October 27, 2009

Each month, HT Contributor Ben Wiser will take a closer look at notable performances of Dark Star. If you have any favorite Stars you would like him to cover, send the date over to darkstarstories@yahoo.com

Last month I touched on the great Halloween night Dark Star from the Oakland Coliseum Arena back in 1991. That was the night Ken Kesey showed up and delivered his eulogy to Bill Graham. He recited some e.e. cummings and gave us the great line – “In any given situation there are always going to be more dumb people than smart people – we aint’ many.”

In honor of that and in honor everyone’s favorite holiday – here is a trick or treat bag of seminal October Dark Stars –

10/9/89 “Formerly the Warlocks!”

It’s been twenty years since Virginia heads got a treat when the boys played two hastily-planned nights at Hampton billed as “Formerly the Warlocks”. The first night featured the return of Help on the Way > Slipknot!, but the second night, whew.

READ ON for the rest of this month’s Dark Star Stories…

Phish’s Festival 8 kicks off on Friday at the Empire Polo Fields in Indio, CA and those of us who can’t make it very excited to learn last night that

The Disco Biscuits’ Planet Anthem Tour  moves to the Midwest starting tomorrow in Kalamazoo and continues through Sunday in Urbana with stops in Madison on Thursday, Minneapolis on Friday and

Frank Zappa loved to use Muffin Man as a launching pad for a ferocious guitar solo and this version from October 28, 1977 offers what could be the most intense

As with many things, when it comes to music festivals bigger isn’t always necessarily better. Take the case of the third annual Treasure Island Music Festival which took place in San Francisco on October 16th and 17th. Thanks to a unique location, a solid lineup and a comfortable setup, festival producers Noise Pop and Another Planet Entertainment sold out both days of the event and won rave reviews from attendees.

[Flaming Lips by Dave Vann]

Margaret Pitcher reviewed and Dave Vann shot the festival for Glide and you can tell from Margaret’s description that Treasure Island isn’t anything like your typical major festival…

A word many people use to describe the Treasure Island Music Festival is “manageable,” which is very appropriate and much more inviting than it might sound. Featuring two stages (Bridge and Tunnel) within close proximity, great overall sound and no overlapping set times, the fest makes it possible for you to enjoy all the acts without trekking a far distance. You could strategically place a blanket between the stages (or sit in the “covered wagon,” on the inflatable stars or near the trapeze performance sculpture) and stay there for the duration of the day and night. The music can be heard from most areas of the festival site, for those times you need to use the loo, grab food or drinks or stretch your legs.

Head on over to Glide for the full report. READ ON for additional Treasure Island Music Festival photos by Dave Vann featuring The Decemberists, Girl Talk, Beirut, Grizzly Bear, Bob Mould, the Flaming Lips, Spiral Stairs, The Streets, Vetiver, The Walkmen, The Streets, Passion Pit and more…