Last month, Buntologists Angela and Neil had the bright idea to add a music news video segment to the website’s repertoire. That footage never saw the light of day… until now.
Wow! We can’t believe 2009 has come to an end. This year saw a lot in music, and so did the staff at Buntology. Between Phish, festies, and a smattering of new and classic rock concerts, it’s going to be hard to top all of the awesome performances 2009 had to offer.
But, before we look at the music, let’s take a second to remember the great musicians that passed away this year: Ron Asheton (The Stooges), Jay Bennet (Wilco), Bob Bogle (The Ventures), Ean Evans (Lynyrd Skynyrd), Adam Goldstein (“DJ AM”), Kelly Groucutt (Electric Light Orchestra), and Michael Jackson (Jackson 5). Rest in peace!
But with death comes rebirth, and this year the stork brought us many new “super-groups” like Them Crooked Vultures, The Deadweather, Further and Tinted Windows. This past year we have seen the rise of young artists like Passion Pit, Asher Roth, Matt & Kim and Gogol Bordello. We have also seen some older bands dust off their Fenders and start playing again, like The Flaming Lips, Weezer and Blink 182.
Blink 182 reunited this year, not only to record, but also to tour and play shows through the US last summer. Though Blink has not released any new music yet, they have are currently working on a new album. Another band that reunited after a break for a few years was Phish. They released a new album “Joy” and have went on an extensive summer and fall tour. Of course one of the highlights of Buntology staffer Ivan’s summer was the performance by Sir Paul McCartney, who played a show at Fenway Park in Boston, Mass.
How about some other musical highlights of the year? In no particular order…
I have been scratching my head for a while now. If there is a God (and no, I am not trying to stir a debate), he is very pleased with us at the moment.
Hmm, maybe not pleased with all of us, but those immersed in the live music scene are getting what they want. Spring was sprung. Summer was stupendous. Fall was fantastic. Winter will be wondrous. Yes, wondrous.
I have devoted so much time making up for Phish’s five-year hiatus over the summer and fall that I think I forgot about my roots. No, not the ones stabilizing my trees. I am talking about the Grateful Dead. When Phish was dead I spent my free time either rocking with Phil Lesh and Friends, slow dancing to RatDog or getting through those shaky spring shows the Dead put on.
After a two-day Phish run in Albany, N.Y., complete with singing, dancing and partying till the wee hours of the morning, it’s solidified– Neil and I are party animals
The weekend started with a full belly, as the first show was only a day after Thanksgiving and I had stuffed myself to the point of wrenching pain less than 24 hours earlier.
Me, Neil and some of our friends stayed at the Clarion in Albany (Neil’s hometown), and when we arrived at the hotel around 3 p.m. the hippie invasion had already begun.
Angela and Neil, Buntology’s designated hippies, hit up Wormtown Festival this weekend. Check out their recap below, and be sure to stay tuned for Ange’s Wormtown documentary that will be premiered on Buntology later in the week!
Angela: The Wormtown Music Festival is one of the Pioneer Valley’s best kept secrets. Tucked away in Greenfield, Mass., Camp KeeWanee hosts the only festival where you can watch live music from 10 a.m. until 6 a.m. the next day for under $90. And it’s GOOD music.
Neil: And if you are as awesome as we are, you get free entrance to the show, complete with a purple wristband signifying that you are important members of the media. HA!
“So we filter down to the area to see the man. Was I going to cry? Or just not know what to say? Regardless, the time was here.
I went into the area and stood directly in front of Bobby. This figure that seems so gigantic on stage had such a calm and soothing demeanor.
‘Hey man, how’s it going,’ he asked.
Oh god, oh god, what do I say?
‘Thanks for everything, Bobby. This is so surreal right now.’
I put out my hand for a shake. Then he said, ‘How about a hug?’
Christ, I do NOT want a boner in front of this man. But I hugged him. Then we posed for pictures, and he asked me what I was going to have him sign… … …” Read more >>
What a smelly summer. Everywhere I went seemed to have a Phishy scent.
Starting at Camp Kee Wanee in Greenfield, Mass. and ending at Saratoga Performing Arts Center in New York, this has been a glorious span.
Strange Creek was a weekend of friends, music and the start of summer. The boys from Phish pissed in my ears (literally) at Bonnaroo.
My homies from the Dead put on a face-melting exposition at Rothbury. Even RatDog had me rocking out at an otherwise dreary Vibes.
But to be honest, nothing compared the last week of Phish shows. I was lucky enough to catch a bunch of them with some of my closest buds. For crying out loud, I finally got my first live “Fluffhead” at Darien Lake, N.Y.
For the sixth consecutive year, I (sort of) enjoyed the fun people, (kind of) great music and (mildly) silly antics at the festival that celebrates the life of the great Jerry Garcia.
Except this year was different. Maybe it should be renamed “Gathering of the Shady and Sketchy Vibes.”
I mean, what am I supposed to say? Early Saturday morning, a DEAD BODY was found in the camping area. Seriously? I spoke with a few people who had vast knowledge of the fatal situation. The news is reporting that the 29-year-old male probably died due to a medical condition. I don’t buy it. One source who saw the body said it looked swollen and bruised. I have no doubt I know what happened to this person, and who did it for that matter. However, I am not going to share my speculation.
Buntology’s Road to Rothbury has come to an end, and what a journey it was. At least the parts that we can remember.
Here are some video and picture highlights from the music festival, as well as some final thoughts from Buntology staffers Angela and Neil, who attended the four day party.
