BONNAROO! - Leaked Lineups? Predictions? Hopefuls? {Part 1 of 3}

Music of the Moment:

Walking on a Dream - Empire of the Sun

So many rumors have been floating about regarding potentially leaked setlist. In case you haven't seen this setlist.... here it is. 

 Okay so first of all, I'll post reasons I think it is legit, and reasons I think it is not legit. 

The actual graphic, I can almost assure is incorrect as there are a few typographic errors, you never know. 

The lineup in itself is very diverse and keeps with the tradition of Bonnaroo, covering many bases from Country music to popular indie even to pop and hip hop. For those who were at last year's bonnaroo, they'd see a similar line with artists like Kenny Rogers, Two Door Cinema Club, Ludacris and Phantogram.  I'm not so sure every artist on this lineup is accurate, but there is some factual foundation that could make this a -prospectively- accurate list. ZZ Top for instance has been at quite a few festivals lately. Loretta Lynn has been to Bonnaroo a couple of times before, and the Alabama Shakes are a likelihood as they packed the stage time and time again when they performed last year. 

Out of this list and then out of my own ideas, I'm going to share some artists, why I think they are likely or not so likely. 

My first hopeful is Mumford & Sons. According to their tour record, there's a two month gap right over Bonnaroo where no tour dates have been posted. That's a great opportunity gap for them to reveal a few festival dates!! They were at Bonnaroo in 2011 and were very popular in their performances. Their popularity and their tour availability make them, I'll say, an 8 out of 10 on the likelihood scale that they may be B-roo Attendees! Let us hope!

My second hopeful is Passion Pit! It's no secret that I have missed out on PP at the Firefly fest in Dover due to the lead singer, Michael Angelakos's need for a mental health day... or week. Unfortunately they weren't able to perform or dj at the fest and Yeasayer took their place. Passion Pit was perhaps one of the first indie bands I really stuck to when I began getting into the music at a younger age. I found them through Vampire Weekend somehow, and they have a special place in my indie music loving heart. I see them going to bonnaroo for a number of reasons. Foremost being that they are infamous for their love of music festivals, going to Lollapalooza, Coachella, and many others. They are going to Brazil's Lollapalooza, but no dates around the area of June have been posted yet. Though it appears their spring tour takes them throughout South America, they might boomerang back to the heartland for a quick stay in Manchester! With the tour line looking steady, they may just be the it-boys of bonnaroo this year! 

Prince of course has a place on my list just because, simply put, he is PRINCE. We can't really tell anything regarding tours as his official website just vanished in smoke, so everything is a bit mysterious right now. So let's just go with the rumor and say golashes may be on the to-bring list in case of overcast clouds and a side of purple rain.  

Daniel Tosh is also on my list. Mainly because the man is really funny. It's hard not to enjoy his comedy even when it makes you a little uncomfortable to laugh. His incorrectness can't go wrong when it makes you laugh that hard however! He's currently planned to do a number of dates at the Mirage in Vegas, but who knows what may happen? Aziz Ansari was there last year, and this made a point that Bonnaroo has good taste in comedy. Let us hope they bring Tosh to us!

Further down my list is How to Destroy Angels. Truthfully I am not very familiar with the music of this particular artist beyond Nine Inch Nails. This is the side project of the lead singer of NIN, and that in itself has me excited. I don't really know if this one is a possibility or not. Trent Reznor and his Wife are the two foundation members of the band and are remarkable in their talent on this side project, however the NIN website and the HDA website both do not have any tour dates available so we can only guess!

Grizzly Bear also makes the list! Their harmony and abilities just make me happy on the inside. They, again, were one of the first indie bands I fell in love with, as I remember discovering them way back in the day in the first copy of Death + Taxes that I purchased. Loved them since! Their live dates are all over the world through March 2013 -- Japan, Germany, everywhere! It isn't inconceivable for them to fly to Tennessee for a little Bonnaroovian love, but no one can be too certain! Again, this is one of those bands I'm listing under "waiting Game."

