Category: Beyond NYS

Heads Up for HeadCount on Election Day

If you attended a concert or music festival this summer, chances are you most likely saw the HeadCount tent set up with volunteerrs eager to happily hand out information on the importance of voting. Turns out they were doing more than just giving you a chance to win an autographed poster or VIP tickets. HeadCount is a non-partisan organization that uses the power of music to register voters and promote participation in democracy. Today over 300 musicians, comics and actors have all partnered with HeadCount to urge fans to get-out-the-vote (GOTV) on Election Day.

The hundreds of entertainers who will flood social media with tweets and posts encouraging fans to make their voice heard include such stars as Stephen Colbert, Dave Matthews, Linkin Park, Sarah Silverman, Fergie, George Lopez, Jason Mraz, T.I., Lewis Black, Chaka Chan, Weird Al Yankovic, Ms. Lauryn Hill, all the living members of The Grateful Dead, Andy Richkter and Conan O’Brian. The diverse group of people continues with each averaging over one million social media followers, totaling more than 350 million followers altogether making it the largest Election Day social media push ever.

Each entertainer’s tweet, photo and post will include a link to headcount.org/govote where votes can easily find general election information such as polling place finder, ID requirement and what’s on each ballot. Through the timeless effort and setting up voter registration drives at 705 live music events, HeadCount registered over 25,000 voters for this election. “The incumbent Congress is the least popular in history, so we can’t leave it to the candidates alone to inspire people,” said Marc Brownstein, HeadCount’s co-founder and bass player for The Disco Biscuits. “We’re trying to get the message across that being dissatisfied is a bad reason not to vote – it’s the exact reason why participation is so important.”

We are taught the struggles of those who fought for our right to vote, how fortunate we are for the opportunity to have our voices heard and that every vote matters. It’s easy to feel discouraged in the world of politics but music has always proved to be a comforting and powerful tool. Our favorite musicians are looking to us to come together and rage the poll booth.Today’s the day to prove how strong we are and that we want change for a better tomorrow. Go get your vote on! Check out HeadCount on Facebook, Twitter #GoVote and Instagram.

November 4, 2014
Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey Dazzles Denver

The Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey made a stop at the base of the Rockies in Denver, CO on October 14. We were honored to have them for two nights and four sets at Dazzle Jazz, the venue of their last live release Millions: Live in Denver.

It was a seated show at Dazzle jazz except for the eccentric JFJO fanatics grooving in the corner. The audience watched intently and quietly which was refreshing. The band opened with a song off their new album, Worker, titled “Bounce”. This was our first taste of Brian Haas’ wild yet refined playing on a beautiful baby grand piano featuring melodica solos. We were treated to many premiers of songs off of Worker such as “New Bird”, a heavy but dreamy song featuring the unique guitar stylings of Chris Combs.

My favorite song on the night and also a new song was “Let Yourself Out”, which really showcased the trio’s chemistry and versatility. This was one of the few songs Combs played the lap steel on and it was beautifully placed. They soared so energetically through much more new material with a few old classics from the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey lineage of players and improvisational music. They really proved that their are the perfect trio, allowing the guitarist and keys player appropriate leads while somehow managing to improvise in a jazz style through what seemed to be quite emotional songs.

The band made themselves available at the merchandise table at the end of the show chatting with fans, old and new alike with the promise of returning to a beloved city of theirs. We were able to meet with them and hear a couple first hand stories about the making of Worker which was really special.

October 29, 2014
Hulaween is here, Freaks forge south to Florida for Halloween Weekend Festivities! Oct 31-Nov 2

In the Northeast the festival scene has wound down. With the harvest festivals come and gone, concerts have moved indoors and pumpkin is in everything. However, a different breed of festival goer and live music freak is gearing up for one of the most anticipated Halloween festivals of the year, Hulaween!

This Halloween weekend marks the sophomore return of Hulaween. With headliner, The String Cheese Incident, playing three sets over the weekend they are joined by Big Gigantic, Thievery Corporation, EOTO, Beats Antique, the New Deal, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Conspirator and many more! There is even a Thursday night pre party with Electron and Particle!! See the schedule here.

