Lolla 2015

Now that the hype for Lollapalooza has somewhat died down, I feel like now I can actually discuss it without someone scoffing about the headliners. Haters gonna hate. Every year I hear people bash the lineup of Lolla and I will admit that I have been one of those people. And its usually because I am jealous that the person boasting about the lineup had gotten tickets to Lolla. The tickets sell out so fast! I couldn’t get 3-day passes, so I opted for 2 single-day passes instead.

Paul McCartney! whaaAAAAT? I believe this may be Lolla’s greatest performance yet. And then to close out the festival with my favorite band, Florence + the Machine?! OK, Lollapalooza, you win. Take my money. Then add Alabama Shakes, Alt-J, Gary Clark Jr, Tame Impala, Hot Chip, Cold War Kids, Marina & The Diamonds, Of Monsters and Men, TV On The Radio makes it even more worth my while.

I am also looking forward to some up-and-coming artists like George Ezra, Misterwives, Shakey Graves, FKA Twigs, Father John Misty, and Tove Lo.

I can’t wait to write about my fav performances later this summer! Stay tuned…

Meg’s Year In Music 2014

Right about this time every year, radio stations, TV channels, magazines and social media are putting together their “Best Of…” lists for 2014. Instead of a “Best Of” list, I put together a playlist of various music artists that I discovered, oldies that are newbies to me, and new releases for 2014!

It was a year for Sophomore albums with Young the Giant, Foster The People, Grouplove, Phantogram, Kimbra, Jack White and Alt-J.

A few new breakthrough artists/groups that blew through the roof like CVRCHES, Sam Smith and Disclosure, St. Lucia, Hozier, and Tove Lo.

I was turned on to Fleetwood Mac and David Bowie this year. I wish I listened to them sooner! I don’t know if they will every overcome my love for Led Zeppelin, speaking of Robert Plant put out some new music this year! Lana Del Rey put out some new music this year too, she’s on a roll – of some kind 😉

This Is All Yours – Alt J

I’ve been eagerly waiting for this day to come for months now – the day that Alt-J released their second album, This Is All Yours.

If you thought their first album was strange and liked it, then you’re in for a treat because the second album is even more strange. It starts slow and calm, then progresses with more upbeat harmonies and intricate beats. The music tells a story, although I need to listen to the album a few more times before I understand the entire story. I can tell you that my favorite songs are Every Other Freckle, Left Hand Free, Hunger of the Pine, The Gospel of John Hurt, Leaving Nara (Getting to Nara wasn’t as exciting), and the bonus track Lovely Day.

Alt-J: This is All Yours

I am highly anticipating Alt-J’s new album, This is All Yours, due in September 2014. Their premier album, An Awesome Wave, was more than that. With tracks like Tesselate, Breezeblocks and Fitzpleasure, the sound waves were incredible! Not to mention the mathematical and scientific design behind the music. Their latest leaks have new, impressive rhythms and melodies. Hear it for yourself!