Category: Features

Camp Bisco’s Color War XI: the Aquatic Ape to Include Vast New Improvements

Camp Bisco Color War XI: The Aquatic Ape, will return for its 11th season this year on Friday, July 15 at Montage Mountain. Now in its second year at the venue, patrons of the festival and Color War faithful will be much more well equipped to deal with the inclined terrain that the venue offers in spades.

Offering a plethora of new events that utilize the Mountain’s stage-side water park, including the Above the Wave Pool Race and High Speed River Racer, means that Bisconauts can stay cool while the competition heats up. Even the onsite zip line will be taken advantage of in the finale of the Montage Highwire Marathon. In addition to the already well loved Disco Biscuits themed games that Camp Bisco Color War has to offer, these new events will assist in truly making Color War great again.

The Montage Highwire Marathon will have participants dreaming to touch the sky after a foot race to the top

Color War began in 2005 at the fourth Camp Bisco, and has been growing in momentum and notoriety ever since. Die hard Biscuits fan and founder Yancy Davis catalyzed its advent by combining two of his favorite passions; the Disco Biscuits and friendly organized sports. Most of the events in the first couple of years are very familiar, such as tug-o-war, a three legged race, and the ever perilous egg toss. More and more Biscuits references snuck their way into the fabric of Color Wars throughout the passing seasons, including Mr. Don’s Mustache, telling your own Nughuffer story, and the Bernstein and Bacon-off best-bacon-frier competition. That trend continues in the water park this year, giving this 11th installation the honor of being named after a true Biscuits classic, Aquatic Ape.

Sister Judy might get a little wet this year; Montage Mountain’s water park will receive a full take over from Color War troops

Four teams to choose from means more options in the already astounding list that Color War XI: The Aquatic Ape has to offer. Three time back-to-back champions Purple Reign are looking to remain the reigning kings of Color War. New World Orange are also three time conquerors, though it has been years since these underdogs claimed the throne. Returning from earlier years will be the Greenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, as well as the ferocious Pink Hydra Squad.

Camp Bisco attendees will have a lot to think about this year when stepping foot on the Color War field, especially if they plan to participate in another new event called I Want to Be Barber; a costume contest wherein contestants attempt to mimic Disco Biscuits’ guitarist Jon “The Barber” Gutwillig’s legendary stage outfits. Often imitated but never duplicated, such a challenge has never been met on the Camp Bisco lot.

Splitting our minds by day and our girlfriends’ thighs by night, Jon “The Barber” Gutwillig is a force to be reckoned with both musically and fashionably

Anyone who wishes to participate in Color War XI need only go to campbiscocolorwar.com and complete the quick registration form, or simply show up at 12PM on Friday, July 15 at the water park. Conveniently located next to the Above the Waves stage, Color Warriors won’t need to miss any of their favorite bands or DJs during the festivities. Word has been getting around that some celebrity members of said bands may even help in judging some of the competitions. Only one thing is certain for the outcome of Color War XI: The Aquatic Ape: Camp Bisco and Color War will be a little wetter forever.

June 21, 2016
Kenny Chesney Leaves Audience Feeling Like Rock Stars at CMAC Stop

Thousands of members of the No Shoes Nation flocked to CMAC in Canandaigua to see their idol and leader Kenny Chesney on his Spread the Love tour. Kenny Chesney’s fans differ from other artist’s fans because they not only buy his music but are also buying and adopting his beach-bum lifestyle. You could sense this by the casual, easygoing vibe that filled the venue. People smiling with Coronas in hand made it clear that they were ready to unwind and let their workweek stresses melt away for the night.

Chesney himself made sure to let everyone know he was there to party by coming out onto the stage singing his hit “Beer in Mexico” while sporting his signature faded blue jeans, tank top and cowboy hat. All smiles, he welcomed the crowd’s cheers while going into another one of his hits “Reality.” He kept up the no worries beach vibe playing “Til it’s Gone,” “Summertime,” “Pirate Flag,” and “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems.”