Adjacent to the Black River, Spirit of the Suwanee music park in Live Oak, Florida hosts many festivals a year. A magical place it boasts a riverfront beach, canoe rentals, rope swing/cliff jumping, lots of places to put hammocks, as well as cabin rental upgrades. Though sometimes chilly at night in the northern Florida region this time of year, campfires are allowed in the primitive campsites so making lasting memories around the fire is common.

In addition to music, there is a psychedelic Burning Man inspired art installation curated by art director Andy Carroll planned on the festival grounds. Costumes are encouraged and will be judged in a contest for those inclined to dress up! Hulaween is sure to be quite the spectacle!

October 28, 2014
Shuck ‘N’ Jive: Nothing to ‘Wine’ About Here

On October 11 and 12, 2014, a group of proud community members hosted the first Shuck ‘N’ Jive Mountain Bike & Music Fest in Newtown, CT. While the quaint New England town, which was placed under the national spotlight after the infamous shooting in 2012, carried on as normally as possible, an eclectic group of bicyclists, music fans, wine lovers, families and friends gathered in the woods a few miles away to live in the moment, dancing and singing, hiking and biking at McLaughlin Vineyards.

“Some people say it’s too soon,” Newtown resident Terrence Ford said before introducing funky five-some Kung Fu to an intimate and exuberant crowd to close the show Saturday night. “I say we’re right on time!”

As children ran freely and 20-somethings danced alongside 60-somethings, hope filled the field behind McLaughlin Vineyeards’ wine tasting room. The weather symbolized locals’ resolve: heavy raindrops fell from a gray sky as the music commenced and bikers hit the Grapes of Wrath mountain bike course Saturday; by the end of the day, however, the sun shined brightly and spirits soared high.

Bobby Paltauf and his band were the first of a slew of Connecticut musicians to take the stage. Wearing a mean face and wielding his axe, Paltouf tore though a bluesy rock set. With all eyes on Bobby, he ended the set with a dark rendition of “In The Hall of the Mountain King” that left me humming the tune for the rest of the day. While he may not be old enough to drive a car in most states—that’s right, he’s 15—Paltauf can already control a stage with aplomb.

The Alpaca Gnomes

After the Alpaca Gnomes played an entertaining set that included covers of “Midnight Rider,” “Son of a Preacher Man,” and “With a Little Help From My Friends,” I meandered over to the McLaughlin Country Store for the wine tasting. Still early in the afternoon, I had the place to myself. Samples of the vineyards’ three whites and two reds came with detailed descriptions from knowledgable and friendly staff. Their most popular white, Blue Coyote, was crisp and smokey; a tart and dry red, Vista Reposa, was my favorite. Portions were more than generous and they refused to let me pay after seeing my “Media” laminate. Like the rest of Shuck ‘N’ Jive, everything about the McLaughlin wine tasting was pleasant.

The Z3

Feeling a bit warmer on a nippy mid-October day, the music also heated up as The Z3 took the stage, opening with “Fifty-Fifty.” The three-piece side project, consisting of Kung Fu guitarist Tim Palmieri, Alan Evans Trio organist Beau Sasser and Max Creek drummer Bill Carbone, played tunes spanning Frank Zappa’s career, often producing a magnificent sound that seemed to come from more than three musicians. Between funky covers, the guys sipped beers and told jokes to the growing crowd, clearly enjoying themselves as much as anyone.

Jen Durkin and the Business and Sons of F.U.N.K. were the next two scheduled acts. Durkin and her band came out first, but it didn’t take long for the Sons to follow. Rather than breaking up the sets, the bands shared the stage, playing continuously for nearly three hours and inviting nearly every musician on hand to join in. Artist at large Billy Iuso hopped up and ripped on his guitar as the sun finally came out. Highlights of the super-set came when Durkin belted “God made me funky!” and the Sons of F.U.N.K led Parliament Funkadellic classic “We Want the Funk”.

