Plagiarism is the Sincerest Form of Flattery - I'm looking at you Jazz Chill Corner

Jazz Chill Corner decided to repost my 2007 Music Festival listing w/o any type of attribution. You can compare them side by side - a his here and mine here and you'll see they're identical. He couldn't even be bothered to add a few new ones.

Not only does this probably violate my creative commons license, it's just rude not to give credit where it's due. It's called a footnote in academia (or a hat tip in the blogosphere). When I reposted E)'s stoner job search ad and commented on it, I gave her credit because that's appropriate.

While I'm flattered, it'a just not polite to acknowldege my hard work to compile that list (and solicit more info for future updates) or provide a link to the original source.

Shamrock Festival Rocked! RFK Management Blows! DC Police Are Professional

I say the festival rocked because I am no longer there. The management company decided to stop honoring VIP wrist bands for the VIP area (which was not the organizers fault). Like I always do with bad customer service, I asked to speak to the supervisor but was told no. He was only 10 feet away so I walked towards him to straighten everything out. Before I even got to him I was physically assualted by the staff - attempting to break my arm by pushing it up behind my back - and physically threatened further by the staff. The staff also refused to give me their names etc. so that I could file a formal complaint with the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission (who run RFK) and the police. That is unacceptable, but typical cover your ass behavior by the type of uneducated people who work these jobs and realize their in the wrong. (To quote the asshole professor from Real Genius "[they're] laborers ... that's what you get for not having an education").

I was visibly upset by their unwarranted assault and called the police on 911. Someone came very promptly, and I was escorted out of the event. I don't blame the police - they were doing their job and in their situation I would take the management company's word over mine since the management company is also part of DC government. I was very tense and the officers kept commenting on it and asked me to relax as we walked out. They were very professional the whole time and I appreciate their difficult jobs. I also believe that law enforcement at any level is second only to military servicen in terms of noble callings and professions deserving respect. Kudos to the DC police for handling this well.

However, if I were the guys who sponsored the event and the D.C. Sports & Entertainment Commission stopped honoring the tickets I had sold (as well as vendor passes - many of whom also were barred from the VIP area despite the fact they were supposed to have access), I would stop having Shamrock Fest and Blocktober Fest at RFK. They did not provide acceptable customer service to the festival promoters.

Instead, I would do like the HFStival and do the events at Ravens stadium in Baltimore. In addition to better management, there is more to do around the stadium than at RFK, and it's just a better environment for having a good time than the RFK area. Of course, there will be a new Nationals stadium, so maybe they can do it there in the future.

RFK deserves to close due to poor management and inability to resolve customer service issues. Maybe the DC United (our excellent soccer team that not enough people see) could play at the new stadium too. For a WaPo article that mentions previous management problems at the stadium, click here.I worked in customer service for over five years service is a big thing for me.

Despite all the drama the festival was fun. The Connells aren't quite as good as they were 15 years ago, but still put on a solid show, as did all the Dewey Bands and Kelly Bell. I'm bummed I'm missing DJ AM and Carbon Leaf, but that's what happens for sticking up for yourself with the government (you can't fight city hall). I'm sure they'll both put on excellent performances.

I got Lollapalooza Tix! I got Lollapalooza Tix!

All 3 days for $60! Limited Pre-sales are THE BEST REASON to sign up for festival email lists and band listservs. Regular tickets for Lollapalooza go on sale next month.

For a list of other upcoming music festivals, see here , which will be updated sporadically.

Oh, and Big Props to Blogger for hosting their party at SXSW this weekend!

2007 Music Festivals (Updated)

Thanks to everyone who helped update the Music Festiva list. As you may know, I put this list together because I have missed too many of them by not knowing their exact dates until it was too late. Some of these are a bit off the beaten path, but should be well worth it.

Again, thanks to everyone who helped update this list. Please Keep 'em coming.


The List So Far

March 9-11 Langerado (Sunrise, CA)
March 9-18 South x Southwest Music Festival (Austin, TX)
March 10 Shamrock Festival 2007 (Washington, DC - RFK Stadium)
March 15 - April 1 Savannah Music Festival
March 23-24 Ultra Music Festival (Montreal, Canada)
April 20-21 Dewey Beach Pop Festival(Rehoboth,DE)
April 27-29 Coachella (Indio, CA)
April 27-29 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (New Orleans, LA)
May 4-6 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
(New Orleans, LA)
June 1-3 Rock am Ring (Germany)
June 1-2 Rock im Ring (Nuremberg, Germany)
June 7-10 Chicago Blues Festival
June 8-10 The Download Festival (Donnington Park, Leceistershire, UK
June 22-24 Glastonbury Festival (U.K.)
June 22-24 Sierra Nevada World Music Festival (Booneville, CA)
July 5-7 Essence Music Festival (New Orleans, LA)
July 5-8 Roskilde Festival (Roskilde, Denmark)
July 6-8 Vancouver Island Music Festival.
July 7 Live Earth/Earth Aid (henceforth referred to as Live Earth Aid). (Washington, DC)
July 7 Ozzfest begins
Mid-July Heineken Jammin' Festival (Italy)
July 14-15 Pitchfork Music Festival (Chicago)(lineup TBA 3/16)
July 18-21 10,000 Lakes Festival (Detroit Lakes, Minnesota)
July 19-21 Goodstock (West Virginia)
July 19-22 Festival Internacional de Benicassim (near Valencia, Spain with an excellent line-up)
July 27-30 Eclipe Outdoor Electronic Music Festival (Montreal, Candada)
August (TBA) Burning Man
August 3-5 Lollapallooza (Chicago, IL)
August 8-13 Shambhala (Canada)
August 18-19 V Festival (Hylands Park, Chelmsford & Weston Park, Staffordshire - UK)
August 24-26 Reading and Leeds Festival (U.K.)
August 30 - September 2 Chicago Jazz Festival
September 1-3 Bumbershoot link is to last year's lineup but Rumor is that Kanye West is headlining again. (Washington State)