Before playing “I Go Back” Chesney reflected on how many times he’s visited the area and said whenever the show is over at CMAC he always tells his crew that the rest of the summer has a lot to live up to because the crowd there is so great.

After a few more songs he brought out openers Old Dominion to perform “Save it for a Rainy Day,” a song the band wrote with him a few years back. Each member of the band joined in singing and playing with Chesney’s band and made the song a special treat for the audience.

Taking a break in between his hits, Chesney sang his new, more serious single called “Noise.” This song may not have had everyone singing along but it didn’t spoil the party mood.

Chesney threw in a cover of The Steve Miller Band’s “Space Cowboy.” He meshed this cover with Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds.” The set ended with his most well-known hit “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” and came back out for an encore with “Don’t Happen Twice.”

During his encore, Chesney brought a young girl on stage and he and Old Dominion signed a guitar to give to her. He also stayed for several minutes while the band played, signing autographs for lucky fans in the front, showcasing his love for his fans. Chesney also made sure to grab gifts that fans had given to him throughout the show including an old college fraternity composite that he was blown away by seeing. His appreciation for the signs, photos and other gifts from fans is another display of his true class act attitude.

Chesney performed for just over two hours and in that two hour span there wasn’t a moment he wasn’t beaming at his audience. He even had the venue light up the packed lawn so he could see each of his followers. You can’t argue with the fact that no matter where Chesney’s fans were in the crowd, he made sure to make each of them feel like a rock star for the night.

Setlist: Beer in Mexico, Reality, Til It’s Gone, Summertime, Pirate Flag, No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems, Somewhere With You, I Go Back, Anything But Mine, Save It for a Rainy Day – (with Old Dominion),
Living in Fast Forward, Young, Noise, American Kids, You and Tequila, How Forever Feels, Big Star, The Joker – (Steve Miller Band cover), Big Star, Out Last Night, She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy

Encore: Don’t Happen Twice

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June 20, 2016
Catfish and the Bottlemen Light Up Buffalo’s Town Ballroom

With the recent release of their sophomore album, The Ride, Catfish and the Bottlemen are rising to stardom quite quickly. On June 2, fans eagerly waited up and down the pavement for the Town Ballroom’s doors to open, where Catfish and the Bottlemen would be playing for a sold-out crowd.

They have the uncanny ability to make every song feel like an encore. From the first note played to the very last, Catfish and the Bottlemen created a vibe in the Town Ballroom that is unprecedented in the music scene. At their colorful best, they were indie without indie dowdiness. The group’s latest singles “Soundcheck” and “7” ignited two of the loudest sing-alongs of the night. The energy and enthusiasm of the band did not falter, as the audience lapped up every moment.

Formed in Llandudno, Wales, almost nine years ago, Catfish and the Bottlemen have been working their way steadily through the ranks. Describing their new album as “stadium rock,” it is in their live performances that Catfish and the Bottlemen prove their worth. At times, frontman Van McCann didn’t even need to bother singing, stepping away from the microphone and listening to his lyrics — mainly about relationships, booze and hangovers — being chanted back at him. As rock stars, they’re unapologetically traditional, and they’re breathing new life into the genre. There is a reason why they are currently one of the most in-demand rock bands at the moment.

The Naturalists had been added to the bill only shortly before the doors opened. These guys lit the crowd up, and were a perfect opener. The garage-alt Buffalo natives finally had a moment to shine in front of a sold-out crowd of new fans and continued supporters.

Catfish and the Bottlemen will roll through the Empire State again this fall with an Oct. 18 show at New York City’s Terminal 5.

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June 20, 2016
50 Years of SPAC: Mumford & Sons Sells Out Saratoga’s Historic Venue

Mumford & Sons brought an eclectic, sold-out show to Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, June 15, making it the first sold-out show of SPAC’s 50th season. The band’s set covered predominantly songs from their 2015 album Wilder Mind, while also throwing in hits from their more folk-influenced debut Sigh No More.