Sons of F.U.N.K and Jen Durkin and the Business

By the time Max Creek took the stage, the crowd had grown from a couple to a couple dozen to roughly a couple hundred. The Creek demonstrated why they’ve been playing strong for forty years, putting on an incredible set of music. Billy Iuso joined for a moving version of “Blood Red Roses” that they jammed on for over sixteen minutes. Keys player Mark Mercier proved looks can be deceiving; he appears more like an assuming veteran professor than a rock star, but the man was merciless on the piano all night. While much of the crowd, having floated along with the Creek before, sang along to hits like “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight,” “Thank You (For Letting Me Be Myself),” and “Yes We Can Can,” I felt my eyes widen and jaw drop multiple times. There were a few special moments where everything except the clean and glorious vibrations of Max Creek was tuned out.

Max Creek

After their introduction from Ford, Kung Fu closed the night in style. Tenor saxophonist Robert Somerville blew into his hands a few times to warm them up before blowing up his instrument, then Palmieri literally jumped into the set, striking down on his guitar strings with the landing. Fresh off a recent string of shows with Dopapod, drummer Adrian Tramontano did not slow down or miss a beat back with Kung Fu; he crushed a solo between encores as many looked on in disbelief. Bassist Chris DeAngelis has a relatively quiet stage presence but plays a booming bass and Palmieri’s picking hand looked like it was moving in fast forward when they played “Hollywood Kisses” off new album, Tsar Bomba. The funk kept everyone grooving and warm as keys player Todd Stoops knew when to get down and when to get weird. Billy Iuso scooted in between Somerville and Palmieri at the end, adding an exclamation point to a great day and night.

Kung Fu with Billy Iuso

Shuck ‘N’ Jive was one of the family friendliest festivals and there did not seem to be a single hiccup in the first year music fest. Between the fantastic music, delicious wine, bike racing, and welcoming crowd, not much could go wrong. Even a damp morning could not dampen anyone’s spirits. I will be back next year to spend time with some of Connecticut’s finest musicians and friendliest citizens.

October 24, 2014
Pearl Jam Celebrate 24 Years with Tour Closer in Denver

Pearl Jam has been around for nearly a quarter of a century, or to be incredibly precise, existed as a live band for exactly twenty four years. On October 22^nd, 1990 Pearl Jam played their first show in Seattle. Exactly twenty four years later that story added a colorful page with a tour-ending, instant classic performance delivered to fans in the Mile High City of Denver.

One could reasonably assume someone in the band’s camp to be responsible with the keeping of such dates, but that would appear to be an incorrect assumption. Vedder explained the band learned about the anniversary the day before through, (from what I could gather) a fan-driven movement to commemorate the date in Denver. Known quantity or not, the weight of twenty four years was clearly on the band’s mind.

In our strange commemorative-heavy, hyper-consumerized culture, one of elongated player farewells, repackaged nostalgia (in premium, limited edition versions, natch), and manufactured celebrations of things that weren’t all that good in the first place, there is a simple and romantic beauty with backing into such a tribute. Having been long-removed from the day to day operations of PJ Internet fandom, I for one had no idea about any of this. It certainly explained #PJ24 and the many ‘Happy Birthday’ themed wares dotting the sold out arena.

“Welcome to the last night of the tour” – Eddie Vedder

This one was going to be special. Right from the onset there were hints. The first indication came even before the first notes of show opener, “Release”. The slow burning classic would soon unleash cathartic howls from thousands, but first a chipper Vedder welcomed and immediately starting leading everyone on. Pro tip: if Eddie Vedder makes a point of something – anything – odds are pretty good the guy will try to will it into being. If Eddie Vedder says that tonight might be a good show, one of the band’s best ever even, one best buckle up and prepare for the ride. He’s a masterful front man, able to froth excitement from eager crowds hanging on his every word.

