2009

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…

Back in the mid-nineties I read an interview with Dick Latvala wherein the Grateful Dead archivist told a story about being in the Vault with Mickey Hart. The percussionist was

There’s been lots of debate around the Hidden Track offices over the past year about whether Phish should webcast their concerts or not. Whitperson of the Live Music Blog did

The after-show is a curious species of concert: ostensibly designed to extend the buzz of a good night of music (or be just a fun, no-frills late night gathering), even a weak one usually succeeds. There’s no pressure from being prime-time headliners; performers have a tacit understanding with the audience that they’re going to keep things loose — place your expectations moderately, they’re saying, hold onto that buzz and have a little fun.

Under those expectations, this was one of the best I’ve ever seen: undoubtedly relaxed, with a terrific, no-bullshit and all-rock crowd, and a band that managed some awesomely fun and even transcendent moments while maintaining a goofy, freewheeling tone, charmingly self-aware but without much need for presentation or concert decorum. “We have no idea what the fuck we’re doing up here,” Mark Karan laughed, even after he and most of his stage mates had traded almost as many juicy solos as they had laughs.

Karan was the nominal bandleader, but for about two hours, it was essentially a RatDog-plus-guests set that saw no fewer than 12 musicians turn up, including a generous, 25-minute appearance from The Chief himself. The hours were wee; people had lined up outside of the cavernous, 150-capacity Triad Theater as early as 11:45 for a show that was supposed to start at midnight, but as with most aftershows, the stated start time was more or less a “suggested” times of arrival, and not a note was played before 1 a.m., if it was even that early.

READ ON for more on Mark Karan & Friends from Chad…

Legendary Downtown NYC rockers Living Colour launch a massive tour next week that will take them all over South America and Europe to promote the best album they’ve released since