Folk Fest 2010

[algernon]

If this belongs in the Concert thread, so be it. If I've fated, kill me ded.


Folk Fest starts today, people.

Easily my favorite event of the summer...Kickass setting down at Prince's Island, Lots of good food (It's not Folk Fest without some Bhuna!(sp), Sometimes some pretty hot hippie types (don't get too close!), A beer gardens that serves Big Rock (not that I would know, HA!).

Oh, and there's Music. Lots of Music.
2010 Lineup

I'll be looking for:

Natacha Atlas
The Avett Brothers
Baskery
The Cat Empire
DJ Dolores
DJ Logic
Dojo Workhorse
El Puchero del Hortelaño
Etran Finatawa
Michael Franti and Spearhead
Haydamaky
Hill Country Revue
Konono No. 1
Corb Lund and the Hurtin' Albertans
Mississippi Sheiks Tribute Project
Steve Pineo
Finley Quaye - CANCELLED /Angryface!!!
St. Vincent
The Swell Season
The Legend, Ian Tyson I met him once at the Pengrowth Party a few years ago, cool guy. Apparently he blew out his vocal chords a few years ago at a festival with poor sound. He thought he was done singing, but was convinced to run with his new raspy voice by Corb Lund.



It starts tonight, with the doors opening at 4:30, then tomorrow, doors at 2:00 and then 9:30 am for both Saturday and Sunday.

The best part may be the jam sessions they put together with disparate artists. IE: Country singer with an Icelandic throat singer and an African folk group.

So, who else is going?

[malcolmk14]

I want to see The Swell Season and Michael Franti & Spearhead, but unfortunately they're both Friday and I'm camping.

[algernon]

Bummer.
Bring your tent down, and camp in the line up overnight for a good spot at the main stage?.

[HeartsOfFire]

Last time I was at the folk festival, some hippy burned me with a candle. Jack FM was there too, although I don't really know why. Didn't make sense to have a prominent rock radio sta

[peter12]

It's going to be a great year. I love this festival. It's my Stampede. Too bad about the hippies though.

[Jimmy Stang]

I'll be there, volunteering as usual. I'm taking Friday night off for a family get together, but there from opening to closing tonight, Saturday, and Sunday.

[Bigtime]

I've rented a B-52 bomber and will be dropping the bomb on all you hippies and the drum circles that are sure to form.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

I've rented a B-52 bomber and will be dropping the bomb on all you hippies and the drum circles that are sure to form.

Just drop around me. I'll be one of the few wearing a collared shirt not made from hemp products.

[octothorp]

I'm a huge Joe Henry fan and am very excited about seeing him tomorrow night. Friday is easily the best lineup of the weekend.

[Ford Prefect]

Their lineup is going downhill IMO. They used to get a lot better performers. The Canmore Folk Fest has had a better lineup for quite a few years running now.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

Their lineup is going downhill IMO. They used to get a lot better performers. The Canmore Folk Fest has had a better lineup for quite a few years running now.

I've only been a regular for 5 years, but I'm not sure I entirely agree. Every year has its ups and downs, but the only year that I can remember that was a definite flop was 2008. The rest have all had a good combination of bigger-name acts as well as good up and coming folk-type groups. I especially like how the festival incorporates a lot of international folk into the mainstage. One my favourite acts last year was Sankofa Strings, a group of young black musicians that played old African American folk songs. They actually spent time going through the old hills of the American South "collecting" these songs from older rural folk performers.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by peter12

I've only been a regular for 5 years, but I'm not sure I entirely agree. Every year has its ups and downs, but the only year that I can remember that was a definite flop was 2008. The rest have all had a good combination of bigger-name acts as well as good up and coming folk-type groups. I especially like how the festival incorporates a lot of international folk into the mainstage. One my favourite acts last year was Sankofa Strings, a group of young black musicians that played old African American folk songs. They actually spent time going through the old hills of the American South "collecting" these songs from older rural folk performers.

I agree with this. This year lacks some of the big names of previous years, but discovering artists is the best part of it for me. The mainstage lineup sells tickets, and the side stages are where the best stuff always happens.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

I agree with this. This year lacks some of the big names of previous years, but discovering artists is the best part of it for me. The mainstage lineup sells tickets, and the side stages are where the best stuff always happens.

And this year, we're going to get Corb Lund and Ian Tyson together on the mainstage. In my books, that makes for a pretty awesome festival.

[Jimmy Stang]

For those of you going that have smart phones, there is a mobile schedule available at http://m.calgaryfolkfest.com/

It is actually pretty cool. If you make a username, you can create a personalized schedule and pick what artists you'd like to catch, etc. I could be wrong, but I believe that it is also available on the main web site as well.

Pretty awesome addition, if you ask me.

[Phaneuf3]

2007 lineup > *

Unfortunately, I can't make it to this year's festival.

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by peter12

I've only been a regular for 5 years, but I'm not sure I entirely agree. Every year has its ups and downs, but the only year that I can remember that was a definite flop was 2008. The rest have all had a good combination of bigger-name acts as well as good up and coming folk-type groups. I especially like how the festival incorporates a lot of international folk into the mainstage. One my favourite acts last year was Sankofa Strings, a group of young black musicians that played old African American folk songs. They actually spent time going through the old hills of the American South "collecting" these songs from older rural folk performers.

I've gone to 10 or 12 dating back to the very first one, which was in 1980 I think. IMO the lineup is not what it used to be. There are no big international folk fest names like John Renbourn, Paul Bady, etc., and the local, Canadian and US performers aren't of the same stature as they used to be either.

At least the headliner isn't some lame geriatric rock band like the Doobie Bros this year.

I guess it's all a matter of taste and opinion, but I don't think there's going to be someone like Stan Rogers performing this year. Seeing Stan put on an hour and half set as the closing performance one night at the first Calgary folk fest, or seeing someone with the instrumental mastery of John Renbourn or Jerry Douglas were defining moments of the folk fest which seem to be lacking in past 10 years or so.

Edit: They used to have more international acts too. I miss that as well.

[troutman]

I'm very underwhelmed by the line-up, but I prefer more the indie-rock (last year - Decemberists, Gomez, Mekons) to true folk music.

[afc wimbledon]

Spearhead regularly play the Vancouver Folk Fest and for the life of me I can't see how they are folk.

You know it isn't really a folk festival when you start taking ear plugs.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

Spearhead regularly play the Vancouver Folk Fest and for the life of me I can't see how they are folk.

You know it isn't really a folk festival when you start taking ear plugs.

I bet you're still pissed off that Dylan plugged in at Newport, aren't you?

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

I've gone to 10 or 12 dating back to the very first one, which was in 1980 I think. IMO the lineup is not what it used to be. There are no big international folk fest names like John Renbourn, Paul Bady, etc., and the local, Canadian and US performers aren't of the same stature as they used to be either.

At least the headliner isn't some lame geriatric rock band like the Doobie Bros this year.

I guess it's all a matter of taste and opinion, but I don't think there's going to be someone like Stan Rogers performing this year. Seeing Stan put on an hour and half set as the closing performance one night at the first Calgary folk fest, or seeing someone with the instrumental mastery of John Renbourn or Jerry Douglas were defining moments of the folk fest which seem to be lacking in past 10 years or so.

Edit: They used to have more international acts too. I miss that as well.

Remember Kris Kristofferson's (sp?) gig a few years back? That was pretty incredible. Heck, even Don Maclean wasn't all that bad.