This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend ForeCastle, a three day music festival located in Louisville, Kentucky. Some friends and I decided to check out a couple of bands on the first day of the festival (Friday) and, needless to say, we were far from disappointed.
The headliners for day one were the two bands I got to see, Pretty Lights and The Black Keys. Both were exceptional and each served up a different style of music, which kept the entire crowd moving.
Pretty Lights were up first.
This duo from Fort Collins, Colorado was a breath of fresh air. Derek Vincent Smith is the mastermind behind this project and is accompanied by his sidekick and drummer, Cory Eberhand, and they put on a great show.
With Smith on the turntables and synthesizer and Eberhand on drums, they brought a variety of new age electronica for everyone to hear. With the use of other various artists’ tracks, i.e. Notorious B.I.G., 50 Cent, and Outkast, the electronica in turn incorporated other various music styles; rock, funk, soul and R&B were all heard during their set. The name tells it all as well when it comes to the show. With the help of a video screens, lights and visuals were awesome as they fit perfectly with the duos name, Pretty Lights.
Having never heard them before, I was fairly blown away by how good these guys were (the dose of acid and half a blunt probably helped) and the intensity they had while playing.
Pretty Lights was on stage for about an hour and then it was time for the next band to perform; The Black Keys also didn’t disappoint.
Once again, I was unfamiliar with The Black Keys and had only heard small portions of their music. Hearing them play live was a totally different experience, as is with any band you get to see live.
Out of Akron, Ohio, this rock-and-blues duo led by vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer/producer Patrick Carney bring a unique mixture of rock and blues that hits you hard right off the bat.
Also having never heard the duo play, I was amazed at how many different musical styles they brought to the stage. Most recognizable is their psycaddelic blues-rock sound, which is heard in many of their songs, also something that separates them from the rest of many up-and-coming bands.
Since their debut album The Big Come Up, they have been on the rise, acquiring acclaim from every which way. With their songs appearing on television shows and new hit HBO series Hung alike, The Black Keys are bigger than ever.
The duo creates a musical sound like that of a Southern rock band mixed with some blues legends like Buddy Guy and B.B. King. Their hour long set was fantastic as each song sounded like something I had never heard before. When it was all said and done, the huge crowd left delighted at the great show they had just experienced.
I’m just glad I get to say that I was there. I suggest all of you go out right away and check out these two bands, as they will fill your ears with some great music.
Must Listen
Pretty Lights: HotLikeSauce**** FinallyMoving*****
The Black Keys: Your Touch****Thick Freakness****I Got Mine****