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Entries categorized as “Events Journal” 135 results
Sarah A. writesCHIRP Goes to Forecastle 2015: Day Three
[ In July, CHIRP DJ and Volunteer Coordinator Sarah Avampato traveled to Louisville, Kentucky for the Forecastle Festival, a three day celebration of music along the banks of the Ohio River. See coverage of days one and two of the festival on the blog, and head to Flickr for a full photo gallery. For a look back at featured Forecastle artists, tune into Sarah's show on CHIRP on Friday at 8pm Central. ]
Everyone hits a wall with music festivals. I don't care how old or young you are, or how well prepared -- three days on your feet in the blistering sun will do strange things to you, and eventually you reach a point where all you want to do is go "home". I'm not ashamed to admit that Sunday was my "wall" -- oppressive heat really does you in pretty quickly. I allowed myself to have a short day at the festival, rather than getting so hangry that I cried over pizza, which is definitely not a thing that I've done at a past Forecastle, no, not at all.
I started my day out by seeing Noah Gundersen. The Seattle-born singer-songwriter may have started his career with music with a little more folk, but his sound has gotten bigger and bigger over the years, and his songs keep getting more refined. He played several songs from his upcoming album, Carry the Ghost, in addition to many older favorites. Despite having the first slot of the day at the festival, Gundersen attracted a healthy crowd, and wowed them with a moody cover of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit". If you've ever caught my show on CHIRP, you'll know that I'm a total sucker for cover songs, and this one was no exception.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesPics from the 2015 Pitchfork Music Festival and CHIRP Record Fair
The 10th annual Pitchfork Music Festival was a sight to behold. What turned out to be (mostly) beautiful summer weather set the mood for three days of brilliant performances, capped by a titanic set from Chicago’s own Chance the Rapper on Sunday. Not even a torrential downpour on Saturday could stop the good times on the stages or at the CHIRP Record Fair and Other Delights. As usual, it was a blast…here’s to the next 10 years!
(Photos by Clarence Ewing and Michael Heidemann)
(M. Heidemann)
Sarah A. writesCHIRP Goes to Forecastle 2015: Day Two
It looks like this weekend hasn't been great for festivals in the Midwest -- as I mentioned in day one's post, headliner Sam Smith's set on Friday was cut short due to weather. I'd only barely gotten back to my temporary home when strong winds and torrential downpours swept through Louisville. Apparently Pitchfork back in Chicago had much of the same today, based on what I've seen on the Twitters. Forecastle's Saturday start was pushed back about an hour as the crews prepared the festival grounds for visitors. It was perhaps the worst time of day to have hundreds of people waiting in line, however, with no cover from the shade and many without any water (unlike other festivals, you're not permitted to bring in any water, even if it's in sealed containers, although there are plenty of places to fill up your own water bottle once you get in). After some confusion over when gates would open, the audience was finally allowed in, the schedule was adjusted, and the music began.
I started my day out by catching a few songs from Nashville-based singer Jeffrey James. His energetic, full-band pop songs were a great way to start out what had been a frustrating morning. It was maybe a litte too hot to dance -- most of the people hanging out at the Port Stage were sitting up on the hillside, under the trees -- but this was certainly music that you could shake your butts to.
Sarah A. writesCHIRP Goes to Forecastle 2015: Day One
[ In what's become an annual trek south, CHIRP DJ and Volunteer Coordinator Sarah Avampato is reporting this weekend from Louisville, Kentucky, covering the Forecastle music festival, which blends art and music with environmental activism, through the festival's charitable foundation. ]
Sometimes, the weather's perfect for a music festival -- just enough sun, just enough breeze, just enough clouds.
And sometimes, you've already sweat through your clothes before the first act is even three songs in.
The tone was seat early for Forecastle this year -- it's going to be a scorcher, so take it easy.
Despite a jam-packed festival schedule, I did my best to ease into the day. Better to hear a few songs then go sit in the shade, than to drop from the heat.
The first act I got to see was 21-year old Parker Millsap, an Oklahoma-born country influenced songwriter. Not knowing much about him other than his name and his genre, I was absolutely captivated by his set. His songs were very memorable -- one was a touching track telling the story of a boy coming out to his religious father, another was the flip opposite in tone, spinning a wild tale about fairy tale characters that lose their jobs and turn to things like prostitution and cooking meth to bring in the money. Towards the end of his set, Millsap introduced a few songs by saying "now we're gonna do some songs about the devil" -- and if I weren't already hooked by his music, I sure would have been then. His voice and his songs are much bigger than his years, that's for sure.
Big Rob writesBig Rob Kerr Goes to Mamby on the Beach: Day 2
written by Big Rob Kerr
From a Comfortable Chair:
Day 2 of Mamby on the Beach was not nearly as exciting as the first but I am not entirely sure if that was possible. Sunday made me appreciate what a special event had been put together on Oakwood Beach this weekend. The quality of the festival was able to be soaked in Sunday.
The general setup of the grounds used the venues space well. A narrow grassy approach with vendors led beyond the third stage and opened wide to the beach. The Main stage on the left to the north and the Tent to the right on the south end. The lake was ever present in the festival backdrop and but enormity and atmosphere of the Tent stage was the real gem of the Mamby production.
Sunday did not have the afternoon "Will it rain?" speculation of Saturday, nor did have French producer Klingande, canceling due to reported visa issues. The moment of day 2 of this new and exciting festival was when the mask, white glove and top-hat wearing Claptone played his track "Liquid Spirit" in the Tent. I must say raving in a giant tent on the beach with the beats from mysterious Germans was pretty great for a Sunday afternoon.
The gripes included in the Day 1 recap were still present throughout the weekend but the entire experience of the festival far eclipsed them. I can say at least for me, Mamby on the Beach was a highlight of the busy Chicago summer.
With Love,
Big Rob at the Beach
(Photos produced by Carpe Momentum Media and Da Black Swan and provided courtesy of Mamby on the Beach)
(Carpe Momentum Media)