Sunday Afternoons

Sundays at the farm are one of my favorites. Every year it seems we are able to find some good bands to relax to - a good mix of music legends, and recent favorites. Here's a few of my favorite Sunday bands from Bonnaroo past for your Sunday enjoyment:

*Note: These are albums to fill your day instead of just an hour playlist or so. Also, sometimes musicians swear. Sorry.

Yonder Mountain String Band - self titled

Mavis Staples - "You Are Not Alone"

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - "Raising Sand"

Fruit Bats - "Ruminant Band"

Phoenix - "Alphabetical"

Orchestra Baobab - "A Night at Club Baobab"

Diversion: They Might Be Giants - "Here Comes Science," or "Lincoln"

Neko Case - "Middle Cyclone"

Ben Folds Five - self titled

Andrew Bird - "Armchair Aprocrypha"

 The Beach Boys - "Endless Summer"

Aimee Mann - "@#%&*! Smilers"

John Fogerty - "The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again"

Explosions in the Sky - "All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone"

Happy Sunday!

Days into Nights

Late nights are magic.

For someone who has to manage how much I've spent in the sun and hug the shade, nighttime is perfect for wandering freely from band to band and not keeping track of how long ago I applied sunscreen. But there's something else about a late night of music, and I don't know what it is. Magic just seems to happen. Here are a few of my favorite moments:

After Pearl Jam finished at our first year, we were exhausted and sweaty. (Plus my husband was recovering from some cold he'd picked up) we stretched out on the lawn with a plate of samosas and sweet potato fries to watch Sigur Ros. I first heard this band on a mix cd my best friend gave me for my 19th birthday, and was amazed by the sound. I could hardly believe I was watching them suddenly live on stage, sparkly atmosphere and a marching band? The perfect wind-down to a wonderful day.

Same year, we were at the epic My Morning Jacket show. As songs would build, the rain poured down and the wind blew hard; then ebbing as the song wound down. It felt like they controlled the weather. Eventually they had to take a break since electronics and water aren't very good friends. When they came back, Jim James wore a cape and they tore into a great James Brown cover. We ended up leaving a bit before the end, soaked to the bone and shivering, but warmed ourselves in our sleeping bags listening to the last song,"Home Sweet Home," as we fell asleep.

LCD Soundsystem made us dance our socks off a few years ago. As we dance-sprinted to the tent, we dodged and leapt over sleeping bodies. I wish that LCD would reform every year for a late night set.

Walking back to Public Enemy from the portapotties, I reached a point in the road where I could distinctly hear Phish and Public Enemy. The sound of the two bands briefly complemented each other for a minute, rhythm and tonality syncing just for a minute. Just the right moment and right time. Amazing.

The Flaming Lips played a double set of their own work and then played The Dark Side of the Moon. First, Wayne was in the hamster ball. Second they played Dark Side. Need I say more?

And finally, Alice Cooper's set last year. My great friend had been so excited and she made sure we found the perfect spot. There was a kid dressed up in a top hat and cane on their parent's shoulders the whole show. I had never seen Alice Cooper before. Such a stage show, and just amazed me from beginning to end.

So many different sounds. So much fun. And a lot of dancing. It's the magic of late nights.

Survival of the Preparedest

It’s the end of May and my favorite time of year is about to kick it into high gear - Music in the great outdoors! If my husband and I had our druthers, we’d be festival hopping from Coachella to the Bridge School Benefit! Sadly we have not figured out the secret formula for growing money trees, or even change shrubs so we try to limit ourselves.

Yay outdoors

Outdoor concerts: a bunch of people all having a good time, watching a bunch of bands, and usually finding some good food as well. A lot of times you'll find it's also cheaper than seeing a bunch of regular concerts as most outdoor one day events will include multiple headliners. And it’s OUTSIDE! The downside? The risk of inclement weather (we’ve been through a tornado warning), health risks (dehydration, exhaustion, sunburn, heat stroke), and not minding your spending. But just a bit of planning and smarts can help you be ready and let you enjoy the music.

*These are our tips to spend less but still have fun. We usually spend $800 - $900 altogether for Bonnaroo, including gas, hotels before/after, food, tickets, etc.

In General:

Check out the do and don’t lists for wherever you’re going including: reentry policies, food and drink policies, and any other important information.

Protect yourself! Bring ear plugs, a hat/bandana, and sunscreen. Let’s just go for a long term goal of being able to hear and have healthy skin. Also nothing sucks like getting a sunburn on the first day of a festival and hugging the shadows for the rest.

YOUR CAR IS NOT A PROTECTIVE FORCEFIELD AND YOU CAN STILL GET SUNBURNED WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING IN A LINE TO GET IN. Sunscreen.

Stay hydrated! Lots of venues let you bring empty or sealed water bottles and provide watering stations. Check the rules. Use it. And beer/wine don’t count as hydating.

APPROPRIATE SHOES.

There will be walking, most likely some dancing, and jumping. Or there might be a hungry shoe pit where two flip flops may enter, but only one at most will get out.

