Posted in Black Pumas, De La Soul, Guster, Hozier, Newport Folk Festival, Newport, RI, The War on Drugs, Tinariwen on July 26, 2024| Leave a Comment »
[DID NOT ATTEND: July 31-August 2, 2020] Newport Folk Festival
We went to Newport Folk Festival in 2019. We’ve had a kind of understanding that we would try to go again.
I’ve managed to score tickets for previous years (and then resell them when we couldn’t go). But this year I was shut out instantly. Which is fine as the festival often conflicts with our summer schedule.
(more…)
Posted in Bartees Strange, Billy Strings, Goose, Indigo De Souza, Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, Jon Batiste, Lana Del Ray, Madison Cunningham, Maggie Rogers, Mdou Moctar, My Morning Jacket, Newport Folk Festival, Newport, RI on July 29, 2023| Leave a Comment »
[DID NOT ATTEND: July 31-August 2, 2020] Newport Folk Festival
We went to Newport Folk Festival in 2019. We’ve had a kind of understanding that we would try to go again. So this year, when tickets were announced I jumped online and managed to score four of them!
Then it turned out that the weekend would be massive conflict.
So, after seeing just who would be there, we felt that the whole fest was kind of a big shrug. And it would be no loss to sell the tickets back. Fortunately, Newport has a great system where you just put the tickets back in the pool and who ever is next gets them. (more…)
Posted in Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, Kathleen Edwards, Late Night with David Letterman, Le Poisson Rouge, New York City, Newport Folk Festival, XPN Fest on September 26, 2021| Leave a Comment »
[ATTENDED: September 25, 2021] Kathleen Edwards
I’ve enjoyed Kathleen Edwards’ music for years. Her album Voyageur is just stunning.
But when that album came out back in 2012, I wasn’t really going to many shows. It wasn’t until a few years later that I got the concert bug again and put Kathleen on my “gotta see” list.
But Kathleen had other ideas. After Voyageur, she took a break from music. In 2014, she launched a coffee house in Stittsville, Ottawa called Quitters. And it seemed like she might never play again (even though she said she would). So I left her on my “maybe, someday” list.
Then in 2019, she played the WXPNFest (the same weekend that we were going to the Newport Folk Festival–I was a wee bit surprised she didn’t play Newport too). I kind of assumed that it was a one-off return and that would be that.
But an album soon followed. And then earlier this year it was announced that she was playing The Met Philly. But as an opening act for Jason Isbell, who I did not want to see. [It’s one thing going to a show for the opening act, but it’s another if you don’t actually like the headline]. So, again, I was out of luck.
But then she announced a show in New York City at Le Poisson Rouge. And even though LPR is hugely inconvenient for me and it cost extra in tolls and parking, I’m so glad I went to the LPR show rather than the other two. If for no other reason than the other two shows were all of 9 songs while this one was 16. And the LPR crowd were there to see her! And they sang along, and she was pretty tickled with us all. (more…)
Posted in Cancelled, Coronavirus, Jersey City, NJ, Kraftwerk, Marshall Poole, Newport Folk Festival, Philadelphia, PA, Prism Bitch, Quarantine, The National, Union Transfer, White Eagle Hall on July 30, 2021| Leave a Comment »
[POSTPONED: July 30, 2021] Built to Spill [rescheduled from July 31, 2020; moved to May 13, 2022]
I’m not entirely sure if this show was even scheduled. It seemed to show up on their website and then was taken down.
Whatever the case, they are officially on the calendar for 2022, and I’m really looking forward to seeing this new line up.
~~~~
I’ve seen Built to Spill a bunch of times. The last time I promised myself I wouldn’t get too close to the stage, but I did. The problem with being so close is the way Doug Martsch has his guitar set up. His amp is right next to him and it is so loud. From where I was you could barely hear anything else. Of course I’m there to watch Doug play, so it’s not too bad. But I promised myself I would stand back to fully appreciate his band.
On this newly announced tour, his whole band was going to be different. In fact, I have seen at least three different lineups for the band over the years. This tour was going to feature drummer Teresa Esguerra of Prism Bitch (who opened for Built To Spill last time) and bassist Melanie Radford of Marshall Poole. I knew it would be a very different show.