Official poster by Nychos

For a band known for epic live shows, simply tempting to hold a candle to ‘best ever’ status is a dangerous expectation. Hardcore fans are well versed on the shortlist of heralded dates that form Pearl Jam’s live canon. To tease such things, said candle better be a hot one, and without doubt, this was a Wednesday night in Denver when things got hot. Fire-breathing dragon spewing relentless inferno hot, who chews lava to keep cool kind of hot, and for three and a half hours Pearl Jam delivered the heat without question.

A spirited “Why Go” seemed like a clinic for how well Eddie Vedder can still do Eddie Vedder. He sounds better than ever. The last album’s title track, “Lightning Bolt” could be described as a “breather”. When you need a breather only five songs in, it was that kind of night. Not that it lasted. The hard driving machine gun guitars of “Mind Your Manners” followed, the latest Ed as punk rocker track.

Playlist craftsmanship was displayed nicely by linking thematic songs together. Exploring the individualist streaks of Christopher McCandless, Into the Wild’s “Setting Forth” was introduced after a soliloquy about “best friends you never met.” Ed welcomed the sister of the late McCandless who was in the room. An old B-side about outdoorsman survivalists, “Leatherman” followed. Later in the show covers “Mother” (Pink Floyd) and “Imagine” (Lennon) were paired in a tragic symmetry of ingrained despair vs pure idealistic hope. Trio of “Breath”, “Leash” and “Rearviewmirror” spoke to freedom, breaking out, encouraging the seekers to seek. These were songs that used to direct my teen angst, and they still deliver as aspirational escape.

I could go on about the songs. “Alive”, “Baba O’Riley” and “Yellow Ledbetter” closed out the night. Mike McCready then really closed out the night all alone on electric guitar playing the “Star Spangled Banner”. But the real story was the energy. For three and half hours everyone was on their feet. The band fed off the crowd and vice versa. Hard to imagine anyone who didn’t have a great time last night, but nobody less than the band themselves. It seemed the totality of the moment coming at tour’s end was well appreciated. This is as healthy a band as you’ll ever see, which shouldn’t really be a surprise given one of longevity’s enemies is dysfunction.

Over the last 18 years, I’ve seen my share of Pearl Jam. Many of those were truly epic performances that inarguably exist in the conversation of ‘best evers’: An insane, storm-soaked 1996 Randall’s Island show during the peak of the moshing era; The 1998 MSG show where “Breath” was taken off the shelf after intense fan lobbying. I feel confidently that Denver 10/22/2014 deserves a place on this list.

Twenty four years together and Pearl Jam remains a compelling group performing at an incredibly high level, but also a group playing with intensity as if they had something to prove. Should we be surprised at this point? Like a playoff team clawing and fighting for a win, leaving it all out on the field and using the energy of fans to propel toward victory. Especially near the end when there’s barely anything left, they’ll fight for everyone in the room. And the crowd knows it and encourages loudly to support. Even the people at the end, at the top of the arena, in the very last row get a taste, quite literally: Eddie sent them wine.

Setlist: Release, Low Light, Elderly Woman, Last Exit, Why Go, Lightning Bolt, Mind Your Manners, Setting Forth, Leatherman, My Father’s Son, Even Flow, Ghost, Present Tense, Do The Evolution, Eruption (Van Halen cover), Of the Earth, Given To Fly, Sirens, Don’t Gimme No Lip, Improv>Lukin, Porch

Encore 1: Future Days, Sleight of Hand, Imagine (Lennon cover), Mother (Pink Floyd cover), Last Kiss, Breath, Leash, Rearviewmirror

Encore 2: Once, Black, State of Love and Trust, Better Man, Wasted Reprise, Life Wasted, Alive, Baba O’Riley, Yellow Ledbetter>Star Spangled Banner

[FinalTilesGallery id=’35’]

October 24, 2014
Nicky Romero and Krewella to Headline #LIGHTMARE The Sequel

If you are headed to Las Vegas this Halloween, LIGHT Nightclub at Mandalay Bay Resort And Casino, has an impressive 1-2 punch of DJs for this Halloween celebration dubbed #LIGHTMARE The Sequel. On October 31, Nicky Romero spins explosive sets while on November 1, Krewella brings her electrofunk to the nightclub, the first developed by the creative minds behind Cirque du Soleil.

