HullabaLOU, Land of NOD & FloydFest Previews
By Team JamBase Jul 19, 2010 • 8:11 am PDT
JamBase Associate Editor
Once more into the breach, dear friends. This time we take a peek at musical gatherings in Kentucky, Michigan and Virginia that’ll keep folks dancing in the streets this next weekend.
HullabaLOU Festival :: 07.23.10-07.25.10 :: Churchill Downs :: Louisville, KY
A thoroughbred racetrack would seem to bode well for a festival, and with over 65 bands spread over five stages during this three-day event there’s bound to be a few winning ponies. Headliners at this year’s HullabaLOU include the hard touring Dave Matthews Band, top country acts Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown Band, soul legend Al Green, JamBase faves Gov’t Mule and The Black Crowes, and classic rock mainstays Steve Miller Band and Bon Jovi. And since it’s a Summer 2010 fest, The Avett Brothers continue their laminate gathering season of omnipresence. Here’s three runners worth placing bets on.
1. Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes :: Friday :: 5:00-5:40 PM :: Hullabalou Stage
Out beyond the Jersey Shore touring behind their tough, enduringly solid new platter Pills and Ammo, the Garden State’s other favorite son and his long-running band will deliver what is likely a goddamn satisfying display of fundamental rock ‘n’ soul. Theirs is a sound hardened and perfected sluggin’ it out in bars from here to Timbuktu, literally, and it’s a kind of road won showmanship most bands simply don’t possess anymore.
2. Ben Sollee :: Saturday :: 2:45-3:35 PM :: Fleur De Lis Stage
Sollee is one of the most exciting, unpredictable young artists to emerge in the past few years. Whether plying sublime cello with the Sparrow Quartet, lamenting clear-top coal mining with Jim James & Daniel Martin Moore or simply blurring genre lines in his solo work, Sollee represents an intense in engagement with music in the broadest sense. There’s no telling what this set will be like, and isn’t it delightful to go into music knowing that?
3. Taj Mahal :: Sunday :: 2:35-3:35 PM :: Kroeger Stage
Face it you’re not likely to find a more exhaustive AND entertaining bit of wide-open musical acumen than ol’ Taj. While he’s frequently dubbed a bluesman, his reach extends to African and Caribbean roots, reggae vibes, Brazilian construction and much more. The man has an ear for combining wildly distant musical strains, and an hour with him is always time well spent.
Continue reading for our picks for the Land of NOD Experiment…
As first time fests go, this one looks really promising in terms of uniqueness and respect for local talent. Michigan is often a forgotten state for much of the rest of the U.S. (despite the fact that we’re rolling around in millions of cars from there), and Land of NOD seeks to highlight the homegrown talent beyond Seger, Kid Rock, et al. Add to that interesting headliners like Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave and of Montreal and what looks like one of the most switched-on communities throwing a party this summer and you’ve got all the making for a great time. Here’s a few standouts from the lineup we recommend.
1. Eagles of Death Metal :: Friday :: 9:50-11:00 PM :: Main Stage
While we generally steer clear of headliners in our fest previews, there’s always room for exceptions, and EODM are surely that! If one’s faith in gonad-tickling, little baby girl lovin’ rock ‘n’ roll has been waning, well, the Eagles will pump you right back to full salute. No one out there means it more than bandleader/moustache aficionado/musky firebrand Jesse Hughes, who gives the proverbial 110-percent effort everytime he hits a stage. And he runs with boys who throw in just as hard in their effort to get everyone off – even the sullen dude at the back blogging on his phone about how over rock is. Rarely has a band been more serious AND not serious in their efforts, and their humor dappled sincerity is awfully freakin’ winning.
2. Murder By Death :: Saturday :: 4:35-5:25 PM :: Main Side Stage
Americana can be a touch predictable but never in the hands of these Bloomington, Indiana corkers, who infuse traditional elements with real imagination and flair. Their songwriting is top notch, they sing with real character and they play like folks pleasantly possessed. Highly recommended to anyone who’s been smitten by the Avetts, The Pogues and Uncle Tupelo and wants to discover an equally gifted kindred spirit.
3. Macpodz :: Sunday :: 5:55-6:50 PM :: Main Side Stage
Ann Arbor’s Macpodz keep rock the all-inclusive beast it used to be back in the day (namely the fully experimental 60s/70s), thus allowing almost anything into the mix but always with a rockin’ attitude. Some of pieces have a jazzy lilt, others touch on funk, but there’s rarely one groove going for too long. Macpodz is what was once good about being called a jam band (even if it’s not always the greatest albatross to have around one’s neck now).
Continue reading for our picks for FloydFest…
With quality headliners like the Levon Helm Band, Galactic, Old Crow Medicine Show, Railroad Earth and Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, the ninth installment of this old school camping fest is already teed-up to be a blast. The Blue Ridge Mountains will ring with an astonishing variety of musics over four days, and the folks who come out for this one are as earthy and kind as they come. Here’s a few standouts from the lineup you may want to check out.
1. Eric Krasno & Chapter 2 :: Thursday :: 11:00 PM-1:00 AM :: Hill Holler Stage
While people may know his work with Soulive and Lettuce, there’s increasing dividends to catching Krasno shred in his own project. His guitar vocabulary is massive – way beyond the jazz and jam tags long attached to him – and his killer new album Reminisce shows he’s been sharpening his composer’s pen, too. Early arrivals should have their tent set up and drink well on by the time Kraz and his boys hit it. Plus, you get keyboard playing, singing sensation Nigel Hall and that is ALWAYS a good thing.
2. Konono No. 1 :: Friday :: 6:45-8:15 PM :: DR Main Stage
You’re gonna thank us if you take the time to experience this hyper-exciting African group in the flesh. With thick drums, sharp vocals, thumb pianos with wild amplification and other jury-rigged instruments, Konono No. 1 makes a sound like no other. Haunting and even abrasive, it’s one of those rare unique sounds in a world where it’s often far too easy to pick out an artist’s inspirations.
3. Adrienne Young :: Main Stage Tweener Sets :: Friday-Sunday
One inspired choice by the organizers is using charming singer-songwriter Adrienne Young as the happy, tuneful filling between the big acts on the DR Main Stage on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. She’s got a bit of vintage Joni Mitchell and a bit of swoony Patsy Cline, but also ample bits of just Adrienne Young. She’s liked by folks like Phish’s Mike Gordon and we’ve dug everything we’ve heard by her, so maybe you should give a listen instead of going for another beer. Young will also host a Backyard Revolution at the Global Village Stage on Sunday from 12 noon until 1:00 pm.
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