Mumford & Sons opened with “Snake Eyes,” soon after followed by “Little Lion Man,” bringing the entirety of the audience to their feet. As Marcus Mumford sang the chorus, it was often difficult to discern his voice from the shouts of the crowd singing along. The audience continued singing and standing through the close of “Little Lion Man,” into “Below My Feet,” off the band’s second album Babel.

Marcus Mumford was energetic and engaged throughout: perhaps most impressively, he often swapped from playing guitar to drums, such as in “Lover of the Light.” Between songs, the band sparingly addressed the crowd, occasionally invoking some humor by bringing up topics such as the Euros.

In the middle of the set, the band was joined on stage by Senegalese performer Baaba Maal, who sang two songs with Mumford & Sons. Maal took the vocals on “Si tu veux,” and then swapped vocals, singing with Mumford on “There Will Be Time.” The audience was less engaged during this portion of the set, perhaps from not yet knowing the songs, but most remained standing throughout.

“The Cave” soon followed Maal’s exit, capturing the crowd fully, again making Mumford’s voice hard to discern from the singing along. As “The Cave” blended into “Ditmas,” Mumford left the stage to run up the aisles and through the lawn, before returning for “Dust Bowl Dance,” once again taking up the drums, as sparks poured down behind the band.

The band played a four song encore, joined again by Baaaba Maal,” before closing with “I Will Wait,” and “The Wolf.”

While many older songs such as “Little Lion Man,” “The Cave,” “White Blank Page,” and “Dust Bowl Dance” received the most prominent singing along and ovations, reactions to new songs such as “The Wolf” and “Ditmas” demonstrated that fans are still committed to Mumford & Sons evolving sound.

Johannesburg, a five-track collaborative “mini album” with Baaba Maal, recorded during the band’s 2016 South African tour, was released June 17.

Set list: Snake Eyes, Little Lion Man, Below My Feet, Monster, White Blank Page, Lover of the Light, Tompkins Square Park, Believe, Ghosts That We Knew, Si tu veux (with Baaba Maal), There Will Be Time (with Baaba Maal), The Cave, Ditmas, Dust Bowl Dance

Encore: Hot Gates, Wona (with Baaba Maal), I Will Wait, The Wolf

June 20, 2016
Disc Jam 2016 Outdoes Itself

Now in its sixth year and second at the current location in Stephentown, NY, Disc Jam Festival has established itself in every sense of the phrase. The bands are top caliber, the stage setups are the real deal, and the attendees make it feel like home away from home. Disc Jam 2016 has set the bar high for an overall festival experience in the Northeast.

Thursday night of the festival was spent by many setting up their home for the weekend. Those in VIP were granted access to prime real estate next to the creek, adjacent to the pond. Other campers with cars took up residency in the spacious fields surrounding the main stage area. The great thing about Disc Jam is that no matter where you camp, you’re no more than a two-minute walk to the main stage. That also means that you can hear the music throughout the venue – a nice perk of small festivals.

The sounds of Strange Machines filled Gardner’s Farm, setting the tone for the festival – heavy on the jams – though their set ended with a playful “Shake Your Body” cover by Michael Jackson. Next was everyone’s favorite cover smash up, Pink Talking Fish, taking the main stage until midnight. Weaving in and out of Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Phish brought them to a surprise lap dance for the soon-to-be-wed keyboardist Richard James. Set to Billy Idol’s “White Wedding” Hayley Jane of Hayley Jane and the Primates, and her pack of back-up dancers, playfully teased the bashful bachelor only to have their spot taken over by Boston promoter and tutu sporting Benny Tucker aka “Woodies and Cream.” Hayley Jane led the vocals through “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)” and “Suzy Greenberg to wrap up the evening on the main stage.

Thursday night – and really the whole festival – was unseasonably cold. With temperatures in the mid to low 40s with high winds, festival patrons were disappointed there was no community bonfire as promised. The bonfire did blaze on the next few nights which was a welcomed relief.

