To See or Not to See...

With so much going on with buying a new home, I have totally neglected getting excited about the Beale Street Music Festival this weekend. In fact, we don't even have a place to stay. Normally I've already researched the best food and must sees around town. I've never been to Memphis except to drive through it.  But for once, this master planner is going to wing it. But again, this trip is all about the music. I have my "must see" bands. But then comes the decision making. Who do I need to check out that I'm not totally familiar with? Who do I see when I like two bands playing in the same time slot? Any input is welcome!

Worth the price of admission: Mumford and Sons and The Avett Brothers. If there is a banjo player in the band, I will be a fan. I love bluegrass, but these bands are so much more. Mumford jumped to my elite group of fav bands after just one album. This British folk group has such a good sound and their style is hard to describe except for awesome. The Avett Bro are more traditional American folk music, and I love how their songs very from folk to country to rock to traditional bluegrass. I've seen them both live and can't wait to see them again!

Other must see acts on my list: Paul Thorn, Lucero, and Amos Lee. All very solid. Thorn is an amazing songwriter. Lucero is a perfect example of a great alt-country band. Lots of twang and reminds me a lot of Jay Farrar. I didn't see Amos Lee at the Ryman a few weeks ago because I knew I could see him this weekend. I haven't been a fan long but he won me over with his last song which sounded surprising like Ryan Adams.

The biggest dilemma: Friday night- The Flaming Lips or Stone Temple Pilots. Darn it. I was super excited about both bands, but they are playing the same time slot. I haven't seen either live. I really, really want to see Flaming Lips. But STP will take me back to my high school days. The tie breaker is going to be my date. I know Adam knows STP much better that the Flaming Lips. He's a good sport and likes most of the music I expose him too. But to be a good wife, we'll go rock out to STP :)

Other decisions (time slot conflicts)...
Cage the Elephant, Everclear, or Cake? Who puts these three bands in the same slot?? I like Cake but I can knock them off pretty easily. Everclear would be such a fun show. But I'm going with Cage the Elephant. I didn't like their first album at all. There new album has made me do a 180 and go back to album one again. Album two rocks, and that has me tolerating their older stuff better.

MGMT or Slightly Stoopid? Different sounds, but both pretty solid bands that I can listen to but not crazy about. I'm thinking I'll check out MGMT... A little more electronic and psychedelic than most bands I listen too but I can see them being a good show.

The New Pornographers or Jerry Lee Lewis? This kinda sucks. I'm a huge indie rock fan and the Canadian group The New Pornographers is right up my alley. But how do you compete with Jerry Lee Lewis? He's legend. Plus if I see JLL that will keep me at the same stage for three consecutive acts... Paul Thorn, JLL, and Mumford. Which means I will eventually inch my way up to front stage by Mumford :)

So now there's extra slots that I'm not sure what I'll do. I'd like to see at least one blues act. I'm thinking maybe Magic Slim and the Teardrops. That will fill some time if I decide to stay late for the last show Saturday which is John Mellencamp. He's definitely an act you can sing along to most of the songs. I'm just trying to determine if he's worth staying up for...

Other reputable acts I'd like to see but got ousted by someone I like better... Jason Mraz, Jimmie Vaughan, JJ Grey and Mofro, and Ziggy Marley, and Ludacris. I'd say Wilco, but I'll admit it now... I've never been a fan of Jeff Tweedy since the split of Uncle Tupelo. Jay Farrar was the better half of that duo.

One last thought... you couldn't pay me to sit through... Ke$ha. Hinder, Drowning Pool, and Saving Abel.