Be nice to security. Right before my turn in line, I empty my pockets and organize my bag so it’s just a quick pat down the sides, look in the bag, and I get waved in.

My Bag: This is my standard pack for any show in the wonderful outdoors no matter what.

Survival BagPlastic bag keeps everything dry if it rains, and your TP unmussed. Ear plugs and sanitizer clip to strap or belt loops for ease of use. My wallet is pared down to day's cash allotment, id, and debit card. Not Pictured: Schedule printout and snacks. Check rules if you can bring in outside snacks first. Make sure all snacks have a higher melting point. We bring cracker sandwich packs, a ziploc of trail mix, granola bars and beef jerky.

All right, so have fun you day-goers that’s the end of the general list. All you multi-day festival campers, here’s a few more for you.

Camping for Pearl Jam 20 Festival

Our Packing List for Bonnaroo

Share a sign-up online to coordinate who's bringing what.

Conserve car space. Buy perishables and items you will consume at the site the day before or the day of entry.

Check ahead about the camping rules. No glass? Leaving and reentry rules? These are all good things to know ahead of time.

Check message boards for festival specific advice.

Practice setting up your tents at home. Sometimes you need to be able to quickly claim your space and set up your footprint, especially if someone is setting up one of those 5 room tents next to you... But don’t be mean. You are going to live next to them for awhile. We lay out all our tents right away to make sure we have enough space, and adjust as able afterward.

Have a living space. Whether it’s a tent or a tarp you’ve suspended off the back of your car, make sure you have someplace you can sit and escape the sun or rain. A place to cook at your campstove and chat.

Get to know your neighbors, that way you have other people who are looking out for your site while you’re away hopefully.

Don’t leave anything valuable where it could easily be taken (ie. your tent).

In a group? Bring along a spare key.

Our food diet: egg scramble in the morning, sandwich for lunch, hot dog for dinner, and trail mixes 24/7! Also, instant oatmeal and soup cups for times where you must eat NOW.

Playlists for those who woo or those who woe.

No matter whether you're celebrating romance tonight or burying it in a box of chocolates, here are some last minute music ideas to add to your playlist. (Disclaimer: If you are unfamiliar with something, please look it up or listen to it before you add it to your evening as I have not gone through and labeled anything with questionable material, such as profanity, in it. Not everyone has the same definition for what is okay, so I leave that to the individual)

First, I'll spare the broken-hearted reading a list of romantic songs and get right to the sad. My list starts out depressed and ends sad but not defeated, which is a nice way to do it in my opinion. Reverse the list if you like to end in wallowing sadness:

Elliot Smith

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

Eddie Vedder - Ukelele Songs

Lissie - "Wedding Bells"

Blitzen Trapper - "Not Your Lover," "Furr"

Beck - "Ramona"

Beck - Sea Change

Craig Finn - Clear Heart Full Eyes

Explosions in the Sky or Sigur Ros would work nicely here, and a great spot for the wallowers to end

Ben Folds - Whatever & Ever Amen

The National

Wilco - "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart," "How To Fight Loneliness," "Hummingbird," "At Least That's What You Said," "Let Me Come Home," "Leave Me (How You Found Me)," and "Was I In Your Dreams?"

Aimee Mann - Bachelor No. 2

Devotchka - How It Ends

Best Coast - "Boyfriend"

Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight

The Hold Steady - "Stay Positive"

Black Keys - Attack & Release

Kansas (You should be feeling pretty good about now to rock out to "Carry on")

Well Broken-Hearted, that's all I've got for you. Hope that list gets you through it.

And now for the Lovers: (from upbeat/offbeat to sweet and demure)

Flaming Lips - "Be My Head"

Arcade Fire - "Tunnels"

Wilco - "I Got You (At The End of the Century)," "Magazine Called Sunset," "I'm the Man Who Loves You," "What Light"

The Who or Pearl Jam - "Love Reign O'er Me"

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetics - "Home"

I'm From Barcelona - "Treehouse"

The Decemberists - "The Hazards of Love 4"

Spoon - "Nobody Gets Me But You," "Goodnight Laura"

LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening (Not really romantic but it just seems like a good one to put on for some upbeat dancing)

Magnetic Fields - 69 Love Songs

My Morning Jacket - Z; the songs "Wonderful," and "Librarian"

Beck - "Ramona" and Sea Change (I feel that these both can be used for woeing or wooing)

Mason Jennings - if you want some specifics "The Light," "The Mountain," "Ballad For My One True Love," "Raindrops on the Kitchen Floor," could just go on and on...

Fleet Foxes

Swell Season - "Falling Slowly"

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Baby I'm Afraid" (but she uses expletives in it, so it's not for everyone)

Stereolab

Explosions in the Sky

Sigur Ros (these last two are also good for woeing or wooing)

So there you go, hopefully that gives you a few different ideas that will help you woo someone special tonight. Happy Valentine's Day!