Category: Festival Coverage

Previews, reviews and coverage from music festivals like Hopscotch and Moogfest

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Festival Coverage

Hopscotch Must-Sees: Kurt Vile and the Violators

Wakin on a Pretty Daze by Kurt Vile
Wakin on a Pretty Daze

This is a personal artist spotlight on Kurt Vile and the Violators by DJ DiGiorno for Hopscotch.

Kurt Vile has become the unofficial king of Philadelphia. The mayor even recently declared August 28th as Kurt Vile Day in Philadelphia. His calming brand of guitar driven, lo-fi stoner rock has become a banner that they fly proudly. His soothing voice crooning over the wash of sound creates this warm, spacious atmosphere that you can reside in forever.  His music is slow, but in the best possible way. It’s reminiscent of those long, uneventful summer days that we remember fondly.

Kurt Vile began writing solo songs as a teenager.  In 2005, he formed The War on Drugs with Adam Granduciel.  They released their debut studio album Wagonwheel Blues in 2008.  After a tour with the album, Kurt Vile left the band to focus more on his solo efforts although he has been featured on some of their recent recordings. After leaving the band, Vile then released his debut solo album Constant Hitmaker in 2008 which is comprised of home recordings from 2003-2007. The record began to get some recognition as he began to start touring. In 2009, Vile released God Is Saying This To You… which again consisted of previous home recordings.

Vile was then signed to Matador Records in May 2009. By October, he had released his third album Childish Prodigy.  This was the first time he had gotten a chance to sit down in a studio and write a cohesive album as opposed to compiling various old home recordings.  Childish Prodigy was our first introduction to his backing band, The Violators. Vile was garnering attention increasingly as he joined artists such as Thurston Moore and Dinosaur Jr. on tour.  Vile released his fourth album Smoke Ring for My Halo in 2011 to critical acclaim.  The album made many end of the year lists and is considered his breakthrough album.

This past April, Kurt Vile put out his latest effort Wakin on a Pretty Daze.  The album received very positive reviews including Pitchfork’s coveted “Best New Music” award. Wakin on a Pretty Daze is one of Vile’s most beautiful and spacious albums to date.  With most songs surpassing the six minute mark, it is evident that this album has a complete disregard for time. The album is comprised of 11 songs and clocks in at about 70 minutes long. Vile takes you into his warm world where time is irrelevant. The subtle intricacies of his work demands your attention: the guitars fading in and out, the shifting of beats, or just the shuffling or leaving out of parts. The lyrics on this album are his most self-aware to date as he comments on his music and his life. It makes for a comedic as well as introspective listen.

Kurt Vile and The Violators always deliver an impressive live performance. Vile performs from behind his mass of hair as The Violators stay right in step and flesh out every corner of the song. The warm, timeless atmosphere of the songs are a great place to reside in on a late September night. This is an absolute must-see show for Hopscotch Music Festival.

Favorite Tracks: Never Run Away, Wakin on a Pretty Day, Shame Chamber, Baby’s Arms

RIYL: Ariel Pink, War on Drugs, Dinosaur Jr., Guitars, Chillaxing

Playing: Lincoln Theatre, Thursday September 5th 12:00 AM-1:00 AM

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Hopscotch Must-Sees: Ryan Hemsworth

This is a personal artist spotlight on Ryan Hemsworth by Prism for Hopscotch.

Recently, I read New York Times pop music critic Jon Caramanica’s piece about his experiences at 2013’s Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago. In the article, he makes a distinction between the first day (largely hip bread-and-butter indie rock) with the second and third day’s more electronic and experimentally focused bills. And he specifically cites 23-year old Halifax DJ Ryan Hemsworth as being responsible for finally kick[ing] this year’s edition of the Pitchfork Music Festival into gear, saying that his music made “bodies [get] to moving” for the first time that weekend.

I found this observation funny, because I had a completely similar experience with Ryan at this years’ South By Southwest music festival. After my then-underaged ass found my way into Pitchfork’s 1100 Warehouse showcase on Thursday, I caught Sky Ferreria and Zebra Katz’s sets amidst a crowd of bearded tweeting industry bros who gosh darn it were not going to dance for the effing likes of Sky Effing Ferreria. But when Hemsworth went up and immediately dropped what I think was his remix of Frank Ocean’s “Thinking About You,” the lame music crit crowd went wild for the first time, dancing for his whole set and into Disclosure, who followed him.