Friday was easily the best day weather wise. Although breezes still made for a slight chill, the sun was warm and skies were crystal clear. Chicago based rock group, Litz, kicked things off in the morning followed by Teddy Midnight who really picked up the pace. The Brooklyn natives added jam scene veteran Wiley Griffin as their guitarist last August. Since then the group has been gaining fans and notoriety with steady momentum. The blues guitar riffs and synthesized key strokes along with a fantastically funky bass line made for the get-out-of-bed energy disc jammers needed.

Hayley Jane and the Primates, along with original drummer Jesse Hayes, took the early afternoon main stage with a full David Bowie tribute set. As usual, Hayley Jane is theatrical in her stage presence. Although her voice is truly impeccable, the set was reminiscent of a high-level karaoke production.

Set in the Innova Tent Stage at 5 p.m., Tom Hamilton’s American Babies overlapped Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band and part of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. Guest bassist Jim Hamilton, Tom’s brother, filled in for the set. Having grown up playing music together, this was something truly special for die hard fans and even those new to the Babies. The set included several songs off their new album, An Epic Battle Between Light and Dark, including “Fever Dreams” and “What Does it Mean.” Covers included the Grateful Dead’s “Shakedown Street” and The Band’s “Atlantic City.”

As the sun began to set Kung Fu powered through an incredible set welcoming Shira Elias of Turkuaz on vocals and Lowell Wurster of Lucid on percussion. The following 30 minutes was a complete change of pace. Cappadonna of the Wu Tang Clan and his posse pumped up the crowd with Craig Brodhead and the Turkuaz Horns as support. Free style rapper Honeycomb laid down a solid flow, even tossing shade to Jay-Z.

After a short break, headliners Electron took to the stage for a set many people attended the festival to see. Flow artists bordered the stage adding to the entertainment of it all, a psychedelic circus if you will, starting with “Plan B,” “42,” -> “Rock Candy” and later back to “42” after a solid rendition of Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall Part 2.” The set ended with fan favorite “Shelby Rose,” and the crowd singing in unison, “every night is heaven sent!”

Friday night wasn’t over yet as Dopapod packed the Innova Tent Stage with Disc Jammers. Opening with “Nuggy Jawson,” a “Nerds” tease ultimately served as hint to one of Saturday night’s picks during their second set with the Dopapod Orchestra. Ed Mann hopped on the vibraphone for “Dracula’s Monk” and Frank Zappa’s “Peaches en Regalia.” Turkuaz’s Craig Brodhead joined Dopapod for a heart pounding “8 Years Ended,” before concluding with “Vol. 3 #86.”

Saturday was a wet one, raining from 11 a.m. to nearly 1 p.m. which kept many campers from attending the daily set of Bearly Dead, as well as Elm, Funky Dawgz and Mister F. Congo Sanchez was the first dry set on the main stage which absolutely blew the crowd away. The trio features Thievery Corporation’s drummer with a down-tempo, reggae, hip-hop mix. This will be a band not to miss in the future. Consider the Source did a full Radiohead set, that while was impressive in so far as pure skill, simply did not have the attraction a regular COS set has.

The Nth Power, a world, funk, jazz group featuring Nikki Glaspie on the drums, flexed their creative muscle during their Saturday afternoon set. With the sun shining and drying things out, fans got down with the funky yet sultry tunes. The Turkuaz Horns and Shira Elias played a few brand new songs to the delight of the smiling faces in front of them. Directly proceeding the Nth Power, prog rockers TAUK took the stage sounding better than ever. Craig Brodhead also jumps on for a nasty cover of Hendrix’ “Voodoo Child.”

