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Post by steveternal on Mar 31, 2015 8:47:53 GMT -5
First, thanks to those of you who influenced me to come again this year. It's such a stretch to make it work, time-wise, and I miss many acts I want to see, but even still I think I came out on top. Even my wife says I "need" this.
OK, a rough Top 5:
1) Zs - maybe it just came along at the right time, but this one hit it for me. This wasn't a show from which I was expecting much, so no expectations helped. But really, Zs epitomized Big Ears for me: it owned the tension between the intellect and the visceral, chaos and order, impulse and discipline. It was fascinating; it was fun. It reminded me why I come to this festival. 2) tUnE-yArDs - not getting out to shows much, a big name tourer is still novel to me. I owed it to my wife to sit up close, and it was worth it. Just solid all the way around. 3) Kronos Quartet: Folk Songs - Of all the Kronos performances (of which I saw most), this was my favorite. It didn't have the biggest co-bill, the most hype, or even the best program. But this loose collection of folk music from the widest array of international cultures put the Quartet through their paces and demonstrated what makes them among the very best quartets in the world: their unparalleled versatility. Rhiannon Gibbon's appearance put it over the top. 4) Max Richter - Saw only half of each performance ("Infra" and "Vivaldi: Recomposed", respectively), however Max's lush beauty was arresting whether you dipped in for 5 minutes for immersed yourself for 90. Superb performances by all the players, as well. 5) HIVE - This show really was about the sum of its parts: interesting orchestration of an interesting composition performed on an interesting set design. Tyondai's vision worked.
Honorables: Swans, Bill Frisell, William Tyler, Holly Herndon, Steve Gunn, Kronos ad infinitum
Highlights: Inforoo brunch and making friends (loved bumping into y'all all weekend), fangirling at meeting Bill Frisell and also Terry Riley, free weekend parking, NotMitchelBade letting me crash on his couch again, watching Swans from the box, bringing my bike (the BEST decision), the really nice woman who repeatedly checked my backpack at the Tennessee Theater.
Post by Dave Maynar on Mar 31, 2015 8:53:46 GMT -5
HIVE was so much better than I expected it to be. For me, it was the prime example of what abrakapokus was talking about with youtube videos not effectively communicating how good some of the artists at the festival were.
His post also reminded me that one of my favorite moments of the weekend was when steveternal were waiting on Zs to start and Simeon from Silver Apples walked up to us and asked us who he needed to talk to about the guest list. Steve just exudes authority, I guess.
Amen Dunes and Ryley Walker were both pretty great. I especially liked that I got to watch Amen Dunes sound check for a long whole. It was interesting to see how he set up his sound and interacted with the crew.
I listened to Way Out Weather on my ride home today. It makes me sad that I didn't complete the trifecta of Walker/Amen Dune/Steve Gunn. Did anyone see him this go round? I feel like steveternal did but I don't think he said how he was.
Gunn? Yes, very good. In truth, I would say it was "meh", except for those transcendent psychedelic interludes in every song. It came alive when he stopped singing and just focussed on his guitar.
It was sometime on Saturday when I realized what a wealth of exceptional guitarists were booked for the fest this year. In addition to your trifecta, there was Frisell, Cline, and William Tyler.
HIVE was so much better than I expected it to be. For me, it was the prime example of what abrakapokus was talking about with youtube videos not effectively communicating how good some of the artists at the festival were.
His post also reminded me that one of my favorite moments of the weekend was when steveternal were waiting on Zs to start and Simeon from Silver Apples walked up to us and asked us who he needed to talk to about the guest list. Steve just exudes authority, I guess.
And I wasn't even wearing my clerical collar.
But yeah, you and I were talking about it then, but it bears repeating: you know you're at a good fest when you constantly see the artists checking out other shows. I saw Jarmusch so many times it lost significance. The barrier between performer and attendee is largely removed. You feel less like a fan attending a show, and more like you've been immersed in a world of creativity, and that you are a part of it.
I listened to Way Out Weather on my ride home today. It makes me sad that I didn't complete the trifecta of Walker/Amen Dune/Steve Gunn. Did anyone see him this go round? I feel like steveternal did but I don't think he said how he was.
Gunn? Yes, very good. In truth, I would say it was "meh", except for those transcendent psychedelic interludes in every song. It came alive when he stopped singing and just focussed on his guitar.
It was sometime on Saturday when I realized what a wealth of exceptional guitarists were booked for the fest this year. In addition to your trifecta, there was Frisell, Cline, and William Tyler.
