There’s certain rituals I must do every year. First on my list, SXSW in Austin, Texas for their annual music convention, which helps to school me on the new buzz bands and gets me some good barbeque. Coachella Music & Arts Festival in Indio, California for three days in the desert that kicks off the summer music scene and allows me a side trip to Disneyland. Lollapalooza, in Grant Park that is now Chi-Town’s very own annual music festival, that delivers my yearly Perry Farrell fix. Of course last but not least, New Orleans on Halloween weekend for oysters and their annual Voodoo Music Experience concert, hidden in the swaps of City Park.
This year it was back better than ever with three days to satisfy any music fan. This year you had over a hundred bands to pick and choose while you consumed vast amounts of SoCo drinks until you couldn’t see straight, or maybe that was just me!?! Thank you free backstage bar!
Friday I arrived just in time to catch the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club in the daylight. This is one of those bands that I love but I need to see them in a smoky dark club with the amps tuned up to eleven. Still even with sunglasses they looked and sounded great and was the perfect kicker for my hangover and the next three days.
From there I caught a little psychedelic buzz from UK’s Porcupine Tree. After zoning out on their long prog rock jams I decided to sneak over to WWOZ/SoCo stage to get some Louisiana blues by JJ Grey & MOFRO. I saw them earlier this year at the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival and they bring the soul and the blues to their country ghetto sound.
After a few songs with JJ Grey bouncing from guitar to piano, I stumbled into the Bingo Parlour Tent near by to find out what all the fuss was about with this chick band doing Zeppelin covers. Wow, this Sarah Mclellan can really belt it out and let’s not forget Steph Paynes ripping through riffs like she’s Jimmy Page's long lost sister. Lez Zeppelin I can’t wait until you come back to Chi-Town because I am THERE!
After hearing an awesome version of “I Can't Quit You Baby,” I moved on over to the Voodoo Stage for the Kings of Leon set. I don’t even recognize their newer clean shaven look but I do groove their harder edge sound. They came out and kicked it in from the very first notes. I miss the crazy hair and mustaches but this is a band that is getting better every time I see them live.
I waited and waited for Toots And The Maytals and was only able to catch one song before making a run to the Playstation/Billboard stage. M.I.A. came out all iridescent, sunglasses and all to drop her beats and riotous vocals as she thrashed around the stage in a dominating prowl. Although she looked and sounded fierce, I of course was only biding my time for the headliner of the evening and maybe the festival as a whole.
Rage Against the Machine announced earlier this year they were reuniting to do a one off at this years Coachella festival that turned into a series of shows. I saw that first show in the Indio desert and I have to say Zach and the band came out like they never broke up. Well tonight was no exception and solidified their well oiled machine, all the while demanding a political uprise in the bayous. What can I say, I’ll be sad if they go their separate ways after a year of solid shows around the US.
Saturday I found my way back to the grounds in time to catch the one and only Sinead O’Connor. I’ve missed her and it’s nice to see her back singing songs and doing live shows where she belongs. Arriving on stage, the sun was pounding hard as she entered looking quite androgynous if not a bit dykey. Yet she sounded as gorgeous as she did back when she was the controversial pop star in the 90’s. Sinead set included songs from her very first album and even satisfied the crowd with her Prince cover, “Nothing Compares 2 U,” that even Prince is envious of still today.
After that I watched brief sets of the "Cousin Itt" looking singer of, Coheed and Cambria and trudged through the mud to see New Orleans own Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk. Neither really grabbed me but it’s very possible I just didn’t give either a long enough listen.
Regardless, I wanted to make sure I made it in time to hear the funky soul of Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals. The one thing they are not innocent of is putting on a kick ass show that is mesmerizing. Wow, Ben Harper knows how to rock out a hat and can equally deliver on the guitar. The grooves he was laying down was just so intoxicating that I was almost tempted to dance, almost. I’m white so it’s ill advised. I really could have left after his set, it was perfect, but I still had Spoon and the Smashing Pumpkins to catch.
