The clear winner for all 3 days at Forecastle was Sunday, Day Three. And the clear winner for Day 3 was Unknown Mortal Orchestra, who played at 6pm on the Ocean stage,under the overpass; and should probably be renamed Albatross Stage. The steel and concrete overpass creates an echo chamber that amplifies the high end that just destroys sound quality. On top of all that, the ocean stage seemed to fraught with issues including mics cutting out and an understocked backline. Despite all of this (and the band having to stop periodically for the sound engineers to fix issues) Unknown Mortal Orchestra played an energetic set that included frontman Ruban Neilson climbing on top of the crowd, singing into a mic with a seemingly unending cable, covering crowd favorites such as 2013's So Good At Being Trouble and the title track from the brand new Multi-Love.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra's Ruban Neilson singing while being held up by the crowd.
Ruban Nielson of Unknown Mortal Orchestra Photo: Marife Bautista
Unknown Mortal Orchestra Photo: Marife Bautista
The majority of the more unique acts this year happened to be on the Ocean 'Albatross' Stage including unknown Mortal Orchestra, Jazz cartier, and Ghostland Observatory; all of which had crowds way to massive to accommodate on such a small arena and would have been better suited for the larger WFPK Port stage.
The Port Stage also hosted a wide range of acts; both these stages seemed to have music preferable to the Main stages, with some exceptions including Femi Kuti and the Positive Force and Blackberry Smoke.
Femi Kuti and the Positive Force. Photo: Marife Bautista
Blackberry Smoke Photo: Marife Bautista
Joan Shelley on WFPK Port Stage
The WFPK Port stage housed the more AAA and 'indie' bands including Joan Shelley and Speedy Ortiz, to crowd delight. Even though I previously questioned Ryan Adams as the Weekend closer, it turned out to be a good call, drawing in the largest crowd of the weekend (even more than Alabama Shakes). I am just more inclined to have a large production/more energetic bands as the show closers such as in previous years including Jack White, or Outkast. But all in all Sunday was the best day of Forecastle 2016 with the most expansive sound and wide ranging talent.
Day 2 kicked off without incident (unlike the rocky start to Day 1) with seemingly the most interesting acts being earlier in the day and on the smaller stages such as Jazz Cartier at 1pm on the Ocean Stage. I still do not understand why the Electronic/Hip Hop stage (Ocean Stage) is always stuck under the overpass. It creates this overwhelming reverb that doesn't work with electronic music. Almost any other genre would sound better in an echo chamber than Hip Hop/Techno. It almost feels like they have a hip hop stage to appease some people but don't care enough to put it somewhere that works.
Overlapping the Jazz Cartier set was the impressive Madisen Ward and the Mamma Bear on the Boom Stage. Which is unfortunate for fans of both, especially given that everything interesting seemed to be before sunset on the small stages; leaving the main stages with Safety Pop and Ensemble Pop such as the headliners Alabama Shakes. In years past the main stages hosted more diverse acts such as Big Boi, Devo, and Outkast. These days the main acts seem to be a revolving door of the same AOR bands like Beck, Avett Brothers, and Flaming Lips.
Jazz crooning the Fan Girls Photo Cred: Spooky Fitzgerald
Jazz Cartier playing to an enthusiastic crowd at 1pm Photo Cred: Spooky Fitzgerald
Ladies love Jazz Cartier Photo Cred: Spooky Fitzgerald
The next big hit of Day 2 was Teddy Abrams and Friends on the WFPK Port Stage at 6pm, with a multitude of surprise guests and local heroes including Scott Carney, Kevin Ratterman, Jalin Roze, and many many more.
Scott Carney with Teddy Abrams and Friends Photo Cred: Marife Bautista
1200 and Jalin Roze with Teddy Abrams and Friends
The WFPK Port Stage remained the stage to be on Saturday evening with Nashville's All Them Witches whipping up the crowd into a frenzy with their personal brand of Murder City Devils-eque Doom Rock, right after Philadelphia pop punk band Nothing.
All Them Witches Photo Cred: Marife bautista
All Them Witches on Port Stage. Photo Cred: Marife Bautista
Member of Nothing
Alabama Shakes Photo Cred: Marife Bautista
Headliners Alabama Shakes ended Day 2 on the Main Stage to crowd delight, albeit a calmer ending than in past years.. Alabama Shakes had to compete with the howling sounds coming from the Party Cove for those who chose a more chemical induced book end for Saturday night.
Party Cove: The adult(ery) only section of Forecastle.
Admittedly Friday had one of the rockiest starts that Forecastle has seen in it's long life span. Just after Jecory "1200" Arthur's set on the WFPK Port stage the call was made to evacuate the park due to weather. We have gotten used to this by now, although pushing thousands of people into traffic during a thunderstorm hardly seems like a better alternative, it does release the fest and the city from responsibility if there is an incident.
It took a good couple hours to get things back on track, but by 7 pm Bully had sufficiently exploded onto the Port Stage with a hurricane of post-grunge energy that seemed to lull the crowd back into fest mode, enjoying super overpriced Fest Food, and scrambling to find the reduced and hidden Porta-Potties.