I have some downtime in August, so I'd love to start at the Eclipse Festival in Montreal end at Bumbershoot in WA and then head home.

I would like for this list to be as comprehensive as possible, so please let me know (and include a link) about festivals left off this list, no matter where they are in the world. Thanks!

Also please let me know if the Pixies or Garbage are playing near you, so I can figure out where I can see them play again. Thanks!

The Shamrock Festival is Going to Rock!

I love music and music festivals (no surprise to regular readers). The Shamrock Festival is going to ROCK! And let me tell you why.

In the past, the Shamrock and Octoberfest music festivals have been held in Ballston. They generally feature a mix of local talent and VERY popular cover bands such as Mr. Greengenes, Burnt Sienna, Kristen and the Noise, Laura Lea & Trip Fabulous. Love Seed Mama Jump usually plays too - they have an eclectic mix of their excellent original music plus covers. (You know - the typical Dewey Beach bands). Kelly Bell usually plays too and this year features Scott's New Band - a reworking or LRS.

This year is going to be better because it will be at RFK. This will minimize the crowding, but possibly make it bigger. It also is going to have major headliners and a lot of the favorites I mentioned above.

I hope that this eventually supplants the now-defunct HFStival.

2007 Music Festivals

I love Music Festivals, but have missed a large number of them by not knowing their exact dates until it was too late. Therefore, I have compiled a list of the top 2007 Music Festivals. Some of these are a bit off the beaten path, but should be well worth it.

The List So Far

March 9-11 Langerado (Sunrise, CA)
March 9-18 South x Southwest Music Festival (Austin, TX)
March 15 - April 1 Savannah Music Festival
March 23-24 Ultra Music Festival (Montreal, Canada)
April 20-21 Dewey Beach Pop Festival(Rehoboth,DE)
April 27-29 Coachella (Indio, CA)
April 27-29 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (New Orleans, LA)
May 4-6 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
(New Orleans, LA)
June 1-3 Rock am Ring (Germany)
June 1-2 Rock im Ring (Nuremberg, Germany)
June 8-10 The Download Festival (Donnington Park, Leceistershire, UK
June 22-24 Glastonbury Festival (U.K.)
June 22-24 Sierra Nevada World Music Festival (Booneville, CA)
July 5-7 Essence Music Festival (New Orleans, LA)
July 5-8 Roskilde Festival (Roskilde, Denmark)
July 6-8 Vancouver Island Music Festival.
July 7 Live Earth/Earth Aid (henceforth referred to as Live Earth Aid). (Washington, DC)
July 7 Ozzfest begins
Mid-July Heineken Jammin' Festival (Italy)
July 19-21 Goodstock (West Virginia)
July 19-22 Festival Internacional de Benicassim (near Valencia, Spain with an excellent line-up)
July 27-30 Eclipe Outdoor Electronic Music Festival (Montreal, Candada)
August (TBA) Burning Man
August 3-5 Lollapallooza (Chicago, IL)
August 8-13 Shambhala (Canada)
August 24-26 Reading and Leeds Festival (U.K.)
September 1-3 Bumbershoot link is to last year's lineup but Rumor is that Kanye West is headlining again. (Washington State)

I have some downtime in August, so I'd love to start at the Eclipse Festival in Montreal end at Bumbershoot in WA and then head home.

I would like for this list to be as comprehensive as possible, so please let me know (and include a link) about festivals left off this list, no matter where they are in the world. Thanks!

Also please let me know if the Pixies or Garbage are playing near you, so I can figure out where I can see them play again. Thanks!

Screw the Politics: Earth Aid is going to Rock! (and Al Gore will be President)

I will happily shell out the $500 for VIP tickets to Live Earth Aid. The line-up, though not finalized, threatens to outdo that of the 1998 Tibetan Freedom Concert in talent. That concert, in my humble opion, actually had a better lineup than any music festival since, and including, the original Woodstock.

And I really don't care about the politics of the concert, and neither should you. Really, who are you hurting by not seeing a kick ass concert line up? Yourself, that's who!

Plus, if you go the American Concert you're likely to witness Al Gore lay the foundation for (or further) his effort to become President. Potentially, he'll announce, and all the publicity surrounding the concent, plus the simulcasting of the event will allow Gore to build an enormouse following.

My previous theory was that the'll announce at the Oscars if he wins. Which he still may do, but doing so may complicate his efforts to pull off the concert (due to FEC regulations and campaign finance laws). And it's actually a smart strategy for him to drop hints at the Oscars and then use the run up publicity to the concert will raise his national profile. Additionally, the concert would be the greatest presidential announcement venue EVER!