The Argument of Electronic Music

I think it's crazy that every music festival these days has to throw a DJ in their lineup to draw a completely different crowd and ultimately make more money (Bamboozle, Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, Coachella, Summer Jam, etc). Is this where live music is heading? I love electronic music as much as the next person, but I feel many music enthusiasts go to these festivals to escape those kind of crowds, unless it's an electronic festival of course. I used to go to rock festivals in high school to feel accepted and to feel like I belonged within a part of a movement that none of my classmates could relate to because they were too busy listening to their auto-tuned bullshit. At music festivals nobody judged me for what I listened to and nobody was too drunk to recall what they witnessed the day before. It was just a group of extremely open minded individuals, all there for the love of live rock n' roll.

Since when do acts like Afrojack share the same bill as Radiohead? How do musicians feel about this? Live music to me is all about the human element and the talent a musician has perfected in their own individual style to be able to free style live and give people what they paid for plus more. There is nothing like the raw sound of a live guitar and the feeling knowing every show will be a little different, not just the same track playing from a DJ's computer. Seeing "trendy" college girls overdosing on drugs wearing ridiculous neon outfits convinces me they aren't going for the live music aspect but to hear the same tracks coming from a computer in an altered mind set. -__-

Although I do think some DJs and electronic artists are extremely talented and not everyone can just pick up LogicPro with a Massive plugin and know how to create something listenable, I just feel like the music scene is changing. For example, the producer Skrillex (who originally is a vocalist, composer and guitarist), is obviously a talented creative individual. But when he plays for live music festivals that draw in thousands, he is expected to play his biggest songs as well as remix the Top 50 at the time to keep his crowd pleased. There are also fans complaining that on his newest EP, Bangarang, there are no big "bass drops." My only reasoning for this is that the "fraternity bros" who I am forced to share the crowd with enjoy the bass because it is "so filthy" and because when you're rolling (on ecstasy or molly) feeling the bass is like nothing other. Are these the people I truly feel like sharing the experience of live music with? When they don't care about the musicianship, or the live remixing but just about a bass drop? Who don't realize that Skrillex is a modern version of Aphex Twin and Squarepusher?

This is why I am not a big fan of this scene. However when Skrillex plays smaller venues, shows in Europe and after parties, his sets are insanely tasty and artistic and lack the pop music and hits that he is expected to play. What is that telling us? Are artists not allowed to express themselves in the way they like if it will not please their fan base and their record labels? Shouldn't artists take creative risks in what they feel is right?

The "Skrillex" I knew back in in 2004 was known as Sonny Moore. I first knew him as the post hardcore frontman of my favorite band, From First to Last. He then came out in 2008 with an EP Gypsyhook which was made of Japanese Electronica tracks. His EP was completely torn apart by the critics and he was dropped from his label because it was so experimental and so Aphex Twin-esque. However when I saw him perform live, the intimacy and understanding I felt within the crowd of only 24 people and him was unlike anything I've experienced with him as "Skrillex" playing for thousands behind a big box of computers and equipment. The talent I saw him possess playing percussion and guitar (for song songs), singing and screaming is so much more powerful than what I am allowed to hear today from him. It's things like this that makes me question the direction live music is heading. Hoping I'm not the only one alone in this predicament ..

Here is my favorite song from Sonny's old days in From First to Last (with him as the frontman)

Here is a song from Sonny's unreleased EP, Bells.

Here is an acoustic version of Mora from Sonny's EP, Gypsyhook

Compare this to the songs with the "heavy bass" noted at 1:17- onward he is expected to play now.

Live Classic Rock at the Ziegfeld!

For any classic rock fans around the NYC area, the Ziegfeld Theatre is holding an entire week of live concert footage & old school movies. Being a die hard Zeppelin fan, I HAD to go to see The Song Remains the Same tonight because of the theatre's extraordinary acoustics. Although I own this dvd (and watch it religiously), it was worth every cent because of how amazing the sound was. The schedule for the week is as followed:

5/1 - Shine a Light (Mick Jagger, Keith Richards) 5:30 pm
Tommy (Oliver Reed, Ann-Margret) 8:00 pm

5/2 - The Last Waltz (Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell) 8:00 pm
Led Zeppelin The Song Remains the Same 5:30 pm

5/3 - U2 3D (Bono, Adam Clayton) 5:30 pm
Stop Making Sense (Alex Weir, Tina Weymouth) 8:00 pm

5/5 - Yellow Submarine (The Beatles, Paul Angelis) 8:00 pm

5/6 - The Beatles: The Lost Concert 2:00 pm, 7:30 pm

This is such a great opportunity! If I lived in the city, you better believe I'd be going to see EVERY MOVIE and rock out the entire time! For anyone who has never been to the Ziegfeld, it is the last operating movie "palace" in Manhattan and it is absolutely beautiful inside. Here are some pictures of the space!

