Rites of Spring Music Festival
Rites of Spring Music Festival 2009:
April 17-18, 2009 - Nashville, TN
Latest Updates: 4/12 - Removed Elektrik Red
Official Lineup:
Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, Blueskyreality, Erick Baker, The Flaming Lips, Grand Ole Party, K’Naan, N.E.R.D., Okkervil River, Pico vs Island Trees, Q-Tip, Run with Bulls, Santigold, Sara Watkins, Stardeath and White Dwarves, T.I.
Important Links:
Tickets:
- via Ticketmaster.com
Related Posts:
Q-Tip/K’naan/NERD all impressed…T.I. sucked and I continue to enjoy the Flips…NERD was probably my biggest “surprise” of the weekend in how good they sounded and the energy they had. K’Naan is the best new rapper out there and he is going to blow up I think…
The overall fest was great, but Flaming Lips continue to disappoint me live.
In response to the question asking who won The Battle of the Bands, the winner was “Neon Rain”. The process was that the bands initially submitted music and an application from which ten bands were chosen to competitively perform on stage at the Vanderbilt Alumni Lawn on April 16th. Judges were present. A second band was also chosen.
You can find the band “Neon Rain” on Facebook and at http://www.myspace.com/neonrainmusic. You can also download their most recent CD at http://www.noisetrade.com/neonrainmusic for free.
We showed up late (in the rain) to see Spoon headline on Friday last year and it was annoyingly slow. An email sent to students said to allow 2 HOURS, which seems like a lot, but I would at least get there a good 30-60 minutes early if you can. I’m also aiming for K’Naan, so the plan is to be in line by 5:30 (for a 6:20 show). If it’s any consolation, you can hear pretty well from line– assuming all the undergrads in line are quiet, which they rarely are.
Does anyone know who won the battle of the bands slots? It’s kinda sad they don’t get any mention on the website…. I don’t even know when the competition took place.
Hey anybody who went last year is it pretty easy to get into the festie i.e. lines getting in? Somebody on inforoo was saying they heard it was a pain in the butt so I was just wandering.
Also how many people are there? I am trying to real close for K’naan and just wandered how plausible it is since he is on early I thought there was an okay chance…thanks for any help!
According to the official site, they dropped Electrik Red and moved the other BotB winner to Friday. Everything starts earlier on Saturday and NERD gets 15 more minutes.
Friday
Battle of the Bands: 3:20-3:40pm
Battle of the Bands: 4:00-4:20pm
Run With Bulls: 4:40-5:10pm
Blueskyreality: 5:30-6:00pm
K’NAAN: 6:20-7:05pm
Okkervil River: 7:25-8:10pm
Santigold: 8:30-9:10pm
Q-Tip: 9:30-10:30pm
T.I.: 11:00-12:00am
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Saturday
Pico vs. Island Trees: 3:20-3:50pm
Stardeath and White Dwarfs: 4:05-4:35pm
Erick Baker: 4:50-5:20pm
Sara Watkins: 5:40-6:10pm
Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears: 6:30-7:10pm
Grand Ole Party: 7:30-8:10pm
N.E.R.D.: 8:40-9:55pm
The Flaming Lips: 10:30-12:00am
Here are the set times for Grimey’s FREE show down the street on Saturday April 18th as part of Indie Record Store Day.
noon - The Avett Brothers
12:45 - Stardeath & White Dwarfs
1:45 - Michigan City Vandals
2:30 - DeRobert & The Half-Truths
3:15 - Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears
4:00 - Charlie Louvin
4:45 - Del McCoury
5:15 - Royal Bangs
6:00 - The Ettes
7:00 - Mute Math
Royal Bangs are also playing Ear X-tacy in Louisville earlier that day. Pretty impressive! I’m surprised they didn’t give them one of the last two slots.
http://www.grimeys.com/news.html
Here’s the set times. Looks like it’ll end at midnight this year. FLips get 90 minutes. That should be enough time for at least 7 or 8 songs!
