All Good/Forecastle Previews

Forecastle Festival :: 07.09.10-07.11.10 :: Waterfront Park :: Louisville, Kentucky

The 9th Annual Forecastle Festival, located in the heart of one of the great cities of the South, takes its name, according to the fest's website, from a sailing term meaning "a superstructure at the bow of a ship where the crew is housed. Hard at work in the boundless blue sea, a place where workers unite after a hard day of labor. A place where the people come together." Sounds nice, and it won't be hard to have a good time with headliners like Widespread Panic, Smashing Pumpkins, Spoon and The Flaming Lips providing the soundtrack for one's revels. And there's a lot of other golden moments waiting to happen on Forecastle's four music stages. Here's three keepers we want to steer attendees towards.

1. Lucero :: Friday :: 10:30-12:00 midnight :: East Stage
While many of you will be glued to Widespread on the main stage, another American rock 'n' roll great will be playing a short distance away. Over the past 12 years, Lucero has married punk to southern rock and quality singer- songwriter sensibilities. Anchored by Ben Nichols and Brian Venable, the band is as real as a heart attack and tuneful as the best Drive-By Truckers and The Replacements, just two kindred spirits to this exceptional band.

2. Devo :: Saturday :: 7:30-8:45 PM :: West Stage
The term "devolution" didn't exist before these spud boys invented it. Not many bands alter the general social lexicon AND cover the Rolling Stones with aplomb. Devo is playing with real energy and wit these days, perhaps reveling in the fact that they were already living the present moment decades before us all. You don't want to tell your grandkids one day that you missed a chance to see these guys live.

3. Joe Purdy :: Sunday :: 1:00- 1:45 PM :: West Stage
Very quietly but with sure, strong steps, Purdy has crafted one of the finest, heaviest songbooks of any American singer-songwriter going. His beautifully broken voice, his vaguely hobo-esque appearance and especially his insight into the human condition leave a profound impression.