$6 Nachos
Bully photo cred Marife Bautista
Bully photo cred Marife Bautista
By far the best performance of day 1 was Ghostland Observatory (and also in the running for best performance of the whole fest for me personally). The Austin Texas duo have seemed to revert back to their roots of the layered electronic goth rave sounds found on their earlier releases such as delete.delete.i.eat.meat from 2005 and Paparazzi Lightning from 2006. Front man Aaron Behrens providing howling vocals (in addition to occasionally playing the guitar) seemingly embodying Rob Halford of Judas Priest with the dance moves of Jennifer Beals from Flashdance. Thomas Ross Turner cloaked in a cape ran back and fourth from various electronic drums and synthesizers amidst an onslaught of smoke and lasers to save Day One from an almost hum-drum fate.
All everyone seems to be talking about in Louisville this week is Forecastle. And all everyone seems to be saying about Forecastle is how the so many of the anticipated acts seem to be on sunday; And I agree with that. Most of what I am looking forward to is on sunday too, but there are also some great acts Friday and Saturday too. Here are my picks for Forecastle 2016:
1200 - Friday 3pm Ocean Stage
Jecory 1200 Arthur may not be widely known outside of Louisville, but that may change after Friday. 1200's live shows are always entertaining.
Ghostland Observatory - Friday 8:30 Ocean Stage
Glitch and glitter covered festival beats don't get much much better than this.
Madisen Ward and The Mama Bear - Saturday 1:30pm Boom Stage
Caught Madisen and Mama at Zanzabar a few months back and it is well worth a repeat viewing.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Sunday 6pm Ocean Stage
Social and personal (as well as sexual) positions covered from all sides.
Joan Shelley - Sunday 2pm WFPK Port Stage
Louisville Girl done good.
Ryan Adams - 9:30 pm Mast Stage
Most of the time Ryan Adams irritates me, but every now and again he does it right.
Wednesday July 13 is the Rock Against Racism Concert at Haymarket Whiskey Bar to benefit Louisville Urban League, Inc. A benefit show ($7 suggested donation benefiting the Louisville Urban League) featuring the bands Eons D, Cat Casual, Slow Joe Crow & The Berserker Blues Band, and Soft Self Portraits. All admission proceeds will go directly to fund west end projects.
Just released, as part of WFPK's 'City Song Series' (video's of Louisville Artists playing music around Louisville), is 1200 playing a solo version of his song OZ.
A studio recording of Oz was originally released in 2014 as part of the Louisville Is For Lovers & Guestroom Records 'Summer Cassingle Series'.
Louisville favorites Freakwater will be returning to Zanzabar on Tuesday July 26th, the first time since the release of their album 'Scheherazade' in February. Read our review here.
The Legendary showman Clownvis Presley brings his show stopping antics to Zanzabar Thursday June 30th. We were able to speak to him for an exclusive interview from his headquarters in St. Louis Mo. about Independence Day, Jesus, Santa, on becoming a Human Cannonball, and his secret to keeping the ladies happy (it's cotton candy).
Clownvis the human cannonball July 4th 2014
37: Since your start more than 5 years ago, you have done slews of holiday specials and shows including Christmas Specials and television appearances as well as your own show Clownvis Time! You are also known for your July 4th extravaganzas including a special event in Saint Louis where you were shot out of a cannon at the Atomic Cowboy in 2014. Is it safe to say Independence Day is one of your most favorite holidays and do you have anything special planned for your Independence weekend show at Zanzabar?
CP: 4th of July is by far my favorite holiday, along with Christmas, which is by far my favorite holiday. And Halloween and Valentines Day are also by far my favorite holidays. I guess I just have a lot of favorite holidays...by far. But to answer your question, yes, I have special things planned for the Zanzabar show. We will celebrate Mother America and suckle on her nurturing teet.
37: This will be your 3rd time in Louisville since your first show at Zanzabar on March 6th 2016 opening for Rob Crow. This time you are headlining the bill. What do you account for your rapid rise in popularity in Kentucky?
CP: Clownvis goes well with race horses and bourbon.
37: The Clownvis Mafia includes a wide range of characters including manager Narvel P. Tuffnuts, sidekick Duke Karate, DJ Weenie D (personal DJ and pet dog) security guards Stanley Suede and Bruce Bagwell as well as others including Clownapatra. Any chance we will see any of the infamous entourage at Zanzabr next week?
CP: Narvel tour manages most of my road shows, so he will be there. Bruce and Stanley are out in Hollyweird working as stuntmen in motion pictures. I'd love to take everybody on the road, but I don't like all that stuff that comes out of my budget like hotel rooms and Waffle House for a dozen people. So, me and Narv get the job done.
Narvel P. Tuffnuts (in trademark glasses) with friend.
37: What is it exactly that makes you like catnip to women, and also if it is some sort of lotion, potion, or fragrance can you bring some to Louisville with you?
CP: I wear cotton candy body spray.
37: It is a scientific fact that 5000 years ago Santa was walking around the North Pole when he came across the baby Jesus. He gave him a chicken wing and said "C'mon Baby" and they went and wrote the bible together. How do you incorporate these religious facts in your daily life as well as your live performances?
CP: Jesus is my homeboy. Amen.
Clownvis Will Be at Zanzabar Thurs June 30th
with Howell Dawdy and The Winger Brothers
Clownvis, the King of Clowns, will be making an appearance at Zanzabar on Thursday June 30th, with Howell Dawdy, and The Winger Brothers. This is an amazing line-up and has the 37FLOOD seal of approval. Read our review of Clownvis' last performance at Zanzabar here.
