Indie Band Guru

You may have noticed that we at Indie Band Guru are big fans of The Soft Pack.  They played a bunch of shows at SXSW 2010 and killed it as usual.  Here is some video of one of there shows at Trailer Space.  It always amazes me the places that they find for bands to play in Austin that weekend.  But I guess with about 1897 bands playing they get creative in where they can put a stage and pack in a music loving crowd.  Enjoy it now without being shoulder to shoulder with 100′s of other indie music lovers.

Hopefully you have a few drinks in you by now and are enjoying the St. Patrick’s Day festivities.  Here is some great music to put you in the Irish drinking mood.

Black 47 are Celtic rock legends in NYC.  They formed in the Bronx back in 1989 and have played about 150 shows each year since.  Always remaining true to their principles and their political views has cost them real fame.  Due to their independent stance on affairs in the North of Ireland, their UK record companies refused to give them any support, thus cutting off the lucrative European market.  They were also one of the first bands to make a stand against the Iraqi war.

They always return to New York City to play on St. Patrick’s Day.  For their 21st consecutive NYC show on the holiday, they will be at B.B Kings tonight starting at 7pm.

They also just released a new album on March 2nd titled Bankers and Gangsters.  It is vintage Black 47 and if you like what you hear here, you should give it a listen.  Enjoy the day and feel free to share some good stories about your evening.

We came across a great video on CNN.com that our readers will like.  It  follows indie electro punk band, The Handsome Furs from Montreal, Canada, as they tour the newly re-established underground music scene in China.  The club scene there is so unestablished that a Handsome Furs show with 100 kids was the biggest show that they ever had there.  Take a look and share your thoughts.

The organizers have finally revealed the full lineup for the 2010 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, scheduled for June 10-13 in Manchester, Tennessee.

Jay-Z, Dave Matthews Band, Kings of Leon, Stevie Wonder, Weezer and Flaming Lips top the bill for this year’s version of the ‘Roo,

There are genuine legends (Jimmy Cliff, John Fogerty), established rock acts (the Dead Weather), hip-hop talent (Wale, Nas, Kid Cudi), electro heavyweights (LCD Soundsystem, Thievery Corporation) and bands that hearken back to the festival’s earlier, decidedly jammy routes (Medeski, Martin and Wood, the Disco Biscuits), not to mention the annual WTFs (Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, Darryl Hall with Chromeo). All in all, it’s a rather jam-packed four days of music.

Rather than announce the full lineup, organizers broke from tradition and revealed each performer individually on the Bonnaroo MySpace page, a decision that was as time-consuming as it was brilliant.

Neon Indian - one of this years Bonnaroo acts

According to a spokesperson for the festival, the full lineup will swell to some 125 acts and over 20 comedians, performing on 13 different stages. Tickets for the 2010 edition of Bonnaroo are already on sale at the fest’s Web site, with a four-day pass costing $234.50. There are also RV passes available, and a super-deluxe “Total Access” package, which offers 24-hour concierge service, onstage viewing for all performances and complimentary food. As in previous years, organizers are also giving attendees the option to purchase tickets on an installment plan.

The full list of confirmed artists for the 2010 Bonnaroo festival:
Headliners:
» Dave Matthews Band
» Kings of Leon
» Stevie Wonder
» Jay-Z
» Tenacious D
» Weezer
» The Flaming Lips
As well as: » The Dead Weather» Damian Marley and Nas» Phoenix» Norah Jones
Michael Franti & Spearhead» John Fogerty» Regina Spektor» Jimmy Cliff
LCD Soundsystem» The Avett Brothers» Thievery Corporation» Rise Against» Tori Amos» The National» Zac Brown Band» Les Claypool» John Prine» The Black Keys» Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers» Jeff Beck» Dropkick Murphys» She & Him» Against Me!» The Disco Biscuits» Daryl Hall and Chromeo» Jamey Johnson» Clutch» Bassnectar» Kid Cudi» Baaba Maal» Kris Kristofferson» Medeski Martin & Wood» The XX» Gwar» Dan Deacon Ensemble» Tinariwen» Wale» Deadmau5» The Melvins» Gaslight Anthem» Mike Snow» Nitty Gritty Dirt Band» Dr. Dog» They Might Be Giants» Punch Brothers» Isis» Blitzen Trapper» Blues Traveler» Miranda Lambert» Calexico» OK Go» Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue» Martin Sexton» Lotus» Baroness» Dave Rawlings Machine» Mayer Hawthorne and the County» Japandroids» Jay Electronica» Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros» Ingrid Michaelson» The Dodos» Manchester Orchestra» The Temper Trap» Cross Canadian Ragweed» Carolina Chocolate Drops» Tokyo Police Club» The Entrance Band» Local Natives» Brandi Carlile» Mumford & Sons» Rebelution» Diane Birch» Monte Montgomery» Julia Nunes» The Postelles» Lucero» Here We Go Magic» Hot Rize» Neon Indian» B.o.B» Needtobreathe

Wow, that is a lot of good music to stuff into 4 days but it is always worth the trip.  Let us hear your favorites.