Spoon is one of those bands that I’ve heard so much about and I’ve had problems getting into live. I suspect they might be a band you need to get familiarized on album before you venture out to see them live, kind of like The Shins. Yet with that said there was something about their set at Voodoo that grabbed me. Perhaps it’s because I recognized their new song “Don’t Make Me A Target” and “The Underdog” that are growing on me. I really need to add some of their albums to my iPod.
Smashing Pumpkins (or Zwan part deux) came out slow for a headliner and never really found their groove. Unlike the previous night where Rage came out in full force, Corgan and the band deciding to open up with new material that helped to lose the crowd from the get go. In fact most of the set consisted of new material with only a few nuggets to appeal to my musical taste buds. Still, Corgan did deliver on some of my Pumpkin favorites like “Drown,” and the perfect pop song, “Today.” It was disappointment in my eyes, but offering up a CCR cover of “Born on the Bayou” along with Corgan’s nice acoustic rendition of “1979” came close to saving them.
Sunday I had every intention of arriving in time for the first band but I just couldn’t get myself motivated. Sunday was a day showcasing some of the biggest and soon to be biggest names in the Chicago music scene. The Plain White T’s was the first Chicago band but I did not make it in time to hear their radio hit “Hey There Delilah," but I heard they played it.
I did however make it to see the new buzz band Gym Class Heroes and I have to say I loved them. Their laid back playful stage antics made them a perfect band to start off the final day. Their blend of rap and indie rock made this NY band a pleasant surprise that I didn’t anticipate but was very welcome. I might need to add them to my iPod as well.
After a brief visit to the concession area for a BBQ pulled pork sandwich, I headed over to catch a bit of the quirky Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. I’m not sure what I think of them but I must admit I found myself grooving to the oddly catchy “Satan Said Dance” with the chorus of “Satan, Sa-tan, Satan, Sa-Tan” that is fun and bouncy.
I missed Pete Wentz’s jumping off of the speaker that caused him to break his foot but saw a photo of it and it looked nasty . They did a solid set but what’s with the outfits guys? It’s the south and you came out in layers and even a leather coat? Even though I would encourage the drummer to wear a shirt he at least knew what the temperature is out in New Orleans. Maybe I’m just nitpicking.
Paolo Nutini showed me a how not to have stage presence by singing with a hunch back with his eyes closed. My girlfriend kept talking about him from his Lollapalooza performance but I’m not sure if she was a fan of his music or just him in general. I have to admit his “New Shoes” song is a bit on the catchy side and growing on me every time I hear it.
The Black Crowes have surprised me all year by bringing new strength back to their live set. I gave up on them long ago but I’ve seem them now three times this year and wow they are back with a little less jam and more of a Allman Brothers like vibe. Glad to have the brother Robinson’s back. Speaking of, Rich Robinson might have done a Pete Wentz a show earlier, coming out in crutches that did nothing to stop him from delivering some solid guitar licks.
After taking the time to catch a few songs of Irma Thomas and Zap Mama, I made it over in time to see Common appear out of the darkness to dominate the Playstation/Billboard stage. With his mastering of the freestyle, Common’s one of rap’s most original talents out there today and we are lucky to say he’s one of Chicago’s own.
Another Chicago talent, Wilco, closed the Voodoo Stage in a nice blanket of blue light. Tweedy and the boys out did their selves proving me wrong and provided to be the perfect closer. Wilco is one of those bands I sometimes forget how much I enjoy. They seem often to be off my radar but I always enjoy their live shows. Wilco proved tonight that they have earned their place as a headliner and a band that keeps pushing the envelope with each album.
I made one more pit stop before I closed the chapter to my 2007 Voodoo experience. I had to pay my regards to the “Night Tripper” better known as, Dr. John. His piano boogie is as much apart of New Orleans as is his signature growl that IS the “voodoo” music. Dr. John glowing in purple with his fingers tickling the ivories was the way I wanted to end my three days.
Once again the Voodoo Music Experience brought me back to one of my favorite cities and to one of my favorite musical festivals. This year I stuffed a smorgasbord of tasty musical treats in three days to make a perfect Halloween weekend. I’ll see YOU, next year.
• Click Here for the Voodoo Music Experience Photo Gallery
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