This is my favorite part of The Song Remains the Same. The live concert footage of "Since I've Been Loving You" from the Garden in 1976. Jimmy Page shreds so hard in this song ... I don't think he's human.

Fashion Statements at Festivals?

Its funny how lately fashion seems to be big publicity at festivals. Big name bloggers and magazines have been posting all week about the celebrity fashion at the Coachella weekends. From Katy Perry to Paris Hilton, these celebrities are all over the internet with their brightly dyed hair, flowly gypsy clothes and their peace-love attitude praising their live music. From the photos I've been viewing, if you want to be noticed as a fashionista concert-goer any interesting trend will do the trick. I wish I could rock these looks but unfortunately I am in the crowd either crowd surfing, getting crushed from the barricade or jamming out.

If you're unlike me (who likes to wear Converse and an old band tee bound to be ruined that day) here are some interesting fashions bound to get attention (good or bad?) at these festivals!

The Jeffrey Campbell Popo Sandal Platform Shoes

Flower Crowns

Pastel Lips

Brightly Colored Hair

Patriotic Wear

Unique Sunnies

Diamond Supply Co. Snapbacks

Maxi Skirts

Chain Head Wraps

Tupac's Alive?!

If you haven't already heard of this crazy phenomenon that occurred at Coachella this weekend, Tupac appeared onstage in a hologram form. He rapped along with (the real) Snoop Dogg onstage and they jammed for a bit before he disappeared in the air. Everyone was very taken back it and it was said to have cost millions of dollars.


According to RapFix on MTV, it was quite the opposite. Tupac was actually being projected through a 19th century illusion titled Pepper's Ghost. The image is usually portrayed using a piece of glass but in this case a Mylar screen angled (so the audience could not see it) and dark lighting worked wonders.

All I have to say is, when are they bringing Biggie back?! And I can't even imagine the concert-viewers who took narcotics prior...talk about a bizarre experience.

Outside Lands Music and Art Festival 2012

For anyone living in or visiting the Bay Area, Outside Lands Music and Art Festival is definitely a good buy. Not only are you right in the Golden Gate Park for three beautiful summer days, but the headliners reach through to multiple genres including acts like Skrillex, Metallica, Stevie Wonder, Jack White, Foo Fighters, Beck, Justice and City and Colour.

Normally the 3-day pass is $165 which is very well priced for what you're getting. But now since the festival is coming up (August 10th-12th) tickets have been raised to $225. I think it's still worth it if you're 21 considering they have a lineup of local wineries to try, comedians all three days and curated artists' work all over the festival grounds.

Here are some pictures of the festival. My favorite is the windmill that greets you when you enter the festival!

The Winery Section!

The layout!

The Entrance

Stereomood

Although this is not music festival related, I found the coolest emotional internet radio! Stereomood lets you choose your emotion or action at the moment and they design a playlist based on what kind of mindset you are in. They have a huge list to choose from, the most popular being the biggest wording and they also have a search bar if they don't have your current emotion. I have been listening to the "Studying" and "Relax" playlists the most.

It's a great way to find a large variety of new music you normally wouldn't have found on your own!

Currently listening:

Rave Clothing Guide For Guys

So for those who have never gone to a electronic music festival or rave, here are the basics for what you need to wear to enjoy your time and make some friends.

A typical outfit for a guy:

1. Vans Footwear 2. Rave Candy 3. DGK The Haters Sunglasses 4. Vans V56 Fit Covina Pants 5. LED Bracelets 6. Neon colored tank top

1. For boys AND girls, bright colors and comfort is a must. You will be dancing all night and need clothes that will not distract your time.
2. Guys- wear tank tops. You will be so overheated from being packed in with this huge group of people; chances are you will take your shirt off. Common tanks include ones with neon colors, clever sayings or bright graphics.
3. Raver "candy" is very popular. A lot of ravers make their own and trade or give them away at shows. The more eccentric your outfit is or how friendly you are, the more likely you will attain some.
4. LED gloves are HUGE. If you want to make some friends, put on a light show for people! More people will come and will sit memorized by the colors whirling around.
5. Many venues do not allow LED bracelets/necklaces to be brought in, but somehow they always make an appearance. Bring a container of 50 and pass them out to people.

