Let’s start a new tradition around here on the first Monday of the year: In addition to providing you with the Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week, as we do every Monday, let’s take a longer look at our calendar to, perhaps, some Can’t-Miss Shows of the Year.
Coming to you from the minds of local music Mega Powers Lehigh Valley Underground and DustinSchoof.com: The Best of 2016 video series.
I must say, it’s hard to pick “favorites” sometimes. This is one of those times, because there have been a ton of great festivals around the Valley this year.
Well… that was quite a month!
It started with the story of how we wound up here in the first place. Then, we announced a Mega Powerful partnership with our pal Dustin Schoof. That was reason to party, so we followed it up with a ten-day celebration of the grandest musical tradition in our Valley. We covered artists from our region and beyond, and even had the chance to get in on the action, thanks to a special assist from our friends at the Greater Lehigh Valley Music Association and ArtsQuest.
The fun didn’t stop there. We hung out at an open jam featuring former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy and a couple of the best and brightest young bands in our region. We enjoyed a diversified #SuperSaturday around our Valley that included a studio performance, a grand opening, and a night of hardcore. We reviewed albums, featured some great pieces from contributors, and had a wonderful time doing it all.
What did all of that mean for us? It meant shattering every meaningful record – Every. Single. Record. – when it comes to LVU’s site traffic. Here are a few of the milestones we reached this August.
The moral of the story is that Lehigh Valley Underground grew up this month, from a fledgling local music blog to a force to be reckoned with. Our platform has improved greatly over the past month, which bodes well for the many talented artists and music people on our local scene.
There’s no sense in stopping now. Tonight, we cap our amazing month at the Great Allentown Fair, supporting just a few of our favorite local artists as they compete to win WZZO’s 28th Annual Backyard Bands Competition.
So, that was August — a milestone month for LVU in every way. After all of that, only one question comes to mind…
How will we #GoUnderground to make September even better?
If you know that phrase, you are familiar with Igor and the Red Elvises, a light-hearted, foot-stomping, hand-waiving, finger-pointing satirical band that started in Russia. This energetic and rebellious musical group combine a multitude of instruments at various performances including the clarinet, saxophone, flute, and banjo, just to name a few. According to the band’s website, their “unique brand of humor combined with guitar based rock’n’roll makes audiences want to sing, dance, scream and shout.”
What I saw on a hot and humid Friday evening at Musikfest was nothing short of incredible. Igor and the Red Elvises always deliver, no matter how much they evolve throughout their 20 plus years of touring. The photos and video give a little insight into this odd, fun, wacky, and talented band. Enjoy!
(By the way, forgive the quality of the photos; they were taken on my smartphone with little control of exposure, but you’ll get the vibe of the evening.)
Keeping cool?
The dog days of August are certainly living up to their name this weekend. First of all, make sure that you stay hydrated out there. Fill your ‘Fest mugs with some nice, cold water once in a while.
That should prepare you for the day ahead – and all of the great tunes you have to look forward to.
La Overtoner | 3 p.m.
Stage: Provident Bank Main Street (North)
Description: Beat the heat with the Berks County natives’ brand of alt-rock.
Rusty and Justin of Flowers for Taco | 5 p.m.
Stage: Hotel Bethlehem Platz (North)
Description: Two members of the Allentown-based party band return for a stripped-down set.
John Hufford | 6 p.m.
Stage: Martin Guitar Lyrikplatz at Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas (South)
Description: John comes to us from nearby Hellertown with an intimate set of folk rock.
Scott Marshall & Marshall Scott | 8 p.m.
Stage: Martin Guitar Lyrikplatz at Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas (South)
Description: Scott Marshall and his only son perform an acoustic set together.
Craig Thatcher Band | 9 p.m.
Stage: Air Products Americaplatz (South)
Description: The local legend plays a headline set on South Side’s largest free stage.
There’s more where that came from! Check in with DustinSchoof.com every morning throughout Musikfest for a full free stage lineup!
The second weekend of Musikfest 2016 is now upon us.
Although we’re sad that the ‘Fest is winding down for another year, there’s still an entire weekend’s worth of memories and awesome performances still to come. Have some variety today on us!
The Philadelphia German Brass Band | 12 p.m.
Stage: Wells Fargo Festplatz (North)
Description: How about some Musikfest-traditional polka on your lunch break? That is, if you went to work at all today…
Crushed Out | 3 p.m.
Stage: Volksplatz (North)
Description: Blues rock from Brooklyn highlights your afternoon.
Wild Planes | 5 & 7 p.m.
Stage: Provident Bank Main Street (North)
Description: Fly with some funk and soul from New York City.
Jessi Lee Ross | 7 p.m.
