[SIMG]http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee136/anuransol/Rage-sml.jpg[/SIMG]
By Jonathan Marx and David Pennington
2007.11
With that old travelin’ jones again and sleep deprived after 11 hours of highway hypnosis, we finally arrived fashionably in the city of New Orleans for the Voodoo Experience at City Park. This year’s line up featured a plethora of musicians spanning from the biggest political rock band ever to the newest stars from the UK. That’s right, we saw Rage Against The Machine(RATM), MIA, Mute Math, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Black Crowes, and Wilco, to name a few.
On day one, New Orleans’ own Galactic set the curve for the rest of the weekend, delivering funky set. Galactic featured Chali 2na of Jurrasic 5, Boots Riley of The Coup, and Lyrics Born during their set, closing close by bringing all the MC’s featured on stage at the same time. That’s one hell of a way to start the day.
Still, our minds had to prepare for MIA and RATM later that evening. The day moved on with a steady pace, awide variety of other shows to see, and many choices to make. We were choosing between the all female Led Zeppelin cover band, Lez Zeppelin, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club who had recently teamed up with another favorite of ours, Kings of Leon. Each time KOL perform, they further impress fans with something we seldom hear anymore: real, pure rock.
Next on our artist roster was the glorious MIA—Maya Arulpragasam, lead vocalist/mc of MIA adorned herself and her backup vocalist with reflective rainbow jumpsuits and a euro-influenced light show. Jumping from one side of the stage to the other, Maya’s seriously sexy attitude exploded onto a perma-grinning crowd. Maya’s DJ spun sick, relentless beats to her electro dance hall lyrics. Captivated in a short trance, we watched as she owned that stage.
MIA photo by Jonathan Marx
The night was still as young as our spirits and everyone could smell Rage brewing in the air. RATM reunited earlier this year to headline some major shows in America, and this performance was a call for action by all people to stand up for the good things in life, to fight the ongoing fight against social injustices around the world. Rage sent chills up and down the backs of anyone in earshot that night. RATM started the set with an electrified “Testify” and went on ranging from “Bulls On Parade” to “Killing In The Name Of.” The massive amounts of energy spewing from the crowd pushed countless fans effortlessly up into the air on top of waves of hands and heads.
The massive crowd kept pushing forward in attempts to be closer than the next, but there was only so far they could go before some of the fans overflowed into the photo pit. Security definitely had their hands full. Truly amazing things occurred that night, including Zach de la Rocha jumping off the stage during “Wake Up” into the arms of his adoring fans, as he enjoyed a little crowd surfing himself. Rage threw down harder and exceeded most of our expectations.
Rage photos by Jonathan Marx
On day two, the morning had broken late after a long night downtown, and after some much needed food, our entourage started its way back to City Park. We arrived right on time for another New Orleans native group, Mute Math. The unique band utilizes all genres of music to create a rock fusion: psychedelic, ambient, and funky jazz sound all rapped up in one. To explain would be futile.
Drummer Darren King epitomized the meaning of hard core, limping a broken foot onto stage with the help of crutches. We thought we had seen it all, until we noticed Darren wearing a set of old headphones held on by a wrap of duct-tape: yes!!! Mute Math opened with the first song off of their debut album, “Collapse,” and did they ever connect. The crowd got their money’s worth at that show. They fed off of each other’s energy rolling through the set like a freight train.
When the train stopped at the station, the crowd refused to get off. Mute Math closed with the encore choice of their hit song, “Typical,” where the lead singer brought his grandfather, Papa G, out on stage to play his baritone ukulele. He wore a slick white hat and entertained the crowd just by simply dancing to his grandson’s band. How cool would it be to have your grandpa come out on stage and rock with you, right?
During the encore, the drummer was pumping out drum rolls and fills that were like an engine working overtime. He was playing so hard that one of his cymbals fell over, and he just kept rocking the rest of the drum set without it. At one point, he broke time perfectly to throw his cymbal across the stage before the drum tech could get it back on!
Mute Math photos by Jonathan Marx
Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals hone a soulful, intimate style of music into a powerful tool that will carry him even further into stardom. Opening “With My Own Two Hands” reminded fans we really can change the world with our own two hands; with Ben Harper screaming it from the very bottom of his gut, this task seems that much easier.