Friday
Battle of the Bands: 3:20-3:40pm
Electrik Red: 4:00-4:20pm
Run With Bulls: 4:40-5:10pm
Blueskyreality: 5:30-6:00pm
K’NAAN: 6:20-7:05pm
Okkervil River: 7:25-8:10pm
Santigold: 8:30-9:10pm
Q-Tip: 9:30-10:30pm
T.I.: 11:00-12:00am
_______________
Saturday
Battle of the Bands: 3:20-3:40pm
Pico vs. Island Trees: 3:55-4:25pm
Stardeath and White Dwarfs: 4:40-5:10pm
Erick Baker: 5:25-5:55pm
Sara Watkins: 6:10-6:40pm
Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears: 7:00-7:40pm
Grand Ole Party: 8:00-8:40pm
N.E.R.D.: 9:00-10:00pm
The Flaming Lips: 10:30-12:00am
There’s another “Battle of the Bands Winner” listed for Saturday. Not sure if they’re in the process of moving it from Friday to Saturday, but for now there are 9 acts for each day.
I picked up my staff tickets this week. They each list 3pm as the start time.
It’s been awhile since I closed one down, but I think it’s in the 2-3am range. So, having it end around 1am won’t leave much time for getting downtown.
FWIW, you can’t buy beer in stores until noon on Sundays. Not sure if they stop selling at midnight or 3am, though.
very cool thanks for all the ongoing info on this…what time are the bars open till in nashville?
One last thing: In case you don’t know, Del Mcoury and Charlie Louvin are bluegrass/country legends. Try to check them out if you want a little variety in your day.
This should coincide well with annual record store day at Grimey’s down the street (north of 8th and wedgewood). The music starts at noon and ends around 8pm (it’s surrounded by residences, so I assume they won’t run late).
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http://www.grimeys.com/news.html
Grimey’s Says Record Store Day Is Gonna Kick Ass!
As we approach April 18th - Record Store Day - the full scope of this year’s event is just starting to hit me. We’ve been so excited about our lineup of free live music that I feel I haven’t conveyed just how big a deal this is nation-wide. We’re going to be stocking the largest assortment of exclusive, limited-pressing, new release vinyl (and some CDs & DVDs) that we’ve EVER dealt with in the history of Grimey’s, which is approaching 10 years (this December! Watch for a very special 10th anniversary event around Christmas!). Since all this stuff is coming out on a veritable plethora of different labels, it’s been hard to find a definitive list. I’m even confused by all of it and just send back orders as soon as solicitations come through. So I’m very pleased that our brothers at Landlocked Music in Bloomington, Indiana, have taken it upon themselves to compile a list. It’s the most comprehensive I’ve seen out there so peep it here and start saving! We’ll be re-arranging the store in anticipation to better display all of this hotness too. And we’re installing a new, 2nd register so you can check out faster!
In addition to all the crazy new releases, we’ll have our usual back-lot sale of thousands and thousands of LPs for one dollar and CDs for two (with additional volume discounts) and everything in the store will also be on sale.
I’d like to thank our partners this year - Yazoo Brew will be pouring tasty cold beers. No Name BBQ - a competition barbeque crew that we discovered recently over at United Record Pressing (who will also have a booth) - will be smokin’ and grillin’ and feedin’ ya on site (ribs, shoulder & chicken + veggie skewers). We’re still inviting more friends and community to join us so watch for additional updates between now and the 18th.
All of the following acts are confirmed. We will have set times hopefully by next week:
The Avett Brothers
Stardeath & White Dwarfs
Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears
Del McCoury
Charlie Louvin
The Ettes
Michigan City Vandals
DeRobert & The Half-Truths
Mute Math
and we still have a couple more acts to confirm. We’ll announce those next week (hopefully). Live music will start at noon with the Avetts and will end around 8pm with Mute Math closing things out. The new Wilco DVD, Ashes of American Flags, is being released on Record Store Day and it will be screening all day long inside The Basement. Local DJs will spin between acts and we’re making commemorative t-shirts and posters. Get yours signed and have a collectible keepsake from this sure-to-be-amazing day. Stay tuned for more details and save the date! April 18th!
Cheers!
