Electric Forest, “the new Rothbury,” will be held from June 30-July 3 in Rothbury, Michigan.  This year, the infamous Sherwood forest is speculated to be “bigger and better than ever!”  Honestly, if you’ve never experienced the awe of the forest, what are you waiting for?  It will be a vision you’ll never forget!

Tickets go on sale March 5th at 11am.  Early bird tickets will cost $199 for a four-day pass that includes camping.

Electric Forest’s complete list of confirmed performers is as follows:

Pickathon – Indie Roots Music Festival – has announced its 2011 lineup! Experience the 13th annual festival at the amazing 80 acre grounds of Pendarvis Farm on Mt. Scott near Portland, OR.  Pickathon provides on of the best summer festival lineups of the year.  No other festival brings you this mix of music.  It is true music lover’s paradise!

The Lineup:

Mavis Staples
Bill Callahan
Lee Fields & The Expressions
Califone
Damien Jurado
Thao
Fruit Bats
Ray Wylie Hubbard
Vetiver
Laura Veirs
Brownout
The Wilders
The Sadies
Richard Swift
Pine Leaf Boys
The Builders and The Butchers
Danny Barnes
Sonny & The Sunsets
Whitey Morgan & The 78’s
Mike + Ruthy
Black Lillies
Strand of Oaks
Elliott Brood
Bruce Molsky
Ages and Ages
Joy Kills Sorrow
Charlie Parr
Old Light
Ted Jones and The Tarheel Boys
Buffalo Killers
Pokey LaFarge
Rock Plaza Central
Truckstop Darlin’
Cahalen Morrison & Eli West
Diane Ferlatte

Bonnaroo 2011 will be held June 9-12 in beautiful Manchester, TN! This is the widely appraised festival’s 10th anniversary, and we know that those of you who continuously frequent the grounds have a true appreciation for the artistry that engulfs you once you set foot in this noteworthy atmosphere.  For those of you who have yet to experience the wonders of this festival, we strongly encourage that you check out the lineup that will be announced today at 11am central time.    We promise that reading it will lead to sparked interest and an unforgettable summer trip!

What you’ve all been waiting for, the 2011 lineup:
Eminem
Arcade Fire
Widespread Panic
The Black Keys
Buffalo Springfield feat Richie Furay, Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Rick Rosas, Joe Vitale
My Morning Jacket
Lil Wayne
String Cheese Incident
Robert Plant & Band of Joy
Mumford & Sons
The Strokes
The Decemberists
Ray Lamontagne
Bassnectar
Iron & Wine
Girl Talk
Primus
Dr. John and The Original Meters performing Desitively Bonnaroo
Alison Krauss and Union Station
Pretty Light
Florence & the Machine
Superjam ft. Dan Auerbach and Dr. John
Explosions in the Sky
STS9
Gogol Bordello
Beirut
Big Boi Scissor Sisters
Gregg Allman
Ratatat
Global Gypsy Punk Revue curated by Eugene Hütz
Robyn
Warren Haynes Band
Deerhunter
Opeth
Atmosphere
Old Crow Medicine Show
Bootsy Collins & the Funk University
Wiz Khalifa
Matt & Kim
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
The Del McCoury Band and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Mavis Staples
Béla Fleck & the Flecktones
Chiddy Bang
Javanotti
Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers
Loretta Lynn
Cold War Kids
The Walkmen
Devotchka
Wanda Jackson
Neon Trees
Portugal. The Man
Sleigh Bells
Amos Lee
Best Coast
Dãm-Funk
The Sword
The Drums
The Black Angels
School of Seven Bells
J. Cole
Nicole Atkins & the Black Sea
Wavves
!!!
Junip
Freelance Whales
Justin Townes Earle
Ryan Bingham
Deer Tick
Band of Skulls
Sharon Van Etten
Abigail Washburn
Omar Souleyman
Twin Shadow
Kylesa
Man Man
The Low Anthem
Alberta Cross
Railroad Earth
Jessica Lea Mayfield
Smith Westerns
The Head and the Heart
Karen Elson
Beats Antique
22-20s
Phosphorescent
Clare MaGuire
Hayes Carll

From a recent Flake Out Festival. Awesome!

I’m not really a winter person..but I’m looking forward to spending some time outside this weekend in Wisconsin Dells. It’s the 21st annual Flake Out Festival, which includes the official Wisconsin State Snow Sculpting Competition.

You really have to see these things to appreciate them! The artists spend all weekend..night and day..creating these amazing works of art, and the judging is on Sunday. The winners get to go onto the national competition!

