I don’t mean to be tasteless, but I think this is a really bad idea and, at the risk of sounding too idealist, kind of the death-knell for indie-rock values. A Coachella cruise sounds like a bit Scharpling and Wurster would come up with to parody the increasingly moneyed alternative music scene. Said bit would definitely culminate with some hilariously gruesome denouement. Hence my headline and photo.
I mean, imagine Woodstock ’99 — but on a boat this time.
And check out some of those prices. I am no Fugazi-style punk-rock purist, to be sure. But this is definitely a step too far in the other direction.
Adding salt to my wounds, one of my favorite bands Pulp — a group that once championed the underdogs, the terminally uncool and underemployed — are headlining. Criminy!
I feel complicit in all this. I too am sometimes easily swayed by nostalgia, by the lure of this or that reunited band. I don’t spend as much time or money as I should on new music. (I’m better than some, not as good as others, in that regard.) I can’t help but wonder if I helped force the music world’s hand. Nobody buys music or goes to shows, so bands are forced to sign up for gimmicks like this.
But on the other hand, I’m really loving the new King Tuff album right now, so thankfully there’s usually someone scrappy and enthusiastic out there to talk me off the ledge and remind me of good things rock music can do.
It turns out that as a result of some strange and frankly tragic events, I will be live and on-site, camping for four full f*cking days, at “Bestival 2012” on the Isle of Wight in the UK this September. I feel like RTH should find a way to spring for a “wire” or something, just to hear me rant and whine as the week unfolds.
No, Mr. Mod, I am not kidding. This shit is all too real. Hit me up off-list if this sparks any thoughts, however tragic they may be. HappinessStan, I need your thoughts and prayers!
http://www.bestival.net
Let’s talk about this. There are likely gold-studded kernels of corn in that heaping pile of shit.
Pearls before swine. There are some very good bands there. Will you be yurting it?
On the plus side of the equation, the Isle of Wight is (used to be?) lovely. Even if you’ll be freezing your f-ing arse off with the kiddies.
Oats – what do you think of the new Ty Segall? It sounds promising. And I’m counting the days until Tame Impala’s new one comes out. The other disc I’m considering is the new Grass Widow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meCV2sfThYA
I hate to be the one to tell you guys this but….music is dead. The only real music being made now are by acts who struggle to not get signed in a conventional sense, gillian welch, Clutch. Anything that mentions the words “youth”, “industry”, “Kid Rock” and boat cruise is clearly an creation fresh from Satans buthole. It’s not that there aren’t bands and musicians making music that you cant listen too. It’s just that music and what is known as the music industry are as divorced as your parents; It’s like drawing a link between the movie industry and writers….totally separate entities, beings, ideas. Personally Im glad if one more frikkin thing gets monetised on my watch Im gonna consider becoming a communist just out of spite, and no one wants that!
P.S. Festivals are well overrated, even if they are on a boat
2 words for you: Sisters Sledge.
I recall seeing an advert recently for a cruise centered around a concert by Weezer. (not quite the draw Adrian Zmed is, but still).
All things considered, it’s not much different than playing Atlantic City: a rock band playing in an incongruous venue with a very high ticket price.
Woodstock 99…on a boat. Best comment ever!
Ty Segall has, what, three albums coming out in 2012? I like him a lot, but have some trouble keeping up with his output.
Dare ya to burn the lighter and yell “‘For What It’s Worth’! ‘FOR WHAT IT’S WORRRRRTH’!!!” incessantly during James McCartney’s set.
aloha
LD
It has occurred to me that it may be time for me to retire my RTH avatar of Jarvis Cocker in protest. Developing.
You could change it to Ty Segall and know that it will continue to be up to date.
That’s Jarvis Cocker? I thought you were using Harry Potter.
Tying threads together, it’s been rumored for the last two months that one of the songs on Dylan’s new album is a 19 minute song about the Titanic. If my memory serves me well (just how damn clever am I, further tying in a Bob line?) David Hildago who plays on the album revealed this.
Ha! I’ve made my change, to a more RTH-friendly artist. For now anyway.
So did I!
I’ve liked what I’ve heard by Alabama Shakes…I say, just make sure you’ve got plenty of good quality E, stay hydrated, and everything should work out fine, HVB.
That’s a pretty good album by them. It’s not great, and they don’t live up to the hype, but how could they? I think Alabama Shakes may be the kind of band that eventually comes up with a stone cold classic someday.
Hey, King Khan and the Shrines will kill it, I’m sure.
I liked their live performance on Sound Opinions but was a bit underwhelmed by the album. I’m interested to see what they do next, but I’ve yet to hear anyone who was worth the hype in the last 20 years or so.
Yeah, they’re good…guess I missed ’em amongst the 80,000 bands listed as playing this event.
Satan’s butthole!
Holy shit! Jus’ listened to that King Tuff album. The Musik’s alright, but his voice was too much to take. Put a hurt on me ears!