GIRLS GUIDE WILL BE NEXT!!

Really digging Dada Life lately! The Swedish duo are playing Ultra on March 23rd and Coachella on April 22nd!

Sasquatch Music Festival

If anyone is in the Washington area May 25th-28th, The Sasquatch Music Festival is definitely worth checking out. The festival lineup includes (among many others):

Jack White
Beck
Bon Iver
Pretty Lights
Tenacious D
The Shins
Beruit
Girl Talk
The Roots
Feist
Nero

I would be most excited to see Jack White, Bon Iver, Nero and Girl Talk! The difference with this festival is that 4 days rather than 3 for $315. I don't see anything about buying single day tickets ... maybe they're sold out?

The outdoor venue, The Gorge Ampitheatre has won many awards for being the Best Outdoor Music Venue and I believe it based on the view alone! They should offer camping for the four days! Check out this beautiful landscape, its the perfect backdrop for watching your favorite artists.

Electric Daisy NYC Already Sold Out?

There are rumors from the Dancing Astronaut that the Electric Daisy Carnival NYC is already SOLD OUT. Apparently the tickets went on sale at 3pm/March 2nd on Ticketmaster and got taken off quickly so they could raise the 2 day pass price to $171. Then three hours later, there were none to be found :( I tried myself and there were none available to me. The scalpers won this one; tickets are now on sale through Stubhub and the cheapest ones I have found are more than $200.

Both Electric Daisy and Pacha have not released any statements on this matter. I'm hoping Ticketmaster will be able to re-stock them, or the ticket prices on Stubhub will go down closer to the event date. I guess time will only tell.

Electric Daisy NYC 's Lineup Includes...

Does this video get you excited or what?!

Tickets went on sale last week for the highly anticipated 2-day Electric Daisy NYC Carnival at MetLife Stadium as well as the announcement of some of their lineup! Their lineup includes:

AFROJACK!!!, Aleso, AN21 & Max Vangeli, Art Department, Avicii, Bassnectar, Calvis Harris, Chuckie, Danny Tenaglia, Erick Morillo, Fat Boy Slim, John Digweed, R3HAB, Thomas Gold and Hot Natured.

The only problem I have with this lineup is that the Electric Daisy Carnival website isn't telling us who is playing on what day although their tickets are already available. Well played, EDC.

General admission starts at $85 single-day and $129 two-day. The VIP package is $155 (single day) or $300 (two day). Check out some of the outrageous VIP packages they offer! If only I was rich...

So I have officially decided on selling one of my Bamboozle day passes to see this. I have been trying to see Afrojack FOREVER and this may be my only chance before I study abroad in the fall. For those who have not experienced Afrojack (or as my old roommate calls him, Afro-jizz), here are some of his most popular songs to get you started :)

Electric Daisy Comes to New York!

The Electric Daisy Carnival, the annual three day electronic music festival in Las Vegas, has just announced they will be coming to NEW YORK on May 19 and 20th!! They do not have a location or a lineup as of yet but it will be announced soon according to Billboard. The festival is 18+ (WHICH I LOVE) = no high school teeny boppers overdosing on drugs. Tickets go on sale Friday March 2nd at 3 PM. I'm assuming some of the lineup will be announced by then?

Feeling some competition, Bamboozle? Not only are these two festivals the same weekend, but it is rumored Electric Daisy may fill Giants Stadium which is Bamboozle's annual location. This is frustrating because for someone like me, a fan of rock and electronic music, I'd go to both so I feel they're both ultimately losing $$. Since Electric Daisy JUST announced their NYC dates and Bamboozle tickets has been on sale since Christmas + have regularly been promoting their lineup, I think Bamboozle may win the fans in this one. Also Bamboozle has confirmed Datsik and Skrillex in their lineup so those are two top artists Electric Daisy WILL NOT be booking.

Regardless, I may sell one of my Bamboozle day passes to be able to go to both. Well this sucks.

On a lighter note, I can't get enough of KDrew. He is an up and coming dubstep artist from Howell, New Jersey whose songs are ultra catchy. You can download his songs for free on SoundCloud. Enjoy!

Bamboozle Announces 24 More Bands!

Bands announced are highlighted in blue. Click the photo to look!

Yesterday The Bamboozle Festival announced 24 more bands to their growing lineup, including BRAND NEW headlining on Sunday!!! I found out from my Brand-New obsessed boyfriend that Brand New was not originally asked to play, but at their latest show in England Jesse Lacey drunkenly told the audience they were playing Bamboozle, when in fact they weren't.