Nicky Romero will treat the crowd to chart-topping tracks “Symphonica,” his #1 U.K. hit “I Could Be The One” with Avicii and “Legacy,” the highly sought-after collaboration with Krewella among others. Krewella, a Chicago-bred duo featuring sisters Yasmine and Jahan Yousaf have released their debut album GET WET last year which soared to the Top 10 on Billboard’s “Top 200 Albums” chart. Expect peaks upon peaks when the two sisters bring their breakout hits “Alive,” “Live for the Night,” “Killin’ It” and “Enjoy The Ride” among others.

Last year’s LIGHTMARE Halloween party featured terrifying visuals and video content, costumes and decor created by Cirque Du Soleil, and one-of-a-kind Halloween performances from world-class DJ talent including Alesso, Sebastian Ingrosso and Nicky Romero, among others. This year LIGHT’s wildly popular Halloween party returns bigger and better with even more surprises.

In addition to having two world-class DJs spin on Halloween weekend, LIGHT’s #EntertheLightmare contest (running through October 21) gives party-goers the chance to win VIP tickets and a weekend trip for two to Vegas by tagging themselves in Halloween themed photos on social media with the hashtag #EntertheLightmare. LIGHT will choose daily winners to be awarded two VIP tickets to the event and one winner to be awarded a trip for two to Vegas for the weekend. Using all the submissions, LIGHT is going to build a mosaic skull collage which will be hosted on their site.

Pick up tickets for Nicky Romero and Krewella to ensure access to this one of a kind event.

October 13, 2014
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Announces the 2015 Nominees

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced their nominees for induction in 2015. Voting is now open at their website for fans to weigh in with their opinion. As usual, there will be much discussion over who has been left-out of the balloting, and why some of those included were selected. This year’s nominees include a wide variety of genres, continuing the sometimes confusing traditions of The Hall.

The Paul Butterfield Blues Band – American rock and roll collides with Southside Chicago blues.
Chic – A powerful combination of groove, soul and distinctly NYC studio smarts.
Green Day – Perennial punk adolescents, true to the basement and garage-rock band ethos.
Joan Jett and The Blackhearts – A potent mix of hard rock, glam, punk and garage rock that’s relevant in any era.
Kraftwerk – The foundation of all synthesizer-based rock and roll and electronic dance music.
The Marvelettes – Motown’s first official Number One hit makers.
N.W.A. – Massive influence, sonic power and boundary-smashing perspective.
Nine Inch Nails – The sounds and sights of transgressive art launched into the mainstream.
Lou Reed – Forty-plus years shaping the sound and the sense of contemporary music.
The Smiths – Four band-mates, five years, four albums and a vast sphere of influence.
The Spinners – One of the world’s most beloved R&B vocal groups.
Sting – A singular worldview reflected in a broad musical palette.
Stevie Ray Vaughn – A fiery show-stopper who influenced a generation of blues players.
WAR – A steamy mix of blues and soul, rock and R&B, built on a strong Afro-Latin foundation.
Bill Withers – A unique composer and vocalist, with songs that spoke for everyone.

The top five artists, as selected by the public, will comprise a fans’ ballot that will be tallied along with the other ballots to choose the 2015 inductees. There have been 29 previous Induction Ceremonies that produced a total of 726 people in the current Hall of Fame comprised of 304 Inductees, including 108 bands so far. Out of these, 18 have been inducted twice and Eric Clapton stands alone with three inductions.

Located lakeside in Cleveland, Ohio, the Hall of Fame has become a must-see destination for fans of music across the country and around the world. A pilgrimage to “The Hall” provides visual and auditory delights for fans of all genres of music.