The highlight of the entire festival was without a doubt the Dopapod Orchestra. Clouded in mystery for months since it was announced, fans gathered to the stage as the grounds became engulfed in a low, warm fog. Beginning with a straight forward “Turning Knobs,” the Blend Horns of West End Blend were welcomed on stage laying down a new element to favorites like “Nerds,” “Super Bowl,” and a seriously sinister “Psycho Nature.” Kung Fu drummer Adrian Tramontano hopped on the drums next to Scotty Zwang for a lengthy “FABA.” The Turkuaz horns then took a turn with a stunning “Ophelia” by The Band. Turkuaz drummer Michaelangeo Carubba also sat in for “Roid Rage,” a song he helped write as he is Dopapod’s original drummer. The Orchestra ended with Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” before returning to the stage for the encore of “Picture in Picture” in which Rob Compa’s guitar student Greg King took over for the later half of the song. Compa hopped on bass for a few minutes as well so the two could jam. This was truly incredible to witness and a set not easily forgotten.

The Turkuaz Horns and Ryan Dempsey of Twiddle joined lespecial for some late night action. This is another band that seems to get better each time they play. Their stage setup was incredibly psychedelic. Unfortunately these guys rocked so hard a fuse was blown momentarily, but certainly did not take away from the overall set. A cover of Radiohead’s “National Anthem” was absolutely incredible and the horns only added to the depth.

Sunday was a struggle for many Disc Jammers as the temperatures once again dropped and high winds made wearing a jacket completely necessary. Despite the cold, Formula 5 rocked out to a pretty substantial crowd. They welcomed Ryan Dempsey to the stage as he and Matt Richards played on keys together for Warren Zevon’s “Nighttime in the Switching Yard.”

After sitting in all weekend with various bands, the Blend Horns finally joined their full band, West End Blend, for an incredibly funky set, helping to warm up those shivering in front of them. Front woman and lead vocalist Erica Bryan got fans off their feet with her tambourine skills. The band welcomed The Turkuaz Horns, Shira Elias and Craig Brodhead on stage. With 15 people on stage, the Sunday-funday party had officially started.

Local bluegrass band Eastbound Jesus welcomed Lowell Wurster for some twangy fun before Aqueous hopped on stage for their harder rocking set. Soule Monde showed off their talents making it easy to see why the drum and organ duo has such an impressive résume including being members of Trey Anastasio’s touring band.

Disc Jam 2016 came to an incredible close with Gubbulidis, or Mihali Savoulidis and Zdenek Gubb of Twiddle. By now, it should be clear from the events of the weekend that they’d be joined by guests including their own Ryan Dempsey who took a moment to crawl across the stage for a lick on Mihali’s leg. The set was packed full of jams including Twiddle favorites “Lost in the Cold” and “Syncopated Healing, as well as Sublime’s “What I Got,” Blues Traveler’s “Run Around” and Hendrix’s “All Along the Watchtower.” The amount of pure energy on stage was exactly what the frigid crown needed and the perfect period to the end of an incredible weekend.

June 18, 2016
Hearing Aide: Waydown Wailers “Empty Promises”

The whiskey drinkin’ outlaws of Waydown Wailers from Northern New York have been roaming across the state supporting the release of their sophomore recording, Empty Promises. Brothers Dave (lead guitar/vocals) and Christian Parker (guitar) along with Michael Scriminger (drums/percussion) and Connor Pelkey (bass/backing vocals) outfit the four-man roots rock band, which coalesced in 2012.

Released February 2016 through Woodstock Records, Empty Promises embodies a multitude of familiar human experiences nestled in straightforward blues-rock riffs and uncomplicated lyrics. The cautionary “Don’t Let Life Pass You By” opens the 10-track album, spurring listeners to derive meaning through a slew of thrill-seeking adventures. Dave contends, “You can spend your money, ya won’t ever get it back, to get that feeling that you lack.” Though jumping from an airplane or being shot from a cannon may only appeal to some, anyone can relate to the notion of attributing meaning through memorable experiences.