Saturday night came with great expectations for The Smashing Pumpkins. The Pumpkins reformed their group this year with an album and a tour. Corgan’s matured voice doesn’t have to be on the brink of destruction to show fans that he still knows what he’s doing.
Pumpkin photos by Jonathan Marx
On Sunday, the Black Crowes were scheduled to take the stage just before a headlining show with Wilco, but we needed to save some energy. It wasn’t going to be easy. First on the list to see was Clap Your Hands, Say Yeah. What a fantastic display of good feeling rock-n-roll. Only one song had gone by when we couldn’t help clapping our hands and screaming “yeah!” For The Black Crowes, the unique voice of Marc Broussard hit our ears as we slowly meandered about. Marc Broussard was just starting his set when we walked by to have a look. His songs rang out, invading our music soaked minds to show us another take on this familiar genre.
Our night and weekend was slowly coming to a close as The Black Crowes took the main stage. Since the recent loss of Marc Ford, the lead guitarist, and Eddie Harsch, the keyboardist, we were anxious to hear what the group would sound like. Much to our relief, the Crowes came out with a bang, opening with “No Speak, No Slave.” Very impressed with the new sound, we were dancing and singing along to the familiar songs. The band looked great and sounded even better.
Crowes’ photo by Jonathan Marx
Wilco relentlessly picked up where The Black Crowes left off. We had never seen this band live before and were treated to energizing and exciting new rock. Wilco definitely did not drop the crowd’s energy level; rather, the band enhanced the already ensuing mass freak-out everyone seemed to be enjoying. Under the shade of blue, everyone gave all.
Wilco photo by Jonathan Marx
The entire place turned upside down for a second; did anyone else feel like that? To an end, Dr. John and his Tribute to New Orleans show eased us into getting down the New Orleans way, with a little voodoo. His voodoo mysticism, rhythm and blues, and funk captivated us all. Quite fitting to go out to Dr. John. He represents New Orleans in every way and wants to remind everyone that the good times still roll down in the city of New Orleans.
By Jonathan Marx and David Pennington
2007.11
With that old travelin’ jones again and sleep deprived after 11 hours of highway hypnosis, we finally arrived fashionably in the city of New Orleans for the Voodoo Experience at City Park. This year’s line up featured a plethora of musicians spanning from the biggest political rock band ever to the newest stars from the UK. That’s right, we saw Rage Against The Machine(RATM), MIA, Mute Math, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Black Crowes, and Wilco, to name a few.
On day one, New Orleans’ own Galactic set the curve for the rest of the weekend, delivering funky set. Galactic featured Chali 2na of Jurrasic 5, Boots Riley of The Coup, and Lyrics Born during their set, closing close by bringing all the MC’s featured on stage at the same time. That’s one hell of a way to start the day.
Still, our minds had to prepare for MIA and RATM later that evening. The day moved on with a steady pace, awide variety of other shows to see, and many choices to make. We were choosing between the all female Led Zeppelin cover band, Lez Zeppelin, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club who had recently teamed up with another favorite of ours, Kings of Leon. Each time KOL perform, they further impress fans with something we seldom hear anymore: real, pure rock.
Next on our artist roster was the glorious MIA—Maya Arulpragasam, lead vocalist/mc of MIA adorned herself and her backup vocalist with reflective rainbow jumpsuits and a euro-influenced light show. Jumping from one side of the stage to the other, Maya’s seriously sexy attitude exploded onto a perma-grinning crowd. Maya’s DJ spun sick, relentless beats to her electro dance hall lyrics. Captivated in a short trance, we watched as she owned that stage.
MIA photo by Jonathan Marx
The night was still as young as our spirits and everyone could smell Rage brewing in the air. RATM reunited earlier this year to headline some major shows in America, and this performance was a call for action by all people to stand up for the good things in life, to fight the ongoing fight against social injustices around the world. Rage sent chills up and down the backs of anyone in earshot that night. RATM started the set with an electrified “Testify” and went on ranging from “Bulls On Parade” to “Killing In The Name Of.” The massive amounts of energy spewing from the crowd pushed countless fans effortlessly up into the air on top of waves of hands and heads.