(Band descriptions courtesy of The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame)

October 10, 2014
Warren Haynes’ Christmas Jam XXVI: Jammin’ Around Ashville, NC

If you’re in the Tar Heel State this December, be sure to have yourself a Muley little Christmas, Christmas Jam XXVI that is.

Gifts come a little early as Warren Haynes 26^th Annual Christmas Jam is scheduled for Saturday, December 13. The renowned guitarist has hosted the event since 1989, donating the proceeds to charity; Habitat for Humanity has been the beneficiary since 1998. While Warren brings his soulful guitar-playing Upstate to Hunter, NY for Mountain Jam every summer, his hometown of Asheville, North Carolina gets him during the winter holiday season. Haynes’ relentless work ethic and benevolent personality have helped the event grow each year and Christmas Jam now takes place at the 7,500+ seat U.S. Cellular Center.

Past lineups have included The Allman Brothers Band, Counting Crows, Los Lobos, Umphrey’s McGee, and many more. Special guests like Karl Denson, Jackie Greene, Ron Holloway, and Susan Tedeschi show up each year. Americana Artist of the Year Jason Isbell, Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann, and Vince Gill join Gov’t Mule, The Revivalists, and Hard Working Americans on 2014’s initial bill, but there will be many more artists to join, both announced and unannounced.

Kreutzmann’s new super-group, Billy & The Kids, features The Disco Biscuits’ keys/piano guru Aron Magner, Tea Leaf Green bassist Reed Mathis, and American Babies’ Tom Hamilton. Magner and Hamilton’s chemistry was recently on display at Catskill Chill, where they played with fellow Disco Biscuit Marc Brownstein and Lotus’s Mike Greenfield as Electron. Magner also sat in during Hamilton’s American Babies set for a fantastic cover of the Dead’s “New Speedway Boogie;” with Kreutzmann running the show and Mathis joining in, fans can expect a killer set.

Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill makes his inaugural trek to Christmas Jam in 2014. Gill has a GRAMMY award for each finger and toe on his body and will add a twang of country to the Southern rock show. Drive-By Trucker Jason Isbell, whose own award collection includes this year’s Americana Music Awards for Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (“Cover Me Up”), and Album of the Year (Southeastern), brings his talent to Asheville as well.

The initial lineup is rounded out by Hard Working Americans and The Revivalists. Like Billy & The Kids, Hard Working Americans is another all-star band, consisting of singer/songwriter Todd Snider, Chris Robinson Brotherhood’s Neal Casal on the six-string, Widespread Panic’s Dave Schools on bass, Derek’s younger brother Duane Trucks on drums, Jesse Aycock on the steel guitar, and Chad Staehly on keys. Their 2014 self-titled debut album features 11 cover songs, and Asheville is their penultimate scheduled stop on a national tour. The Revivalists is a New Orleans group with a brass section and a huge sound. The band plays soulful funk that sparks dance parties. Christmas Jam is their final stop on a national tour reaching 20+ cities.

The aforementioned musicians alone would put on an incredible show, but there will be many more artists announced in the coming weeks. Pre-sale tickets go on sale October 13 and regular tickets become available October 17. They always go fast, so be sure to treat yourself to a happy holiday by joining Warren’s incredible event.

October 9, 2014
The Disco Biscuits give it to The Mann

The Disco Biscuits came to the Mann Center in Philadelphia for the last night of City Bisco Saturday September 27, accompanied by Risky Disco and Giorgio Moroder. If you’ve never been to The Mann Center, you should put it on your radar. Similar to New York’s beloved SPAC with lots of space and rolling hills of grass to lay out on if needed, it retains better sound quality and (at least for Biscuits) most of the pavilion is GA seating. From the top of the hill you can also see the beautiful Philadelphia skyline which is definitely a plus.

photo by Andrew Blackstein

Upon entering the concert, each patron was given a City Bisco baseball card as part of an official art installment called “What Summer Sounds Like” that was created by illustrator Alex Fine. Each card features the band members on the front with little facts on the back such as what year the band formed, and a trivia question about HeadCount. This trading card installation added a fun, whimsical vibe to the experience as soon as you entered the gate, and gave a reprieve from the extensive and slightly invasive search.