The title track “Empty Promises” engages a harder rock sound with more percussive guitar. Waydown Wailers‘ genre-bending outlaw jam style is embodied by the varying stylistic elements of this song. Low octave backing vocals reiterate lyrics in a “Monster Mash” fashion, while the chorus in unison with guitar impart a likeness to Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger.” “Jealousy” concludes with an uptempo organ-driven siege perfectly tailored for a wild west cowboy chase. Strong classic rock vibes on “No Time to Waste” emulate a satisfying Allman Brothers-esque guitar mix, while “St. Vraine” gets a little softer in Eagles fashion, depicting the unrelenting power of a river in Colorado.

These rock outlaws are keeping fairly busy throughout the summer playing shows across the Empire State, with the next upcoming gig on Thursday, June 16 at the Westcott Theater opening for Devon Allman Band. Interested in the album? Purchase it here.

Key Tracks: Empty Promises, No Time to Waste, St. Vraine

June 16, 2016
Boy and Bear Sell Out The Hollow

Hard-working Aussies, Boy and Bear worked a sold-out crowd at The Hollow Bar and Kitchen on June 8. The five-piece indie/folk band barely fit onto The Hollow’s stage, but that didn’t seem to matter to the crowd, which appeared to be filled with a mix of 20-year-old girls and a handful of limb-flailing hippies. Pants cuffed, Boy and Bear ripped through an 18-song set with ease, and although there was little movement from the band, lead singer, David Hosking, mesmerized the crowd with his passion and digit-flaring moves. Throughout the evening, Hosking kept his eyes focused on the abyss, while periodically addressing the attendees with little tidbits about the songs. A few standouts from the Boy and Bear set include “Showdown,” “Back To Black” (Amy Winehouse cover) and “Part Time Believer.” All three songs played in succession, leading up to the grand finale of “Harlequin Dream,” “Southern Sun” and “Walk The Wire.” Hosking was nice enough to inform the crowd that there would not be an encore, and seeing that the band played 18 straight songs, nobody seemed to mind; it’s a trend that many bands seem to be embracing.

Perhaps just as impressive as Boy and Bear was the Capital Region’s own Bear Grass. By chance, the foursome had a similar name, but couldn’t have been more different. Lead singer Katie Hammon drove an absolutely intoxicating 10-song set, which quickly won over The Hollow audience. The performance even seemed to win over Boy and Bear drummer, Timothy Hart, who more or less stood and watched the entire set. Even Hosking himself exited the tour bus to check out a few numbers. Hosking was quick to praise and thank Bear Grass as the night concluded, even though the two were sharing the stage for just one night. It’s easy to see why Hammon and Bear Grass are a local band that stand out as on the rise; she’s reminiscent of a Nina Gordon of Veruca Salt fame.

June 16, 2016
Hinder Brings its Stripped-Down Acoustic Show to Binghamton

Hinder, best known for their hits “Get Stoned,” “Lips of an Angel,” “Better than Me,” “How Long,” “I Don’t Wanna Know,” and many others brought their acoustic set to Magic City Music Hall in Binghamton, NY, on June 7 in support of their new six-song acoustic EP titled Stripped. Stripped was released on May 13 via the End Records and includes the songs “Not An Addict,” “Intoxicated,” “Wasted Life,” Hit The Ground,” “If Only For Tonight” and “Get Stoned.” This is the band’s first strictly acoustic project to be released and is their second EP; the first being their 2003 debut Far From Close.

In March, the band announced the album would be titled Stripped and would be released on May 13. At the time the band also announced that they would be touring June through July with the New Zealand-based rock band Like a Storm in support of the new EP.

After a stellar didgeridoo-infused, 45-minute acoustic performance by Like a Storm, who played several numbers including “Becoming The Enemy,” “Amazing Grace/Southern Skies,” “Love the Way You Hate Me” and a cool rendition of Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise,” Hinder took the stage and began their set with “Intoxicated,” “I Don’t Wanna Know” and “What Ya Gonna Do” that had lead singer Marshal Dutton and the band joking with the crowd about mixing up the brands when your usual whiskey “ain’t workin’ no more.”

