Initial Wakarusa lineup announced
The Wakarusa initial artist announcement was this morning and we’re pretty curious to see what you think.
Lots of people have been waiting for this day and wondering if the level of talent was going to be on par with years past.
Topping the list is Yonder Mountain String Band but we’re not sure if that signifies their place as this year’s headliner or not. Local favorites, Lucero are on the list. Oh yeah, and Buckethead, too.
In all, about 40 bands are slated to appear, but we must admit that our initial reaction is to ask, “Yeah, but who’s the big-namer!?” Not to downplay any of these great bands by any means, but we’re just not seeing any Flaming Lips/Wilco/Emmylou Harris-types on this initial list.
Apparently there’s “many more to be announced” so who knows what’s in store?
Here’s the rest of the list as of this morning:
STS9, Galactic, Sly & Robbie, Railroad Eart, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Digable Planets, Porter, Batiste & Stoltz, Steve Kimock & Crazy Engine, Perpetual Groove, Split Lip Rayfield, The Egg, 20/20 Soundsystem, Jimmy Herring Band, Cornmeal, EOTO, Boombox, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Secret Chiefs 3, Joe Purdy, Dirtfoot, Pretty Lights, Big Smith, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Ott, Heavyweight Dub Champion, DJ Rekha, Underground Orchestra, Moonalice, My Dear Disco, Blue Mountain, Truckstop Honeymoon, Elephant Revival, Burnin’ Smyrnans, Euforquestra, Hana Pestle
What do you guys think?
Discussion
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By Beebs on January 9th, 2009
I’m sure a lot of people are pumped about this lineup. There are some pretty popular bands on there. With that said, there isn’t really anyone on this list that i want to see besides Lucero.
By DTabler on January 9th, 2009
I’m with Beebs on this one. This is a pretty lack-luster lineup of talent. Not saying that there aren’t good bands on the list, just that in comparison to the talent that Wakarusa has showcased in the past, this list is nothing special. Most of the “big name” bands on that list can be seen at George’s at least once a year.
Fingers crossed for the lineup to improve as more bands are announced.
By zh on January 9th, 2009
Dont worry yall I heard they are adding Ultra Suede and A Good Fight.
By Mrs. Kimock on January 9th, 2009
How could anyone complain about a gig featuring the legendary Steve Kimock & Crazy Engine?!?!?! I would pay a small fortune to see Steve Kimock & Crazy Engine any day of the week. Yes, without question, I would have to say that Steve Kimock & Crazy Engine is one of the finest musical groups to have ever walked the Earth. I can’t understate exactly how excited I am about the opportunity to witness yet another Steve Kimock & Crazy Engine concert performances!!!!!
By zh on January 9th, 2009
True dat. Kimock is pretty great.
By aquachong on January 9th, 2009
LAME
By yrfuneralmytrial on January 9th, 2009
Not that I was going anyway (too old I suppose to muck it up outdoors with the youngsters) but this makes it an easy decision. God bless the hippies and their blind devotion to all things long-winded and aimless but that’s a boring line-up. Looks like a “Best Of George’s” party. Snooze.
By Anon on January 9th, 2009
Wait, wait, wait… Ott, The Egg, STS9\, EOTO, etc are playing… AND YOU ARE DISSAPOINTED?!?!
This will be a MASSIVE party.
By Lankford on January 9th, 2009
I agree with Beebs and yrfuneralmytrial. I don’t think I’m crunchy enough for those tunes.
By George on January 9th, 2009
The Waka sound is not generally a “who’s who” of my favorites. That’s just me. I’m more of an ACL lineup kind of guy. Yonder and Galactic to headline is kind of tired. I know…blasphemy to some, but how many times can you watch these guys play 4 hour jam sets before it gets old? However, there’s enough here to interest me…STS9, Porter, Batiste, & Stoltz and who doesn’t like the Digable Planets??? (no, that’s not sarcasm)
There will be more and I expect a few nice surprises. Bring back Tilly & The Wall!!!! Give us My Morning Jacket as a surprise headliner!!!
By kasey on January 9th, 2009
Waka will be awesome, and I am sure they will have quite a few additions to the lineup … they always do. I hope they get Emmy Lou back since she didn’t play last year!
By Boggy Creek Creature on January 9th, 2009
Dig Planets? Oh snap, I am there.
By the Steve on January 9th, 2009
I agree. I think there are a lot of good acts still to be named. Don’t freak out.
By George on January 9th, 2009
Hi kasey. Hope it doesn’t sound like I’m bitching, ’cause I’m totally gonna have a good time. I’m stoked that Waka is in our backyard.
That’s what I’m talking about BCC. Knew I could count on you. Heh.
By Scott Stapp of Creed on January 9th, 2009
digable planets are hella classic despite not really even being that good lol
By birdman on January 9th, 2009
del mccoury and the boys
By Just Hank on January 9th, 2009
In the end, what’s better than camping with live music? You never know when you’re going to have one of those soundtracks of life moments. It helps to have mushrooms, though. Portabellas are good, but ****akes are better. F a button mushroom.
By chancevb on January 10th, 2009
The line-up is exactly what I was hoping Wakarusa would announce. wakaVIP, here I come.
By reed on January 10th, 2009
About half of these bands were at the last Waka, with people like Galactic & Porter/Batiste/Stolz (badass) and STS9 (meh) in the upper-middle tier of popularity. To leave these guys the headliners would definitely be the step backwards I was hoping wouldn’t be a part of the move down our way. That said, I’m confident that I’ll enjoy this fest even with one or two comparable names added to the lineup–especially because it’s so damn close.
By bloomin' onion on January 10th, 2009
I may have to skip this one. Driving a bit to get to “Now, That’s What I Call George’s” wasn’t what I had in mind.
By sofresh-n-sogay on January 10th, 2009
We need to get together and pool some resources to have a mini-fest of our own…maybe pull in a better lot of bands who head to ACL or CMJ every year, but always give us a miss.
By The Steve on January 10th, 2009
Flyerfest?
By D.N. Johnson on January 13th, 2009
lame
By Corbin on January 13th, 2009
I am seconding the Fayetville Flyer Fest idea. Just think it could be shortened to FFFest, almost as awesome an abbreviation as BBBBQ.
By GRussell on January 14th, 2009
Yeah, it’s a bit too jammed-out for my taste. I would still get out for it though. The Mulberry paired with an Arkansas summer day is my kind of affair. Not to mention the Digable Planets are way too novelty to pass up. I would like to see more hip-hop or reggae. Perhaps Common, J5, or Burning Spear?
Anyone heard if the Commoners are signed on yet?
By zh on January 14th, 2009
FFFest. I propose that you make it just “Fayetteville ‘F’-Fest” so you can take advantage of the spillover that the confusion might induce.
“Dude, yall going to the the ‘F’- Fest!? Totally!!”
By sofresh-n-sogay on January 15th, 2009
I see what you did there.
By Jerome on January 18th, 2009
All this debate, controversy and negativity…this festival, as all, are what you make it to be. All these talented artist, right here in the Ozarks, at a beautiful venue in June. Seems like a lot of whining, and not enough gratitude. Can’t make everyone happy I guess. Part of the beauty of a festival experience is seeing new bands, and revisiting some acts that have grown. This party is going to be a good one. Bring your smiles.
By Total Bastard on January 18th, 2009
I’m liking the new spelling.
“Fayetville”.
I think maybe we could even go for Faytvile.
Or how about we rename it Ftvl? Much more efficient and sustainable. Just think of all the ink we’ll be saving. And somebody else can use those extra letters!