Forecastle Festival kicks off this weekend at Louisville’s Waterfront Park, and for 2010, the festival has certainly upped the ante. Forecastle is boasting one of the largest and most diverse lineups in the region and becoming competitive with some of the nation’s largest festivals. This year, Forecastle will feature four stages, keynote speakers, a circus (!), film screenings, and the Sustainable Living Roadshow. After the jump is The Decibel Tolls’ picks for this year’s festival, as well as rad stuff to do while you’re in Louisville. Let’s do this.

First and foremost – it’s going to be hot as a motherfucker this weekend, as it’s been all month along the entirety of the east coast. Heard a story on NPR that the power grid is cooking right now as we speak. Hence, you don’t need to suffer for fashion. Dress comfy and keep drug use down to a reasonable level. Drink some motherfucking water.

I first saw Parlour open for Bardo Pond in 2003, and it was pure ruination. I was thoroughly ruinated. The collective tends to hide and reveal themselves in a cyclic fashion, much like the phases of the moon, so grab this opportunity post haste. Organized by Tim Furnish of the mighty and much-missed Crain and rounded out by heavy hitters from Siltbreeze heros Sapat and Shedding, Parlour is a John Peel-endorsed blast of no wave exploration, Tortoise-approved jazz flourishes, and Can-flavored motorik precision. Replete with tension and release structures and paranoid guitar and electronic acrobatics, think of Parlour as cinematic future shock. But don’t call it post rock. Supposedly a new album called Simulacrenfield is coming out on Temporary Residence in the near future, though no official street date or additional information has been released. Their 2002 effort Googler is essential and, as the title suggests, clairvoyant. This is their first show in a minute – don’t miss out! Sunday July 11, 7 p.m. – North Stage (curated by LEO Weekly)

MP3 :::
Parlour – Over the Under

I tried something like three times to see recent Carpark acquisition Light Pollution at South By Southwest. While they are certainly an elusive bunch, both their and your Friday evening is thoroughly penciled in. The fuzzed out and orante dream pop collective used light samplers, tremolo saturated guitars, and cold fusion technology transported from intergalactic societies to tear the fucking roof off of Zanzabar at the beginning of May, and they’ve come back to give you all something to think about and to fulfill the prophecy. They haven’t disclosed what that is though, so fair warning. Friday July 9, 6:10 p.m. – East Stage

MP3 :::
Light Pollution – Good Feelings

Our friends over at Transparent made the world aware of the psychotropic stylings of MillionYoung earlier this year at the big Shake Some Action party at SXSW. Many of the elements of glo-fi are present, but it’s not. Instead, consider MillionYoung a sort of kalaidoscopic collection of syrupy, dancable psychedelic electro, kinda in the vein of classic M83, or more accurately, motorik for the coastal drive. Similar to Toro Y Moi, MillionYoung employs both organic and electronic instrumentation simultaneously. Beautiful stuff. Friday July 9, 7 p.m., East Stage

MP3 :::
MillionYoung – Weak Ends

Peep these Kraftwerk-lookin’ hombres. Devo rules. The public en masse tends to associate Devo only with “Whip It,” and that’s a travesty. I always consdiered Devo the American equivalent to Tubeaway Army, with an added adventurous spirit. Devo were ahead of their time, but were aware of such in the most kitsch fashion. I’m not even sure when Devo last appeared around these parts. Maybe the late ’80s? This is going to be amazing – not to mention once-in-a-lifetime. Don’t sleep on it. Saturday July 10, 7 p.m. – West Stage

MP3 :::
Devo – Gates of Steel

Lucky Pineapple on Fox in the Morning. They’re in their PJs cuz it’s in the morning.

The fine folks at LEO Weekly have assembled a local stage to show love, and they’ve assembled the town’s finest. May I especially recommend the funky kitchen sink experimentalism of massive collective Lucky Pineapple (Saturday July 10, 12:30 p.m. – East Stage), the operatic Dinosaur Jr-informed epic guitar wails of Wax Fang (Saturday July 10, 3:50 p.m. – East Stage), and the sample-heavy analog destruction of new no wave-channeling upstart Nerves Junior (Saturday July 10, 1:40 p.m. – North Stage).