Despite a smaller than expected crowd, longtime band members Mark King, Joe “Blower” Garvey, Mike Rodden, Cody Hansen and lead vocalist and guitarist Marshal Dutton put on a fun-filled, entertaining and interactive show with an intimate audience and performed each song exceptionally well with great vocals and musicianship that they are known for. At times throughout the evening, various members swapped instruments with each other, showcasing how musically talented they are as individuals as well as a band. Hinder played a 12-song set with fun interactive breaks at times between songs and swapping instruments.

Hinder and Like a Storm continue their acoustic tour throughout the summer. If you’re out there and looking for a great show this summer, be sure to check out Hinder and Like a Storm.

Hinder Set List 6/7/16:
Intoxicated, I Don’t Wanna Know, What ya Gonna Do, Shoulda Known Better, Hit the Ground, Last Kiss Goodbye, Not an Addict, Red Tail Lights, Better Than Me, Get Stoned, Pussy Control, No Excuses

June 15, 2016
Boston Calling Music Festival Takes Over City Hall Plaza

Over Memorial Day Weekend, thousands gathered in Boston’s City Hall Plaza for the final Boston Calling music festival in that location. Next year, the festival is expanding and will take place in Harvard University’s athletic complex. In addition to music, next year’s festival will also feature film and art exhibitions. (The festival was so enjoyable this year that I have already purchased my tickets for next year.) Despite the unpredictable and quickly changing weather, it was a terrific event with stellar musical performances. Read on below as we recap the three-day festival.

Friday

Friday started with an intimate set from Irish folk singer Lisa Hannigan and The National’s Aaron Dessner. It was an impressive performance, and a great way to start the weekend of music. Sufjan Stevens followed with a psychedelic, over-the-top set that started with an epic performance that involved a costume with wings and a banjo being smashed, and ended with a costume with balloons, tin foil and a disco ball strapped to Stevens’ chest. Boston Calling truly had a diverse array of music, and Friday’s lineup certainly displayed this diversity. Friday night closed with one of the festival’s most anticipated acts, pop singer Sia. Her powerful vocals and dance performances that featured Kristen Wiig, Maddie Ziegler, Paul Dano and Gaby Hoffman impressed crowds and left many awed and awaiting Saturday’s stacked lineup.

Saturday

Saturday started off with brutally hot weather, with the temperature hitting nearly 100 degrees at one point in the day. The festival managed the weather the best they could, providing free water and samples of Polar Seltzer. Although the water line could take up to 30 minutes to get through at points throughout the day, staff did a great job of making sure their patrons were cared for and safe despite the incredibly hot weather. BØRNS, famous for their hit “Electric Love,” created a fun, dancy atmosphere and lead singer Garrett Borns truly impressed crowds with his beautiful falsetto. Canada-based City and Colour played a soulful and bluesy set and featured a guest appearance from The Raconteurs’ bassist Jack Lawrence. Swedish indie pop band Miike Snow had a decent crowd, but they were mostly background music for those who wished to sit on the pavement of City Hall Plaza or grab something to eat and sit in the shade after a day of completely oppressive heat. The night finished off with impressive music, dancing and light shows from EDM duo Odesza and Swedish vocalist Robyn.

Sunday

The weather changed drastically by Sunday, and was much cooler and clammier than most patrons expected. It was still a great day of incredibly diverse music. From Vince Staples’ powerful rapping to Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires funky set, the day started with two genres of music that fans had not yet seen at Boston Calling. Charles Bradley was especially impressive, and had me rocking out to his awesome moves and crazy-good voice. Next were The Front Bottoms, where lead man Brian Sella interacted with the crowd the entire set and gave the audience a really good time. Everyone knew the words to all of their songs, and the energy created by the interaction between the crowd and the musicians lent itself to a fun and energetic set. Elle King was next, with her bright blue hair and raspy voice. She faced some backlash from fans regarding her drinking, but she still put on a wonderful and engaging performance. To close out the night, Janelle Monàe really wowed fans with her nine-person band and powerful message of choosing freedom over fear. Her voice is great, her band was tight and fans really enjoyed her honest investment in her music. She also covered a Prince song. The next act, Haim, a rock band started by the Haim sisters, also covered Prince and played fan favorites like “The Wire” and “Falling.” Disclosure closed out the night with a mind-blowing light show and beats that resonated through fans’ chests.