In a stroke of luck for Biscuits fans, Orchard Lounge, the originally scheduled opener had to cancel and The Disco Biscuits stepped in to play as their alter ego The Perfume. A Perfume set is when the band plays their own songs in a different style of music, as if another band was covering them. They started early, around 7 o’clock and the crowd was sparse but excited. The band came out and people settled in to dance. Guitarist Jon “Barber” Gutwillig came out dressed to impress with a bright red velour jumpsuit that looked like it could be made out of velvet.

The styles of each song of The Perfume set were interesting and varied, ranging from a dub style “Mindless Dribble” to a garage band punk version of “Kitchen Mitts”, a definite highlight. They started with a Devo-style “Frog Legs” that turned into a disco dance party that was perfect foreshadowing for Giorgio Moroder. “Frog Legs” got the crowd moving right away with a version of the song that would fit right into the soundtrack of Saturday Night Fever. From there they got their reggae on with the aforementioned dub “Mindless Dribble”. A Wa-wa “7-11” and raucous “Pilin’ it High” came after that really amped up the crowd. The beauty of a Perfume set is that it was so different I didn’t realize that they were ending their set with “Kitchen Mitts” at first. So much so, that I left my spot to get a drink. As I walked across the back part of the venue I recognized the song so I stopped to revel in it and saw a mosh pit.

The second set started with an outfit change, Gutwillig coming out in a black shirt and white pants. Musically, it started and ended with “Little Lai”, with keyboardist Aron Magner trilling notes on the keyboard, while Gutwillig followed suit on guitar. A cohesive jam followed with each player adding their share, but with Magner and Gutwillig taking the reins. The transition into “Caterpillar” was pretty flawless and took the crowd on a musical exploration of the darker side of electronic jam music that The Disco Biscuits do so well. The drummer, Allen Aucoin, lead the pack on this one like a drumming machine.

The theme of the second set seemed to be about delving the crowd into musical chaos then pulling us out of the darkness by juxtaposing upbeat, dancey tunes. This can definitely be heard as the band went from “Caterpillar” into “Little Betty Boop”. The set ended with a subtle and funky “On Time” back into “Little Lai” that had Gutwillig wailing pretty hard on guitar to end with a flourish.

Set break featured Giorgio Moroder, also known as “the godfather of disco” who came all the way from Europe to unleash his beats on our American ears. At 74, Moroder threw down harder than most people in the crowd. His music had us flashing back a few decades, remixing songs that he produced such as Donna Summer’s 1979 hit “Bad Girls” and 1984’s “Never Ending Story” which he composed. He also remixed the contemporary “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea which was unexpected and awesome. After Moroder’s performance every member of the band turned into the 80s kids that grew up with his music. Moroder is so legendary he had a hand in making his own theme song…Daft Punk‘s “Giorgio by Moroder”. They were star struck in the biggest way because without Moroder, the disco in Disco Biscuits wouldn’t exist.

The third Biscuits set commenced with a fan requested “Crickets,” the beginning of which was slow and sexy as always. It eventually worked the crowd up into a frenzy as the song progressed. The song alternated between high energy peaks to lows riddled with bass bombs thanks to bassist Marc Brownstein. After “Crickets” they played a faced paced “42” into Conspirator’s “Orch Theme”. The first half of the third set focused more dark, heavy electronic jams, some of which didn’t really go anywhere. Seldom played “Aquatic Ape” developed into a break beat jam that really showcased Aucion’s skills. “42” rounded off the set with a happy and upbeat ending.

“Helicopters” worked really well as an encore, encapsulating the energy of the show into one song. It had everyone out of their seat, dancing and yelling lyrics at the top of their lungs. It was the perfect nightcap to end the show on a high note with Gutwillig slaying the guitar. Overall, the energy of both the show and the crowd were great meaning the Biscuits rocked Philadelphia out right.

