OUTSIDE LANDS INTIAL LINEUP

Outside Lands has announced the preliminary lineup for this August's third annual festival.  Big names include headliners Kings of Leon, Phoenix, The Strokes, My Morning Jacket, Wolfmother, Social Distortion, and Al Green.  Some more eclectic acts will also feature, like The Levon Helm Band, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Cat Power, and Furthur featuring Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, who will headline Saturday night.  Hip hop will be represented too of course, most notably the collaboration between Damian "Jr Gong" Marley and Nas.  Upstarts like Janelle Monae and Empire of the Sun will also add some new flavor to the mix of bluegrass, jazz, dub, and electronic music that rounds out the bill.  More artist will surely be added soon, so stay on your toes, hippies.  

Outside Lands will take place August 14th & 15th in San Francisco's historic Golden Gate Park. Tickets are on sale now.  For information on Late Night shows, Festival Tickets, Food, and the full lineup, visit the festival's website.

NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL!!!

Over the years I've heard wonderful things about the Newport Folk Festival, and obviously I grew up listening to so many jazz greats perform at Newport Jazz, but this year I find myself a New England resident, so the excitement is finally localized.  2010's festival will take place the weekend of July 30-August 1, having moved to a 3-day format.  Friday night will feature Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers, Tim O'Brien, and Sarah Jarosz performing a more intimate show at the International Tennis Hall of Fame before the real festival kicks off Saturday at Fort Adams.  Saturday's line-up boasts performances by My Morning Jacket's Jim James, Calexico, Blitzen Trapper, Andrew Bird, personal favorite AA Bonday, as well as songwriting genius John Prine, and bluegrass royalty Doc Watson & David Holt, and Sam Bush, plus many more.  Sunday gets serious with Edward Sharp & the Magnetic Zeros, The Avett Brothers, The Felice Brothers, Richie Havens, The Swell Season, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Justin Townes Earl, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, and the Punch Brothers with Chris Thile.  The festival will close with a special performance by Levon Helm that they are calling Levon Helm Band's Ramble on the Road featuring Special Guests.  That alone is enough to make me pee in my pants a little.  For more artists and ticket info visit the Newport Folk Fest site.  Should be an amazing weekend, and a classy step away from the chaotic summer festival circuit.  Hope to see you Sunday...