Seeing as it’s June and the weather is getting hot, now is as good of time as any to present our woefully incomplete yet highly selective summer fun guide. I’m still pretty sore that I missed the amazing lineup at Terrastock last year, held here in Louisville (I was living in Chicago at the time), and unfortunately, they’re not doing it this year. However, there are a number of cool festivals in and around the area to take part in. In no particular order, here are a few that should particularly appeal to readers of this blog:
Flyover Film Festival – 6.12 through 6.14 – Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts – Louisville, KY
This is the first annual Flyover Film Festival, and it looks to be a cool thing. It’s time the city began celebrating its filmmakers, and that’s exact what Flyover aims to do. All films shown are connected to the city, either by current or former residents. I’m not a huge film buff myself, so I don’t recognize many of the titles, but the synopses on the festival’s website look like Flyover is going to showcase some powerful, challenging movies. (Website)
Lebowski Fest 8 – 7.10 and 7.11 – Executive Lanes – Louisville, KY
This year marks Lebowski Fest’s Speed of Sound Tour, with the festivities making rounds through 15 cities. As many of you may know, Lebowski Fest originated in Louisville, and this is the eighth year (mark it 8, dude!) running. As an aside, the Lebowski Festival founders have a cool store to visit when you’re in town called WHY Louisville (see the Local Action links), with the absolute coolest, non-corny city souvenirs you can find. (Website)
Forecastle Festival – 7.10 through 7.12 - Riverfront Belvedere – Louisville, KY
Louisville’s Forecastle Festival is an affordable, activism-conscience, well assembled summer music festival, held on the Belvedere to give patrons a beautiful view of the Ohio River and Louisville skyline whilst enjoying a huge slew of artists. Unfortunately for me, I’m not super pumped about this year’s line-up, but Forecastle has delivered excellent artists in the past couple of years, including Tortoise, GZA, Band of Horses, Cheer Accident, Dr. Dog, Deltron, and more. If you do like the artists on this year’s bill, I can say that Forecastle is worth every penny. (Website)
Pitchfork Music Festival – 7.17 through 7.19 – Union Park - Chicago, IL
As easy as it is to make fun of Pitchfork and its hype machine, it’s really worth noting that they put on a hell of a music festival. I’ve been multiple times, and I’m always impressed by the little things – variety of meals under $5, bottled water for a dollar, lots of 312 and Goose Island on tap, clean facilities, two alternating big stages and a side stage so you never miss any of the action, the huge record and craft fair – it’s the perfect size and the perfect price. If you’re ballin’ on a budget this summer and want to attend at least one festival, Pitchfork is your best bet. Here’s some of my coverage from last year’s festival here and here. (Website)
Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival – 6.11 through 6.14 – Big Fuckin’ Farm – Manchester, TN
Yaaaaawn. I’ve never been to Bonnaroo. I have no interest in going. Camping in humid-ass Tennessee – in the middle of June, around hundreds of thousands of people on peyote stoked to see MIA? No thanks. Besides, most of the artists I would want to see, I could enjoy for waaaaay less than $200 plus service charge. I’d probably go if I had free tickets, which will happen when The Decibel Tolls blows up. Actually, the main reason I’m mentioning Bonnaroo is because Louisville native Ben Sollee will be playing this year and is planning a bike tour on his way there. Yep, he’s biking from Louisville to Manchester, and playing small cities on the way. While I’m not paricularly a fan of his music, his musicianship and creativity with his weapon of choice, the cello, is bountifully impressive. This, coupled with his innovative bike tour idea; I had give Ben a shout. You can follow him here. (Website)
Lollapalooza – 8.7 through 8.9 – Grant Park – Chicago, IL
Lollapalooza has a better lineup than Bonnaroo, in my opinion, this year. So if you’re going to drop two Bens on a festival, I’d say go to Lolla. Besides, Chicago can handle a larger amount of traffic than Manchester, so you can avoid of hours upon hours in traffic. As a former Chicagoan, heed this advice – find a safe place to park and ride the CTA everywhere. Parking is a bitch, and the Department of Revenue (they, not the police, issue parking citations) are fucking fascists. Otherwise, you should have a great time. Email or Twitter me for recommendations on places to eat or hang out for cheap. (Website)
WFPK 91.9 Presents Waterfront Wednesday – Last Wednesday, April through September – Waterfront Park – Louisville, KY
I can majorly vouch for Waterfront Wednesdays, and not just because it’s free. Held in picturesque Waterfront Park on the Great Harbor Lawn the last Wednesday of every month, Waterfront Wednesday boasts big artists, good sound, a great atmosphere, and lot of cool vendors. I mean, shit, there’s this vendor there called Island Way (or something to that effect) that sells sorbet in the actual fruits they’re flavored after. For example, you can get a Pina Colada sorbet in a hallowed-out pineapple. Totally rules. Photo above by Lana. (Website)
Midpoint Music Festival – 9.24 through 9.26 – Various Venues – Cincinnati, OH
To end the summer, why not take the hour trip up I-71 to czech out Cincinnati’s patron-friendly festival Midpoint. The lineup details are still being revealed, but last year boasted the likes of Robert Pollard, Why?, Sonic Boom, and more. Plus, Scion provides car shuttles to get everyone between venues. Pretty rad. (Webiste)
::: And, of course, various shows I may be attending in the area – also in no particular order…
Bill Callahan – Mercy Lounge – Nashville, TN – 6.9
Bill Callahan, a.k.a. Smog, a.k.a. William Callahan has a smokin’ new jam hive out that will no doubt be awesome live.
Black Moth Super Rainbow – Newport, KY – 6.21
I’ve already talked about Black Moth Super Rainbow way too much on this site. You can ascertain what you expect here. Cincinnati’s Mallory is quite good, too.
Sunn O))) – Southgate House – Newport, KY – 7.12
Smoke machines, dudes in robes, and your demise. Nothing says summer fun like doom drone.
The Jesus Lizard – Exit/In – Nashville, TN – 7.14
David Yow still gots it.
Deerhunter with No Age and Dan Deacon – Southgate House – Newport KY – 8.4
Deerhunter, No Age, and Dan Deacon are doing what’s known as an “in the round” tour. In other words, all the performers collaborate, instead of traditional headliner/support live shows. They’re only doing a handful of dates, so you should be extremely excited that they’re playing Newport at the nation’s most awesome venue, The Southgate House. I’m cool with No Age and Dan Deacon, but I will go anywhere, at any time, for Deerhunter. I can’t wait! Tickets are not yet on sale, but they will go fast, so check the Twitter for more information. I will try to have some tickets to give away on this blog, as well.
Phantom Family Halo, The Black Hollies, and Trophy Wives – Cahoot’s – Louisville, KY – 6.20
One of Louisville’s best. Highly recommended.
Bonnie Prince Billy with Bachelorette – Red Mile – Lexington, KY – 6.13
To be honest I’m actually more excited about Bachelorette than ol’ Willy O. You probably gleaned that from my recent album review.
The Dirty Projectors – Wexner Center – Columbus, OH – 6.21
Man, I saw these guys with maybe 20 other people at an old venue in Lexington called The Ice House. They grow up so fast.
Sword Haven, Psychedelic Horseshit, and Wet Hair – Skylab – Columbus, OH – 6.28
You can’t find a better lineup with better band names.
Bert Jansch and Alasdair Roberts – The Dame – Lexington, KY – 8.12
Saw Roberts open for The Incredible String Band. Dude rips.
Find the most up-to-date and complete concert listings for the area courtesy of Backseat Sandbar.