Overall

Overall, Boston Calling was one of the most well-organized, fluid and fun festivals that I have ever attended. Staff dealt with the challenges of the weather with ease, and did their best to provide patrons with the most comfortable and healthy experience possible. The food vendors all had both healthy and delicious options, and I was really impressed by the quality of the food that was provided. They made sure that patrons weren’t just getting overpriced, greasy festival food, but an actual meal that tasted good and was well worth the money they paid for it. The diverse and eclectic acts all performed incredibly well, and no one disappointed. There weren’t even that many incidents of drunken fans that couldn’t handle themselves; as I said, it was an incredibly well-organized and fluid festival, and fans seemed to respond to that in a responsible and respectful way. Buy your tickets to the next Boston Calling as soon as possible — the expansion can only mean great things for this thrilling festival.

June 15, 2016
Wanderlust Stratton 2016: Find Your True North

On June 16, 2016 Wanderlust Yoga & Music Festival makes its way to Stratton, Vermont. Wanderlust is a worldwide festival, taking place in Canada, Australia, and various sites in the United States, including California, Colorado and Vermont. This four day journey encompasses mindful living and healthy expression, offering many styles of yoga, meditation, workshops, lectures, music, outdoor activities such as acro & water-yoga, hiking, and various other amazing offerings; could it get any better for those looking for a healthy vacation?

Stratton Mountain Resort in Bondville, VT is the perfect place for Wanderlust, offering a vast landscape for the many classes available: from hikes up the mountain and yoga at the peak, to paddle-board yoga on the pond, and a speakeasy for musicians/artists alike, along with live music at Stratton’s well-known nightlife venue Grizzly’s. And if you haven’t visited yet Stratton Resorts ‘Village’ offers restaurants, shops, and lodging as well, all within the center of the event!

Their slogan and mission is one that inspires growth, community & healthy living:

“Unplug from the ordinary. Adventure awaits! At Wanderlust, our mission is to help you find your true north. True north is not a final destination: it’s a path, a journey, and a yearning to explore and connect to your life’s purpose.”

“Our festivals, set in awe-inspiring natural resorts across the globe, are a step down that path. Our transformational retreats bring together world-class teachers, taste-makers, and experts in mindful living in a fun-filled, creative environment.

Choose your own adventure with multi-level yoga and meditation sessions, mouthwatering organic and whole foods, heart-pumping music, inspiring lectures and workshops, and boundary-pushing outdoor activities. Wander with us and find your true north.”

Having attended the past three years, it’s easy to say that this event offers an experience that will leave you different than when you arrived-full of inspiration, joy and a perspective that you can only imagine until you enjoy the super-dynamic Wanderlust experience!

And to top off all of the activities, the variety of teachers, performers, speakers and those who make it all happen is phenomenal. The past few years, Wanderlust brought musical offerings including talents such as Nahko & Medicine for the People, Trevor Hall, Coyote & Crow, Marco Benevento, and so many others that put on shows that left their imprint on the mountain. This year’s line-up consists of 28 yoga teachers, 11 speakers, a wide-variety of musical styles; Michael Franti, Karsh Kale, Magic Giant, Sheela Bringi, and Morley will bring their unique performances to the table. A variety of solo act’s from Francesca Blanchard, Garth Stevenson, and Priya Darshini, to DJ’s Drez, Sol Rising, Tasha Blank, and various others will keep the music flowing all throughout the weekend.

If you have yet to experience a yoga festival, this one is sure to please. Wanderlust is super-dynamic, covering all of the bases: health, music, fitness, learning, organic food-as well as being a getaway to the mountains-this is one that will make your summer one to remember!

For more info about the line-up and general inquiries visit the festival website.

June 14, 2016