So while I’ve established that the man accomplishes things live, I should also mention that Ryan Hemsworth has been kicking around the internet for a few years at this point. His oeuvre includes his many diverse and amazing remixes (go YouTube his version of Craig David’s “Fill Me In” or maybe his snare-filled twist on ‘Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely’ from the Backstreet Boys) as well as a slew of originals and production he’s done for rappers such as Shady Blaze, Deniro Ferrar, and Main Attraktionz.

There’s a lot I could say about him, but I think the best thing to say is that if you enjoy dancing and contemporary sample-based electronic music, his headlining set at CAM will be where it’s at at Hopscotch. The conflict between him and Earl Sweatshirt at Lincoln will be tough for some, but I’ve seen the man live before and I know where the fun will be at. See you at CAM.

Best Songs: Frank Ocean – Thinkin Bout You (Ryan Hemsworth Bootleg)

Playing: CAM: 12:30 AM Friday night

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Hopscotch Must-Sees: Big Black Delta

This is a personal artist spotlight on Big Black Delta by Walter-Ego for Hopscotch.

Like many others right now, I’m a little obsessed with the neo-80’s aesthetic. You can blame stylized Ryan Gosling movies or retro video games with thumping electro soundtracks, but there’s nothing quite like the sound of a cheesy John Carpenter synth. Luckily, Big Black Delta is in the Hopscotch lineup to scratch that itch.

Channeling the same kind of 80’s synthpop that Com Truise and Makup & Vanity Set do, Big Black Delta is the project of Mellowdrone frontman Jonathan Bates. Having worked with artists like M83, Bates isn’t afraid to make his own brand of space rock loud and violent. The samples and beats are bombastic enough to fill a cathedral of Robocops. The characteristics of his music translate perfectly into his vibrant live show, sporting multiple drummers and Bates’ own moves syncing with each dark pulsing thump. Look no further than the video for Side of the Road, as Bates’ dances across a cyber landscape and his band takes turns derezzing.

When Big Black Delta takes the stage of Memorial Auditorium on September 6th, it’s definitely going to be one of my highlights of an already excellent lineup.

Favorite Track: “Side of the Road” on Big Black Delta

Playing: Memorial Auditorium, September 6th, 10:00PM

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Hopscotch Must-See: Earl Sweatshirt

This is a personal artist spotlight on Earl Sweatshirt by Muta for Hopscotch.

These bitches keep screaming “Odd Future is back!” or at least that is what I’ve been screaming since the Hopscotch lineup was first released. Earl Sweatshirt has often been sited as the best lyricist from the hip-hop group Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All (OFWGKTA), which features other prominent artist such as Tyler the Creator and Frank Ocean.

It has been three years since the first self-made music video from Odd Future dropped for Earl Sweatshirt’s song “Earl” as well as Earl’s first mixtape by the same name was released. Since then, Earl has worked with The Alchemist, Action Bronson, Mac Miller, Riff Raff, and Flying Lotus to bring a style of hip-hop that I have heard no where else. Recently, Earl has been mixing the fun rowdiness from his youth (“Whoa” and “Rusty”) with the darker and more personal songs that really illustrate his artistry (“Chum” and “Between Friends”).

After a pretty full 2013 that has brought Earl all across the country to festivals like SXSW, I expect Earl has probably really found his stage presence and will bring an awesome show following up Action Bronson at Lincoln Theater.

Favorite Track: Flying Lotus – “Between Friends” ft. Earl Sweatshirt & Captain Murphy

Lincoln Theater, Saturday, September 6th, 12:30am

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Hopscotch Must-Sees: ADULT.

This is a personal artist spotlight on ADULT. by Mason for Hopscotch.

If there’s one thing I most look forward to each year at Hopscotch, it’s getting freaky-deaky. I’m not always this way. On an average day, I’m that relatively reserved college student who just likes to keep his head down and keep to himself. But some bands manage to rile up the inner beast within me and make me do interesting things things. Future Islands in 2011 managed to leave me with a broken iPhone screen after a rousing performance of “Tin Man” moved me to slam what I was holding on the ground. After Danny Brown last year, I received a bloody nose after being kicked in the face by a stage diver… and for some reason, I kept dancing. I think I may have even screamed a genuine “THANK YOU!” at the face-kick perpetrator as he gracelessly thrashed overhead.

Yes, Hopscotch is the time of the year when I completely lose myself and awkwardly hobble up and down, and I know this September will be no exception thanks to ADULT.

The husband wife duo of Adam Miller and Nicola Kuperus got their start in Detroit, Michigan in the late 90s under the retired name “Plasma Co.” Since their premiere, they’ve released five albums.