Bamboozle's creator John D had no choice but to offer them a spot on the lineup. Jesse Lacey told him they were either headlining or not playing at all, hence their headlining spot. There were rumors the Sunday secret headliner was supposed to be AFI based on the clues given by the festival, but I guess now by accident it's Brand New. Regardless, I am PUMPED.

For any Brand New lovers or pop punk kids: you should follow my boyfriend's Tumblr, Deja Entendu

He has gained a ton of followers lately and has been noticed on some straight edge websites. Check him out!!

For anyone who has never given Brand New a listen, DOWNLOAD THEIR ALBUM DEJA ENTENDU RIGHT NOW. Seriously one of my favorite albums of all time. Here's one of my favorites songs from it:

Bonnaroo's Overwhelming Ticket Rush!

As I stated in my last post, Bonnaroo's 4 day lineup is the talk of festival-goers right now. However it seems to be TOO MUCH of the talk. According to The Associated Press, Bonnaroo has HALTED tickets sales due to unanticipated high demand! Tickets were supposed to go on sale last Saturday the 18th, but the organizers suspended the sales due to technical problems (a.k.a far many people trying to buy tickets at once!). They did state by the end of today they would announce the day they will become available.

I have no idea how they're going to launch the ticket sales in a way to keep people from crashing the site. Ticket lottery maybe? Either way, I'm sure a lot of people are getting way too anxious!!

Currently listening to:

Happy Valentines Day, Love Bonnaroo

When I logged Into my Facebook yesterday morning, I saw an explosion of posts from my friends regarding Bonnaroo's lineup and how it was too good to pass up!! Yes, as a "Valentine's Day Present," Bonnaroo has officially announced their lineup for their 2012 festival. Considering last year was the 10th anniversary, I thought nothing could top that lineup. However, they definitely succeeded with recent Grammy winners Bon Iver and Skrillex as well as Radiohead, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Beach Boys, Feist, Major Lazer and Flogging Molly. I had never made the trek from New York to Tennessee because of prior commitments, but i think this year is the year for me!

Like the Electric Forest Festival, Bonnaroo is very aware that "...the arts not for the privileged few, but for the many." They offer a work exchange program where you could earn your tickets FOR FREE! I think it's so amazing these companies want everyone to have the opportunity experience their festival, regardless if it's in your price range or not. If I go I'll have to do that, because gas from New York to Tennessee is definitely not in my price range right now! ha ha.

My favorite Bonnaroo headliner of last year, Robert Plant! One of my favorite songs of his, besides from Led Zeppelins' of course :)

Electric Forest Festival 2012

OH MY GOD!! I would do just about ANYTHING to attend The Electric Forest Festival in Rothbury, Michigan. This festival runs June 28th - July 1st and their 2012 initial headliners have just been announced. I am most excited for Bassnectar, Major Lazer, Zed's Dead, Girl Talk, 12th Planet, Borgore and The M Machine. Spending a summer weekend camping and listening to amazing music is definitely my cup of tea.

To view the whole lineup CLICK HERE

Although tickets are a little pricey, they offer a Work Exchange Team where you can work 12 hours a day throughout the weekend and go to the festival FOR FREE! They offer work in departments such as art, information, hospitality and VIP. And get this: you still can attend the entire festival without missing anything. This reminds me a bit of Bonnaroo's exchange program. You also have the option of joining their street team and competing for a ticket by promoting online.

For me, the idea of ridiculously colored lights + wilderness + electronic music is worth any price! Check out my favorite photos below (from their website) from their past years:

My favorite song by The M Machine - Promise Me A Rose Garden. On one of my favorite record labels, OWSLA!

Welcome!!

Hello everyone! My name is Brielle and I'm a 20 year old arts management major at Purchase College. My loves are Led Zeppelin, Sonny Moore, travel and health/fitness. When I graduate, I envision myself surrounded by creative people, a plethora of art and traveling c: For more info on me, My Tumblr is basically my dream board of places I want to visit, a shrine to my favorite artists and images I'm inspired by.

 I dedicate this blog to music festivals I've been to, heard of and want to go to! This is for anyone who is passionate about music and traveling. I was a metal head growing up, a scene girl hardcore kid in high school & now (i NEVER would have thought) I'm into dubstep & electronic music. So my music taste is kind of all over the place. I will post weekly about up and coming festivals as well as my own experiences as a music enthusiast.

Enjoy!

Stuck in my head at the moment. An oldie but a goodie.