2007. The energy produced by this trio was high and unexpected for that early in the evening. They performed their song “Whirring” and some others off of their The Big Roar (2011) album and a mixture of new material. This set was a highlight for me this past weekend and would absolutely loves to see The Joy Formidable again.
Jim James
Wearing his infamous purple suit, My Morning Jacket’s front man Jim James took the Mast (main) stage and started off the set with “State of the Art.” From twirling around stage, to head banging and shaking is flowing hair while shredding his guitar, to raising his golden bear to the heavens, and his backing band bringing absolute heat, his stage performance was complimented with the sounds of James’ debut highly acclaimed solo album Regions of Light and Sound of God. He closed out the set with a memorable “Let It Be Cover.” Leaving his set, and after seeing him in action for the very first time, I understand what all the hype is about, I totally get it now.
The Flaming Lips
Lighted tentacle tubing flowing the length of the Boom Stage up to a raised platform, LED screens behind, white smoke filled the stage, and out of its depths Wayne Coyne emerged with a fake baby doll in his arms. Like a king of some weird alien alternate universe Wayne enchants the crowd with his spectacle from atop of his pedestal. From using a search light to shine onto the crowd to blowing bubbles The Lips’ set was a delight to the eyes, but also music to our ears. The set included “Look…The Sun Is Rising,” “The W.A.N.D.,” “Race for the Prize”, and the DEVO cover “Gates of Steel.” And for those not that big of fans, yes they played “Do You Realize??”
LATE NIGHT: The String Cheese Incident
Set 1: Drums > Howard, Can’t Wait Another Day > Orange Blossom Special, Cold on the Shoulder, Sometimes A River, iBam! > Minor Swing, Just One Story, Hotel Window, Impressions > Colliding > Restless Wind
Encore: Ramble On
Late night. Cheese. The Louisville Palace Theater…need I say more? It was hard to go to a show like this and not have high expectations or feel like you were about to experience something “special” Although there are mixed reviews from fans alike concerning the song selection, personally I was down to hear anything and was just ready for a good time, and apparently so was everyone else around me. Personal highlights included Orange Blossom Special and Just One Story. I could not have picked a better ending to day two at Forecastle than with e a Cheese show at the historic Louisville Palace Theater.
REVIEW: Forecastle Festival Day One
After taking a seven-hour trek and making it through the cluster of endless lines of eager festival goers, we were finally greeted by Louisville’s 85-acre Waterfront Park overlooking the Ohio River. With a lineup including headliners The Black Keys, The String Cheese Incident, The Avett Brothers, and Robert Plant, Forecastle Festival seemed to have something for everyone. Since its start in 2002, Forecastle has evolved from a homegrown local festival to a nationally recognized and flocked-to music experience.
In addition to the four stages pumping out nonstop music all weekend, the festival grounds were host to numerous live art displays, a Kentucky Bourbon Lodge, and a poster showcase of some of today’s most recognized poster makers. Food options were abundant with local offerings like the Holy Mole Taco Truck, Heine Brothers Coffee, and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, festival favorites like Pie for the People and Grateful Burrito Brothers, and chain vendors Jim ‘N Nicks’s Bar-B-Q.
As a city fest, with noise ordinances stopping music around midnight, Forecastle kept the party going with three late night shows. Kentucky native Wick-It the Instigator and Eliot Lipp hit the stage on Lousiville’s own riverboat the Belle of Louisville Friday night. The String Cheese Incident took over The Louisville Palace Theater with a midnight show Saturday night, but if Cheese wasn’t your thing, the Belle of Louisville was host to the sold out late night Houndmouth show with Night Beds and The Wheeler Brothers.
Day One Recap
We can’t start talking about Friday without talking about the horrendous lines we were greeted with at both festival entrances. After arriving around 6:30 p.m., we finally made it in 45 minutes later just in time to catch Big Boi and kick off this Forecastle weekend. With the sun shining and a breeze coming off the Ohio River, we hit up the Boom Stage just as the crowd began to sing “Ah ha, hush that fuss, Everybody move to the back of the bus”.
Big Boi
The favorites and classic Outkast songs were played: “Rosa Parks,” “Ghetto Musick,” “The Whole World,” “Ms. Jackson,” “So Fresh, So Clean,” and “The Whole World”. Even with a “Bombs Over Baghdad” tease, the crowd still loved every minute of his set. Although still in recovery from a knee injury from earlier this year, Big Boi told the crowd he was not going to miss Forecastle and braved the stage on crutches and sang from a throne ornately decorated in red velvet and gold embellishments.
Old Crow Medicine Show
As the sun began to set over the river and barges floated by, the backdrop was set for a pluckin’ good time on the Mast (main) Stage. Although murmurs could be heard throughout the crowd just wanting and wishing to hear “Wagon Wheel”, Old Crow Medicine Show delivered a set that kept the crowds dancing and stomping their feet. With covers and easy sing-a-longs to “This Land is Your Land” and Tom Petty’s “American Girl” the scene was set in anticipation for Friday’s headliner The String Cheese Incident.
The String Cheese Incident
In the cool of the night, under the explosion of pre-show fireworks, a circus of sorts was about to start on the banks of the Ohio river. Those familiar with a String Cheese show had an inkling of the party that was about to erupt out of an otherwise typical festival incident, and those seeing Cheese for the first time were unprepared for the massive dose of fun that was in store. “Rosie” kicked off the set followed by “Best Feeling” into “On the Road.” A cover of Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way” really seemed to get the crowd going. The rest of the set included “Song In My Head,” “Sirens,” “Let’s Go Outside,” and “It Is What It Is.” “Valley of Jig” and a stellar “Colorado Bluebird Sky” closed out the night. Overall, Cheese delivered fun and heightened our anticipation for the late night Palace show.