DevO

balls! i can't make it.. going to the rex for a birthday party jazz jam a lama.

Good review, beauty format most of all. That Sigur Ros set was damn good! What'd you think of Edgar Meyer on the bass? Too bad you didn't see Ghostland Observatory, I think you'd dig em.

I thought tix were $40 for Dr. John....

- I always thought "an evening with" indicated that there will be two sets instead of one. - Maybe they have an alternative set-up option at MSG which reduces the size of the venue. - Along similar lines, Feist has a gig coming up at the ACC, with Hayden opening. Is any more ambitious than MMJ at MSG? Same here!

Here's my Bonnaroo story.. This will probably be long, rambling and not articulate enough. I'm tired, crabby and coming down! It was an amazing week. We had a 4-car caravan heading down to Manchester.. My car first drove to Chicago last Tuesday night to pick someone up there.. Got in early morning, slept a bit, then walked around Chicago for a few hours during the day. Great city, nice Frank Gehry designed public ampitheatre and footbridge being the highlights. We left Chicago around Midnight on Wednesday night so that we could meet with the other cars in Manchester on Thursday morning. Getting to our campsite took around 4 hours or so if I recall.. For AD and Dima, we were stationed in section 9, pretty far back, sorta in the north-east of the site. A good 15 minute walk to the rainbow entrance gate. All 4 cars were able to caravan in and we had a big camp set-up which was sweet. I am thoroughly impressed with the high level of organization at Bonnaroo. They run a tight ship and have taken everything into account: waste management, water points, food availability, spacing between stages, sound quality, art installations, availability of staff onsite, entrance/exit strategies into/out of the festival, watering the main roads during the hot mid-day to reduce dust, etc etc etc. The effort put into it all is obvious and admirable. The scheduling on the 4th day was a little confusing, as the Bonnaroo Beacon (the daily newspaper) and the official Guide had difffering schedules and neither of them seemed to be exactly correct.. Leading some of my friends to miss Israel Vibration. The only other thing is that they could've used another bathroom station or two inside Centeroo (the area where all the stages and everything else is). One to the left of "The Other Tent" would have been a good spot for eg. Onto the music! THURSDAY Nomo > Group Fantasma > Battles > K'Naan > Dark Star Orchestra The very first act that I caught turned out to be one of the highlights for me. NOMO played in the tiny Troo Music Lounge in the early evening on Thursday and took the crowd by surprise with their massive powerful New Orleans style horns section layered on top of a steady afrobeat rhythm and song. They did a good job getting the audience dancing and participating. I believe JayDawg has these guys coming to Toronto in the next week or two and its only like 10 bucks, very highly recommended!! Then it was onto GROUPO FANTASMA at the much larger "That Tent". They were great as well and a Thursday night highlight for a lot fo my friends, but for me they paled in comparison to what I'd just seen with NOMO. I'm way more partial to Afro rhythms than to Latin American ones by default though. Anyways, everyone danced and they were tight. I grazed the outside of the BATTLES set and they were making some seriously weird noises, really pushing the audience I bet. I didn't engage for long but they sounded intriguing. I heard lots of good reviews later... Caught a song or two from K'NAAN and wasn't really feeling it, so kept on walking.. Then caught DARK STAR ORCHESTRA for my first time. They were tight, sounded good, and yes that guy looks and moves just like Bob Weir. At this point I was feeling the 2 sleepless nights and 18 hours of driving and starting nodding off.. Didn't see all of their set, but enjoyed what I saw. FRIDAY Drive By Truckers > Umphrey's McGee > Bluegrass Allstars > Swell Season > MIA Started off the day with DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS. I've never actually listened to them before but had pretty high hopes mainly cuz of NewRider's endless praises, and they did not fail to impress. It was a good day time set, but with the oppressive heat and my location not entirely at the front, I wasn't givin'r too hard. But they were givin'r pretty hard. I'll definitely be checking out their albums and live show next time they come around. They had SPOONER OLDHAM sitting in - a great session player from the South, often tours with Neil Young. Next I saw UMPHREY'S MCGEE, whom I've never listened to except for a live tape that Tonin gave to me about 7 years ago, which I thought was pretty good at the time. This was probably the only full out jam band I saw all weekend - that's a loaded term of course but I mean they were the only ones I saw doing songs where they change genres like 3 times within one song, change time signatures all over the place, play really hard to play technical compositions, etc etc. They were playing a pretty heavy metal influenced kinda set.. I didn't think they were particularly good at playing heavy metal. Some people were loving it, but I took off after 3 songs or so, so I could get