2008.11.18
FloydFest 8 early lineup announced -- Toubab Krewe, lots of funk on the bill
This year's theme -- Revival. Check the Web site. Big shocker -- lots of good music scheduled early. Here are the top-billed bands, including Lee Boys, who were huge at FF6. The Dynamites and Hot 8 Jazz Band are on my must-see list.
Toubab Krewe -- http://www.myspace.com/toubabkrewe
Yard Dogs Road Show -- http://www.myspace.com/yarddogsroadshow
The Dynamites, feat. Charles Walker -- http://www.myspace.com/thedynamitesband
Forro in the Dark -- http://www.myspace.com/forrointhedark
Hot 8 Jazz Band -- http://www.myspace.com/hot8brassband
Lee Boys --http://www.myspace.com/leeboys
The Duhks -- http://www.myspace.com/theduhks
Always with Floydfest I have to ask "who"? As in the F**K are these bands? Heard of like 2 and I like stuff nobody else knows. Not really making me want to shell out 100+ bucks yet.
Comment by Eric — November 18, 2008 @ 5:25 pm
That's kind of the beauty of it. I go on rarely knowing most of the bands, and always find two or three that just floor me. Two years ago, The Lee Boys (sacred steel band from Florida) were there, as were another, better-known sacred steel group, The Campbell Brothers. I left a big fan of both.
The Dynamites are old-school funk and soul in the James Brown vein. Hot 8 Jazz Band is a New Orleans horn act, with drums, and a tuba playing the bass lines. What I heard on their myspace page is pretty hot.
That's why I posted the link. Hit them, then tell me what you think.
Comment by Tad — November 18, 2008 @ 5:58 pm
Wassup ya'll? Thanks Tad for posting this first blog on FloydFest 2009. Eric, first-off tickets are $80 for 3-days and $90 for 4-days..not a bad deal for the amount of music you'll get...not to mention the experience. I take it you've never been to the Fest? I get a lot of joy out of seeing music that is not mainstream and rarely heard-of. Let's take just the seven acts that Tad mentioned above...Toubab Krewe / a group of 5 musicians from Asheville, NC(sells out The Orange Peel every time). They combine West African and rock music to near perfection. Some of the most progressive stuff out there. Yard Dogs Road Show / combines some of the most entertaining live stuff around with magic, art and cabaret (featured in SPIN). The Dynamites / some of the nastiest funk you'll ever hear from Nashville, TN old-school. Forro in the Dark / Northern Brazilian street music featuring David Byrne's percussionist and members of Bebel Gilberto's band. Hot 8 Brass Band /ever been to New Orleans? Second line is true culture and no one does it better than Hot 8. Lee Boys / gives Robert Randolph a run for the money with a heck of lot more soul. The Duhks / featured artist in Paste and brings the best neo-folk soul around. Banjo player is the son of the Newport Folk Fest Founder. Don't knock it til you try it is what I always say. Not to mention...this is only a small taste of the initial line up. What acts would you recommend. Peace.
Comment by Kris — November 18, 2008 @ 7:56 pm
Eric-
Have you ever been to Floyd Fest? Maybe that is why you have never heard of the "f---k" bands. The music is better every year and you know what- I go because I enjoy hearing the bands you have never heard of. So- keep listening to whatever you listen to and stay lost in your closed off mind.
Comment by Steve — November 19, 2008 @ 11:52 am
What's up Kris. For those who don't know, Kris Hodges and Erika Johnson co-founded FloydFest and still run it.
Kris, thanks for laying out the ticket costs. As you might remember, I left Fest 6 thinking the Campbell Brothers are the best sacred steel band, but I really dug The Lee Boys, too, and am looking forward to seeing them again.
Based on the early info, Hot 8 is the one I'm looking forward to the most. Just keep bringing in that New Orleans stuff -- Dumpstaphunk *killed* at 7.
Looking forward to seeing you guys fill out the lineup for 8.
Comment by Tad — November 19, 2008 @ 2:41 pm
Because you never heard of a band do not let that stop you. I know that Kris has always done his homework and then some. As to the price ...take a look at other festivals and see how much they charge. The Floyfest in my opinion is the best thing we have in this area.
Comment by Bill Hudson — November 19, 2008 @ 4:55 pm
Yes. Been a few times. It's very nice. Lots of money spent on the production. Spend some on the acts.
Comment by Eric — November 19, 2008 @ 6:38 pm
It's interesting to hear the comments here, as always, with blogs. I remember an interview with Neil Young where he mentioned just "not reading reviews anymore", that statement struck a chord with me
but it's what has driven the success of this event..listening to what the 20% annual growth of festival attendees keep coming back for..the fact that WE listen to their requests. I book all bands due to what the FF audience requests. There was also the promoter last year questioning the FF line up and prices on Jambase...he recently contacted me and gave mad props to the event and invited Erika and I to his event in NC w/ VIP passes. It's what keeps Bonnaroo, Langerado, Allgood, Grassroots, Merlefest, and other event promoters contacting me checking out what we do and how, in a turnover rate of 5-10, do we continue to succeed? Event promotion is no small feat and being smart on your line up is key...but even more important is what the event means and how the attendee feels when they leave...so far, so good. Thanks for the comments here and keep 'em coming! Eric, please give some suggestions as to what bands you would like to see? Peace.
Comment by Kris — November 20, 2008 @ 1:51 am
Eric - You need to unclench your butt cheeks, loosen your wallet and just go. FF7 was amazing - 70+ bands, we saw 52 in 4 days - dude, $2 a show!?!?!? I went knowing what bands I was going to see and came away with a dozen more for my list. Kris and Erika put on a superb festival that is starting to get a lot of traction in the music community. I go to a lot of show over the course of a year and almost every band has heard of and wants to book Floyd. Hackensaw Boys, Bobby Lee Rodgers and the Codetalkers, Reverend Peyton, New Monsoon, Jackass Flats, Crooked Still - they all want to go.
Kris/Erika - if you would book Dark Star Orchestra for FF8 I will cook you an amazing ribeye dinner at the campsite. Bring Tristan along as well - he was a huge help shuttling our gear back to the main gate with his posse of helpers in the golf carts.
Can't wait.
Comment by Rick — January 2, 2009 @ 11:47 am
I loved Rev. Peyton and Washboard Breezy at the last FF. I hope Bobby Lee Rodgers and the Codetalkers get in -- great act. They used to kill with Bruce Hampton, and though I haven't seen them live since Hampton moved on, I've seen youtube stuff with Rodgers' new lineup. Sounds great.
Comment by Tad — January 2, 2009 @ 5:05 pm