JamBase

Sunday, May 8, 2011



Considered to be the granddaddy of all music festivals because of its longevity (42 years and still going), Jazz Fest is a favorite among those who follow the festival circuit. Organizers attribute its popularity to the fact that as many as 90 percent of the musicians who perform are based in Louisiana, a fact that gives the event a unique flavor that no other festival can replicate. The dozens of food booths offering a wide array of popular regional dishes is another draw that makes the festival a standout nationally.  I missed out on the fest this year.  It was the first rain free Jazz fest in 12 years and i missed out on it.... maybe next year

The hangout is around the corner


A year after the beach bash Hangout Music Fest donated all its profits to the Gulf Coast restoration efforts, the musical festival will be returning for a second year to Gulf Shores, Alabama on May 20-22. The 2011 Hangout Music Fest lineup has just been revealed. Hangout headliners will include Paul Simon, Foo Fighters, Widespread Panic, The Black Keys, My Morning Jacket and The Flaming Lips.
In addition, this year’s lineup will also feature performances by Cee Lo Green, Primus, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Pretty Lights, Bassnectar, Girl Talk, Ween, Matisyahu, Warren Haynes Band, Umphrey’s McGee, Slightly Stoopid, Drive-By Truckers, Amos Lee, Old Crow Medicine Show, G. Love & Special Sauce, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Keller Williams, Galactic, Xavier Rudd, Minus the Bear, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Portugal. the Man, Beats Antique, Dead Confederate, Jonathan Tyler & Northern Lights, Easy Star All-Stars, Mariachi El Bronx, Truth & Salvage Co, Kristy Lee, Civil Twilight, Rich Aucoin, A Thousand Horses, Jon Black, Cas Haley and Roman Street.    

festie season

   The start of the 2011 festival season is already well underway for our friends that are rocking Jam Cruise, but the true festival season really won’t start picking up until we see Coachella in April and Jazz Fest soon after. But the promoters for Wakarusa got out ahead of those announcements and released their 2011 lineup earlier than the others.
    Wakarusa always commands the most attention the week before Bonnaroo announces their lineups, the only leg-up they really ever have for continuing on in their own tradition moving forward (considering the always-competitive space). But this year I think the promoters of the festival really outdid themselves and booked a solid lineup. They’ve tapped Michael Franti & Spearhead, Ben Harper & Relentless7, Umphrey's McGee and STS9 to headline the festival and they’ll be supported by a solid crew of mid-size touring bands keeping the lineup as eclectic as ever. A few others that stand out for me are Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Lotus, Wookie Foot, Galactic, Trombone Shorty and tons more really…