Oh, for sure. I was thinking modern gunslingers (no pun intended). Tyler always has a special spot in my heart. I saw Frisell play with Sam Amidon while waiting for Ben Frost. He was exceptional, as always.
Post by steveternal on Mar 31, 2015 9:41:05 GMT -5
Nice review from RS. I enjoyed this insight into the Riley/Kronos/Anderson jam from Friday night:
"We didn't have any rehearsal with Laurie, because she didn't get there in time," Kronos Quartet founder David Harrington says about the rare improv session from a group usually seen with sheet music. "We didn't even run it, once. We talked about it backstage. It started a few weeks ago, 'cause Terry said, 'Well, gee, if Laurie's gonna be there why don't we do a jam? They had never met in all these years. All I said was, 'It's gonna be in D. You can't go wrong if you play in D.'"
I'm so happy I made it down for this. big ears was such a cool experience, unlike anything I've ever attended. and like steveternal mentioned, it was so cool to see the barrier between artists and attendees be so minimal - the number of times I ended up standing next to capp dawg was ridiculous. I tried not to fangirl too much.
actually, there was a moment where I was at the standard and went to use the restroom. capp dawg was back there near the stairs just chillin. when I was in the bathroom I was like, "okay. just go out there, and if he's not talking to anyone, just introduce yourself, say thanks...." and I walk out, he's not talking to anyone. I stood back about 15 feet away thinking "okay, just say hi...." and then did a "nope nope nope I can't do it." and got way too nervous about it.
anyway, I had a great time. lots of music discoveries, got to spend the weekend with a group of my best friends, and see a bunch of you lovely people!
most shockingly awesome show: tanya tagaq - we went in just to check it out and get the experience of seeing her... we left thinking "HOLY SHIT. we should have gotten there sooner... because my god..."
I can't stop thinking about that perfume genius show, though.
oh, speaking of that. here's NotMitchelBade (and Dave Maynar!) like 8 mimosas + many more beverages deep at perfume genius. mess.
Brian Eno Rhys Chatham Thurston Moore/Caught On Tape/any other project he is working on. William Basinski Hauschka Tara Jane O'Neil Disappears Doldrums
E: Boredoms performing Boadrum (what number I'm unsure of) in Krutch Park.
I'd be excited by any and all on your list, Steve. Especially, Zorn and Braxton.
Last Edit: Mar 31, 2015 15:53:57 GMT -5 by Deleted - Back to Top
Africa Express Presents Terry Riley’s In C Mali Brad Mehldau Armen Nalbandian Vijay Iyer Wadada Leo Smith Roscoe Mitchell Jim O'Rourke Sufjan Stevens Andy Stott Pharmakon Forest Swords Julianna Barwick Fuck Buttons Jon Hopkins The Haxan Cloak Tinariwen Bitchin Bajas Sun Araw Godspeed You! Black Emperor Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra
The experiment has worked, so far: attendance rose to nearly 2,500 per day this year, up 40 percent from 2014, according to Ashley Capps, founder of AC Entertainment, the Knoxville-based concert producer that runs the event.
The experiment has worked, so far: attendance rose to nearly 2,500 per day this year, up 40 percent from 2014, according to Ashley Capps, founder of AC Entertainment, the Knoxville-based concert producer that runs the event.
More people, huh? Because, on the whole, I never felt like there were *too many* people at a given show or event. Good to know.
I remember looking back during Perfume Genius and seeing the theater only half full. I kept asking myself "what is WRONG with people?". It should have been packed to the rafters, imo. That said, I only saw one show that was at capacity, which I didn't know it was till I left.
Brian Eno Rhys Chatham Thurston Moore/Caught On Tape/any other project he is working on. William Basinski Hauschka Tara Jane O'Neil Disappears Doldrums
With Stars Of The Lid announcing a show, that has become my #1 most wanted act. Make it happen, AC. I'll totes bake you some cookies.
Last Edit: Apr 9, 2015 12:53:48 GMT -5 by Deleted - Back to Top
Post by steveternal on Apr 13, 2015 10:39:26 GMT -5
I don't get to say this kind of thing, especially to garageland, but I've seen Hauschka, opening for múm in 2008. It was an intimate show, and my wife and I were near the front so I could easily see how he had prepared his piano. Very nice performance; would fit well at BE for sure.
I don't get to say this kind of thing, especially to garageland, but I've seen Hauschka, opening for múm in 2008. It was an intimate show, and my wife and I were near the front so I could easily see how he had prepared his piano. Very nice performance; would fit well at BE for sure.
Then I realized I was just jealous. He was back in the States the week after Big Ears. I was convinced he was gonna play.