Unfortunately, I had tickets to Kraftwerk on July 30 and tickets for The national on July 31 (not to mention we were supposed to leave for the Newport Folk Festival on the night of the 31st as well). So I sure hope he keeps this line up when he;s ready to play again. And I will stand back and take it all in.
Posted in Alabama Shakes, Alexi Murdoch, Andrew Bird, Barrie, Big Thief, Black Pumas, Brittany Howard, Cancelled, Coronavirus, Daughter of Swords, Deer Tick, Delta Spirit, Drive-By Truckers, Early James, EOB, Erin Rae, Grace Potter, Hawktail, Ian Noe, Joseph, Lee Fields, Mandolin Orange, Mandy Moore, Muzz, Natalie Hemby, Nathaniel Rateliff, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Newport Folk Festival, Newport, RI, Norah Jones, Phoebe Bridgers, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Puss N Boots, Quarantine, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Randy Newman, Resistance Revival Chorus, Sampa the Great, Sharon Van Etten, Steve Gunn, Sunny War, Sylvan Esso, The Ballroom Thieves, The Marcus King Band, The National, The Secret Sisters, Tré Burt, Vagabon, Watkins Family Hour, Waxahatchee, William Tyler, Yola on July 31, 2020| Leave a Comment »
[CANCELLED: July 31-August 2, 2020] Newport Folk Festival
Last year we took the whole family to two days of the Newport Folk Festival. It was a fun experience for the most part. Both kids were exhausted and my son decided he’d rather stay in the hotel than go on the second day. However, this year he said he;d like to go again, so since the 2020 Festival was cancelled, maybe next year all four of us will go again.
I was not surprised that the Festival was cancelled. But it was still a shock when it happened on April 29th.
Here’s the formal message
Dear Folk-
This is the letter I was praying I wouldn’t have to write, feeling we need the healing powers of live music more now than ever. It is with the heaviest of hearts we announce the cancellation of the 2020 Newport Folk Festival. As devastating as it is to write those words, it’s balanced with a renewed sense of, well, HOPE. It’s Rhode Island’s motto for good reason and it’s also the feeling you, our festival family, constantly exudes when we come together in good times and perhaps more importantly, in difficult times as well. This community is truly unlike any other in music, and I believe we can emerge from this hardship stronger and more connected than ever before.
However, while your safety was at the core of the present decision, your support will be at the core of our future viability. Our ability to produce this festival in 2021 – and continue making a lasting difference in the lives of artists, students and music lovers like yourselves – is in your hands. Quite simply, we need your help.
Due to the financial and institutional uncertainties we find ourselves in, we believe the most trusting and direct course of action is to let the ticket holders decide where their ticket dollars should go. We have sent all ticket holders an email mapping out three options: 1) donate all or a portion of your ticket that will go directly towards ensuring our festival for 2021 while continuing our support for artists and educators; 2) apply your refund towards a 2021 Revival Membership – a new and one-time offer we’ve created specifically to ensure our future and provide these members with 3-day tickets to the 2021 festival (remaining memberships will be offered to the general public directly after the request period); and 3) receive a 100% full refund if desired.
For those of you who didn’t have tickets for this year, PLEASE consider making a tax-deductible donation. Help us continue these festivals, support year-round music education initiatives, and provide grants to artists in need.
I want to personally thank our founder George Wein, our staff, our Board of Directors, the City of Newport, and the DEM for their continued efforts. And, offer a personal note of gratitude to Rhode Island Governor, Gina Raimondo, for her leadership and counsel in prioritizing our well being in making the decision to cancel the festival.
Although we won’t be able to gather at the Fort this summer, rest assured we have invited ALL the announced artists to join us next year. In the meantime, we promise we will all commune one way or another on our festival weekend. As always, we have some secret surprises in store as well, so stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks. Until then, stay strong and folk on.