There are lots of great activities..from live music outside in a tent to kids activities, an ice maze, snow tubing, an arts and crafts show and more. Most  of the stuff is free, but some activities require you to buy a $5 snow pass.

Don’t forget to check out Moosejaw Pizza and Brewing Company while you’re there and try a tasty brew!

Click here for more information!

The west coast’s greatest music festival, Coachella, returns to Indio, California the weekend of April 15-17 with dozens and dozens of your favorite bands including festival headliners Kings of Leon, Arcade Fire, Kanye West and the Strokes. Highlights of the drop dead gorgeous lineup include The National, The Black Keys, Brandon Flowers and Cee Lo Green.

There are also loads of acts performing that are expected to drop albums sometime this year, among them: Animal Collective, Lauryn Hill, Mumford & Sons, Bright Eyes, PJ Harvey and Duran Duran. See the full lineup

Orton Park Festival

August 26-29, 2010

Orton Park, Madison, WI

Although summer is nearing an end and schools will soon be starting a near year, you still have opportunity to fully enjoy your summer right here in Madison!

This weekend is the Orton Park Festival presented by the Marquette Neighborhood Association.  This year will be the annual festival’s 45th year and will feature a diverse lineup of performances.  The Orton Park Festival has purpose of creating and growing community and friendship.  The festival is free of charge, but funds raised throughout the festival will go to implement community projects and organizations.

What is a festival without music?  Well we are in luck because Orton Park Festival will feature a great lineup of music and other performers.  The schedule for the four day event is as follows.

Thursday, August 26th

Family Night (Ice Cream & Soft Drinks for sale):

• 6:30 p.m. – Daithi Wolfe & Company
• 8:00 p.m. – Cycropia Aerial Dance Theater

Friday, August 27th

• 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. – International Dinner with Vendors
• 5:45 p.m. – The Tony Castañeda Latin Jazz Sextet
• 6:45 p.m. – MNA Auction
• 7:15 p.m. – Razia Said (NYC/Madagascar)
• 8:45 p.m. – Cycropia Aerial Dance Theater

Saturday, August 28th

• Noon – Whitney Mann
• 1:30 p.m. – Robert J and the Rowdy Prairie Dogs
• 3:00 p.m. – Cris Plata and Extra Hot
• 4:15 p.m. – MNA Auction
• 5:15 p.m. – Monika and Christian Nieves (Puerto Rico)
• 7:00 p.m. – The Carolina Chocolate Drops
• 9:00 p.m. – Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble

Sunday, August 29th

• 9:00 a.m. – Jazz Brunch with The Randall Harrison Trio
• 11:30 a.m. – The Rohnalleros
• 1:00 p.m. – The Getaway Drivers
• 2:00 p.m. – Orton Cake Walk
• 2:30 p.m. – Kings Go Forth
• 3:45 p.m. – MNA Auction
• 4:45 p.m. – The Rousers
• 6:45 p.m. – Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women

So if you are in Madison this weekend and looking for a fun way to spend a late August weekend, head to Orton Park!  More info!

Jason Mraz says he has “tons and tons of material” for his next album, including a previously unreleased song by Roy Orbison called “The Way Is Love”. Orbison demoed the song six months before his death and incidentally rocked the very first Farm Aid concert in 1985. Mraz and Willie Nelson got together last year to record the Orbison tune. Look for the two to perform it live on stage at Farm Aid October 2nd at Miller Park in Milwaukee.

Looking for a great way to spend your Sunday?  Well grab your bike, helmet and sunglasses and head into downtown Madison and join Lance Armstrong, Triple M and all your fellow Madisonians at Ride The Drive!

Ride the Drive

Sunday August 29

Downtown Madison/John Nolen Drive (Route)

RIDE THE DRIVE is a celebration of Madison’s commitment to healthy, active lifestyles. This community event is an invitation for all citizens to leave their cars behind to experience some of Madison’s most scenic byways a whole new way – by riding, walking, skating, or strolling along some of our city’s most beautiful streets.

Join legendary cyclist Lance Armstrong and cruise designated downtown Madison streets without worry of motor vehicle traffic.

After or during your ride join Triple M at the “Ride The Drive – People Powered Stage” to catch some of your favorite Project M contestants!

The schedule for the “People Powered Stage”

11-11:35 Beth Kille
11:50-12:25 Mark Harrod
12:40-1:15 Keefe Klug
1:30-2:05 Anna Laube
2:20-2:55 Corey Hart

For more information and details, head over to our Triple M information page.

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday!

by Kitty Dunn

It’s about time Farm Aid makes it to the Dairy State!