a good spot for The Bluegrass Allstars. On my way over to the next stage, I popped my head into the cinema tent to see what it was like and get some shade for a minute and found Les Claypool doing a Q&A about a movie he has just made. Found out there that he would be in on the Allstar Jam alongside Gogol Bordello. Then it was on to.. THE BLUEGRASS ALLSTARS -- Bela Fleck (banjo), Sam Bush (mando) , Jerry Douglas (dobro), Edgar Meyer (standup bass), Luke Bulla (fiddle), Bryan Sutton (guitar). I managed to get a good spot about 10-15 heads back from the front. Wow!! This was the highlight of Friday day for me. I felt truly priveledged to see so much talent on one stage. Edgar Meyer has moved up to one of my favourite bass players for sure, so much talent and soul. Bela Fleck was his impeccable self, and also debuted a new song or two at the show. Sam Bush provided short bursts of inspiration on the mandolin and his stage banter was hilarious. I love that guy. He also did a good job of taking the piss out of Jerry Douglas, whose stage presence gives the impression that he is a kind of intense/serious kinda guy. Luke Bulla -- I've never heard of this fiddle player but I recall making a mental note to look into him further because he was playing some very inspired music. Bryan Sutton - good but not memorable. Overall a great set, high spirits and high energy, one of the weekend highlights. I caught the last 3 songs of THE SWELL SEASON. Walked in on a pretty dark and sad tune which took some adjusting for me, just coming from the high energy bluegrass set. Then into a song sung by Marketa (the girl), actually my least favourite song on the Once soundtrack. Then a cover of Van's "Into The Mystic", and one more song after that. These last two songs won me over very quickly. Glen Hansard's passion is absolutely infectious and that voice!! Beautiful and just full of soul. He seemed amazed and so pleased with the crowd response, kept thanking everyone endlessly. Glad that I caught at least some of their set. Marketa couldn't keep her eyes off of him, they were quite lovey dovey up there -- that better not be staged! Thousands of people were squished together waiting for MIA to take the stage. I waited around towards the back, no way I was going to squeeze into that crowd. She came on and failed to impress me much. I took off after about 3 songs. Meh. I headed back to the camp to rest up, as I was exhausted from the heat, bodily abuse, etc etc, and had a big night ahead. I was a little bummed to have missed Les Claypool, Willie Nelson and also Chris Rock's comedy set on this day. Ah well. Had a quick nap, fueled up on food, got my drink on back at the site. We could hear the METALLICA set loud and clear from our camp site and throughly enjoyed listening. Acutally I really wish I was there for it -- they fucking ROCKED! That is no exaggeration, and I'd love to see them live some day. A well oiled metal machine from what I heard, and they barely played any new stuff, which is a good thing (for me). Late night -- MY MORNING JACKET!!! The highlight of the weekend. I missed the first few songs of set one. I was far from sober and many details are shady (ie. I have no recollection of Kirk Hammett being there for One Big Holiday, but I remember jumping up and down and fist pumping and yelling during One Big Holiday and it was probably the highlight of the MMJ show for me). The middle of the 1st set featured about 6 "slow" songs in a row which I didn't mind, but a few in my crew who were unfamiliar with MMJ ended up splitting and were never turned on. Understandable sort of, as it was pouring rain super hard and 6 slow songs in a row is a lot. Looking at the setlist, this would include I'm Amazed, Thank You Too, Touch Me Pt 1, Sec Walkin, Golden, Two Halves. I'm sure some of those songs are more rockin than others but hopeflly you can see what I mean. Anyways, MMJ was on fire, just blew me away!! It was my first MMJ show. The rain was pouring down, which actually added to the show for me as I was well equipped with welly's and parka. Set break came and we walked over to the tent where the SUPER JAM was going on: GOGOL BORDELLO and LES CLAYPOOL. I believe Kirk Hammett and maybe others were involved. This was in a tented area which was nice relief from the rain, and the musicians onstage seemed insane. I think they were doing a Tom Waits cover. I dug it and would've loved to stick around but MMJ was beckoning. We headed back to the MMJ show, on teh way walking by the TIESTO show.. He was actually doing a remix of a Tegan & Sara song and it sounded good. It was the perfect music to skip to and I walked back to the epicness of MMJ. Perfect because I really enjoyed TIESTO for the 3 minutes or so it took to walk by, but 3 minutes was just about right. As Tiesto faded out I was right back onboard with MMJ. MMJ second set.... Unfortuantely I can't recount any specifics save to say it was incredible, again the best show of all of Bonnaroo. SATURDAY A bit of a slow start.. Here's what I did during the day Gogol Bordello > Avett Brothers > Levon Helm > GOGOL BORDELLO are crazy, really eclectic mix of gypsy music, Zappa, Waits, darkness and grotesque. They are high energy and so fun to watch, as they're all pretty freaky characters. Highly recommended