Wakarusa 2012: The lineup, Part 1

The annual festival that used to take over Clinton Lake State Park in Lawrence issued the first of three lineup announcements for this year's festival, which is May 31-June 3 at Mulberry Mountain in Ozark, Ark. Among the nearly three dozen bands announced today: Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros; Weir, Robinson, Greene Acoustic Trio; Pretty Lights; G. Love & Special Sauce; Keller Williams; Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit; Railroad Earth; Quiet Corral, ALO, Balkan Beat Box, RJD2. Two more announcements coming on Jan. 12 and Jan. 19. For the  rest of today's announcement, see below. For more information, visit the Wakarusa website. TIckets are on sale now.

Comments

[Pellboy]

Weir part of that acoustic trio is obvious. Who are the others...Chris Robinson and Jackie Greene?

[NEW]

Yep.

[Mike Snider]

Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes?

[live music fan]

Pretty weak lineup so far, and how is a dj a headliner? Pretty Lights is okay, but he's just playing music from his laptop.

[yabba]

""______ _______ is okay, but he's/ they /she just playing music from his / their laptop. ""

That pretty much sums up all of the acts "out there" since 2000 rolled over.... so far.

[Keef]

"he's just playing music from his laptop."

....so is he REALLY playing music? I'm one of those folks who are baffled how anyone can be entertained by DJ's and Mash-up artists, or whatever the hell they are being called this week. Even in the confines of a club on a ton of hallucinogens, that nonsense would still bore me senseless. That these 'artists' are now doing shows at festivals points more to the gullible nature of many 'music' fans these days. Sure, Rolling Stone and other defunct sources call these charlatans "the new Rock Stars." I don't buy it. If anything, they are the Death Merchants of Popular Music today. Girl Talk, BassNectar, David Guellata, The Chemical Brothers.....Jeez, I'd rather see three schmoes on stage who can barely play their instruments, giving me something REAL. But that's just me. Discuss......

[that what he said]

oooohhhhhh snap keef.

That what he (I) said.

[pellboy]

I'm guessing (I would hope) they'll add several heavy hitters over the coming months, LMF, but you're right, from my perspective anyway, pretty weak. Admittedly, don't know much about the majority of those acts, but so far, only that Trio and Isbell hold any interest for me. Doesn't really matter to me though, like every other year, I'll take a pass as my overnight festival years are long behind me.

[The Truth]

I've had fun at a Girl Talk show, so I'll exclude him from this discussion.

I have attended two Pretty Lights shows and two Bassnectar shows, so I can say this from a (somewhat) insider's perspective.

Both were dreadful, boring experiences, populated by kids who are too young to drink but old enough to know where to find molly.

Subtle tempo shifts are the new guitar solos, but my ears have trouble picking up the changes. Perhaps that's because I've stood too near the amplifiers at rock shows.

I've always gravitated to music that speaks my language, something emotive that I might even sing along to when no one is watching. I want something that sticks, something that vocalizes those feelings I have trouble describing or that captures a moment I've lived through.

Electronica, meanwhile, zips by, a product of our ADD-riddled, insatiable appetite for all things new and shiny and disposable.

P.S. I swear I'm not that old.

P.S.P.S. Get off my dang lawn, kids!

[bob]

Pretty Lights will probably be the 1:00 - 4:00 am main stage. Since Waka is on private land now there are no curfews for the main stage.

[bob]

Yep. Last year there was electronic noise going on from 1:00 - 4:00 each night.

http://www.jambase.com/festivals/wakarusa/

[NEW]

"Both were dreadful, boring experiences, populated by kids who are too young to drink but old enough to know where to find molly."

Not sure what demographic you fall into, Truth but I don't think the promoters of Wakarusa (DTs favorite Brett Mossiman of Pipeline)care about the PBs, DTs, OTMs, Keefs, Geordans and NEWs of the world when putting together the line up. Their target audience is indeed the kids who are too young to drink but always know where to find Molly. And just as our parents could not understand Floyd, Zeppelin or Sabbath, we also find ourselves scratching our heads over the fascination with DJs. Not enough Molly in our diet I guess.

[joe]

NEW --

What am I?? Chopped liver?? :)

[NEW]

Sorry Jose, my bad. And I intentionally left out Green since he seems younger and more hip than us geezers.

[Schecky]

LOL daaaaaannggg is NEW on a roll or what?