Their most recent 2013 release of album “The Way Things Fall” comes after a five year hiatus, and it’s filled with beats that are going to make you move. The duo brings a mix of chaotic electronic clash and aggressive female vocals reminiscent of The Knife, Moderat, and Die Antwoord, and I can’t help but move when I hear it. If you want to take a walk on the wild side and dance your ass off, you must see this band.

Favorite Track: “Heartbreak”

RIYL: The Knife, Deerhoof, Gang Gang Dance

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Hopscotch Must-Sees: Purling Hiss

This is a personal artist spotlight on Purling Hiss by Toast for Hopscotch.

The Philadelphia-based troupe made themselves known opening for the likes of Kurt Vile, Woods, and Wilco, but their hard-hitting approach to psych-rock has earned them outsider status in the world of swamp and churn. They screech, they grind, and they muck in the grit of noisy crescendos and dense sound. This crew is not completely devoid of approachability, as through the years the band has released several tracks which could tip a hat to three-chord 90s classic rock, even pop.

The latest album from Purling Hiss, On Water On Mars, gives a good dose of both sides of the band’s repertoire, a little something for every swimmer in the psychedelic ocean of sound. Their ability to maintain this polar attitude is what makes the band really enjoyable and unique. The album engulfs you in its lo-fi murk, gives you a good dose of the blues then puts you back up on a wave of shiny solo riffs, which happens to be exactly the right formula for a killer live show. Look forward to total immersion and a blisteringly rad ride.

Favorite Track: “Lolita” on On Water on Mars
CAM Contemporary Art Museum, Thursday Sept. 5, 11:30PM

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Hopscotch Must-Sees: Ahleuchatistas

This is a personal artist spotlight on Ahleuchatistas by DJ Acorn for Hopscotch.

I had the pleasure of being introduced to Ahleuchatistas last winter, out of total happenstance.
I tagged along with my friend who had organized an event at Apothecary, a relatively new DIY venue in downtown Asheville, for later in the week but we made the trek up a few days early. Incidentally, the night we arrived Apothecary was hosting “Osfest,” a weekend-long farewell to the Ahleuchatistas’ percussionist, Ryan Oslance, who was moving to California from his native Asheville. I had no idea who Oslance or Ahleuchatistas was at the time, but throughout the evening I was definitely picking up on some cult-like vibes surrounding the act. Some kid even cited it as his “favorite band ever.” We’ve all heard that before, but rarely in reference to a couple of local art rock musicians.

That night I kept noticing a man with long shaggy blond hair walking around with no shoes on jumping from group to group, who struck me as an interesting character from the start, but I realized I was about to witness something truly amazing once he– the honorary Oslance– put bells around his ankles and neck as he sat in front of a drum kit. Another man, Shane Perlowin, with a guitar was carefully arranging a score of effects pedals in his own corner of the stage.

The performance was a display of pure mastery of each member’s respective instrument. They both seemed to have surpassed any interest in making songs that people can dance to or whistle in the shower, but rather more concerned with expanding the technical horizons of their instruments. For instance: Oslance, draped in sleigh bells, transforms his own body into an instrument. Their music, however frantic and complicated, never comes off as a mess of noise. Instead, it is almost dizzyingly meticulous that two people can sync with each other to conjure such busy precision out of a guitar and a drum kit.

These men are more than math rock musicians; they are certainly avant-garde in their understanding of how sounds interact with each other with pings and bangs and whispering, lingering chords. I cannot wait to see them again this Hopscotch and have my mind blown with the technical and artistic mastery of Ahleuchatistas.

FAVORITE TRACK: “Requiem for the Sea” off Heads Full of Poison and “A Little Effort Goes a Long Way” off Location Location

PLAYING:  Contemporary Art Museum, Saturday September 7th at 9:30-10:30 PM

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Hopscotch Must-Sees: Angel Olsen

This is a personal artist spotlight on Angel Olsen by Anastassia/Alternate Reality. 

In my mind, Angel Olsen is a beautiful goddess angel with a killer voice that covers all the different ranges of beautiful. Unfortunately my musical taste didn’t come around to Angel Olsen until her album, Half Way Home, had been out for about a year. I knew of her and listened to that album very briefly however I couldn’t get past the strangeness of her voice. At times, Olsen hits notes that are a deep tenor while immediately bringing her voice back to the sweetness of a Joan Baez. Strangely enough Olsen’s sound was not at all influenced by early folk music, yet Angel Olsen would fit perfectly in between Loretta Lynn, Tony Caro and John and Vashti Bunyan.

