Forecastle Symphony performs "In C" The evening settled into the clouds, 20 bodies entered the Port Stage, and Teddy Abrams, holding a handsome clarinet, once again introduced a new incarnation of the Forecastle Symphony. What youre hearing is a unique performance built just for you, he said. At first, you may wonder what exactly is happening, but in about 10 minutes you will totally give in to it and it should transport you and put you in a very important, much needed, shared space. That piece which he informed was the minimalist masterpiece, In C, composed by Terry Riley in 1964. The music of In C is as open-ended as it is structured (as it was visualized by a painted backdrop of the songs notation). 53 brief measures of music are explored and repeated throughout the live performance, while each musician determines its direction and abiding by the only rule that no measure shall be backtracked or repeated out of place. The engaged listener gets rewarded with a visceral, meditative experience. Its something that we absolutely need, said Abrams. Its meditative, powerful, thought-provoking, and ultimately all about the sense of unity we can find in a single note of music that envelopes the entire universe. The timekeeper on xylophone was the shining star, maintaining a singular one-note rhythm for the hour-long performance. As the piece progressed, the crowd thinned, and the ones who remained were suddenly bound to the ground grown-ass adults lying sprawled over the Kentucky Landing lawn. Ive seen only two other In C performances by different groups, and by the end of each one, I leave with a vibrating sense of peace.Lara Kinne
Margo Price The first time I saw Margo Price in Louisville was at a much smaller festival. A few years ago, she played at Seven Sense Festival another event thats worth marking on your calendar at around noon. Back then, her first full-length record wasnt out yet, but those early songs like Hurtin (On The Bottle) made it obvious that she was bound for big things in the world of country music. Two albums and probably hundreds of shows later, she and her band put on one of the best shows Ive seen in my four years of Forecastle. I understand that probably sounds hyperbolic, but it was that good. She reminds me a lot of Sturgill Simpson the big, booming voice, matched with smart and straight-forward lyrics, while she and the band are pushing country sounds in all sorts of meta-modern ways. From new songs such as Cocaine Cowboys to Tom Petty covers to jam interludes where she jumped on the drums, Price showcased that shes become a versatile, captivating performer. She jumped from playing small venues to pretty large venues quickly. When that time comes, some people arent ready for it. Margo Price was. And shes thriving.Scott Recker
Jenny Lewis The kind of AM Gold, late-70s country that Jenny Lewis plays is super infectious. She has all the attitude of Mick Jagger, the rock and roll sneer, made sublime because its pretty clear that shes all about having fun. Her range is superlative, and she has a great control over the dynamics, both in her voice, and in the compositions that she works with. Lewis is a trip dealing with hecklers: Thanks for complimenting how I look. I wore this just for you. Shes not having this bullshit, but not letting it beat her down, either. Toward the end of the set, she played Next Messiah, which had a lot of energy Lewis and her band hadnt lost a step in this heat after playing for an hour. Shes dancing and hollering, strutting like she meant business. The bass and drums plodded, the light show triggered to the beat, the guitars and organs blazed a kind of funk, country number. And Lewis was always a star, commanding the crowd and making it look as easy as her music makes you feel.Syd Bishop
The War On Drugs The War On Drugs psychedelic indie jams are hazy, mellow waves, perfect for an early evening festival set. Theyre a product of modern times, but seem inspired by pioneers such as Dylan, bringing a sharp and innovative sound, with impactful songwriting. For how dense their albums are, the live show does an incredible job of replicating and expanding their sound, building sturdy songs that are expertly constructed. They have the good reputation they do for a reason.Scott Recker