2008

How does a band follow up a surprise complete Gamehendge recreation with entirely original narration? They don’t; it’s impossible. Hence, Mr. Blotto did the logical alternative and turned about face and headed to the opposite end of the spectrum. For Blottopia Nine, the band’s festival last month at Chicago’s Vasa Park, the band did not hesitate to pull out all the stops for their rabid and lovable fan base, but this year brought a mellower mood so-to-speak.

[Photo by John F. Muzzupappa]

“Jah Rastafari, Ever Loving, Ever Faithful, Ever Sure, Slicey Eyed Friends”

While the annual Blottopia album cover in entirety doesn’t come out until the end of the second night, I’ll spare you the drama. For Blottopia Nine, Mr. Blotto tipped their hats to the Bob Marley live album, Babylon By Bus. As mentioned, it’s a decidedly softer choice and maybe a tad disappointing, but you gotta give the band credit for taking a crack at a live album. Paul Bolger’s booming, raspy vocals do nothing but justice to the Bob Marley originals and add a distinct sound, but the jams are somewhat confined, relatively speaking. Still the Marley album provide plenty of highlights, particularly in Rastaman Vibration, Punky Reggae Party, Concrete Jungle, and Lively Up Yourself.

For reference, some of the other Blottopia complete album covers include Led Zeppelin II, Some Girls, Terrapin Station, Dark Side of the Moon, and the Doors. They also encored number VII with Phish’s Harry Hood. READ ON for more…

In a few short days I’ll be ditching my 10 to 6-er and boarding a plane to head out to the Left Coast for the inaugural edition of the Outside

Let’s mark down today as the official Day of the Mind-Blowing Double Bill. Not only was the Drive-By Truckers / The Hold Steady tour announced this afternoon, but we’ve also got official confirmation of the Wilco/Neil Young tour we mentioned earlier. Arcade Fire and Bruce Springsteen – you’re on the clock!

Last year, Neil Young performed at intimate venues throughout the country including churches and theaters with his wife Pegi opening each show. This time around Neil aims to fill arenas and has enlisted big draws Wilco and Death Cab For Cutie for support. Death Cab and Everest will open all the shows from October 14 until November 5, while Wilco and Everest open the rest of the tour with the exception of Chicago.

The prospect of touring with Neil Young must be very exciting for both bands. Jeff Tweedy and Ben Gibbard have each been professing their love for Neil Young since they started their careers. For more on the Wilco/Neil Young connection read this fascinating article. And be sure to check out this video of Ben Gibbard singing Young’s Harvest Moon and this clip of Jeff Tweedy joining The Bottle Rockets for Neil’s Walk On.

For those of us who like to actually stand at concerts, the floor will be general admission at every venue. Neil’s backing band features Ben Keith, Rick Rosas, Chad Cromwell, Anthony Crawford and Pegi Young.

READ ON for the full list of Neil Young North American Fall Tour Dates…

In one of the better matches for a co-bill in recent memory, gritty rockers the Drive-By Truckers are teaming up with Brooklyn’s The Hold Steady for a cross-country fall tour.

Now that every other major live entertainment company has thrown their proverbial hats into the music festival ring it must be time for The Dolans to give it a shot.

Back on November 2, Vida Blue’s Page McConnell sat in with Porter, Batiste and Stoltz at Club Metronome in Burlington for what turned into an epic set of music. On September 30 we’ll finally be able to hear what went down at the club when PBS releases MOODOO, an album of ten songs recorded that magical evening.

As an added bonus PBS will hit a number of Northeastern cities with McConnell in tow towards the end of September. Confirmed dates include stops at Revolution Hall in Troy (Sept. 24), Lupo’s in Providence (Sept. 25), B.B. Kings in NYC (Sept. 26) and Higher Ground in Burlington (Sept. 27). MOODOO hits stores and online retailers on September 30 and tickets for the MOODOO shows are available now.

READ ON for more info including a full MOODOO track list…

Do you have those friends that you email all the time but never actually speak with? That seems to be the relationship between Brian Eno and David Byrne as they

If there was a such thing, keyboard wiz Nate Wilson would’ve won the 2007 Warren Haynes Award for being able to balance two time consuming gigs in the same year.