The massive crowd kept pushing forward in attempts to be closer than the next, but there was only so far they could go before some of the fans overflowed into the photo pit. Security definitely had their hands full. Truly amazing things occurred that night, including Zach de la Rocha jumping off the stage during “Wake Up” into the arms of his adoring fans, as he enjoyed a little crowd surfing himself. Rage threw down harder and exceeded most of our expectations.
Rage photos by Jonathan Marx
On day two, the morning had broken late after a long night downtown, and after some much needed food, our entourage started its way back to City Park. We arrived right on time for another New Orleans native group, Mute Math. The unique band utilizes all genres of music to create a rock fusion: psychedelic, ambient, and funky jazz sound all rapped up in one. To explain would be futile.
Drummer Darren King epitomized the meaning of hard core, limping a broken foot onto stage with the help of crutches. We thought we had seen it all, until we noticed Darren wearing a set of old headphones held on by a wrap of duct-tape: yes!!! Mute Math opened with the first song off of their debut album, “Collapse,” and did they ever connect. The crowd got their money’s worth at that show. They fed off of each other’s energy rolling through the set like a freight train.
When the train stopped at the station, the crowd refused to get off. Mute Math closed with the encore choice of their hit song, “Typical,” where the lead singer brought his grandfather, Papa G, out on stage to play his baritone ukulele. He wore a slick white hat and entertained the crowd just by simply dancing to his grandson’s band. How cool would it be to have your grandpa come out on stage and rock with you, right?
During the encore, the drummer was pumping out drum rolls and fills that were like an engine working overtime. He was playing so hard that one of his cymbals fell over, and he just kept rocking the rest of the drum set without it. At one point, he broke time perfectly to throw his cymbal across the stage before the drum tech could get it back on!
Mute Math photos by Jonathan Marx
Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals hone a soulful, intimate style of music into a powerful tool that will carry him even further into stardom. Opening “With My Own Two Hands” reminded fans we really can change the world with our own two hands; with Ben Harper screaming it from the very bottom of his gut, this task seems that much easier.
Saturday night came with great expectations for The Smashing Pumpkins. The Pumpkins reformed their group this year with an album and a tour. Corgan’s matured voice doesn’t have to be on the brink of destruction to show fans that he still knows what he’s doing.
Pumpkin photos by Jonathan Marx
On Sunday, the Black Crowes were scheduled to take the stage just before a headlining show with Wilco, but we needed to save some energy. It wasn’t going to be easy. First on the list to see was Clap Your Hands, Say Yeah. What a fantastic display of good feeling rock-n-roll. Only one song had gone by when we couldn’t help clapping our hands and screaming “yeah!” For The Black Crowes, the unique voice of Marc Broussard hit our ears as we slowly meandered about. Marc Broussard was just starting his set when we walked by to have a look. His songs rang out, invading our music soaked minds to show us another take on this familiar genre.
Our night and weekend was slowly coming to a close as The Black Crowes took the main stage. Since the recent loss of Marc Ford, the lead guitarist, and Eddie Harsch, the keyboardist, we were anxious to hear what the group would sound like. Much to our relief, the Crowes came out with a bang, opening with “No Speak, No Slave.” Very impressed with the new sound, we were dancing and singing along to the familiar songs. The band looked great and sounded even better.
Crowes’ photo by Jonathan Marx
Wilco relentlessly picked up where The Black Crowes left off. We had never seen this band live before and were treated to energizing and exciting new rock. Wilco definitely did not drop the crowd’s energy level; rather, the band enhanced the already ensuing mass freak-out everyone seemed to be enjoying. Under the shade of blue, everyone gave all.
Wilco photo by Jonathan Marx
The entire place turned upside down for a second; did anyone else feel like that? To an end, Dr. John and his Tribute to New Orleans show eased us into getting down the New Orleans way, with a little voodoo. His voodoo mysticism, rhythm and blues, and funk captivated us all. Quite fitting to go out to Dr. John. He represents New Orleans in every way and wants to remind everyone that the good times still roll down in the city of New Orleans.
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