With Arroyo Seco Weekend days away, here’s a quick look at some of the acts that might be under your radar but will be MUST-SEE before catching up with the likes of Robert Plant, Neil Young, Kings of Leon, Gary Clark, Jr. and the Pretenders.
Spoiler alert, it’s Willow-centric…
This 11ish-piece outfit from Salem, Oregon is great way to kick off ASW. Layered indie-rock with echoes of Counting Crows’ Adam Duritz in Kyle Morton’s vocals.
Saturday, Willow, 1:00 PM
John Coltrane changed all music forever. Pharoah Sanders played alongside Coltrane in the mid-60s and shaped his own spiritual sonics along the way. And, hey, where else could you catch a jazz legend like Sanders, and Neil Young, the same day (west of the Mississippi)?
Saturday, Willow, 2:00 PM
Washington blew the doors off the L.A. jazz scene while journeying places that would make Coltrane proud with his epic three-disc 2015 project, “The Epic”. Collaboration with Kendrick Lamar and appearances at Bonnaroo and Coachella didn’t hurt either. If you think you’re not a jazz person, think again and catch this set.
Saturday, The Oaks, 3:55
Last year, the New Orleans-ASW connection brought the Revivalists and Galactic to Pasadena. This year, it’s Aaron Neville and Irma Thomas on Sunday, and the heartfelt vagabond tales of Alynda Segurra and Hooray for the Riff-Raff, no doubt pulling from their recent “The Navigator” album, on Saturday.
Saturday, Willow, 4:35
The oft praised Price is worthy of it, but she really won me over when she got behind a drum kit on “Casey Jones” at Jubilee: A Celebration of Jerry Garcia, a few months back. She drove that train.
Saturday, Willow, 6:20
If you dig your strings and have never made it out to Telluride Bluegrass (guilty), here’s a chance to transport yourself without the 6-hour drive from DEN. Jamgrass and big skies.
Sunday, The Oaks, 1:45
Prince’s Purple Rain Band. Do I really need to say anything else?
Sunday, Sycamore, 2:10
This guy tears it up live, so I’ve heard. Yeah, when you drop a new album titled, “Please Don’t Be Dead”, you’re gonna cut right through it. Maybe add to last year’s Grammy for best contemporary blues album.
Sunday, Willow, 3:45
10Dorothy
Watch out Greta, Dorothy Martin and band mates do the Zeppishy thing pretty damn well, too.
Sunday, Willow, 4:55
See you out in the grass…