~Doyle
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Black Joe Lewis should be starting his ROPS set around the time this ends, but if you get to Grimey’s early enough, you can see him there and take your time getting over to Vandy for GOP, NERD, and Flaming Lips. Should be a great day (weather permitting)!
There was one stage the last few years, so there will be 0 conflict, but a little down time. They have a handful of activities/vendors/merch, but for the most part you’re on your own between sets.
Here are the set times from 2007 (I left out the bands to avoid confusion). I think it was similar in 2008. Keep in mind, that unlike 2007, 9 bands are scheduled for Friday and 8 for Saturday, so the times will probably match the opposite day more closely.
2007 Set times for Friday (what Saturday 2009 might look like)
4:00-4:35
4:55-5:25
5:55-6:25
6:45-7:25
2007 Set times for Friday
7:45-8:25
8:45-9:45
10:15-11:15
11:45-1AM
2007 Set times for Saturday (what Friday 2009 might look like)
3:30-3:50
4:10-4:40
5:00-5:30
2007 Set times for Saturday
5:50-6:50
7:10-7:50
8:10-8:50
9:10-9:55
10:15-11:15
11:45-1AM
If it’s anything like this for 2009, I expect I’ll be there from about 7pm-1am both nights.
How do they do it one stage or two? set time length? I am assuming no one conflicts…
From the official website:
Friday
Battle of the Band Winner
Electrik Red
Run With Bulls
Blueskyreality
K’Naan
Okkervil River
Santigold
Q-Tip
T.I.
Saturday
Pico vs. Island Trees
Stardeath and the White Dwarfs
Erick Baker
Sara Watkins (of Nickel Creek)
Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears
Grand Ole Party
N.E.R.D.
The Flaming Lips
Every student at MTSU is a RIM Major.
Well, with the exception of TI and K’Naan, the additions were pretty much the bottom-tier filler. In fact, I don’t think there were any “additions” last year other than the bottom half of the lineup.
Rites of Spring website has Elektrik Red listed now. I am just going to say that I think this festival has gone down hill since the first group of artist were announced. Besides K’naan I could do without the other additions
Not at all, History
Let me guess… RIM major?
MTSU
T.I. has been added to the top slot of the lineup on the website. Here’s what we have now:
T.I./ Flaming Lips / N.E.R.D./ Q-Tip / Okkervil River / Santigold / K’NAAN /Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears / Grand Ole Party / Sara Watkins (of Nickel Creek) / Erick Baker / Stardeath and White Dwarfs / Run With Bulls / Blueskyreality / Pico vs. Island Trees
The website also gave us the heads up that Sara Watkins is the chick from Nickel Creek.
Yes indeed. He doesn’t report to jail until May. This is one of the best college music festivals in the nation.
T.I. IS HEADLINING
According to an email my fiancee just got, T.I. is also headlining. If he’s not in jail.
What school do you go to dazedNconfused?
I am looking at my school paper and they have an ad for rites. They list Blueskyreality, Run with the Bulls, and Pico vs. Island Trees.
The website changed the lineup order, presumably in order of billing:
Flaming Lips / N.E.R.D./ Q-Tip / Santigold / Okkervil River / K’NAAN / Grand Ole Party / Black Joe Lewis / Sara Watkins / Erick Baker / Star Death and White Dwarfs /
According to available sources, Saturday has the #1 band along with acts #7-#11. #4-#6 are on Friday with #2 and #3 TBD. Still not sure if another headliner is forthcoming.
From a reliable source, the way they are on the website is not the order. Looking at the lineup I only see only 2 hip-hop artist on the bill (Q-tip & K’naan). The festival has always been too much indie and I am glad that they are trying to cater to more people mainstream genres but keeping a good mix of indie and rock. TVotR will not be playing at ROS this year.
As I pointed out last week, K’Naan listed TV on the Radio, Okkervil River, Santigold, and Q-Tip. We can be fairly sure TVotR won’t be there, but I bet the other 3 are the Friday acts (in addition to a replacement for TVotR). So, I think we can be fairly sure that Q-Tip will be on Friday, too.
That leaves NERD– probably for Saturday assuming we get several additions for Friday (1 headliner and 2-4 smaller acts).
