As summer slowly approaches, we’ve got some new tunes and albums to check out and possibly add to the summer music mix that’s waiting on the back-burner. This week we’ve got a fresh pick of indie and alt rock music from some well-knowns and other newcomers – a good blend of discovery and reintroductions:
When recording a new album, it’s always nice to have a little help from your friends – especially if one of those friends happens to be the drummer from the greatest rock/pop band since, well, ever. According to Rolling Stone, that’s a fact Ben Harper is well aware of – the singer/ guitarist’s upcoming album with his semi-new band, Relentless7, will feature Beatles drummer Ringo Starr on one track and another will feature Jackson Browne on background vocals.
Conan O’Brien sadly did his last show yesterday as part of The Tonight Show legacy, and he couldn’t have had a classier exit despite all the jokes made in midst of the fight among Jay Leno, NBC, and himself. As we previously told you, Neil Young was booked to play as his last musical guest but what we didn’t expect was Will Ferrell busting out “Free Bird.” Nor did we expect Conan O’Brien to show us his chops on guitar.
We’ve rounded up the unfortunate goodbye jokes, performances and heart felt speech all for you in videos below. It may have been a sad night but it was full of dignity and triumph.
Cool, calm, and radiant would describe Ben Harper‘s performance at Stubbs Thursday night. His prodigious guitar playing filled the sweet Austin sky, with an aroma that lingered even after the show.
Check out photos from the show below…
Look out Coachella and Bonnaroo, the 2009 Sasquatch! Music Festival just broke their linuep and it’s likely to be one of the most diversely epic fests of the summer!
Here is the complete list of incredible acts that will grace the stage Memorial Day weekend at Washington’s beautiful Gorge Amphitheatre:
Just a week ago, Bonnaroo’s website advertised that the 2009 lineup would be revealed Feb. 3. Well, those SOBs pulled fast one on us and announced the lineup yesterday!
Sorry folks, apparently rumors are just rumors – no Zeppelin this year. But they did snag Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band! And Phish (called that one) returning to the ‘Roo stage for two nights!
Overall, the 2009 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival team has produced one of the best lineups this side…er, that side… of the Mississippi, so make sure to clear June 11-14 on your summer calendar. No daily breakdown yet, but check out the complete lineup below:
EMI Music is continuing with their vinyl campaign, with a planned release of Ben Harper’s Virgin Records catalog on February 24th. Nine albums have been restored, with Harper’s supervision, for the limited edition, 180 gram vinyl format.
EMI Music launched the “From The Capitol Vaults” series in September 2008, and have since released vinyl albums of Radiohead, Coldplay, John Lennon, Megadeath, and Paul McCartney. Check out the full list of planned Ben Harper vinyl LP and EP titles: Continue Reading
With less than a month before the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival reveals its 2009 lineup, to take place June 11-14 in Manchester, TN, music fans are getting antsy. And we all know what happens when music get antsy about lineups: they start rumors. Here’s are some band names floating around so far:
Led Zeppelin: I’ve got four words for everyone: Here we go again. Yes, John Paul Jones played Zeppelin classics with Ben Harper in two separate performances in 2007, and yes, Robert Plant jammed on some of the band’s tunes with Alison Krauss at last year’s festival. But let’s face it, there are Zeppelin-at-Bonnaroo rumors every year. Sadly, the dream of seeing Zeppelin headline Bonnaroo may be nothing more than a fantasy, especially considering Robert Plant’s informal announcement that he will be focusing on other performances for the next two years and recent comments from Jimmy Page’s manager, Peter Mensch:
The Beastie Boys have just confirmed selected dates through the crucial swing states of the upcoming election. Joining the band in various markets will be Sheryl Crow, Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Norah Jones, Crosby & Nash, Santogold, Tenacious D, and special guests, as well as representatives from the Rock The Vote, who will be on hand to distribute information on local polling sites, including early voting locations where available.
The first three shows to be announced are:
