by Chad Bennett | Aug 6, 2018 | snapshot, visual
Middle of The Map 2018 was absolutely insane. Not only was it one of the hottest weekends in Kansas City of the year thus far, but there was construction on every corner, and a lot of other events happening in the area. Despite all of the hullabaloo, we were able to nab some photos throughout the weekend. Below, check out some shots of Sports, Red Shahan, The Vik G. Trio, Calvin Arsenia, and Belle & The Vertigo Waves.
by Chad Bennett | Jul 17, 2018 | perspective
There are more than a few reasons to partake in Lawrence Field Day Festival this coming weekend. Now in its seventh installment, the 3-day annual event in Lawrence, Kansas continues to feature great live music from dozens of bands at a very affordable ticket price. The festival runs Thursday through Saturday.
Started by Cameron Hawk and Quinton Cheney in 2012, LFDF was envisioned as a live music showcase for Lawrence residents while University of Kansas was on summer break. Of course, students are welcome at LFDF, but the environment on Mass Avenue is different, in a good way, when there are about twenty-thousand fewer people clogging up the joint.
And, fewer students is the first reason you should attend. If you’ve had prior experiences in downtown Lawrence in which it took you five minutes to drive one block, or you’ve ended up parking 4 streets over, or you’ve had your shoes puked on by a drunken frat boy celebrating his 21st, then you really need to come to LFDF. You will finally be able to devote your attention to music.
Another perfect reason to attend is the cost. It sounds almost unbelievable, but you can get a wristband with 3-day access to five venues and sixty bands for only $15. So far this summer, I’ve heard of no festival offering so much music for such a low price. And the great music is the other best reason to attend.
Lawrence Field Day Fest has featured several genres of music, but there is an undeniable focus on rock, and secondarily on hip-hop. Although Lawrence and Kansas City are well-represented, this year’s fest is pulling in talent from Denver, St. Louis, Minneapolis, and other cities. Let’s do a look and listen on some of this year’s bands.
Truck Stop Love will make a visit from the past. The early-90s rockers are back after a 25-year hiatus and a couple of personnel changes. Known for their county fuzz rock, the Manhattan, KS band hits the Bottleneck for the Black Site Records Showcase on Saturday at 11 pm.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/truckstoploveband/
Listen: https://truckstoplove.bandcamp.com/track/you-keep-searchin-3
Denver punk rockers The Windermeres are scheduled for 7 pm on Friday at the Replay Lounge.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewindermeres/
Listen: https://thewindermeres.bandcamp.com/track/angel-of-batavia
You can get a dose of electro hip hop from Lawrence’s own Sean Hunt, aka Approach, at the Replay Lounge at 9:30 pm on Friday.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Approach1
Listen: https://approach.bandcamp.com/track/the-luv-2
If you missed Bruiser Queen when they played the Riot Room in Kansas City back in March, you’ll have an opportunity to take in some good indie garage pop from the St. Louis two-piece. Just show up at Jackpot Music Hall at 9:15 pm on Friday.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bruiserqueen/
Listen: https://bruiserqueen.bandcamp.com/track/sugar-high
The Ghoulies want to show you punk rock with a bluesy, garage feel. Adding an organ to the mix only amps up the excitement for this Denver band that’s been busy touring all summer. See them at the Replay Lounge on Saturday at 11:45 pm.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theghouliesband/
Listen: https://theghouliesdenver.bandcamp.com/track/texas-machete-2
The Bottleneck has been involved in LFDF since the inception, and will have about 20 acts during the Fest. Don’t miss metal rockers Hyborian of Kansas City at 12:15 am Friday night. Bringing a mystical and sci-fi vibe to metal, Hyborian built their own studio in the West Bottoms.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HyborianRock/
Listen: https://hyborianrock.bandcamp.com/track/maelstrom
The immutable laws of physics will prevent you from seeing the complete sets of all 60+ bands at LFDF, but some of the other acts that I’ll make a point to see this weekend are The Uncouth, Westerners, Momma’s Boy, Headlight Rivals, The Sluts, The Goodbye Sort, Vigil and Thieves, and Stiff Middle Fingers.
Check out the complete lineup and schedule for Lawrence Field Day Festival at: http://hellohamhawks.wixsite.com/lawrencefielddayfest/schedule
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 28, 2018 | snapshot, visual
If you can remember back to Boulevardia 2017, you may have been just as bummed out that you missed Guster due to the rain out as most. But — for those of us who didn’t chicken out and bail from heat exhaustion or thunderstorms — Guster regaled an infectiously energetic crowd in a parking garage. As immaculate as it was, it was amazing to have the band back in town for round two at Boulevardia 2018 so they could share their chops on stage with the masses. Thanks to Guster for making it back, and to Boulevardia for one insane weekend.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 27, 2018 | snapshot, visual
LANY riled up a growing crowd on Day 2 of Bonnaroo 2018. We got into their stage antics pretty quickly, and got a few photos for you to enjoy.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 21, 2018 | snapshot, visual
June 15th and 16th, 2018 marked the fifth annual Boulevardia Beer, Music, and Food Festival. Though it always feels like it falls on the hottest days of the year – it is consistently held on Father’s Day weekend in a an old but picturesque area that is basically all blacktop concrete – Boulevardia is a consistent adventure for midwesterners and travelers alike. This year featured forty bands across three stages, old and new taps alike, food selections from all over the metropolitan area, and additional installations like a wider variety of vendors and the fest’s very on outdoor Silent Disco.
This year, Saturday’s headliner was Bleachers. So of course we ran into the pit to get a few action shots for you!
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 20, 2018 | snapshot, visual
Broken Social Scene has inspired an array of artists who are living out their own moments to shine now. How wonderful an experience to witness their live performance tactics at Bonnaroo 2018! (Plus: Check out the reflection of the growing audience in some of those sunglasses photos!)
Keep up with Broken Social Scene here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 14, 2018 | snapshot, visual
What better way to enjoy the sunset than from the THAT Tent at Bonnaroo with Sylvan Esso? (Answer: There’s no better way.) The musicianship brought an energy to welcome the night, and we couldn’t have been put under a more vivid trance.
Keep up with Sylvan Esso here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 14, 2018 | snapshot, visual
The amount of times we have seen Sir Sly is pretty impressive, and we have yet to be bored by a single set of theirs. Perhaps this time – at Bonnaroo 2018 – Landon’s openness with the audience is what made us connect. Regardless, the band revived the crowd after a massive thunderstorm hit the campgrounds earlier in the day. We got a few closeups.
Keep up with Sir Sly here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 14, 2018 | snapshot, visual
Moon Taxi played as the sun began to slowly set on the last day at The Farm for Bonnaroo 2018. The crowd was revved up for the final few acts, and it showed in the photos we captured.
Keep up with Moon Taxi here.