I really doubt that lineup on the website is in billing order. Okkervil is way too low and K’Naan is way too high.
According to Santigold’s DJ, she’s playing Friday:
http://www.myspace.com/upupdowndownleftrightleftright
So, on Friday, we have Santigold, Okkervil, and K’naan
Saturday we’ll have Flaming Lips, Black Joe Lewis, Grand Ole Party, Sara Watkins, Erick Baker, Pico vs. Island Trees and Stardeath & White Dwarves
Presumably we’ll get another headliner on Friday. With all the acts playing Saturday, maybe NERD and Q-Tip will both play on Friday. If that’s the case, though, I’d be surprised by all the smaller acts playing Saturday compared to Friday. Maybe they’ll each play different days and we’ll get about 4 more smaller acts.
ah na man i wasnt trying to insult K’naan by any means!! We even left Matisyahu’s set early and i agree Trevor Hall and K’naan brought it more than Matis did. What I’m sayin is that u will get more of a draw from N.E.R.D. and Q-Tip than him. Guarantee more people have heard of both of those guys. K’naan is good but not a headliner Zack!!!
And another thought Zach, when we left that show we didnt even speak about Matisyahu the converstation we had was about K’naan and how your new favorite song is Waving Flag
Zach you are crazy to think that he can not be a headliner. I was at that show to and he won over a crowd that many knew little to nothing about him. He is an up an coming star in the hip hop community and in the music community as a whole. I still think that they will add a headliner but I will not insult K’naan by saying there is no way he can be a headliner. You ignorant poop head.
So on the website, they still have K’naan in the second spot…i just saw him open up for Matisyahu a month and a half ago. There’s no way he’s a headliner, and he’s is nowhere near the level of Q-Tip and N.E.R.D. …just a thought…
I am so pumped for this, another smaller festival that looks to have promise this year is louisville’s forecastle festival. Check their website they are talking about a major headlining group.
Oh, I didn’t even see that. I was counting 11, but that’s because they have her instead of Pico vs. Island Trees.
You can add Sara Watkins to that list as well.
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/ros/artists.php
Sorry, my math is off– they added the other FOUR acts to the original 7.
They finally added the other 5 acts to the website, bringing the total to 11. Last year I think there were 16 acts, but I would only expect one more big name (unless the original article was wrong about one headliner yet to be announced) and few more unknowns/local acts.
You might want to re-think that. There’s a trade-off. We get a fraction of all the touring acts in Nashville. We just get some of them all at once (most notably at Bonnaroo if we’re willing to drive an hour and a half and camp out all weekend).
We need more festivals in the northeast. Seriously. All the festys you guys get down south make me want to move down there just for that.
According to the latest news story here (http://grimeys.com/news.html) (the one about Twitter), Stardeath and White Dwarves (featuring touring members of Flaming Lips and Wayne’s cousin Dennis) are also playing Rites of Spring on Saturday. Both they and Black Joe Lewis are also playing the national independent record store celebration at Grimeys. Grimey was hinting that the Flips might even show up for that, too. Mute Math will be playing that at 7pm, which could create a conflict with whoever is playing early for Rites of Spring.
(Props to Oshoney for bringing this to my attention)
2007 was not a bad lineup, But I only went on Friday. Battle of the Band Winner(does anyone remember there name, I remember them very good), Jypsi, Charles Walker, Brett Dennen, The Whigs, Keller Williams, Drive By Truckers, Wolfmother.
I am hoping for some jambands. I think Ben Harper and the Rentless 7 would be a great headliner. I think Dead Confederate, Trevor Hall, MGMT, or Spearhead would great additions to the lineup.
I’m still expecting some sort of jam band and/or pretty boy/girl pop star to be added. It seems like they have indie and hiphop covered. On the other hand, I said that before K’naan was added. Last year Colbie Calliat played. In 2007, Matt Kearny, Amos Lee, Bret Dennen, Rocco DeLuca, and Keller Williams all played.
