ZACH THAT:
Cincinnati’s Midpoint Music Festival is this weekend and there is one big problem with the festival…they have too many amazing bands/artists. It’s a great problem to have, but I’ve stressed out over the schedule for a month now. Here is a breakdown of the opening day, Thursday:
Highly Recommended:
Van Dyke Parks
Parks is a can’t miss. His album “Song Cycle” might be one of the most daring releases of its time and is a frequent player on my turntable. Simply put, the man is a music genius and it’s very rare to see him live. Not only is his own music amazing, but he’s worked with Grace Kelly, Delaney Bramlett, The Beach Boys, The Byrds, Loudon Wainwright III, Silverchair, Ry Cooder, Joanna Newsom, Inara George and Ringo Starr. For me this is the highlight of the festival.
Holy Fuck
Canada has pumped out a bunch of amazing acts in the 2000s and HF does the maple leaf right. There is a lot of improvisation with their performances, but the result is the same show after show…it’s infectious. The most interesting things about HF is the interesting sounds and the way they manipulate something that seems familiar. I can’t think of a better way to close out the night with a few drinks in you than catching a high energy set from HF.
Male Bonding
Van Dyke Parks
Parks is a can’t miss. His album “Song Cycle” might be one of the most daring releases of its time and is a frequent player on my turntable. Simply put, the man is a music genius and it’s very rare to see him live. Not only is his own music amazing, but he’s worked with Grace Kelly, Delaney Bramlett, The Beach Boys, The Byrds, Loudon Wainwright III, Silverchair, Ry Cooder, Joanna Newsom, Inara George and Ringo Starr. For me this is the highlight of the festival.
Holy Fuck
Canada has pumped out a bunch of amazing acts in the 2000s and HF does the maple leaf right. There is a lot of improvisation with their performances, but the result is the same show after show…it’s infectious. The most interesting things about HF is the interesting sounds and the way they manipulate something that seems familiar. I can’t think of a better way to close out the night with a few drinks in you than catching a high energy set from HF.
Male Bonding
Their album “Nothing Hurts” is one of my favorites from 2010 and I can’t scratch them off my must see bands of 2010 list.
The Pass
Fresh off their debut LP (BURST) release this week, the electro pop band will be both opening and closing Midpoint’s Thursday night. Two chances to see them…wouldn’t skip over this up and coming group.
Sleepers
The Lonely Forest
Indian Jewelry
You, You’re Awesome
Light Pollution
Skip
Best Coast
I’m sure a lot of you are excited to see Best Coast…and if so…you have your chance. For those on the fence, I recommend skipping BC for something more substantial. The music is lifted from a girls seventh grade diary and with sloppy live shows it might be smart to take a chance on something else.
Justin Townes Earle
Earle is great, but he’s been losing his mind lately…yelling at fans and trashing green rooms. Check him out if you’re a fan, just prepare for him to play an angry short set.
MY SCHEDULE
7:00 – The Pass
8:30 Male Bonding
9:30 – Indian Jewelry
10:30 – Van Dyke Parks
11:30 – Holy Fuck
The Lonely Forest
Indian Jewelry
You, You’re Awesome
Light Pollution
Skip
Best Coast
I’m sure a lot of you are excited to see Best Coast…and if so…you have your chance. For those on the fence, I recommend skipping BC for something more substantial. The music is lifted from a girls seventh grade diary and with sloppy live shows it might be smart to take a chance on something else.
Justin Townes Earle
Earle is great, but he’s been losing his mind lately…yelling at fans and trashing green rooms. Check him out if you’re a fan, just prepare for him to play an angry short set.
MY SCHEDULE
7:00 – The Pass
8:30 Male Bonding
9:30 – Indian Jewelry
10:30 – Van Dyke Parks
11:30 – Holy Fuck
To see those five bands/artists in less than five hours is mind blowing…and this is just the first day. If you live anywhere in driving distance of Cincinnati, get down to Mid Point. Single day tickets are only $20…a three day pass only $39…which is nuts for the amount of quality acts the festival is featuring.
How did I not know about this and I live in St. Louis? To see Van Dyke Parks for 20 bucks??? I'll be there.
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