And I did it all at RoSfest, an annual progrock festival currently in it's 7th year (my 4th). I look forward to going every year now...there aren't too many times when I can have epic dissertations on what went wrong with GTR and incite "In the Court of the Crimson King" versus "Discipline" arguments.
Here is a rundown of the bands from this year you need to check out IMMEDIATELY! I mean, IMMEDIATELY after you read this and forward it to all your Facebook friends who play Farmville. (That'll teach 'em).
Friday Night/Fresh Liver Night
MYSTERY
Montreal-based prog band that sounds like Iron Maiden swallowed Journey. Throw on stone-washed jeans and play 'em LOUD! Their set was a bombastic good time. Benoit has one of the most amazingly awesome voices in rock.
PENDRAGON
Oh Pendragon, the patriarchs of neoprog. Saw them at my first RoSfest in 2007 and think they sounded even better this time around, mostly because I think they are touring with a better album. Also, they have a drummer who, I'm pretty sure, would bleed Red Bull and sunshine if you cut him open.
Saturday/Where's the Closest Bar? Day
AJALON
Wasn't really familiar with this group before the show but they had a great set with a good groove. Well enough groove for a prog band. Since they played at 11:00am and I had only gotten about 10 seconds sleep the night before I don't really remember more than that the show wasn't awful. I suck. But these guys don't.
MANNING
This band was a fun surprise! Great sound. Did some Celtic prog and some nautical prog. Good times.
GAZPACHO
OK, going to spend some time here...so I discovered this band back in 2006 and have been pleading to the powers of RoSfest ever since to get them to play. Well finally this year my dream came true. In fact, the powers of RoSfest, George and Buster, came all the way to my house after midnight during my birthday party last year to tell me in person the day before it was officially announced. I thought I was dreaming. Partly because I didn't dare to believe it could be possible, but mostly because I was completely full of gin and tonic by the time they arrived. George and others in the RoSfest camp casually said I'd be announcing the band and I thought that would be cool, even though the thought of speaking in front of all those people made me want to wet my pantaloons. When the moment arrived though, George made the RIGHT decision to ask a HOT BLONDE at RoSfest to announce the band, and not the NERD BLONDE.
So hot blonde and then Gazpacho take the stage. Doesn't get any better than that, my friends. It was a beautiful set -- I can't put into words the PURE JOY I felt singing along to 2 hours of live Gazpacho. I am so blessed to have experienced that....thank you RoSfest!
RENAISSANCE
Watching Renaissance was like watching the movie Avatar -- I did it because I felt like I "had to." Not a big fan of this band, but Annie Haslam is like the matriarch of prog and this band is so revered in the prog world I couldn't turn away. It wasn't a BAD show but probably the set I enjoyed the least overall. It did warm my nerdy heart to see the sheer reverence exuded in the eyes of every man over the age of 50 there when Haslam took the stage...seriously, this woman has the voice of a Siren...
Sunday/Time to Rally/I Swear I'm Never Drinking Again Day
DeeExpus
A lot of buzz around this band before the 'fest and they did not disappoint. The singer had a sore throat/tonsillitis which was a real shame, but really didn't affect the performance. Seriously think this band is the best kept secret in prog and really rock in general. They are gonna BLOW UP, people! If you like Porcupine Tree, you will like this band. And if you don't like Porcupine Tree, you will also like this band because everything you hate about PT (ahem, Dave and others...!) they are definitely NOT. So everybody wins. Hooray!
Oblivion Sun
Been interested in seeing these guys live for awhile now...hear about them a lot since they are from the area but never actually made it to a show. Totally worth the wait --- RoSfest needs more primarily instrumental/instrumental-only bands like this! These guys are just unbelievable musicians.
Von Hertzen Brothers
Tall. Finnish. Stylish. Oh and they blew the fucking roof off the Majestic Theater. Holy shit, I haven't seen my ears since. I've said this before, and I'll say this again -- it's like Moon Safari and Black Bonzo in King's of Leon's body. Incredible.
Magic Pie
This band OWNS RoSfest. They pretty much have every fanboy and fangirl wrapped around their finger. And they should because they are unbelievably good. Think about every sound you've ever heard in the world that made you happy, throw it into a pot, and slowly melt it over an open flame on a crisp fall evening. THAT is Magic Pie. Delicious.
I'm pretty sure they were about to play this song (one of my FAAAAVES) when they were told to get off the stage by the union workers who clearly listen to only country music and rap.
For a behind the scenes look, here are some pictures.
More pictures can be found on Facebook if you are unfortunate enough to catch the tagged ones of me before I untag them.
So there you have it. The bestest weekend this nerd could ever ask for. Hope you'll join me next year. xo
Thanks so much for mentioning Ajalon in your blog. It was our first time at RoSFest, and it was a great privilege for us to be among such great bands. Here's to you having a wonderful year. Hope to see you at RoSFest next year (if we get invited back).
ReplyDeleteWil Henderson
Lead vocals/lyricist,
Ajalon