live. AVETT BROTHERS were enjoyable to listen to under the shade of a tree. I got up close for LEVON HELM, the set I was most excited for for the weekend. Well it didn't turn out to be the musical highlight but it was so good to see Levon up there, all smiles and still rockin. He played mandolin for at least half the set. Lots from Dirt Farmer and a few oldies: Ophelia, Stage Freight (with Larry Campbell doing the Hudson intro on guitar), The Weight, Evangeline, maybe one more? Its a treat enough to hear anyone playing from this great musical catalogue, something that doesn't happen enough IMO, and to see Levon was a real treat. They also had an old blues singer up on stage for a few - Little Sammy Davis I believe. Night time: Pearl Jam > Sigur Ros > Phil Lesh > Ghostland Observatory > Kanye West After a break at the camp, went back and caught the 2nd set of PEARL JAM. This was my first trip to the main stage and I don't really get into gigantic shows like this one very much. But PJ put on a strong performance. It was all about Eddie. He did a good rant on voting and Obama and change and whatnot. Long set, lots of classics from Ten and Vs. Then to SIGUR ROS, who were playing the most beautiful music of the weekend. Any "post-rock" musiicans should have been taking notes. Beautiful, intense, cathartic music was unfolding and the crowd was mesmerized. Saw a few teary-eyed people in the crowd. They had a full horn section too who would play when it was called for. I had a terrible spot for this - right at the front but way off to the side. Really nice music though, it was hard to pull away from it but Phil was on. I only saw 2 songs from PHIL LESH. He stopped abruptly, informing the crowd that the schedule had been changed to accomodate the Kanye West show. Which didn't make sense to me because Kanye was on a different stage. Anyways, thats when the Kanye bashing started, among the Dead heads. Phil sounded good from what I saw though - I danced around to Truckin. Then went to see GHOSTLAND OBSERVATORY. Awesome light show, really oddball high energy electronic dance music, really good. At this point it was late and most of my friends split but I kept wandering around. Watched the silent disco a bit; which was cool to see. Heard a bit of Chali 2na from J5 playing still.. Then started wandering back. I was just at the entrance gate to Centeroo and noticed that thousands of ppl were leaving, and pissed off, and found out that KANYE WEST had not showed up. I found it pretty hilarious, as I couldn't care less and didn't plan to see him anyways. But it was perfect timing for me, as the lights went down onstage just as I was walking by. I decided to check it out, even though it was already just about 5am and I was kinda tired. Walked wayyyyyyy up to the front and couldn't believe how empty the place was compared to the PJ set earlier in the night. He had a big fancy stage set up but I found his music very uninspiring, and couldn't believe he wasn't saying anything to the crowd after coming on 2 hours late! Also the set involved him doing a lot of acting, an art that I don't think he is particular good at. I didn't see any booing going on while he was onstage, though apparently there was lots of booing in the lead-up (which I wasn't there for). Anyways, stuck it out for about 3 songs and decided I'd had my fill.. Got to bed as the sun was coming up. SUNDAY: Israel Vibration > Broken Social Scene (small set on small stage) > Orchestra Baobob > Yonder Mountain String Band > Bombadil > Phil Lesh acoustic > Broken Social Scene (big set) > Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi ISRAEL VIBRATION were a real treat, and actually maybe the highlight of the day. BSS played a very slow and laid back 30 min set on a small stage, the highlight being them taking the piss out of the crowd and creating a little ditty that goes "Put down the bong and vote for Obama; You know that you gotta" which they demanded that the crowd or else they would stop playing. They did all stuff from You Forgot It In People for this set I think. YMSB were good.. Main stage + mid-day heat were 2 strikes against them, but they were good, as I expected they'd be. No surprises to speak of. The PHIL LESH ACOUSTIC (with Larry Campbell, Jackie Greene & Teresa Williams) was really nice. I was blown away by the voice of Jackie Greene.. Who is this guy? Great voice, kind of reminds me of Ryan Adams a bit. The 2nd BSS set was pretty good, but I took it in from on the grass in the back. They did the Bong/Obama song again and threatened all of America that Canada will take them to war if they elect another Republican. Some of the stuff he says, I tell ya.. (Kevin Drew, that is) Its all pretty hilarious but in a sorta cynical/pompous kind way. Damn rock stars! I sat down and waited for the Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi set, and fell asleep.. Woke up and they were playing and I was utterly exhausted and not particularly digging the gospel/r&b kinda set and called it a day. Drove to Nashville and crashed for 5 hours in a cheap hotel (had a shower, ate Waffle House), then woke up at 6am on Monday and drove 19 hours (Nashville > Chicago > Toronto). That's it! If you've read this entire thing, send me your address and I will mail you a medal. Kev