Posted in Cancelled, Coronavirus, Jersey City, NJ, Kraftwerk, Marshall Poole, Newport Folk Festival, Philadelphia, PA, Prism Bitch, Quarantine, The National, Union Transfer, White Eagle Hall on July 30, 2020| Leave a Comment »
[POSTPONED: July 30/July 31, 2020] Built to Spill [White Eagle Hall show moved to July 30, 2021]
I’ve seen Built to Spill a bunch of times. The last time I promised myself I wouldn’t get too close to the stage, but I did. The problem with being so close is the way Doug Martsch has his guitar set up. His amp is right next to him and it is so loud. From where I was you could barely hear anything else. Of course I’m there to watch Doug play, so it’s not too bad. But I promised myself I would stand back to fully appreciate his band.
On this newly announced tour, his whole band was going to be different. In fact, I have seen at least three different lineups for the band over the years. This tour was going to feature drummer Teresa Esguerra of Prism Bitch (who opened for Built To Spill last time) and bassist Melanie Radford of Marshall Poole. I knew it would be a very different show.
Unfortunately, I had tickets to Kraftwerk on July 30 and tickets for The national on July 31 (not to mention we were supposed to leave for the Newport Folk Festival on the night of the 31st as well). So I sure hope he keeps this line up when he;s ready to play again. And I will stand back and take it all in.
Posted in Asbury Park, NJ, Cancelled, Coronavirus, Newport Folk Festival, Phish, Quarantine, The Stone Pony Summer Stage, Trey Anastasio, Trey Anastasio Band on May 24, 2020| Leave a Comment »
[CANCELLED: May 24, 2020] Trey Anastasio Band
I have seen Trey Anastasio once solo at Newport Folk Festival (amazing) and with the Trey Anastasio Band (super fun). I didn’t expect him to tour so soon because Phish is playing in Atlantic City this summer. So it was great to see that he was going to do two shows this summer.
It’s a bummer that this show was cancelled, not to be rescheduled, but this show also wound up conflicting with my friend Armando’s wedding party so technically I wasn’t going to be able to go. I was trying to trade for a ticket to the Saturday show, but that’s moot now.
TAB cancelled their show pretty early (Mar 24) for a show that was all the way at the end of May, but it was better not to have to wait. So far, Phish hasn’t cancelled their shows on August 14-16, but we’ll see.
Posted in Kasvot Växt, Kurtis Blow, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Madison Square Garden, New York City, Newport Folk Festival, Phish, Taj Mahal, The Velvet Underground on December 30, 2019| Leave a Comment »
[ATTENDED: December 30, 2019] Phish
After last night’s show, I really didn’t have high hopes for knocking out a bunch of songs. I realize they don’t know what’s on my list, but it sometimes feels like they do and they keep spacing them out to make sure I come back.
For this show I had seats that I bought in the lottery. I never get good seats in the Phish lottery, but the tickets themselves are very cool–colorful and quite lovely. But I was up in the 200s for this show. And once again my row-mates were lame. Or maybe I’m the lame one. Whatever the case, this was my first show where I could see the video screen. The video screen is pretty terrible because the audio and video are out of synch. However, it did allow me to take a few good pictures of the guys.
Tonight’s trip into the city was much better. I’d picked a garage in the village, six blocks from Le Poisson Rouge, and this time I knew I’d be able to make the afterparty (Garcia Peoples, Chris Forsyth, Ryley Walker). I also managed to go into MSG through a different entrance (I really wish I could keep track of which entrances are the best). I managed to get the shirt that I liked (sold out last night) and get to my seat with ample time to spare. Let it be known that there is FAR LESS ROOM in the 200s than in the 100s!
But the lights soon dimmed and Trey played the four opening notes that can only mean one thing–“Wilson!” The very first time I saw Phish, they opened with “Wilson” and it was a wonderful moment. And sure, I’ve seen it four times, but it is such a great, exciting song live–so much crowd interaction–that I knew it would be a fun night. (more…)
Posted in Canadian Content, Canadian Music, Christmas, Christmas Album, Hingston & Olsen, Kathleen Edwards, Letters, Newport Folk Festival, San Francisco, CA, Short Story, The Short Story Advent Calendar, West End Phoenix, XPN Fest on December 19, 2019| 1 Comment »
SOUNDTRACK: KATHLEEN EDWARDS-“It’s Christmastime (Let’s Just Survive)” (2019).