MP3 :::
Lucky Pineapple – Moonlight Spiderbite

The Flaming Lips are a rock and roll band that a lot of people like. They used to do tons of acid and title their releases The Day They Shot a Hole in the Jesus Egg. About a decade ago, the band got clean and spiritual, releasing their most intricate and celebrated music. But Embryonic suggests that Coyne & Co are back on the psychedelic magic carpet. Though they tend to stay heavy on material between The Soft Bulletin and Mystics, I hope they explore their weird shit, considering their stage show a la Bonnaroo has gotten weirder. Either way, I, believe or not, have never seen them due to a variety of circumstances, so I’m sofa king pumped. Sunday July 11, 10:30 p.m. – West Stage

MP3 :::
The Flaming Lips – Worm Mountain

To be honest, I don’t want to see Smashing Pumpkins pull off a killer performance. I’m totally into the idea of having a special Billy Corgan breakdown a la the 2008 anniversary tour. Setlists are uniform, but on stage therapy sessions are one-in-a-lifetime, and will make this Forecastle totally memorable in a different way. If our God is a loving god, Not Billy Corgan will get to meet the real Billy. Also, don’t miss Billy’s big performance this November in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows. Saturday July 10, 10:45 p.m. – West Stage

I’m a little unfamiliar with Morning Teleportation, though I’m quite interested in seeing the live gig. The fact that Issac Brock as A&R bro handpicked them as an opener doesn’t do anything for me, but perhaps it does for you. However, the free spirited communal folk vibe, harkening back to the wild instrumentation of Holy Modal Rounders and radiant good vibes of Os Mutantes (all of which reimagined by modern experimentalism a la Health) sells me on making time for these guys. Have a preview at their MySpaces. Sunday July 11, 5:30 p.m. – East Stage

I’m very excited and intrigued by Cirque Bzerek, described as a “circus on acid” or PT Barnum’s horrifying nightmare.  A mix of Victorian theatrics, French burlesque, and a twisted, skewed view of circus perforamance a la performance art, Cirque Bzerek sounds like a blast. Forecastle will be the first major festival in the country to host them, apart from Burning Man. Seems like Man Man should join up with these dudes. Various shows throughout the weekend in the Circus Tent

Like with SXSW, I would encourage you to always scope out the smaller stages and see an artist you are not familiar with. This is where festivals becoming rewarding. I will do the same. While all the aforementioned are my personal picks, my friends at Backseat Sandbar are providing short and succinct previews for every artist playing Forecastle. Go czech it out. Additionally, you can create and print a personalized schedule at the Forecastle Fest‘s website. And pick up the big Forecastle issue of LEO Weekly for your own map, set of guidelines, and relevant copy for reading.

After the festival, this is where you can find Bloggins and pals, meaning, these are the watering holes worth visiting. These are my favorite spots in Louisville – essential for out-of-towners…

Germantown is my favorite neighborhood for nightlife. While it’s colloquially known as one of the big hipster hangouts, Nachbar (969 Charles St.) attracts more of the friendly sect of that subculture. The barkeeps are friendly and fast (that came out wrong), and the selection of reasonably priced imported beers is awe inspiring. Zanzabar (2100 S. Preston) is my favorite small venue in town (why we host so many shows there) and offers a large and comfortable patio for summer evenings. Additionally, they’re giving away a bunch of awesome band promo posters from recent shows, so you can grab a nice memento at the right price. Cumberland Brews (1576 Bardstown Rd), close to Bloggins Base Camp in The Highlands neighborhood, is a great microbrewery with healthy pub fare (not an oxymoron), al fresco seating, and beers with ABVs that will land you on your ass – so proceed with caution. Great for lunch, too. If you find yourself skipping out on some of the festivities and want an amazing and unique dinner, El Mundo (N. Keats + Frankfort Ave) in Clifton is the jam. Gourmet Mexican fusion is probably the best description, but this authentic, quirky eatery is all casual and very affordable. You’re going to want to grip the North Atlantic Mussels, steamed in a spicy chipotle cream sauce. My vegetarian and vegan friends can find great lunch and dinner back in The Highlands at Rami’s Cafe On the World (1293 Bardstown Rd). It’s literally “on the world” – something like 12 or more ethnic cuisine styles appear on the menu. Also, don’t forget, since ear X-tacy (1534 Bardstown Rd) is moving, they’re having huge sales this weekend on all used music and movies. See their Facebook page for more info.

Hope to see you all out. Hope I don’t get fuckin’ iced by We Listen For You in the media tent.