Please see below for a volunteer opportunity to help out Dignitas International. If you have any questions please contact my friend at: taravanderwel@gmail.com. They are really short volunteers that day and could really use the help. Dear friends, I am sending this email to request your assistance – in the form of a volunteer commitment. I have recently signed on to serve as the Volunteer Coordinator for Dignitas International Race for Dignity. Dignitas International is a Canadian NGO that was started by Dr. James Orbinski (you might have seen/heard about him in the news recently with the publishing of his book). Dignitas works in Africa to provide life-saving ARV medication to HIV/AIDS infected persons, as well as prevention knowledge and HIV/AIDS testing. (www.dignitasinternational.org) The Race for Dignity is a 10 hour Spin-a-thon held at Yonge/Dundas Square on Saturday, July 5th, from noon until 10pm. This is Dignitas' major fundraising event of the year. Last year they raised $300 000, and their goal this year is to double it. I am asking you to consider joining the volunteer team, for a short commitment – a 2 to 3 hour shift - on the day of the event. We need help with logistics (particular pre and post event), but also with the entertainment team (managing VIPS, working the merchandise table) and with managing the participants. So please think about it, they are short volunteers and the volunteers are key to the success of the day. If you're not too keen to volunteer you could always organize your own team to participate in the actual spin-a-thon. Though it's a much bigger time commitment, its way better exercise (unless you're the water bottle delivery volunteer, keeping those cyclists hydrated…) Think about it and let me know. Much thanks, Tara ps. Maybe you have friends or family that would like help too? Spread the word....