I really like Kathleen Edwards and I was so delighted to hear that she was coming out of … semi-retirement?… this summer. In the last few years, she has opened up her own coffee shop, in Stittsville, Ontario called Quitters Coffee [road trip?].
I couldn’t believe that she played XPN Fest on the year that we had tickets to the Newport Folk Festival. I had hoped she’s play Newport as well, but sadly no. She played two new songs and a few older ones and her voice sounds great (thanks YouTube). In the spirit of coming back, she has released this wryly amusing Christmas song. Like many of her songs, there is a nice mix of humor and bite in this song–set to a very catchy melody.
With a slow lap steel guitar starting the song, she begins
It’s a wonderful time where we all descend to my parent’s house in the West End. [Hope they subscribe to the West End Phoenix].
Then the song gets to the point:
Uncle Dave and Susan bring their feral cat / and homemade wine that tastes like crap.
There’s a few more examples of amusingly bad Christmas happenings. One of my favorites is
Someone let the dog lick the gravy boat / and now the air in here unbearable
I also enjoyed this line, because it hits home:
You have a meltdown when we play scrabble / Its not my fault you’re only left with vowels.
Musically, the song is quite lovely. There’s a pretty bridge where she sings lyrics that sound sweet until you listen closely, “tell me a story we’ve heard before and drag it out even more.”
And just when you think the song is only dark and cynical, the instrumental break adds a refrain of Kathleen quietly singing “meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow.”
I truly hope that this song gets played a lot during this and future holidays. It may not make it to #1 like “All I Want for Christmas is You,” but it’s a lot more honest–and really catchy.
I’m so excited that Kathleen is back that I’m posting the video for the song right here!
I have also just learned that this song comes from a new Christmas album called A Dualtone Christmas. (although I don’t really like much else on it).
[READ: December 19, 2019] “Letter from San Francisco”
This year, S. ordered me The Short Story Advent Calendar. This is my fourth time reading the Calendar. I didn’t know about the first one until it was long out of print (sigh), but each year since has been very enjoyable. Here’s what they say this year
The Short Story Advent Calendar is back! And to celebrate its fifth anniversary, we’ve decided to make the festivities even more festive, with five different coloured editions to help you ring in the holiday season.
No matter which colour you choose, the insides are the same: it’s another collection of expertly curated, individually bound short stories from some of the best writers in North America and beyond.
(This is a collection of literary, non-religious short stories for adults. For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.)
As always, each story is a surprise, so you won’t know what you’re getting until you crack the seal every morning starting December 1. Once you’ve read that day’s story, check back here to read an exclusive interview with the author.
Want a copy? Order one here.
I’m pairing music this year with some Christmas songs that I have come across this year.
This story is indeed a letter from San Francisco.
There are a few things redacted from it–the sender and the recipient’s names and two lines in the middle which are the details of their huge fight. (more…)
Posted in Geddy Lee, Illiterate Light, My Morning Jacket, Neil Young, Newport Folk Festival, Philadelphia, PA, Promise of the Real, Rock duo, The Head and the Heart, The Met Philadelphia on October 8, 2019| Leave a Comment »
[ATTENDED: October 8, 2019] Illiterate Light
I had heard of Illiterate Light from NPR, but didn’t really know them. They played at Newport Folk Festival but were early on Saturday and we arrived after them.
Traffic getting to this show was terrible and I was annoyed that we’d miss Illiterate Light (or part of their set anyhow). S. said she didn’t mind missing the opening act as long as we made it for The Head and the Heart.
We walked in just as Illiterate Light took the stage and we got seated around the middle of the first song. And I couldn’t get over how loud they were (particularly opening for a not-especially-loud band like The Head and the Heart). They had big rocking guitar and crashing drums.
Then I looked up and realized that there were only two of them on stage. (more…)
I Just Read About That... 