The band Metric from Canada and their frontwoman Emily Haines have been on my list of greats for the longest time since I found out about them in about 2005. My love for them has grown ever since, and I can honestly say, seeing them perform would be a dream come true. They recently released a new album called Synthetica and are taking it on tour. Tour dates have not been released yet, but Bonnaroo would be a great forum for them to share their new work with a fan-base, so I find it quite likely that they might make their way to the farm to share their work with everyone.

One of my biggest hopefuls EVER for the coming Bonnaroo season is Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. This large band of out-of-this-world musicians makes my day on the daily, each song in its own being an adventure. Veteran bonnaroovians have explained their concert performance to be one of the most emotional and moving performances of their entire lives. Live performances of songs such as Om Nashi Me and Janglin were said to be among favorites, making numbers of people sway as one for the moment in time they all came together. If Bonnaroo wasn't a haven enough, this performance apparently was a game changer for it. Currently their only official tour date is for a music festival in Arizona this spring. That is a good sign, as most indie artists do concert festivals in groups. Hopefully an encore at Bonnaroo is on that list. I can almost approve that it is not entirely out of the question. If any one band epitomizes exactly what Bonnaroo is supposed to be all about, I can tell you it would be Edward Sharpe! 

Next on my list is Ben Gibbard/Death Cab for Cutie. Usually he performs as a member of the band, but his recent explosion of solo work as well as band work has made it likely that he may perform as a solo act this time. No tour dates are available at this time, but seeing him live in Delaware, I can honestly say, he is always a trouper, fighting through illness to sing for us yet keeping it humorous as well. I can see him being an attendee and honestly hope he does, and look forward to seeing him on the lineup in february if possible. 

The next is Amanda Palmer and the Grand Theft Orchestra.  I was introduced to them very very recently by my best friend/brother who is obsessed with her. She has a great talent and very good lyric form. Her music would be very powerful live, not to mention, it would be more than amusing to see him going crazy at her performance. She has a tour lined up for autumn in Australia in 2013 but nothing is listed yet for spring or for summer in the next year. Hopefully they are just unannounced but are in waiting, and perhaps Bonnaroo could be on the list!

My last big hopeful on this list is Imagine Dragons -- simply because they are very talented and have gotten quite popular with just reason, their music being catchy and infectious! They have been very popular at music festivals in the recent past and that will more than likely continue. They have a large tour through America and Europe through next year, and hopefully the month of june will bring them back to North America for an awesome performance!

Those are the main hopefuls of mine off of a large list of really awesome artists. Stay tuned, even as early as tonight for some more posts-- between this and the rest of it all, I have a lot of music to cover! 

With love and music notes,

Carmen<3

The Best Folks You Don't Know - Indie Promos from the Twittersphere!

Welcome fanatics of the Twittersphere! As this blog continues to grow (my views have gone up so much since first post, so I would like to thank you all!) I would like to give all the bands and artists out there a chance to grow too. More than likely I'll be running this contest of sorts at least once a week because I never tire of hearing and looking for new music. I always have study breaks to blog....and trust me it is definitely worth it!

For all of you followers on twitter, I will be asking for as many artists as possible to send me one video or soundbite from a song of theirs (no more than one, so pick your best!) and at the end of the day (or after I get 5 clips... I'll usually have a set time, such as midnight, when people should stop sending submissions in, unless there is a shortage).

This is pretty much what my blog post will look like for each "Best Artists You Don't Know" section:

The Band:
Bio Info: (ie. where are they from? How long have they been around? Basic stuff. Gotta get to know your friends to love your friends, right?)
Why you should give them a listen:
Where you can hear them:
Are they touring?
Overall Review:

I will then promo this post on Twitter and on Tumblr, and if the band is rockin' enough, I might even post on Facebook.

For those who don't win....
TRY TRY AGAIN!
You can enter every time if you want to, but if you have already won once, you are not allowed to enter again. Sorry D:

Also! You cannot enter for a band unless you are their manager, or the bassist's sister or something. If you're just some crazy rabid fangirl that's taking pictures through their blinds, I dunno...
(If they really are that great, maybe you should!)

