Against Me!
The Florida folk-punk band released their fifth studio album (White Crosses) last month and are playing Sunday on the East Stage from 10:30-11:50
Bassnectar
The heavy tempo, electronica project of Lorin Ashton is playing Saturday on the West Stage from 9:00-10:15
CAKE
The California alt rock band who was an integral part of the early 90′s college rock scene plays Saturday on the West Stage from 5:45-7:00
Cap’n Jazz
One of the first and most influential bands in the “emo” style of music, this Chicago band has reunited for their first tour in fifteen years. They’re playing Saturday on the East Stage from 10:30-12:00
Cirque Berzerk
Described as a family of performers who have banded together to put a new spin on contemporary circus theatre, you’ll see everything from stilt walkers to aerialists to punk rock clowns in this mind-blowing show. You’ll have several chances to see them at Forecastle over the weekend: they’re playing Friday at 6:00-7:00 and 9:00-10:00; Saturday at 3:45-4:25, 7:00-7:40 and 10:00-10:40; and Sunday at 3:15-3:55, 6:30-7:10 and 10:00-10:40
Cloud Cult
The Minnesota-based indie rock band with a killer string and horn section are playing Saturday on the East Stage from 8:30-9:10
Dead Confederate
This psychedelic, southern rock band that has drawn comparisons to both Nirvana and My Morning Jacket, hails from the music mecca that is Athens, Georgia. They’re playing Friday on the East Stage from 8:40-9:20
DEVO
Break out your yellow jump suit and red energy dome hat, because the famed New Wave band most known for “Whip It” and “Secret Agent Man” are playing Saturday on the West Stage from 7:30-8:45
Drive-By Truckers
Also representing the Athens music scene are the Drive-By Truckers and their dirty, southern country rock sound. They’re playing Friday on the West Stage from 6:15-7:30
Flaming Lips
Wayne Coyne and company close out the festival weekend Sunday on the West Stage from 10:30-12:00
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
The sexy soulful singer and her blues-rock band are playing Saturday on the West Stage from 4:15-5:15
Lucero
The Memphis country-punks are playing Friday on the East Stage from 10:30-12:00
Manchester Orchestra
The Atlanta alt rock band is playing Friday on the West Stage from 8:00-9:00
Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s
The Indianapolis-based cinematic chamber pop outfit are playing Friday on the East Stage from 9:40-10:20
Modern English
DEVO isn’t the only influential New Wave band of the late 70′s and 80′s performing during the Forecastle weekend. You’ll remember these guys from their song “I Melt with You”, which has been featured in Burger King ads and covered by all too many bands. They’re the first band to take the stage on Saturday. They’ll be on the West Stage from 1:00-1:45
Pop Empire
Although they’re one of the newest bands in the Cincinnati area (and have played hardly any shows) this duo consisting of key/synth mastermind Henrie Wilson and Cam Cochran (hey, he’s no stranger to the scene around these parts, what with having roles as a solo folk singer/songwriter and being a member and founder of bands like the Lions Rampant and Sheds). They’re playing Sunday on the East Stage from 1:20-1:50
Sara Watkins
The one and only gal who spent much of her life with bluegrass icons Nickel Creek, has been plugging her debut solo album that she released last year, which featured Heartbreaker keyboardist Benmont Tench and was produced by Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones. There’s no telling who will be joining her onstage, but I’d bet money on her brother and Nickel Creek cohort, Sean, being there. She’s playing Sunday on the West Stage from 3:30-4:30
She & Him
The indie folk band led by actress/singer Zooey Deschanel and folk troubadour M. Ward plays Sunday on the West Stage from 6:45-8:00
Smashing Pumpkins
Although only Billy Corgan remains, you can’t deny the impact, influence and importance of the Pumpkins music. Founding drummer Jimmy Chamberlin left the band last year, and was replaced with twenty-year old Mike Byrne, who was just three-years old when Corgan wrote songs like “Disarm”, “Today” and “Cherub Rock”, which were featured on the album Siamese Dream. They headline Saturday night on the West Stage, from 10:45-12:30
Spoon
This indie rock band sensation from Austin plays Sunday on the West Stage from 8:45-10:00
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
The indie punk rockers from D.C. who incorporate elements of folk and dub into their sound plays Sunday on the East Stage from 9:40-10:20
The Tillers
One of my favorite Cincinnati area bands (not to mention they’re some of the most intelligent and humble groups of musicians I’ve ever met) will be playing their main Forecastle set Saturday on the East Stage from 2:10-2:40, but word has it that they’ll be busking all over the grounds all day long.
Umphrey’s McGee
The progressive jam rockers who were founded at the University of Notre Dame play Saturday on the West Stage from 2:15-3:45
Widespread Panic
Yet another one of Athens, Georgia’s most prominent (and one of jam rock’s most successful aside from Phish), mark their return to Forecastle with a headlining performance Friday on the West Stage from 9:45-12:15
500 Miles to Memphis
These guys are fresh off a several month long nationwide tour supporting their 2010 sophomore release and it’ll be a nice sorta-homecoming when they make their Forecastle debut Sunday on the East Stage from 3:50-4:20