Jam In The Dam returns next year with a lineup featuring Mike Gordon, moe., Lotus, Keller Williams and Dark Star Orchestra from March 14 – 16 at the historic Melkweg
There was a time in my life when five concerts in one week wasn’t all that rare. But those days are long gone and now I’ve reached a point where one show a week can be a lot to deal with on a regular basis. But I find myself especially excited about five shows I will be attending in the next five weeks.
This list also serves as proof just how spoiled someone living in NYC really is in terms of music. There really are dozens of choices on any given night and anytime you are looking to hear some great music, you can always find something. Alright, let’s get down to it…
1. Elton John – Madison Square Garden – Wednesday, March 30
Elton John has more hits than most artists have songs and he has been a longtime member on my “bucket list” of artists I need to see before they stop touring. That list also includes David Bowie and Jeff Mangum (see you in October at Town Hall). Elton had his “number” retired at MSG back in 2007 when he performed his 60th show at the venue on his 60th birthday.
Take away the good (Almost Famous) and bad (27 Dresses) Hollywood singalongs, and Elton is still one of the most prolific and productive rockers of all time. Playing his greatest hits and selections off his album with Leon Russell, this show should be well worth the somewhat steep price of admission.
READ ON for the other four show’s Luke will be hitting…
Camp Bisco returns to Indian Lookout Country Club in Mariaville, NY on July 7 – 9 boasting an electronica-heavy initial lineup that also includes a few acts from the jam,
At a festival with over 2000 bands, you thrive on the good ones to keep you going. At times you begin to feel as if mediocre is par for the course. You realize by the end of the first day, if it hadn’t already occurred to you, how important a good sound guy is and how energy becomes the most important thing in a live performance.
Forget creativity and tight harmonies, you can perfect those on the album. A good voice or some fast fingers? Those will only get you so far. What you need is stage presence and passion. If you can’t hold the attention of a crowd who’s been on their feet for eight hours in the Texas heat, you probably shouldn’t have the spot. SXSW is a natural selection bootcamp for bands and fans alike.
For those of you following our SXSW Scavenger Hunt, here’s what we were able to check off the list so far…
Find an Incredible Bluegrass Band – Trampled by Turtles
There should be at least one bluegrass band tucked away in a back corner or jamming collectively on a late night stage at every festival – especially SXSW. At 1AM on Tuesday, before the official music events even started, Trampled by Turtles stomped on the Bat Bar with a fiddle and acoustic bass. It didn’t hurt that our search for rail tequila started here (note: Cordoniz seems to be everywhere). READ ON for more from 3GM’s first day at SXSW…
In the pantheon on great “lost” albums, the Beach Boys‘ Smile, may be the most sought after by fans. The album was intended be the follow up to the band’s
On Tuesday night at the Best Buy Theater in New York City, Furthur finished covering The Beatles’ landmark Abbey Road LP by performing the medley that makes up most of
Fang Island @ Bowery Ballroom, March 11
There’s a strange bifurcation when it comes to Fang Island. The Brooklyn-by-way-of-RISD band either immediately strikes a chord (more like a symphony) with its newcomers, or it simply doesn’t click.
Most likely, the former category contains some prerequisites like being a punk/prog rock fan; appreciating the flawless execution of an arpeggio; having played Dungeons & Dragons; and presumably, being male. There’s definitely a Revenge of the Nerds catharsis involved with loving Fang Island. They make people want to band together, let their guards down, and cut loose.
For those who don’t get into it, it’s simply, “eh, it’s not really my thing.” And it’s true, they are an acquired taste and if people don’t like them within the first 10 seconds, they probably aren’t going to.
On the other hand, for the converted, it’s not the least bit uncommon to hear instant declarations that Fang Island is the greatest band of all time. The band emotes such a level of visceral energy that makes people feel wired and good…and exaggerate. It doesn’t require a science degree to know that the music is so anthemic and climactic that it releases the juice that makes people happy. Simply put, the band is fucking fun.
READ ON for more from Ryan on Fang Island…
Lords of Acid performing at Ground Zero, Minneapolis, MN 3.12.11.
What seems like an annual rite of spring in Manhattan rolled into town from Ireland again as The Pogues brought their reels and whistles to Terminal 5 with Jersey’s Titus Andronicus opening the festivities.
For an artist that previously combined bluegrass and traditional Chinese music, it would seem that no territory is beyond reach. With her third album, though, Abigail Washburn experiments with something even more foreign to her than the eastern land where she studied: pop music.