Today is my first contest, by the way! I require that all entries be in by 9:30 Eastern Standard Time tonight! If your entry comes late, I will not count it and you will have to try again next time (I don't do rollover minutes, brosky!) Make sure to DIRECT MESSAGE them to me. If they are sent with a mention, I will more than likely not receive them. So again. DIRECT MESSAGE.

Til then, get your twitter happy fingers going!

ALSO: All I ask after a group wins is that they promo this blog...even if it is just the post talking about them! It's as good for you as it is for me. Tell everyone else that I lovey our music, what can that hurt?

Thanks loves!

Kisses and carnation hearts as always,

Karma~

P.S. If you have music on spotify, mention that in your entry when you DIRECT MESSAGE me on twitter! At the end of the year I might just have a Best Artists playlist if there are enough of you.

Awesome Concerts Series - Jack White

Now Playing:Blue Blood Blues by The Dead Weather

       Jack White... the name evokes many feelings for most of us. Some of us see him as a distinct modern god of rock, and some see him as a very full-of-himself but respected authority in the world of alternative rock music. The illustrious founder of the infamous White Stripes has traveled through many different stages in his career, doing soundtracks, working with members of The Greenhornes and the Kills in such bands as the well known Raconteurs and The Dead Weather, and doing solo collaborations with old country greats and even off-the-wall collaborations, such as that he has done with Insane Clown Posse. After setting the stage for his solo career with a fabulous James Bond soundtrack collaboration with Alicia Keys, he released his first full solo album Blunderbuss to many mixed reviews on his very own label, Third Man Records. White, infamous for his roles throughout rock stardom is setting out on his own, blazing a new trail, and boy is he ever doing it big. 

On his new record label, White has quite the plethora of prospects, from his infamous friend Conan O'Brian to The Smoke Fairies and Secret Sisters, two fabulous indie projects that are gaining in momentum. Along with this booming new career as the king of one of Alt Rock's hottest indie labels, He is also rejuvenating his infamous live music record with his new solo rock persona. Though he is still the same fedora-wearing modern man in black, the stage set-up is quite a bit different. Now touring throughout the world with two large bands, one all male, and one all female, he is setting a new standard for performing. I had the pleasure of seeing Jack White perform in the woodlands of Dover Delaware in the rain for something that was almost more than moving, it was an experience. 

While the rain poured down, setting a mood that matched the basic blue and black of White's set, an ambiance was set for the beginning of his performance. No fireworks were needed for this show, as a simple fog machine and a blue-black background with the epic threefold logo were all Jack needed to make his presence known to the unassuming crowd waiting for his arrival on stage. Through the mist and the rain, as disheveled as he may have appeared, he performed near flawlessly as the concert progressed, the beginning being a bit rough in the conditions, not to mention the fact that White always performs his concerts without any set list at all. This concert was composed of his all male band which definitely left nothing to be desired. They played flawlessly, song after song from band after band, cameos from The Raconteurs (Such as fan favorite, Carolina Drama), The White Stripes, and of course, some songs off of his new album blunderbuss, such as 'Freedom at 21' Which was nothing short of spectacular. He made the crowd feel like one large family underneath the Delaware sky at 9:00 at night, explaining how he felt like one of us, one happy family in the rain sharing music together. The beauty of the moment was not easily discounted, and the lack of fireworks and over-the-top set made the intimacy of this rather large concert all the more spectacular.

All in all, the new album and the artist himself are far from done with the music scene. This album will inevitably gain in popularity and Mr. White's career is just beginning as I see it. With such a blooming record label and such electrifying live performances (that had the crowd singing Seven Nation Army for no less than 20 minutes after White exited the stage), this man will be nothing short of a rock legend by the end of his career, if he hasn't reached that point already.

