I am in so much trouble...

bennyhana22's picture Submitted by bennyhana22 on

Forums: 
General Discussion

So, I was just going through the line up, and realised that there are SO many acts that I want to see, GM is going to be a horrendous clash nightmare for me.

To illustrate this, below I list, in order as they appear on the line up page, those acts that I have termed 'there will have to be a VERY bloody good reason for me not to watch this act' acts. That means that there are quite a few others that I'd like/intend to see in ADDITION to this list. AARRGGHH!

Beirut
NMH
First Aid Kit
Poliça
Sharon Van Etten
Real Estate
Angel Olsen
Mac DeMarco (I think we'd established that, obvs)
Sun Kil Moon
Nick Mulvey
Other Lives
Hamilton Leithauser
The Field
Teleman
Stanley Brinks & The Wave Pictures
Highasakite
Michael A Grammar
Samaris
Sons of Noel and Adrian

It's gonna be carnage. Anyone else wracked with the same (First World, admittedly) problem?

Ben

jonjhargreaves's picture jonjhargreaves replied on

I think I'll see you at most of these Ben...
Beirut
NMH
First Aid Kit
Bill Callahan
Daughter
The War on Drugs
Kurt Vile
Sharon Van Etten
Real Estate
Angel Olsen
Mac DeMarco
Sun Kil Moon
Jonathan Wilson
I Break Horses
Mutual Benefit
Stanley Brinks
Frank Fairfield
William Tyler
Mariam the Believer
Samaris (loving the new album)

Like you, I'll struggle to miss any of these and have at least another 10 on the would very much like to see

bennyhana22's picture bennyhana22 replied on

Of your list that are not on mine, I would also 'intend' or be quite happy to see:

Bill Callahan
Daughter
Mutual Benefit
Frank Fairfield

First round's on me, Jon. Looks like there'll be plenty of opportunities!

Ben

peridot's picture peridot replied on

I've managed to whittle it down to a top 15 but almost everyone else is 'bubbling under'. It's an insanely great line-up this year and I know I'm going to miss so much even allowing for completely ignoring all the non-music attractions.

The 2 Bears
Boy & Bear
Daughter
Fat White Family
Jonathan Wilson
Kurt Vile And The Violators
Mariam The Believer
Neutral Milk Hotel
Polica
Samantha Crain
Sons of Noel and Adrian
Stanley Brinks
Sun Kil Moon
The War On Drugs
The Waterboys (at least no clash here)

jonjhargreaves's picture jonjhargreaves replied on

been meaning to check out the 2 Bears.

Have a family of massive Hot Chip fans, so they are a no brainer.

Can't let myself get too excited though, won't they be After Dark?

Missed Jon Hopkins last year - my biggest regret, due to my lack of stamina and the having no chance of keeping the kids up that late

peridot's picture peridot replied on

Yep, I'd be assuming after dark, but I'm hoping not too far after so I can perhaps stretch my stamina to breaking point.

I'd only ever hear 'Work' previously but loving everything on the Be Strong album.

Krasnyi's picture Krasnyi replied on

Managed to get my must-sees up to 12 - 9 Bach, Gentle Good/Gareth Bonello, First Aid Kit, Samantha Crain, Jeff Lewis, Jonathan Wilson, Tunng, Teleman, The Rails, Frank Fairfield, Caribou, Stanley Brinks/Wave Pictures, Beirut.

Avoid at all costs - Fat White Family, Speedy Ortiz, Ry X, Hockeysmith,

jonjhargreaves's picture jonjhargreaves replied on

Saw Hockeysmith last winter, truly awful.....
only made slightly worse by finding out that having made my feelings known to the couple on the table next to me that they were Mr & Mrs Hockeysmith

Carnie replied on

There are some howlers on this years line up that pad out a pretty good bunch, but I go along with all of those Krasnyi, just wish there was some decent electronica, in my opinion there is nothing in that vein that floats my boat, and lesser shift towards new wave trendy bbc6 crap. You can't please everyone though but I'm just a grumpy old music snob.

Krasnyi's picture Krasnyi replied on

Yeah, too much daytime 6 Music stuff for me too but not into electronica either - not enough folk and general quirkiness for me.

bennyhana22's picture bennyhana22 replied on

I think you've already said that he doesn't push your electronic buttons, Carnie, but does The Field really do nothing for you? As suggested in one of the other threads, his tracks are of the type that seem very loopy and repetitive (they are, after all) but deliver lovely layers of subtle sonic ooze (nice) and shift with more listens. I started out desperately wanting to like Looping State of Mind, not sure I did, then realising after a while that yes, there's a lot more there than you might first have thought. Now, I find it rather beautifully mesmerising. Clashes notwithstanding, I intend to dance myself into a transcendental state at his set!

Ben

Carnie replied on

No I don't like The Field Benny, they are a poor representation of good electronic music in my view, bland and boring. Krasnyi I go along with your observation of lack of folk, Americana and twee.

bennyhana22's picture bennyhana22 replied on

No worries. So, assuming that they won't do an instant repeat of, say, Jon Hopkins and Fuck Buttons, which (realistic) electronic bands/acts announced would make you super happy? Orbital would be nice! Haven't seen them since The Middle Of Nowhere tour at Brixton Academy. That was a LONG time ago...

Ben

Carnie replied on

Just the usual stuff I have spouted/bored everyone about Benny, nils frahm, awvfts, SoTL, BoC (I can dream), Ochre who is a uk artist very good, Cian Byrne, plaid have a new one. I was only listening to Style the other day off From out if Nowhere, I love that song.

jonjhargreaves's picture jonjhargreaves replied on

Nils Frahm please and why not before and I'm sure awvts would be great.
SotL a little too lacking in anything.... but maybe I just need to be in right mood - not sure if it would translate live?
As for BoC.... about as likely as Kate Bush?

bennyhana22's picture bennyhana22 replied on

Happy with all/any of the above, Carnie. I might actually wet myself were AWVFTS to be announced. Can't wait for the full Atomos to be released.

Ben

sminty's picture sminty replied on

My "must figure out time travel if any of these clash" list is quite concise, actually:

Real Estate
Mutual Benefit
Mac DeMarco
Panda Bear
The War on Drugs

I missed Mutual Benefit last night to hold out for GM, as I find seeing a band twice in a short space of time can cheapen the experience somewhat, so they'll be taking priority.

bennyhana22's picture bennyhana22 replied on

I thought I would resurrect this thread, as the forum has been a bit quiet and I have only seemed to INCREASE the number of bands that I'd like to see!

I'm certain that I have done more 'homework' for GM2014 than any festival I've ever been to. As a consequence, I am genuinely looking forward to a ridiculous number of bands. In fact, such is the number of amazing discoveries I have made by doing that little bit more research and persevering that bit longer, that I challenge pretty much anyone to describe the line-up as anything other than genuinely amazing.

To that end, an updated, this time alphabetical, list from me. This represents all the bands so far that I 'intend' to see. By that I mean that if they are playing, and there is no reason for me not to 'be able' to watch them (e.g. a huge clash etc) then INTEND to watch them:

Adult Jazz
Angel Olsen
Beirut
Bill Callahan
Caribou
Daughter
East India Youth
The Field
First Aid Kit
Hamilton Leithauser
Highasakite
Lanterns on the Lake
Mac DeMarco
Michael A Grammar
My Sad Captains
Neutral Milk Hotel
Nick Mulvey
O'Hooley & Tidow
Other Lives
Plank!
Poliça
Real Estate
Samaris
Sharon Van Etten
Slint
Sons of Noel and Adrian
Stanley Brinks (& the WPs)
Sun Kil Moon
Teleman
We Are Catchers
William Tyler
Woman's Hour
9Bach

So, as the thread title suggests, I'm in SO much trouble.

Ben

jonjhargreaves's picture jonjhargreaves replied on

Hey Ben, make sure you get someone to man your feeding stations well, this is a marathon, not a sprint.
I'm not far behind with numbers.... 26 that I'd like to see, unfortunately only about half of those that I can convince the kids they must see, so I might have to limit to a smaller number....

The 2 Bears
Beirut
Bill Callahan
Anna Calvi (not too fussed myself, but kids keen)
Daughter (on the kids must see list)
Mac DeMarco (Hell yes! Even the kids like this guy, although my daughter is a bit worried about how "weird" his videos are)
First Aid Kit (on kids must see list)
Mariam the Believer
Mutual Benefit
Angel Olsen (not missing this no matter how disinterested they are)
Real Estate (no worries convincing them to see these guys)
Samaris (should be early on in the day before they start to flag)
William Tyler (seen him before with kids, they're keen to see him again - lunch/Afternoon Tea in Walled Garden)
War on Drugs (A kids must see, although none of them are too keen on a full Far Out Tent)
Jonathan Wilson (a no brainer and on Mountain Stage.... )

Of the unlikely to see list, but would like to:
....... Stanley Brinks (don't matter how much I play Orange Juice, can't get them interested)
....... Michael Chapman (might "accidently" sit down for tea when he's on)
....... I Break Horses (can't see me getting them into Tent for this unless it's raining)
....... Jeffrey Lewis (again... "accidently" sit down to eat while he's on)
....... NMH (well... they'll want to see the bonfire, so might as well chill out in front of Mountain Stage)
....... Policia
....... Sun Kil Moon (not sure if this might be a little too intense for my little ones - or uncomfortable for my eldest when/if he plays "Dogs")
....... Teleman (new discovery... need to try them out on kids)
....... Sharon Van Etten (Will see as long as no clashes and not in tent)
....... Kurt Vile (ok as long as not in Tent)

