The lure of a music festival is appealing — a huge list of bands you love, a hip environment, loads of things to do. It all seems so perfect and incredibly accommodating. But if you’ve been to a huge music festival, you know it can also be a lot of work to get from stage … Read more
HOLY LOUFEST RE-MIX! Brooklyn hip-hop prankstas Das Racist have always had an affinity for mixing badass beats with obscure pop culture references, nods to rap’s old school elite, and jokes upon jokes. Now, they’ve taken a former Jam of the Day, “Caffeinated Consciousness,” by TV on the Radio and added in their own funky elements … Read more
On the second to last song of Old Lights’ set, which opened day two of LouFest, Beth Bombara broke a string on lead singer David Beeman’s guitar. It wasn’t the first problem the band had with their guitars throughout their well-received set — there were tuning problems as well. Those were the only issues, however, … Read more
If you’re here at LouFest, Area K is a must. I just got back from catching a few minutes of Dubb Nubb, who’s now a trio, and while the stage is sort of small, the sounds coming from it are not. Sisters Hannah and Delia Rainey showed why they were picked to play this year’s … Read more
Photo by Graham Tolbert “Baby Missiles” perfectly illustrates everything I adore about musical juxtaposition. ’80s synth pop mixed with country-rock? Yes, please. I’ll have that. The War On Drugs frontman, Adam Granduciel, has a purposefully wobbly delivery on “Baby Missiles” that reminds me a little bit of Mark Knopfler on Dire Straits’ “Walk of Life.” … Read more
My first thought after Surfer Blood started their set: These dudes are from West Palm Beach? They make music like this in Florida? They care about music in Florida? Guess so. I’ll admit it: I see the draw here, but I’m not 100 percent convinced that this young group is the next best thing. Dom, … Read more
They may call themselves Sleepy Sun, but the sun certainly did not sleep in today for the San Francisco band’s set. Nope, there are few clouds in the sky, and plenty of guitars on stage. That’s been the theme so far as this year’s LouFest: electric glory. All three bands who have played so far … Read more
And…we’re live from the second annual LouFest where Jon Hardy & the Public is currently finishing their set as I type this. The fest feels “fuller” this year, with more shaded areas, a kids stage, and basically, much more to do. Hardy & the Public looks and sounds just fine on a big stage. Like … Read more
Craig Finn of The Hold Steady | Photo by Louis Kwok “Let this be my annual reminder, that we can all be something bigger,” sang frontman Craig Finn of The Hold Steady during their opening song, “Constructive Summer.” The band from Brooklyn became LouFest’s day one headliners after The Roots had to cancel because of … Read more
Well, Lauren Larson, I’m in love. Ume’s frontwoman just turned up the degrees a few notches with her swagger and completely infectious electric rampage. The Austin trio certainly plays like a band who’s been doing this for a while, and I’ll be sure to check out their songs as soon as possible (although it’s unlikely … Read more
Yeah, that’s some kind of crafted dinosaur-like creature in the crowd. It’s one of Lost in the Trees’ puppets, and they had a few folks from the audience give it life. I actually hesitated to post this pic, because I don’t want you to get the wrong idea — yes, they’re a touch theatrical; no, … Read more
“Lil Homie” | Visual art by Hannah Hooper and John Gourley The first leg of the Honda Civic Tour is rolling through the U.S., and two of its featured headliners are alt-rock heavyweights: Grouplove and Portugal. The Man — bands who recently played Lollapalooza in Chicago and are also set to play LouFest in St. … Read more
Last week, we began our 2013 LouFest coverage with a Q & A with festival founder Brian Cohen, who discussed the ins and outs of the festival, the bargain that is the 2-day pass (still available here; VIP packages have now sold out), and the new partnership with C3 Presents. Check out our chat with … Read more
CHANCE THE RAPPER / Photo by Tim Bottchen (All photos below by Jason Gonulsen except where noted) Yes, we’re already looking forward to LouFest 2017. And good news! There are plenty of artists who have yet to play a set in Forest Park. Here are 15 who we think would make a great fit. We … Read more
LOUFEST 2014 | PHOTO BY JASON GONULSEN LouFest, a two-day music festival held at Forest Park in St. Louis, will celebrate its 6th year on September 12 & 13. Hozier, who found stardom with the hit “Take Me To Church,” will headline Saturday; The Avett Brothers, who sold-out the Peabody Opera House for three consecutive … Read more
Here at Speakers in Code, we can’t believe it’s almost August. Of course, that means LouFest is just that much closer, and we’ve been looking forward to the inaugural two-day festival, which takes place August 28th and 29th in Saint Louis’ Forest Park, for quite some time now. So, naturally, we’re pretty excited to announce … Read more
Here at Speakers in Code, we can’t believe it’s almost August. Of course, that means LouFest is just that much closer, and we’ve been looking forward to the inaugural two-day festival, which takes place August 28th and 29th in Saint Louis’ Forest Park, for quite some time now. So, naturally, we’re pretty excited to announce … Read more
If you’re any sort of devoted reader of Speakers in Code, you know that around these parts, we are pretty amped about the first annual LouFest taking place in Forest Park, Saint Louis on August 28th and 29th. We are devoted to promoting Saint Louis as a viable music city, whether that be on a … Read more
It almost seemed too good to be true. A true outdoor music festival in Saint Louis, one where you could sit on your blanket or in a lawn chair all day, drinking and conversing with friends and music lovers? Really? In Saint Louis? LouFest delivered on its promise: to make everything easy, like you were … Read more
Photo credit: Sam Jones Ok, this video for the lead single from She & Him’s Volume Two has been around for a few months, and we even hit you with the track back in January, but in anticipation of this weekend’s LouFest, watch the Sunday night headliners do a hip version of High School Musical … Read more
Hope everyone has fun at LouFest tomorrow! See you there… Saturday, 8/28 BLUE STAGE NOON – 12:55 Bottle Rockets 2:00 – 2:55 So Many Dynamos 4:00 – 4:55 Titus Andronicus 6:00 – 6:55 Airborne Toxic Event 8:30 – 10:00 Broken Social Scene ORANGE STAGE 1:00 – 1:55 Stephaniesid 3:00 – 3:55 Adam Reichmann 5:00 – … Read more
Here’s this week’s Speakers in Code endorsed live shows in St. Louis and The Triangle!Saint Louis6/12 – Twangfest: Ha Ha Tonka + Jason and the Scorchers @ Blueberry Hill [buy tickets]6/14 – Dawes + Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros @ The Pageant [buy tickets]6/15 – Mumford & Sons @ Off Broadway [sold out]6/15 – … Read more
Here’s this week’s Speakers in Code endorsed live shows in St. Louis and The Triangle, from now until October! Saint Louis 7/4 – Joe Pug + Rayland Baxter @ Off Broadway [buy tickets] 7/6 – Maps and Atlases + The Cults + The Globes @ The Firebird [buy tickets] 7/8 – Sarah Borges & The … Read more
Here’s this week’s Speakers in Code endorsed live shows in St. Louis and The Triangle, from now until October! Saint Louis 6/21 – The Moondoggies + Blitzen Trapper @ Off Broadway [buy tickets] 6/23 – Brahms + Tokyo Police Club + Passion Pit @ The Pageant [buy tickets] 6/26 – Sleep Kitty + The Blind … Read more
Living smack dab in the middle of the U.S. of A. hasn’t given either Jason or I many feasible opportunities to attend the various music festivals that take place in other parts of the country. I won’t lie and say I don’t get maniacally jealous when I hear about other bloggers throwing parties at SXSW … Read more