Olsen is a unique singer-songwriter and Half Way Home captures a magical moment, a moment of being alone and completely vulnerable to all the emotions that may take you over. After initially listening to Angel Olsen, I didn’t think too much of it however one random night while I was in my apartment alone, I decided to give her another chance. My music taste is a little brat sometimes, disregarding an artist after a brief encounter without giving them a significant chance. Sometimes, though, it comes around and opens up to artists like Angel Olsen, embracing her sincere voice and the bizarrely beautiful range of notes within her vocals. Her show at Hopscotch is highly recommended and you will probably see me there weeping

Favorite Track: “Acrobat” on Half Way Home.

Playing: Fletcher Opera House, Friday September 5th 9:30-11 pm

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Hopscotch Must-Sees: Waxahatchee

This is a personal artist spotlight on Waxahatchee by Virginia Werewoolf.

It was just this past summer that I was able to coerce Alabama singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield into trading her Don Giovanni released lo-fi debut “American Weekend” for a ten dollar Starbucks gift card after a stripped down set in a Richmond basement. A short year after that with fellow late arrivals, I shared a cigarette and a window sized view of Crutchfield singing to a little restaurant bursting at the seams during Harrisonburg Virginia’s MACRoCK festival.

Since then Crutchfield’s once solo project, Waxahatchee has grown to include electric instrumentation and high quality recording, while remaining incredibly mercurial and intimate. March marked the finish of the band’s sophomore album “Cerulean Salt,” which served as a transition from volatile bedroom wails to minimalist punk hymns that earned Waxahatchee some of its most positive critical acclaim yet. The receptive response also landed her a spot at Chicago’s ultra-popular Pitchfork Fest.

The most singular thing that should add to the very deserving bubble of hype surrounding Waxahatchee is the fact that after touring almost relentlessly, in the most low maintenance way imaginable for a musician—using only voice and an acoustic guitar—Crutchfield will take the stage at The Kennedy Theater with amps and all. Their set that Friday may not be the cozy and accustomed, acoustic performance the act is known for, but it will bring the same personal and powerful delivery with a much anticipated little-bit-extra.

Favorite Tracks: Be Good off “American Weekend,” and Swan Dive off “Cerulean Salt”

Playing: The Kennedy Theater, Friday from 12:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.

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Hopscotch Must-Sees: Speedy Ortiz

Major Arcana by Speedy Ortiz
Major Arcana

This is a personal artist spotlight on Speedy Ortiz by DJ DiGiorno for Hopscotch.

Speedy Ortiz’s first foray into the scene was the release of The Death of Speedy Ortiz in 2011. Then a solo project of songwriter and vocalist/guitarist Sadie Dupuis, the lo-fi pop album began to make its way around. Dupois then decided to enlist the help of her friends Matt Robidoux (guitar), Darl Ferm (bass) and Mike Falcone (drums) in early 2012 to turn Speedy Ortiz into the full band it needed to become. This noisy band quickly found its home in the Boston DIY scene playing basements and house shows left and right. In the summer of 2012, Speedy Ortiz released a 7" as well as an EP. Now that they were a quartet, this gave them the ability to flesh out the sound of the first album. Their songs were praised for their pop-sense vocals atop the ambitious noise. The aggressive, thundering drums bottomed out by hefty bass riffs complete with frenetic, dissonant guitar parts fronted by soothing vocals helped complete their signature abrasive yet beautiful style of noise-pop.

After some success with their first releases, Speedy Ortiz made their way around the nation playing mainly house shows and DIY spaces. Their low key shows were delivered spot on to very welcoming audiences around the nation. After touring extensively, they embarked on their first truly collaborative effort. In July 2013, they released their proper debut album Major Arcana to major critical acclaim including Best New Music from Pitchfork. This album saw them perfecting their craft. Dupuis’ carefully crafted vocals soaring over discord. In addition to meaningful lyrics, she also provides another layer to the record with her cunning wordplay and perfectly articulated annunciations. Her lyrical delivery rivals the best in indie music these days. This can be dangerous in most cases as it can draw closer attention to the words, but they end up holding their own in a time when lyrical prowess seems to be of a bygone era. This praise is not to say that Dupois outshines the rest of the band. Her fellow band mates’ skills are well on par with hers. The thunderous drums and bass lay the groundwork for the melodic driven noisy guitars that echo and compliment the melody lines. Altogether, this is a very tight band that is an absolute must-see for Hopscotch Music Festival.

Favorite Tracks: Tiger Tank, No Below, Fun, Pioneer Spine

RIYL: Yuck, Polvo, Dinosaur Jr., Pavement

Playing: Kennedy Theater, Friday September 6th 11:00 PM-12:00 A.M.