Of course, they could be taking a different (and more awesome) direction this year. Maybe it’ll be more like 2006 when the lineup featured Ben Folds, Cary Brothers, My Morning Jacket, Matt Pond PA, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Ben Lee, Secret Machines and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.
That’s a good point…I wander who it will be…I would go for TVOTR (and K’naan is right!) or probably a indie/rock band about the same level as Spoon I guess…
Friday: Okkervil, K’Naan
Saturday: FLips, GOP, BJL&tHB
In addition to TVotR (a mistake?), K’Naan lists Okkervil, Santigold and Q-Tip. My theory is that this was the full Friday lineup at one point, but TV on the Radio dropped out to play Saturday at Coachella instead (maybe they originally agreed to play Coach on Sunday but were moved to Saturday). That could explain why Vandy has yet to announce one of the headliners (as reported in the student newspaper). Maybe they’re looking for a replacement.
Either way, according to Myspace, Flaming Lips will be shutting it down on Saturday.
K’NAAN is a good add, but the pre-ponderance of rap/hiphop this year is really surprising to me. There’s always something along those lines (Lil John, Roots, Nappy Roots, etc), but I figured they already had their bases covered with the initial lineup.
I should have guessed Pico vs. Island Trees would be one of the local acts. Those guys are all over the place this year.
I had an off-the-wall idea the other day. Maybe Vampire Weekend will be the other headliner. They have a college show in MA on 4/22. Vandy is probably a scene they’re used to. That would be fun.
This festival is a month away they need to come out with who else is playing
oh shit totally forgot they are playing coachella yep that doesn’t make sense
As much as I would love to see TV on The Radio, I am going to have to say no dice. They are playing Ventura, California on the 16th and Coachella on the 18th. So the 17th is open but I don’t see any band flying in from California just to fly back the next day.
That is awesome! I love k’naan saw him at Lolla last year and just bought his new album…I think he is one of the best rappers out there…TVOTR maybe they could be that other surprise headliner add?
This festie is a bargain for the price…
If you click on the show on K’NAAN’s Myspace page he says TV on the Radio is also playing. He could just be confused, but I’d say it’s at least a rumor.
http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.showDetails&Band_Show_ID=38536096&friendid=22292670
Knaan, Pico vs Island Trees, and Erick Baker myspace have rites of spring listed as upcoming shows
Can someone tell me what Tim is talking about? What sounds genius? What should I change my name to?
That would be bonkers. I saw ‘em twice last year (3 times if you count the Bonnaroo Superjam with Les Claypool), but they would be a welcome addition. Unfortunately, my money is still on something mainstream pop, jammy and/or country. It’s already plenty of the idie stuff and the hiphop stuff.
Just a heard from a reliable source that does booking for a concert venue that the FLIPS may have Gogol Bordello going on tour with them this summer so perhaps they will be an add to this festie…
sounds genius.
@carligula: you need to change your name to that immediately.
For some reason, they never advertise, but if any Vanderbilt employees are reading this, go to the Sarratt with your ID to get a 2-day pass for $29.50. I assume there are additional fees, but it’s cheaper than the general price of $55.
Unfortunately, like with student tickets, I don’t think there’s anyway to extend the savings to your friends.
No problem. According to Myspace, Okkervil is playing Friday, which is no shocker considering they’re playing Coachella on Sunday. Joe Lewis and GOP are on Saturday. Nothing on the other acts, but maybe the lineup order on the website is a clue and it’ll be Santigold and Q-Tip with Okkervil on day 1 and NERD with Lewis and GOP on Day 2. Still no clue on the alleged second headliner.
If you want to catch other shows while in town, keep your eye on mercylounge.com and exitin.com
Cool thanks a lot for the tips…touristy and uninteresting means my girlfriend will probably love 2nd avenue then haha!
Holiday Inn is a good call. Right across the street is centennial Park with a replica of the Parthenon that’s worth checking out (preferably during the day). There are plenty of dining options nearby– from the quick variety (Wendy’s, McDonalds, Subway, Starbucks) to the classier variety (PF Chang’s, Ted’s Montana Grill, J Alexanders). If you get a chance, I would recommend getting a burger at Rotiers (rotiers.com) or some black bean nachos or jerk chicken at Calypso Cafe on Elliston place. It’s an easy walk through a really nice campus to the Memorial Lawn where they hold the concert. Along the way, there’s an FYE and a Borders if you’re into that sort of thing.