Awesome Concerts Series : Oberhofer

Now Playing : Radar Detector by Darwin Deez

Oberhofer was a little known name to me prior to the Bonnaroo Music Festival, just one of those names I'd heard breezing across cyberspace on Last.Fm and some indie music blogs that I frequented. Truthfully, even at the festival I found them by accident, but I like to consider this musical destiny! I ended up seeing them a total of 3 times at that music festival, because Brad Oberhofer and the rest of the group made quite the impression on me, and I was even able to meet them! Their recent release was Time Capsules II, and their music, is, indeed a time capsule that takes you somewhere completely different... In quite a beautiful way. I was headed off in a rush to find Chappo at Cafe Where when out of the corner of my eye, I saw a very bright Hawaiian shirt that sort of caught me off guard, but when I stood there and let my ears process, what I heard was beautiful. "All I ever asked for was a little bit of heart," I heard him croon as the instrumentals in the background lulled me to a place that was something lovely!

The lead singer and namesake of the band, Brad Oberhofer is something to watch on stage! He jumps on just about everything, rocks and bops on and off the stage and truly gives himself in to the music, using things that we find reminiscent of our childhoods,  Xylophones and other instruments and riffs that give the music almost a childlike innocence while giving us throwback vintage vibes, such as those I find in "Cruisin' FDR." The guys are all quite genuine and very sweet. I was given the pleasure of meeting them all at the Sonic Stage at Bonnaroo, and, even drenched in sweat and probably tired beyond belief, they took time to get to know each and every person passing through the line, and even had quite elaborate signatures. They were very fun to get to know, and are as heartfelt and whimsical as some of their music can be. Every single concert with them was, in its own, a unique experience that took you to a different place each time. They genuinely do put on a show, no props needed! Oberhofer should be on your must-see list for your next fest! If you have the chance, meet them! This is one of those bands that once you meet and see them live, you get so excited when you see certain things (like the recent commercials with their music video on it, for instance?) that remind you of those awesome times. I feel an awesome sort of pride every time I hear their music now, because I feel like I somehow contributed to that awesome group and experience that is Oberhofer. Here's to you, guys! Can't wait for another album!!

The Temper Trap - Awesome Concerts Series

Now Playing: Madi Don't Leave by PlayRadioPlay!

Now we all have those bands that we only know a few top songs by, but we like them all the same, aye? Well for me, The Temper Trap was one of those bands that I knew was insanely talented but I never really delved deeply into their music for some reason. I was, however, able to see them at Bonnaroo, and jumped at the chance, as I knew they were amazing and wanted to see them live, just to see if maybe I'd get hooked, and boy did I.

There were tons of people at this one (as you can tell, I wasn't that close to the stage for all the people!) but at least they had a stage with a big screen as well! The music in its own was very powerful. Of course songs like Sweet Disposition and Need Your Love had tons of people singing along, very intense, and in unison, something that few artists have the ability to have such a large fan base do at a festival, but what stood out in particular was "Trembling Hands," one of their most intense pieces, the fans putting their hands up in the air, losing themselves in away as you would hear Dougy Mandagi, lead singer, croon out "Throw me a line, somebody out there help me, I'm on my own." 

With powerful vocals, and so much expression of everyone on stage, the crowd felt their music in a way that many bands cannot exactly move their audience. His vocals were very on point, and the instrumentalists were beyond gifted in their own right. Very few artists get the ability to be known as a group that sounds as good live as they do on the digitally mastered records, but Temper Trap definitely delivers a solid, clear, and beautiful sound whether you are under a pair of headphones or in a crowd of thousands.

Music Fest Guide Pt. 2 - The Serious Festival Goer Shopping List

Now Playing - The Ballad of Gus and Sam by Ferraby Lionheart

Okay, so you might enjoy the festival scene, but you still don't feel prepared, or maybe you are about to attend your first festival (everyone knows there are plenty of great fall ones coming up, and festival season, summer, maybe a year ahead but it's never too soon to prepare!!). Of course you are wondering what all you need to stock up on to make it a safe time, a fun time, and also a memorable and comfortable time. Here's the unorganized but from-experience guide to what you will need in the field! (no matter the weather!) 