October 7, 2014
What’s So Great about Great North: Music and Arts Festival? Everything

Everything is great about Great North Music and Arts Festival. Featuring two sets by headliner Tipper, this year’s line up brought a barrage of up and coming producers and bands together along with seasoned vets in central Maine. More than doubling in size from last year, Great North grew close to 4,000 revelers to experience live painting by Alex & Allyson Grey, fire spinning, graffiti artists, silent disco, art installations, multiple stages and a diverse array of vendors kept the attendees busy and entertained throughout the weekend.

The check in process was organized and it was immediately noticeable Great North had a bigger crowd than last year. Camping areas were full in comparison with the 2013 debut. Car camping was available to VIP and RV campers, otherwise off site parking required festival goers to hoof their gear in on foot or wait for a cart ride. Thankfully the parking lots were in close proximity so walking was manageable.

Generally a youthful crowd, the vibe was a cheerful and pleasant one. Smiles for miles all around with lots of outgoing groups intermingling through the weekend. Having recently relaxed marijuana laws in Maine, some vendors reflected that with flowers, concentrates, edibles and tinctures available for purchase.

Friday
JGB performed two solid sets Friday afternoon to get everyone shaking their butts and soon after, Conspirator brought the heat. Which was a slight relief to the increasingly arctic weather. Friday night temperatures dipped to 38 degrees, and when coupled with high humidity to make cuddling a priority. Ill-Esha graced the Temporal Dome stage getting the crowd hyped and ready for Griz. Headlining the main stage Friday, Griz laid down a set that had the crowd bouncing around. His version of the wedding stalwart “shout” got everybody singing and gyrating in unison. He then dropped his hit “Smash the Funk” to end his set. Cosmic Karma Fire kept the fire burning hot and bright while performing during Conspirator and Griz’s set. Staying awake for Desert Dwellers early Saturday morning would have meant enduring a hypothermic chill.

Saturday
Up and at them. Upon acquiring credentials, the day unfolded with lots of incredible music ahead. Nahko and Medicine for the People were outstanding. Nahko even sang a few solo numbers for his fans. Space Jesus’ late afternoon slot set the tone for the night to come, even dropping a new track not yet played on the East coast. Tipper kept the evening groove light and bubbly then staked out darker territory during his late night set with Jonathan Singer projecting psychedelic visuals including manipulating some of artist Chris Dyer’s work. The G-Nome Project, Israel’s answer to The New Deal, and legend DJ Qbert treated the crowd to some high energy dance beats between Tipper sets. Cosmic Karma Fire spun fire during Qbert, but pulled out all the stops for Tipper. Fire breathing, fire swords, rope dart, and fire juggling coupled with LED hoopers and LED juggling combined with Tippers stage projections made for an incredible spectacle. Pulling out all the stops the Late night Bluetech was a magical dub adventure. A fledgling Space Jesus vs Bluetech collab closed the dome stage and had Bluetech laying down the deep dub/drum and bass while Space Jesus painted sweet and spacey chords on top replete with horns and operatic singing.

Sunday
Sunday funday. Overcast skies kept the weather warm and humid after early morning showers made getting out from under the blankets a challenge for many. Maine natives Cyborg Trio brought the energy levels up during their day set and Wobblesauce expounded on it by coming hard and fast with beats and wobble. After some fantastic day sets by festival veterans Viral Sound and Consider The Source, Papadosio was ready to close down the main stage. Papadosio has truly stepped up their game. A polished set had visual projections added by Deciduous Pupils as an added bonus.

With Orchard Lounge expected to close down the Fest at the dome stage, a surprise G-Nome appearance roused the crowd into one last frenzy. Their drummer even lit his sticks on fire. Orchard Lounge then set about laying down some deep house funk for everyone to unwind and groove to deep into the night, playing much later than their time slot.

With plans to expand next year and two extra fields to fill, Great North Festival will certainly continue to grow. The long Maine sky is the limit.

October 3, 2014