Before you know it the weather will be warming up and festival season will be upon us. If you are looking to do some travelling to the Crescent City, the New Orleans Jazz Fest has announced their lineup of typical Jazz Fest artists and a decided trend toward mainstream/MOR. Though its usually the less heard of bands at this fest and the hardcore New Orleans stuff that make it worthwhile anyway. So while the masses are watching James Taylor warble "Fire & Rain" for the 8000th time, you can check out some more interesting stuff on the smaller stages.
40th ANNIVERSARY JAZZ FEST MUSIC LINEUP ANNOUNCED!
April 24-26 & April 30-May 3, 2009
Tickets On Sale Now, Special Hotel Rooms & Rates Available!
Wynton Marsalis
Aretha Franklin
Dave Matthews Band
James Taylor
Sugarland
Wynton Marsalis, Aretha Franklin, Dave Matthews Band, James Taylor,
Sugarland, Joe Cocker, Ben Harper, Tony Bennett, Earth, Wind & Fire,
Kings of Leon, Neville Brothers, Wilco, Bonnie Raitt, Allen Toussaint,
The O'Jays, Erykah Badu, Dr. John
Among hundreds scheduled to appear at historic edition of Festival
In other fest news, Rolling Stone reports that Phish will be headlining two nights at Bonnaroo. Not much of a surprise there as Phish's yearly festivals paved the way for Bonnaroo and all the others that have cropped up in the last decade. This give Phish all the benefits of their own fest without the responsibility.
More interestingly, Bruce Springsteen is rumored to be Sunday night's closer. Bruce has dipped his toe in the festival waters recently playing the New Orleans Jazz Fest when he debuted his Sessions Band and closing his last tour at the Harley Davidson fest in Milwaukee. The NO Jazz Fest was somewhat unique as that band was playing NO and gospel influenced music and almost all covers. The Harley fest was a situation where it was easy for Bruce fans to go on a single day and not have to camp so not much different than a regular show. It would be interesting to see Bruce do a festival with the E Street Band where he wouldn't be the main attraction. I have no doubt he could and would pull it off brilliantly because rock n' roll is rock n' roll. But it would be interesting seeing him work a crowd who wouldn't know/sing every word or know the usual crowd participation spots of a Bruce show. That probably hasn't happened since he was opening for bands when his first album came out. Well, just a rumor for now. Whoever plays, Phish and/or Bruce lets hope they are on the webcast.
Tony Jordan
Tony Jordan
No comments:
Post a Comment