independent thoughts on indie rock, alternative, and indie pop music
Sometimes the most memorable shows from a festival are the ones that offer an unexpected surprise--not to imply a lack of high expectations going into Cage The Elephant’s 2017 Bonnaroo set. Being a Cage live show veteran, I thought I knew what to expect, but Cage muscled out a new level of energy for their... Continue Reading →
Half party and half concert, SuperJam is always one of the most anticipated events on the Bonnaroo lineup. The 2017 version carried even higher expectations as it was curated by the iconic Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Billed as The Soul Shakedown, the Superjam pulls together an eclectic range of talent from across the festival’s many... Continue Reading →
It was Friday afternoon at the 2017 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival and the field at the Which Stage was filled with a crowd fit for an evening headliner. Well before the start of The Strumbellas’ show, there had been a steady flow of people approaching the stage and staking out the best spots to... Continue Reading →
Sunday morning at Bonnaroo always brings a conflict of emotions--it’s when you realize that there is only one more day on The Farm and the real world is waiting on the other side. However, that feeling is quickly pushed aside by the realization that there are still hours of music to be heard, and this... Continue Reading →
After ending Friday night with the rocking spectacle of U2, I was ready to start Saturday with something a bit more mellow, and found what I was looking for on the Who Stage with Nashville rockicana artist Reuben Bidez. Leading with his acoustic guitar and soulful voice, Bidez ranged from melancholy to wistful while getting... Continue Reading →
Rising early on Friday morning, there was already an air of anticipation buzzing in the campsites. With a stellar Thursday of music still echoing in our heads, I carefully mapped out the schedule--even knowing that it was futile to plan too much at Bonnaroo. There's simply too much to see to be confined to a... Continue Reading →
At the risk of sounding cliché, the best word to describe Bonnaroo is “magical.” There are many ways people try to define what makes it so-- hugs, high-fives, and cool vibes are usually mentioned—but for factual proof, look no further than the hordes of people that flood The Farm each year in Manchester, Tennessee. The... Continue Reading →
Nashville-based singer/songwriter Reuben Bidez will be making his Bonnaroo debut on the WHO stage on Saturday, June 10th at 2:00 p.m. In September, Bidez released Turning To Wine, his first complete body of work. “As I’ve grown as a writer and singer, I’ve gravitated to this sound because it most lines up with my message, and... Continue Reading →
Philadelphia-based indie alt-folk outfit Mt. Joy is headed to The Farm in Manchester, Tennessee to make their Bonnaroo debut on the New Music On Tap Lounge stage from 8:45-9:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 8th. Co-founders Sam Cooper, a former lawyer, and Matt Quinn, a former law student, began performing together in 2005. Mt. Joy has only released three... Continue Reading →
Corey Harper has a voice that penetrates the soul and could soften the toughest of hearts—an amazing talent given that the 21 year old singer/songwriter, who hails from Portland and now resides in Venice, California, has only been making music since the ripe old age of 19. Raised my music-loving parents on a steady diet... Continue Reading →