Stage: Martin Guitar Lyrikplatz at Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas
Description: An intimate acoustic performance from a local artist. Speaking of local artists…
Sabrina Carpenter | 7:30 p.m.
Stage: Sands Steel Stage (South)
Description: Pretty cool that one of eastern PA’s own is headlining Musikfest on a Friday night, isn’t it?
There’s more where that came from! Check in with DustinSchoof.com every morning throughout Musikfest for a full free stage lineup!
So… how did you like yesterday’s Schoof Schpecial? Special thanks to DustinSchoof.com for a job well done!
We’re back on it here at LVU, and it’s a good thing – there is still much more to enjoy today at Musikfest (including some family-oriented programming early in the day, in case you have kids in tow).
Musikfest Five-Point Preview
Day 7 – Aug. 11, 2016
PBS39 Presents TeleBear’s Summer Jam with Kira Willey & Friends | 2 p.m.
Stage: Air Products Tell Me More Stage at PBS39 (South)
Description: The kindie artist and musical yogini presents a performance of music and mindfulness. Also, a new TeleBear’s Summer Jam takes place every day at PBS39 at 2 p.m. through the end of Musikfest!
Easton School of Rock’s Bank Street Band | 2:30 p.m.
Stage: FLYLVIA Plaza Tropical (North)
Description: Meanwhile, family entertainment on the North Side features the Easton School of Rock’s best and brightest.
Tony Gairo & Lou Lanza | 5:30 p.m.
Stage: BB&T Jazz Cabaret Stage (South)
Description: Enjoy some early evening jazz courtesy of two artists with Moravian College ties.
Dina Hall Band | 6:30 p.m.
Stage: Red Stag Pub Liederplatz (North)
Description: After an intimate set on South Side last night, the local folk legend comes north with a full band.
The Blind Owl Band | 8:30 p.m.
Stage: Provident Bank Main Street (North)
Description: Have you had a dose of bluegrass yet? If not, this could be your chance.
There’s more where that came from! Check in with DustinSchoof.com every morning throughout Musikfest for a full free stage lineup!
Tuesday night started a bit early for me than Monday’s adventure did. For one thing, I am (mostly) recovered from the Lehigh Valley Music Awards Rock Showcase, so it was easy for me to get moving.
It was even easier for the Festplatz crowd to get moving around 5:30 p.m. That’s when the Sensational Soul Cruisers took the stage. The vocal quartet — with one of the tightest backing bands you’ll ever hear — played more than an hour’s worth of Motown, soul, and R&B hits that kept the dance floor way more packed than you’d expect on a Tuesday afternoon.
There was still plenty of soul to be had a Musikfest after the Soul Cruisers wrapped up. For one thing, The Groove Merchants were getting ready to begin their second set of the day on the Provident Bank Main Street stage in celebration of their new album, “Take It.”
I swear, the Groove Merchants’ blend of funk, jazz, blues, and rock keeps getting better every time I see them. Frontman Tye Vallone excelled at his job, keeping the crowd engaged with his charisma and ability on multiple instruments, while solos from guitarist Luke Ferracone and trumpeter Dylan Hinnershitz wowed those who had gathered around for the band’s set.
As dusk came over Main Street and The Groove Merchants packed their instruments and merch table, it was time for a change of pace courtesy of Bethlehem indie rockers, Voirvoir. The five-piece packed the front of the stage with fans and supporters, injecting even more youthful energy into the night with anthems like opening song, “I Wanna.”
As part of our partnership with DustinSchoof.com, we’ve decided to make today a Schoof Schpecial here at Lehigh Valley Underground. Dustin will be at the festival today, and we want to encourage you visit his site later on for the latest from Musikfest. Of course, we’ll be back to recap his findings and link you to them later.
So, that’s where he’ll be. But specifically, where should you be? Well, we have a few suggestions for you to try…
Quimby Mountain Band | 5 p.m.
Stage: Red Stag Pub Liederplatz (North)
Description: The popular Jersey roots rockers cross the state line to jam at ‘Fest.
The Moondogs | 5 p.m.
Stage: Volksplatz (North)
Description: Expect an excellent mix of classic covers, contemporary tunes, and originals when the Moondogs howl.
Billy Bauer Band | 7 p.m.
Stage: Red Stag Pub Liederplatz (North)
Description: Keep jammin’ on the North Side with one of Bethlehem’s own.
Dina Hall | 8 p.m.
Stage: Martin Guitar Lyrikplatz at Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas (South)
Description: Join the Lehigh Valley folk legend for an intimate set.
Here Come the Mummies | 9:30 p.m.
Stage: Air Products Americaplatz (South)
Description: You came to South Side, so why not stay there for some fun all the way from Egypt?
There’s more where that came from! Check in with DustinSchoof.com every morning throughout Musikfest for a full free stage lineup!