Bonnaroo Band Addition

June 4th, 2009    Posted in Uncategorized

The 6th Ward Treme Allstars Brass Band were just added to the lineup today. They’ll be playing Sunday, from 1:30-2:30 on the What Stage.

Bonnaroo 2009: Where’s the SuperJam?

June 4th, 2009    Posted in Uncategorized

With just one week to go, Bonnaroo organizers have yet to announce the SuperJam. Just like it sounds, it’s a jam session featuring musicians who typically don’t work together, making for a rare, special set that truly is a once in a lifetime thing. Occuring every year at the festival since 2002, here’s a look at past SuperJam’s:

The very first SuperJam in 2002 featured members of String Cheese Incident, Bela Fleck, Jeff Raines, Robert Randolph, Stanton Moore of Galactic, Edgar Meyer, Danyel Morgan, DJ Logic, Rich Vogel, Robert Mercurio and Marcus Randolph.

2003’s SuperJam featured Dr. John, Mike Gordon of Phish, Luther Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars, Stanton Moore of Galactic, Dewayne Burnside and G. Love.

In 2004, the SuperJam featured Stanton Moore of Galactic, Maceo Parker, George Porter, Eric Krasno, Neil Evans, Papa Mali, Adam Deitch, Reggie Watts and the New Orleans Horns, among others.

2005’s SuperJam featured Herbie Hancock, ?uestlove of the Roots and Pino Palladino.

The 2006 SuperJam was a project known as G.R.A.B., which featured Trey Anastasio and Mike Gordon of Phish, along with Marco and Joe from the Benevento/Russo Duo.

Perhaps one of the more memorable collaboration’s was the latenight SuperJam in 2007 featuring Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, Ben Harper and ?uestlove of the Roots. The Roots guitarist, Kirk Douglas (not the actor), also made an appearance during this set.

Last year’s SuperJam didn’t exactly live up to the hype for most, as it was playing the same time as the four-hour My Morning Jacket performance. The 2008 SuperJam played tribute to Tom Waits, featuring Les Claypool, Kirk Hammett of Metallica and members of Gogol Bordello.

As I look over the schedule, there’s really only a couple spots I see where they could place the SuperJam, although changes with the schedule can always be made. Right now, it seems rather odd that on Sunday there is an opening after Okkervil River in the Other Tent. They’re scheduled to play until 5:45 pm, but the acts in the other two tents are schedule to end around 8 pm, as does Band of Horses, who play until 8 pm on the Which Stage.

The only other spot I think they could place the SuperJam would be before Erykah Badu on Sunday on the What Stage. She’s not starting until 3:30 pm, but in the past (excluding last year) they have had acts starting at either noon or 1 pm on the What Stage.

SuperJam or no SuperJam, you will find some other super jams, although they aren’t the official SuperJam.

A few bands will be composed of some guest artists, while some of these bands feature artists who have collaborated for other projects. Here are some of those acts:

Elvis Costello, who recently stumbled into Americana, Country, Bluegrass and Folk music with his new album, Secret, Profane & Sugarcane, has assembled a backing band called the Sugarcanes. The band features Jerry Douglas (dobro), Jim Lauderdale (guitar), Stuart Duncan (fiddle, mandolin, guitar, banjo), Mike Compton (mandolin), Dennis Crouch (upright bass) and Jeff Taylor (guitar).

Fiction Family is a collaboration between Switchfoot frontman, Jon Foreman, and Nickel Creek guitarist, Sean Watkins. Joining them on piano will be Watkins sister, Sara, who you also know from Nickel Creek, as well as her recent launch into her solo career.

The Jerry Hannan Band features Cody Dickinson (multi-instrumentalist), John Molo (drums, percussion), John Avila (bass) and Steve Molitz (keys). Dickinson, Molo and Molitz have all played at Bonnaroo numerous times since the beginning, with the North Mississippi Allstars, Phil Lesh & Friends and Particle, respectively.

Show of the Week: Coldplay with Pete Yorn and Howling Bells

June 4th, 2009    Posted in Uncategorized

For those of you attending tonight’s Coldplay show at Riverbend, you’re in for a special treat. Not only is this the first time they’ve played Cincinnati since 2005, but this time they’re bringing along two great opening acts – Pete Yorn and Howling Bells.

Now after seeing shows at Riverbend since 1997, it’s obvious that the majority of area-concert goers could care less about opening bands and would rather spend time mingling by the beer stands. Here are some of the band’s who’ve opened for some bigger-named artists over the years: Ben Harper, Gov’t Mule, Lucinda Williams, Guster, moe., O.A.R. and The Wailers…hell, even Steve Winwood has opened for Tom Petty, not to mention the Black Crowes opened for Lenny Kravitz ten years ago.

But aside from tonight’s opening bands, you’ll be seeing something I’ve never seen or heard of happening at a show at Riverbend or anywhere for that matter. Word on the street is that Coldplay has been setting up a stage on the lawn to perform a couple acoustic numbers including “Green Eyes” and The Monkees “I’m A Believer.” They even did a “Let’s Go Pens” chant at the Pittsburgh show, referencing the Pittsburgh Penguins. I don’t think they’ll make a chant tonight for either the Bengals or Reds, but they will be doing this intimate lawn gig tonight. So for all of you going to tonight’s show, enjoy!!!