All over the world musicians are still singing the praise of Django Reinhardt, a Gypsy jazz guitarist known for his unique technique and abilities. The documentary Djangomania! investigates Django’s influence
The rising cost of ticket prices to get into shows and festies this summer might be forcing you to think about alternative ways of getting in. Well, forget about gate
I’m finding it a tad bit ironic that when I reported on Rothbury I used lyrics or titles of Talking Heads’ songs for each day to describe what I felt and saw from the festival. Little did I know I’d be able to use one more, much less be able to incorporate it into my Land of Confusion series.
Possible Photo Captions: It’s STILL the Economy, you idiot (or Where did you get your M.B.A. again?)
[ Photo courtesy of thepeoplesvoice.org ]
It all started when I read this article on the seizure of funds from the Rothbury Music Festival for the Double JJ Ranch. A court order came down to seize the funds because a bank was seeking foreclosure on the property for a $17.5 million loan for construction to pay for the indoor waterpark (the place where the hippies went to take a shower for $20). According to the local comments on the article, I’m thinking they just defaulted on payments on purpose — but who knows?
READ ON for more of this week’s Land of Confusion…
We’ve finally made it to the end of the week, and that means it’s time for another Friday Mix Tape. I don’t exactly have a theme for this edition, so
Glide correspondant Aurélie Montfrond recently got to spend a day with Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds prior to their March performance at Dublin Castle. Below is her diary of the time she spent with Cave and Bad Seeds' multi-instrumentalist Mick Harvey.
TLG and DSO on Governor’s Island wasn’t the most mind-blowing musical experience of all-time, but it was an incredibly fun way to spend the evening. And isn’t that what it’s all about sometimes?
Phish writing songs about the enormity of what they created, and the requisite baggage that comes with it, can perhaps be traced to some sentiments in Down with Disease. But
Fans of the Dead were treated to something special this past week in NYC. The week started off with a Dark Star Orchestra show on Friday followed by a moving Phil and Friends show at Jones Beach on Sunday and finishing off with an upbeat Mickey Hart Band at Irving Plaza on Tuesday, there was something for everyone.
This year’s incarnation of the Mickey Hart Band adds SCI’s Kyle Hollingsworth to the keys, good friends Steve Kimock on guitar and George Porter on the bass, Jen Durkin on vocals, and Walfredo Reyes Jr., Sikiru Adepoju, and of course Mickey Hart on drums and percussion. Playing old favorites and new Robert Hunter songs, the band tore through the material, moving from the disco of Shakedown Street to African inspired beats and chants to the old school soul of Motown. Grateful Dead classics such as Eyes of the World, Sugaree, Scarlet Begonias>Fire on the Mountain took center stage and Good Lovin’ had the floor jumping to end the first set.
READ ON for more from Tuesday night’s Mickey Hart Band show…
Former Vermont Youth Orchestra mentor Trey Anastasio makes his next appearance with a full orchestra on September 27 at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Trey will play electric guitar
New concert venues are popping up around the country like strippers that have slept with A-Rod. Some of these new venues will be great and some will, of course, suck.
So what makes a good venue? Obviously it’s hard to compare an 15,000 seat amphitheater to a 1,000-person club. But there are certain elements that are crucial to fan happiness no matter what the size of the venue.
Here is a quick list of suggestions to keep the average concert-goer happy:
1. Have the best sound possible
Seems kind of obvious…but Terminal 5 – I am looking at you. While some musicians are fun to look at and light shows are wonderful, we are there for the sound. So when it comes to setting up the venue, the sound should be the top priority. Whatever it takes, get the sound right. Don’t roof the floor section with a giant balcony that will muddy the sound. Don’t line the walls with substances that will cause echoes or reverb. Don’t just stack the speakers wherever there is room. If you don’t get the sound right, you’ve blown it before you’ve sold the first ticket. Also don’t blow our doors off. The show should be loud…but not so loud that my ears are stinging for 12 hours afterwards. Find that nice zone where it’s plenty loud but not painful to the ear. The 9:30 Club in Washington DC has this concept down perfectly.
READ ON to find out what else Luke looks for in a new venue…