Having had the chance to attend one previous Farm Aid, I was ecstatic to hear that the 25th anniversary benefit concert is happening at Miller Park in Milwaukee October 2nd.  Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, and Dave Matthews are all scheduled to perform, and more artists will be announced later.

Farm Aid founders  Nelson and Mellencamp made the announcement via webcast on Monday, and despite some technical glitches managed to get the information out.

Mellencamp says Milwaukee is a perfect place to celebrate Farm Aid’s silver anniversary, noting that “Midwest farmers share the same struggle as family farmers across the country. They are survivors, and they’re on the land creating solutions for America’s most pressing issues.”

According to a news release, the all-day festival will be a celebration of music, family farmers and good food and will again feature HOMEGROWN concessions—family-farm identified, local and organic foods. Farm Aid’s HOMEGROWN Village will showcase hands-on activities that give concertgoers a chance to meet farmers, get their hands dirty, and learn how family farmers are protecting our land and water and connecting us to our roots.

I got to attend Farm Aid in 1998 in Chicago, and it was a blast. Not only did I get to see the main headliners (minus Dave Matthews who hadn’t joined the team yet), I got to see Wilco, Brian Wilson, Steve Earle with the Del McCoury Band and even Hootie and the Blowfish.  I have to say I was extremely blown away by Phish..who were joined on stage by Neil Young for a marathon guitar duel during “Down By The River.”  Even though I don’t know the complete lineup for the 2010 edition, I’m going to do everything I can to be there.

Tickets for Farm Aid 25: Growing Hope for America will go on sale Saturday, August 14, at 9 a.m. CDT and are available at the Brewers box office, by phone at (414) 902-4000 or online at www.tickets.com. Ticket prices range from $39.50 to $97.50, including facility fee.

Farm Aid will offer special advance sale tickets to Farm Aid members beginning Friday, August 6. To become a Farm Aid member, click here. (Cost is $40 per membership and the availability of advance tickets is not guaranteed).

This Saturday the 2000 and 2100 blocks of Atwood Avenue (in front of the Barrymore Theatre) will be rockin’ with great live music on two stages…that’s right, it’s Atwood Summerfest time again.

It’s one of the city’s best neighborhood festivals..with yummy ethnic food, icy cold beer..and fun for the kids too with face painting, arts and crafts, and those inflatable jump-around thingies!

The festival raises money for the Goodman Community Center (formerly known as the Atwood Community Center), so you can get a little wild, and feel good about yourself at the same time.

Here’s the line-up: 

Harmony Bar/Capital Brewery Blues Stage

12:00-12:50 pm Kristy Larson Honky Tonk Band: A little country music never hurt you! The Kristy Larson Trio won a couple of Madison Area Music Awards in 2009..and it looks like she’ll bring a few more musicians this time around!

1:10-2:00 pm  Piper Road Spring Band: How about some bluegrass? The Piper Road Spring Band has been playing together for more than 35 years, with bluegrass that’s far from traditional. They’ve been known to weave in some Grateful Dead inspired jams!

2:20-3:10 pm  The Alex Wilson Band: Alex grew up immersed in the Milwaukee/Chicago blues scene and picked up the guitar at the age of 5. He’s a little older now and ready to impress you with everything from Beale Street blues to Chicago swing.

3:30-4:20 pm  The Midwesterners: At the border of classic rock and country–that’s where you’ll find the Midwesterners. Led by veteran Madison musician Richard Weigel, it also features the highly charged guitar of Ernie Connor from the Rousers.

4:40-5:30 pm Altered 5: This Milwaukee based blues band takes pop and rock songs and “bluesifies” them! This is one of Gabby Parsons’ favorite area bands.

5:50-7:00 pm  Jim Schwall/Andy Ewen Band: What a combo! Jim Schwall was half of the famed Siegel-Schwall Band that played places like the Fillmore..sharing the bill with folks like Janis Joplin and the Doors. And Andy is the seemingly ageless guitar player and singer for the band Honor Among Thieves. Sparks have got to fly when these guys get together.

Maximum Ink / Ale Asylum Rock Stage
times not listed, but this is the schedule in order

The Shtetlblasters: Madison’s very own electronic klezmer band.

The Kingtown Rockers : Madison band described as reggae with a touch of metal.

VO5 : They want you to party like it’s 1978! A funk/disco/dance band from Madison.

Soul Shaker: Blues band from Madison. ..self-described as “dirty blues rock for yo dirty minds.” Influences include  Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, Humble Pie, and Muddy Waters.

Beatallica:  Beatles meet Metallica. ‘Nuff said.