Mind you, these are in no particular order, just the order in which I thought of them, and some are more luxury than necessity, however if you go to festivals very very often, they might become necessity!

1. The Moon Mat

This memory-foam type mat can be found online at themoonmat.com, or purchased at temporary stores posted up at different music festivals. It isn't at all of them, but I have seen it at a few, Bonnaroo for instance. The price is usually 30 for the mat and an extra 10 for the strap to carry it with. Trust me, the strap is worth it. The little holes are where they cut out several hundreds of little ear-plugs they sell for a dollar. Some of the mats are sold with a couple still in them. Free earplugs! Maybe it's intentional, I'm not sure, but this is our favorite tool between my sister and I. Not only is it violently bright so that you can find each other in a crowd, but it is very comfortable and not hard to see. If you plan on camping a spot at your favorite outdoor concert, these are great. You can sit on them for hours, get up, and have plenty of leg room, as most people will ask to stand on it instead of just doing so. It is also comfortable to stand/dance on, so during the concert, you aren't suffering as bad from concert fatigue as the rest of the group, and your bookbag when you put it down for a moment, isn't lost amongst the horde. It's right there in your little spot! This is probably one of the best festival buys you can get. They never seem to cease in their elasticity and they don't get very dirty. If they do, it's just as easy as taking a wet napkin to it or a hose. These things are -very- resistant!

2. The Camelbak Water Solution!

We, like most festival newbies and whatnot during our first go, did the 'responsible' thing in the Tennessee heat during our first bout to Bonnaroo, and bought ourselves tons of blue Powerade for  the trip and for the actual concert, to avoid dehydration. Certain security people would let them pass, but others are sticklers, even for sealed bottles, as it is protocol at pretty much every single fest ever. One thing that is permitted though, is the standard water bottle.. however, I can tell you that water bottles can be a pain, having to hook them to stuff and otherwise. The camelbak is a much easier solution. Working much the way a waterbottle for a gerbil might, you suck on the end of the tube, press the stopper in, and water flows right to you through the little tube. If you bring your empty camelbak to the check in, it will get approved, and most festivals have refilling stations. Bonnaroo's are very easy to use, much like a standard water fountain (x10 in one of the booths). Firefly had stations where you had to wait in line, every festival is different.  I have yet to see a festival or event that does not allow these, but as always, check the rules of the individual event. These are very easy to use though, and very convenient, as they are not heavy or a nuisance, and they carry a good amount of water to help you avoid dehydration (which happens quicker than one might think).

3. Smartphone Skin and Smartphone (If you have one).

If you have a smartphone, these are usually a great idea! The skins are great because they are water resistant, so if you are being sprayed, running through water, or maybe caught in a bout of annoying rain. Most you can even use the touchscreen through the thin plastic!

As far as the phone goes, they are very handy at most festivals. Though signal is usually poor at said festivals, most festival apps do work offline, and occasionally when you do have signal, you can use apps such as Find Friends to locate any friends that you prior have synced to your phone, so that you may locate each other in the masses of people, or find where they are in the crowd!

4. High End Camera!

Okay so this isn't the creme de la creme, but as you will have seen in my "how not to be that guy" post, those with detachable lenses are not allowed. If you have the base model though, such at his one ( this is the exact camera I have), you can still take high quality pictures in any environment of your favorite artists and friends. They usually come with a neck strap and a lens cap and are very travel friendly. You can find some as cheap as about $100 and some as expensive as $1,000. Mine I got for around $400 and some change, but I have been using it for years and it still works like a dream!