me too

Where was this guy in 2001 when they went into Afghanistan?

Not to be confused with "Farther Along" of course. For me, one song sums it up: Tennesee Jed - GD - Europe '72

Hey D-Rawk, hope you have a good bday filled with soju and ajumma dreams!

http://www.econolodge.com/ires/en-US/html/HotelInfo?hotel=TN556&sid=nWyYg.DLuymgDToM.5&sarea=85045&sname=Nashville&sstate=TN&scountry=US&sradius=40.23&slat=36.1658&slon=-86.7844&schain=A&exp=&scity=&sort=&type=&map=n&nroom=1&nadult1=1&nchild1=0&nadult2=1&nchild2=0&nadult3=1&nchild3=0&nadult4=1&nchild4=0&nadult5=1&nchild5=0 One of our crew had a bunch of points of some kind so we managed to get the room for free.. I don't think its very expensive though, and yes there's an outdoor pool. Do it up!

That set sounds coool.. But its competing with Phil & Friends, Sigur Ros, and I think Chromeo. Actually a few of the other schedule changes worked out for the better. Israel Vibes got switched to Sunday. Somehow I can now manage to squeeze in BSS on the sonic stage. I am getting pretty damn excited!!! When are you heading down AD? My crew is driving to Chicago tomorrow night to pick up 1 more passenger, then hanging out in Chicago on Wednesday, and leaving Chicago around Midnight to head straight to Manchester. As for our exit, we've got a hotel room booked in Nashville on Sunday night so we can bathe and sleep semi-comfortably before truckin home on Monday.

It is possible to catch some of Trucks and BSS, but sounds like it takes too long to get in and out of the main stage (where Plant/Krauss are playing). Tough call. I wonder what the Trucks/Tedeschi Soul Strew Revival is all about.

I'm pretty sure the show at Harbourfront Centre show is free Sarah! Double check on the HC site.

The weatherman was wrong again.. It barely rained at all in downtown Toronto.

There's a tornado watch on for the City of Toronto right now! The sky is getting pretty dark and crazy right now. Here's a good radar link: http://www.intellicast.com/National/Radar/Current.aspx?location=USNY0124&animate=true And the official word for the feds: http://weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?onrm126

i knew you'd say that! haha.

Happy birthday!

I hear ya AD.. I have only a few absolute must-see's.. Levon Helm, MMJ, Phil, Sigur Ros. Silent disco.. Is that where everyone brings their iPods and dances while listening to different music? Sounds weird.

Hot damn, thanks! Tons of info on there! I haven't had much time to prep for Bonnaroo at all, so I haven't done almost any reading up. (Which is very unlike me).

AD & Dima and whoever else is going: What is your username on bonnaroo.com, to compare schedules? Just curious.. I am "esquandolas".

Yeah, finding shade and taking time to chill will be really important I imagine for sure, and will take place whenever needed. Plus I just bought a big vietnamese hat today in China Town. AD, your responses have an underlying tone of confidence in being able to move between stages quickly, which is good to see! Can't wait!!

Just looking at the schedule for Bonnaroo, and there are some serious decisions to be made with artists show times overlapping on different stages. Some are not as difficult as others. What would you do in these situations?? 1) - Les Claypool vs. - The Swell Season vs. - Bluegrass Allstars (Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, etc) I think I'll be going with the Bluegrass Allstars, but its still a bummer to have to miss the first two. 2) Willie Nelson vs. MIA Both shows have huge appeal, in very different ways. What is Willie like live? To be honest, I am not hugely familiar with his catalogue but would feel bad to miss him. As for MIA, I've got a lot of friends who rave about her live show all the time. 3) - Battles vs. - K'Naan Any thoughts? 4) - Little Feat vs. - Gogol Bordello 5) - Phil & Friends vs. - Sigur Ros vs. - Chromeo / Ghostland Observatory Phil has a 4-hour late night set but Sigur Ros' 2 hour set is jammed in between there. I'm obviously going to see Phil, but Sigur Ros is a hard one to turn down for me, so I'll probably do some of both. 6) - Orchestra Baobab vs. - Robert Randolph's Revival vs. - Ladytron I'll be going to see Orchestra Baobab. 7) - Robert Plant & Allison Krauss vs. - Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi vs. - Broken Social Scene That's it. Decisions decisions!

Go git 'em Rev!

Except its all in Korean.