Slugger's picture Slugger replied on

I suppose the good news Benny is that with the staggered timings it is possible to see the first two thirds of one act and then sprint to see the last two thirds of another. I have tried this a few times (eg. Woods vs Darren Hayman last year) although it usually leaves me regretting my indecisiveness and it is very difficult to leave a much loved act midway through their set.
Looking at the length of that list you will be very fortunate if you escape any clashes. My advice for what it's worth is to choose the earlier act (they're never scheduled for the exact same time) and then sprint at the very end of the set to catch the last 5 or 10 minutes of the other act.
Also keep an eye on the Rough Trade tent. Every morning they write on the chalkboard who will be appearing that day and at what time. 2 years ago we were torn between Tallest Man on Earth (last on in Far Out) and Willy Mason (last on in Walled Garden). We managed to get to see Willy perform 5 songs (including to his amusement an "encore") in the Far Out tent that afternoon so we chose to see TTMOE later that evening which was one of my all time GM highlights.
In the past a fine poster on this forum has made up a "clash finder". It's not 100% accurate but it does help prepare you for possible dilemmas ahead! We then have a couple of weeks pre-festival to mull over possibilities although at times other factors might come into play ... weather, what stage, what bar you are frequenting, who's on before/ after, mood etc ...

bennyhana22's picture bennyhana22 replied on

Yes, I am no stranger to the inter-stage sprint, Slugger! In 2012 I won the Passchendaele 400 metres, tearing between Dark Dark Dark and The Wave Pictures. Hardest run I've ever done. I have resigned myself to a combination of tricky choices and stage hopping, which is a lovely first-world problem to have...

And yes, TTMOE set was mesmerising...best I've ever seen him...

Ben

rayrad's picture rayrad replied on

interesting how much the tent is a negative in jon's list

including for his kids

i really don't like it either

too hot when it's hot

the sound is always crappy

gets too packed when it rains

weirdly, i don't have this same memory of the old folkey dokey tent

it always seemed very chilled in there

saw a number of performances sitting down

(including the first time we saw bat for lashes, way back when)

but maybe this is just because the whole festival was so much smaller

i do remember the tent itself being white in those days

which made it feel less oppressive being in there during the day than the dark blue does now

but maybe i was just younger and less grumpy...

peridot's picture peridot replied on

I love the Far Out tent, although my daughter doesn't.

The sound can be a bit naff though, particularly early on. I prefer the dark (must have vampire ancestry), and the aroma that develops over the course of the weekend is certainly a unique feature of the festival.

I think it's improved over the years, there used to be some dreadful twee stuff in the old Folkey Dokey.

jonjhargreaves's picture jonjhargreaves replied on

Last year in Far Out Tent we enjoyed Parquet Courts (bopping around towards back), but Sound is crappy, they can't see, generally too loud and when busy (Steve Mason, Patti Smith), they found it all "too much",
I think we'll only pop in when light and not too packed this year

bennyhana22's picture bennyhana22 replied on

I like the fact that the Scary Tent offers a different feel to the open stages, giving more variety to the weekend. Also, some acts just work better in there.

For example, I can't see TTMOE having created such an intense and personal atmosphere on the Mountain Stage, so the headliners in particular might benefit from that more enclosed environment.

I realise that Slint are not everyone's cup of tea, but a headline set by them in the Far Out has the potential to be pretty darn epic.

Oh, and thanks for the mega summary of your intended weekend activity, Jon - I never get tired of reading about other people's excitement and plans...it makes me realise that it's not just me!

Ben

rayrad's picture rayrad replied on

yeah, having said all that, megafaun in there a few years ago is one of my all time GM moments

must have been same year as TTMOE as he came on with them for their encore

Cyfarthfa1's picture Cyfarthfa1 replied on

As far as I'm concerned it will ALWAYS be the Folkey-Dokey. I am hhhhorified to agree with rayrad. TTMOE was very good, and Megafaun. I also enjoyed Gruff there and Aleisdar Roberts. I also thought Battles were good , along with Seasick Steve and 9Bach in the year of the deluge when it was still down in the dip.

Muddy Holly's picture Muddy Holly replied on

Me and the kids spent a fair bit of time in the Far Out tent last year, but generally earlier on in the day and it was OK. Parquet Courts was the busiest set, not sure they'd like it if totally rammed. We adored the Walled Garden and Mountain stages though and the kids were also big fans of Einstein's Garden.

Managed to see 15 (generally amazing) performances last year and we are aiming for at least 20 this time. So many we'd like to see, but this is our current Hot 20, as voted for by me and my daughter on the way back from the beach today:

Neutral Milk Hotel

Teleman

Toy

Samantha Crain

Beirut

First Aid Kit

Mercury Rev

The War on Drugs

Anna Calvi

Boy and Bear

Augustines

Daughter

The Waterboys

Jeffrey Lewis

Plank

I Break Horses

Michael A Grammar

Jonathan Wilson

Happyness

Mac DeMarco

 

If we get to see most of those and maybe a few from our Reserve list, we'd be absolutely delighted and it would be an amazing weekend. Bring it on!

sminty's picture sminty replied on

I can get my must-see list down to 11:
Bill Callahan
Jeffrey Lewis
Kurt Vile
Mac DeMarco
Mutual Benefit
Panda Bear
Real Estate
Sharon Van Etten
Simian Mobile Disco
Slint
The War on Drugs

I really want to try to add more, but I always make the mistake of doing a Benny and falling in love with too many bands before the clashfinder comes out. This time, I'm waiting to see what clashes with my current must-sees and avoiding them until after GM, so I can turn that crippling indecision into crippling regret!