I hereby award NEW the funny prize....

http://instantrimshot.com/classic/?sound=rimshot

[Green]

Thanks New, I didn't know I was hip, looking at the line up thus far it seems pretty slim, but its a first of three so expect a big punch next week and a knock out blow shortly there after. Last year had a really great lineup so they are sure to build on that. I like a couple things on the list, Moondoggies are cool, they sound like something you would hear if the 70's rock never died. Keller is always fun, Edward Sharpe and Weir should bring the party and the Pretty Lights... well don't know much about them but guessing the dj thing (google results show a dj with a drummer), might be cool with some lasers and flashing lights.

[Gundoshoi]

Aloha!ilab! http://bfiehw.com aizjy lueek

[Gundosumv]

[URL=http://slpgta.com]cgwub ynpxb[/URL]

[fiddler]

funny posts, folks. have to agree with keef and new tho'.

"...every generation throws a hero up the pop charts..."

[The Truth]

New -

I'm about 10 years older (though arguably not much wiser) than the festival goer I was trying to describe. I've been to the past three Wakas, and will go again this year.

I'll defend Brett Mosiman a bit in saying that several bands he booked for years I've been to Waka were great finds, and meshed well with my tastes - Black Keys, My Morning Jacket, Sharon Jones, Minus the Bear, Ryan Bingham... essentially, critically acclaimed indie rock.

I don't see that kind of group in this year's lineup with the mild exception of Edward Sharpe, a group that may have peaked in popularity two years ago.

There are two more announcements coming, and perhaps they'll align with my tastes.

Right now, the jam crowd has their bands (Weir et. al) the young uns have Pretty Lights and I'm feeling a bit out of touch.

[pellboy]

You'll probably need more bang for your buck, Truth, but with those tastes, you should at least appreciate Isbell & 400 Unit.

[The Truth]

Pellboy, you're absolutely right about Isbell. He's on my list, but I failed to mention him.

[live music fan]

"Right now, the jam crowd has their bands (Weir et. al) the young uns have Pretty Lights and I'm feeling a bit out of touch."
Posted by: The Truth

I don't know. I'm part of the jam crowd (I went to all of the Wakas that were in Lawrence) and I don't see anything to get excited about either. Railroad Earth and Head For the Hills (both bluegrass bands) are the only two bands that I'd want to see on that list. And I'll bet that Bob Weir costs a fortune, so don't count on very much meat in the next two announcements.

[pellboy]

LMF, not sure if you're interested, but for the jamband/hippy contingent anyway, the Summer Camp Festival (May 25-27)in Chillicothe, IL sounds better than Waka so far...

moe.
Umphrey's McGee
Primus
Weir/Robinson/Greene Trio
Gogol Bordello
Ozomatli
Etc. w/ more added later as well

Just curious, distance-wise, how much further than Waka?

[NEW]

If WAKA is the following weekend PB, I imagine they will add Moe or Umphrees or both although both bands are pretty interchangable IMO.

I am not sure Weir does cost a fortune, LMF. Ratdog has played some pretty small places. I did see Robinson sit in with Furthur for a second set at RR in the fall with impressive results. They pulled out some pretty obscure Dead stuff (Two Souls in Communin, Good Morning Little School Girl, etc.)

[live music fan]

"Ratdog has played some pretty small places."
Posted by: NEW

Sure, bands will play small places while they're on tour but that's just to fill the time in between their bigger gigs. If you want a band to come to a festival it'll cost a heck of a lot more than if you want them to play at your venue while they're already on tour.

Anyone here have a Pollstar account? That's the only place I know of that lists how much bands charge.

[J.G.]

Most of that lineup is underwhelming to say the least, but if you go, do not...I repeat DO NOT skip Orgone. They are the best funk/soul/groove band this side of Galactic, but don't look bored on stage like Galactic does anymore.

Orgone. Check 'em out. Thank me later.

[live music fan]

I saw Orgone when they opened for Galactic the last time they were in Lawrence and I would have loved them if it weren't for the vocalist. If they'd get rid of her they'd be great, but with her they're unlistenable.

[KC Jones]

This lineup would not get me to go out to AR, that's for sure.

As far as DJ's go, Swedish House Mafia is billed just behind the Black Keys for Friday at Cochella, and from what I understand, their stuff is mainly pre-recorded sections of song segues that the pair weave together for their "sets". That barely qualifies as musicians of any kind if you ask me. But, they must be popular... So what do I know?

[Nike Heels]

They are the best funk/soul/groove band this side of Galactic, but don't look bored on stage like Galactic does anymore.