Saturday happens to be National Independent Record Store Day, so you MUST go to Grimey’s if you have transportation (grimeys.com). So far, Avett Brothers and Mute Math are set to play the free concert. Hopefully it doesn’t conflict with RoS too much.
For years I tried to convince people there were better things to do than listen to country music in Nashville, but then I realized you can have a great time if you’re willing to let the old-school stuff wash over you. For that, go up West End until it becomes Broadway. A few blocks of honky tonks await between 5th and 2nd Ave. I prefer Roberts, but Tootsie’s and Legends are alright, too. If you want a once-in-a-lifetime experience, try Lonnie’s in Printers Alley (between 3rd and 4th Ave on Church street). Do NOT be fooled by the imitator of the same name that just happens to be attached to the Holiday Inn. There is no comparison.
2nd Avenue is for tourists and I find it horribly uninteresting.
Just bought tickets for this and got a Holiday Inn Hotel right on the campus supposedly…pretty pumped up because it should be a fun cheap weekend!
Does anyone know when they will add the other bands and how far is the university from downtown or other cool places to go in Nashville?
Cool thanks for the info man, I have friends in Nashville anyways and I have that weekend open so I thought it might be fun to throw it all together…
LOL at Volpalooza. This is why I’ve always been a lifelong Commodore fan.
I’ve been several times over the years, but I usually just show up for one or two acts each time (Spoon, Feist, Lil Jon, Cake, Phoenix, Nappy Roots, Phantom Planet, and a few others over 4 different years). They have approximately 12 or 14 acts over the two days with the current set-up (they said they’ll be adding a headliner and some smaller opening acts– presumably one or two which will be local bands). It was all on one stage last year (and maybe the 2 before that), but past years had a side stage. I think it starts mid-afternoon on Friday (despite the fact they’ll be having classes that day) and maybe closer to noon on Saturday. It actually went beyond midnight each night this year, which I thought was really surprising.
I think they’re pretty strict about the beer limit. Some people will only bring a few at a time and go back for more later, but they keep tabs on how many you’ve brought over the course of the day (i.e. using a wristband with 6 removable tabs). I’m almost positive they DO NOT sell beer (but they do sell food, merch, and CDs). As far as I know, you can come and go as you please– but this may not be the case for the general public.
Having gone to undergrad at a dry college, I’m still shocked when I go to any event sponsored by a school where people are openly drinking.
Who has gone to this before? My question is they have 7 acts for two days and it’s on a Friday and a Saturday? How does the schedule work?
Also it says you can only bring in six beers, do they sale more once you are in there…just wandered if I am in there for 12 hours might like a little more than a six pack if I am in the mood…thanks for any help!
The University of Tennessee announced their line up for Volapalooza today:
Gym Class Heroes
Reel Big Fish
Chester French
$5 for students, $10 for others…. not bad
I’m thinking about it. I’ve got friends in Chattanooga I’d like to visit and since Bonnaroo is looking like it will be difficult to pull off this may be a nice way to kick off the spring.
Thanks, Ax. Sorry if that came off as bitchy. I’m a little hung over…
Chi, I don’t know if all of them are playing the same day, but you should totally come down regardless.
Is this open to the public?
If Lips, Okkervil River, and Q-Tip play the same day I’d think about a road trip.
It was originally listed as only April 18th. Forgive us.
Once again, this is happening over two days (April 17th AND April 18th) You have this listed for only April 18th, which may be confusing for some people. I wouldn’t want people to see the lineup and think they could swing by on Saturday and see all of it.
I love Grand Ole Party. That is great news.
According to the Vanderbilt Hustler, not only is Grand Ole Party also playing, but they have yet to announce a Headliner!
http://www.insidevandy.com/drupal/node/9676
Black Joe Lewis!
Not bad.
The Vanderbilt calendar is officially listing this for April 17th and 18th. No word on any confired acts (or rumors for that matter).