5. A comfortable backpack!

Adidas makes great ones, but other brands do too. These are my go-to festival backpacks. Don't get me wrong, ladies in cyberspace, I do love my purses, but they are just so inconvenient at these! The great thing about backpacks is you are able to bury your expensive items at the bottom beneath countless layers of towels, sunscreen, and lipbalm. Trust me, you would definitely notice the offender in time if he managed to unzip and dig all the way to the bottom for your wallet! Not only that, but you won't have to pay as much attention to it during the concerts, and their contents don't spill out if they get knocked over, unless they are unzipped, which many handbags do. These are fabulous for all of your possessions and they last a long time.

6. Concert and Other Music Festival Tees!

One of the best ways to make random friends is to have previous concerts, bands, or music festivals in common with them! It's a great way to reminisce about great events, and make good friends for the concert and maybe even long term! It is also a great way to rep your favorite artists and events!

7. Tylenol or Ibuprofen

These are good for random aches and pains, and especially dehydration which is likely to happen if you aren't vigilant. This is more of a precaution than anything else, but it is always good to have on hand for yourself, or for others. It is guaranteed that you will be seen as a lifesaver if you stumble upon a dehydrated stranger, and come to the rescue with water and pain reliever in tow. Another way to pay it forward!

8. Bug Repellent

Many concerts have a lot of wildlife, and by wildlife, I mean pesky insects. If you would like to avoid the itch of bug bites accompanying your itch for good music, it is always good to have a bottle of this on hand for yourself and maybe for others who might have forgotten it on their list.

9. Sunscreen!

I usually use this, by Neutrogena. It isn't the cheapest, but coming from a Liquid Paper white girl, it will literally save your life in the Summer heat. I have even managed to get sunburns when it is overcast outside, so even if the sun isn't beating down, it is never a bad idea to apply again and again! Keep an extra bottle on hand for emergencies. I usually offer it to people I see starting to turn pink. You'd be amazed how thankful some people can be!

10. Glowsticks and Glow Jewelry!

Though this is more of a luxury item, you will find it to be one of those items that is a staple of a good time! Some people throw them into crowds, give them to friends, give them to strangers, but glowsticks always make the day more fun, and many people like to keep them as keepsakes! They are a wonderfully colorful addition to any night time concert, and most festivals allow them in.

11. Bubbles!

Another luxury, these are also really cheap and really fun, and add to the over all vibe of a concert fest. Not only are they something that can keep you busy while you are laying out on your mat, waiting for the concert to begin, they bring about instant smiles from strangers winding their way through the crowd, hearing music in the distance, bubbles floating everywhere. It gives a strange sort of utopian vibe to be surrounded by colors and bubbles and happiness! When pulled off right, some of these aspects truly can make the most boring person into a flower-child era festival goer for the duration of the fest. Bubbles are a must have if you want to contribute to the vibe! Another good thing to contribute to the vibe is a Water Bottle sprayer. If you get one, and spray it on yourself and others, It'll be refreshing.(: I see many folks spray them in the air in the middle of the day during concerts.

12. Towels

Whether fluffy or not, with cool design or solid color, these are always a good idea. Good for drying off after rain, after running through a fountain, or even good to sit on if you don't have a moon mat. These are just essentially helpful, and are always a staple when it comes to going to festivals.

13. Glitter and Body Paints!

These are always fun because they add color and also you interact with others on the basis of these. Others might want you to paint them, or compliment you on your neat bodypaints. Anything that adds color and flare to the event will make it more memorable. People also sometimes purchase Holi powder (from the middle eastern holiday) and throw them on each other and strangers!

14. Costumes, Wings, and Hats.

These items are also luxuries, but they are great conversation starters, and you may get asked to be in people's pictures. They are a cute addition to the ambiance and they might make you feel more in-the-moment as there aren't many places that you just go around wearing fairy wings!

16. Rain Slickers and Coats

For those unlike me, that hate rain or being rained on, it is best to bring these versus an umbrella. Most of the time umbrellas aren't allowed, depending on the area or how big the event is, but they can also be very inconvenient. These also fold up conveniently and fit in your backpack!

17. Totems!

Last but not least, totems. You can make these out of anything. A Broom handle, a stick, and some random item attached to it -- a cut out, an inflatable flamingo, a road sign, anything! These help you find others in your group, as most people go to music festivals in groups. If you don't do the marco polo type thing mentioned in the previous festival tips post, this is a very helpful and identifiable way to find others in your group. Even if you cannot see them, it would be really hard for them to miss... say... a giant carebear in the sky!

I hope these items and tips help you all, and if I miss anything, do email me at carmen.laughlin@rocketmail.com, or hit me up on twitter @BelleCoquine.

Happy festival going!

xoxo
Karma

Best Concerts Topic Series - Girl Talk

Now Playing - Undercover Martyn by Two Door Cinema Club

Through this blog I will explain some of the best, some of the worst, and some of the most middle ground concerts I have been able to attend. Of course every concert is an experience, but there are occasionally those that truly do blow a concert-goers mind, and are pretty much unforgettable. Our first example is the fabulous DJ -- Greg Gillis, also known as Girl Talk.

Girl talk started out as a time slot filler for us as, at the time, we weren't well acquainted with his music. I want to bold that, because, since the concert, we have become fans. If you go to one of his shows, you will surely see why. In the beginning, he hypes everyone up, stands on whatever is in a nearby radius, and then sets everyone on stage loose with toilet paper guns, tons of confetti, and the brightest lights you've ever seen, mixing artists Like Phoenix, Queen, and Vampire weekend with rappers like Ludacris, Biggie Smalls, and countless other famous rap and hiphop artists. One would look at that at face value and think, "How honestly could that work?" Well, honestly, it seemed like magic. Some of it shouldn't have worked... but it did. This was one of those concerts where, when the beat would slow down, you would slow down your dancing, exasperated as all get out, but when the beat dropped again no less than 3 seconds later, you couldn't keep that pace... you honestly wanted to dance until your legs gave out. It was an awesome ambiance.

I mean... you know it was good when most of the pictures turn out blurry because I couldn't stop dancing! There were giant bags of balloons thrown into the audience, assorted inflatable things, streams of toilet paper shot into the audience, confetti everywhere, and people in all kinds of masks and assorted outfits on stage. It was a party on -and- off the stage! There was literally music for every taste, and I don't think there was a moment where I didn't hear at least one person yell "Dude, that's my jam!".  I got excited, of course, over Phoenix's "1901" and Vampire Weekend's "A-Punk" mixed with assorted hip hop artists. Indie has never been more danceable! Not only were the sets vicious and the ambiance fabulous, but Gillis himself is quite the showman. He gets everyone pumped and says something along the lines of "I know my time is up, but I'm going for a second encore." Talking about how he didn't care about those folks backstage wanting to stop the party.. he was having none of it. Everyone knows that a party isn't a party till there was a sense of rebellion, and everyone there was having the time of their lives. The Black Keys were the ending show at Firefly this year, after Gillis's set... there wasn't a person there that was extremely thrilled with the keys after leaving Girl Talk's set. It was like running 500 miles and cooling down with a stretch.

For any of you out there running through music blogs trying to plan a lineup, I think you should ALWAYS make Girl Talk the last show of the night if he is on your lineup, because no other show is going to match that energy, and that is a promise.  My sister and I are, in fact, planning to go to the Midtown Music Festival in Atlanta soon if all goes as planned. The main act we are going to see? Believe it or not, it isn't Pearl Jam or Foo Fighters (though they are high on the list though, no doubt!)
 but we really do want to go party with Girl Talk again, and join the biggest party of any music festival we have ever been to (and this is in comparison to Bassnectar and Skrillex... dubstep parties are great, but as far as the whole shabang, this is the biggest party you could imagine!).

 All we can do is sit back and enjoy the genius that is Girl Talk and how he can put one hell of a set together. If he is in a town near you, go! There's a reason that this act that many don't know, but should,  (glad we stumbled upon him!) is going on the list of favorite acts that we -have- to see again! Look forward to more Best and Worst concert blog sets from us!

Much Love,

xoxoxo

Karma