The End of Jam Bands

[.:.impossible]

Just glance at the list for this summer. Is enough enough? Can we lay the jam band era to rest? Looking at the previously jam-centric festival Bonnaroo playlist, it looks to me like the end is near.

Since the fall of Phish, it seems that the jam band audience has actually ventured out from under the shadow of the great flying hotdog. In turn, concert promoters are following suit. The "kids" may actually be interested in music after all.

Now, in tradition of keeping the hipster pissing contest alive, I am sure we will hear from those that were buying Sun City Girls 7" since they were ten years old, or hanging out with Sunburned Hand since the late eighties, that this lineup has seen its day, or never actually made any worthwhile music in the first place, that the lineup still includes the barnacles of the jam band scene.

The truth is, the vast majority of this summer's Bonnaroo ticket holders have been introduced to a much wider variety of music than I would have previously expected to see at a festival like this, and this seems to be an ongoing and postive trend for musicians and fans thereof the world over.

I probably won't be making it this year, or any year for that matter since I scratched standing in the middle of a field in Tennessee in the sweltering heat off of my list of things to do in the summertime a few years ago. I am encouraged, though, that the promoters have really expanded their horizons.

Hell, for all I know, they may just be meeting demand, that the scene does change, that I've been out of touch with all of this for long enough that I don't know what the "kids" like anymore after all. When did Devandra "break out"?

Bonnaroo 2006

Edited March 3, 2006 by .:.impossible

[Quincy]

Not completely jamband free as there's Phil & Friends, moe, Oysterhead, Les Claypool, Umphrey's McGee, and Disco Biscuits. Don't know what the Phish spinoff (Mike Gordon) sounds like. Not sure how to label MMW, Robert Randolph, Bela Fleck, Nickel Creek & the Neville Bros., but they all appeal to the jammy crowd. I've left out a few too.

But you are right, it's a hell of a different lineup with all of the indie bands & non-jambands. Wonder if they'll keep Phil Lesh and such segregated from the likes of Bright Eyes? I can picture a US Festival setup like from '83 (I think) where they had an all heavy metal lineup one day and an all punk on another. That fest just had one stage though, which I'm guessing Bonnaroo has more. So it could be the indie & jammy kids never meet, except perhaps in the campground. Now that could be a weird scene.

Thanks to the new blood it would be the first time I'd ever considering going, were it not for the reason you gave for not going!

[Dmitry]

Pardon my obvious ignorance, but what exactly constitutes a jam band?

[Sundog]

Pardon my obvious ignorance, but what exactly constitutes a jam band?

Rock-based (but open to many styles) and improvisationally driven pretty much sums it up.

[Uncle Skid]

Pardon my obvious ignorance, but what exactly constitutes a jam band?

Rock-based (but open to many styles) and improvisationally driven pretty much sums it up.

Or endless noodling... depending on one's perspective, of course.

Edited March 4, 2006 by Uncle Skid

[Sundog]

Pardon my obvious ignorance, but what exactly constitutes a jam band?

Rock-based (but open to many styles) and improvisationally driven pretty much sums it up.

Or endless noodling... depending one's perspective, of course.

Well there is that...

[Chuck Nessa]

I think Smucker's is the sponsor.

[Joe G]

I think Smucker's is the sponsor.

Then it's GOT to be.... oh, never mind.

[md655321]

If Bonnaroo signals the end of Jam Bands, did it also signal the beginning? Bonnaroo is just once small aspect of the jam community, and while they abandoned the all jam thing, they were always pretty diverse. The Roots, Jurassic 5, Bob Dylan, New Pornographers, The Frames, Modest Mouse etc.. have played the shows in the past. Really the only difference this year is less jammy headliners, and a few BIG indie acts.

There are still many places to get your jam on though:

http://wakarusa.com/2006/lineup.asp

http://langerado.com/

Obviously with Phish ending and the Dead likely calling it quites, the scene is different, but as long as musicians and fans are into improvised music, but too lazy to learn jazz, jam bands will exist.

I'll be at Bonnaroo for the 5th year in a row now. I bought my tix without hesitation.

p.s. I think Devandra already has broken out.

Edited March 5, 2006 by md655321

[sal]

I don't think that the lack of jambands at Bonnaroo signals the end of jambands per se.

Bonnaroo has been an incredible success since it began. For such a large festival, they have had an incredibly successful record of safety. With the exception of the regular drug offenses, there have been hardly any injuries, or acts of violence or theft at any of the festivals. I will guess that this is because Bonnaroo has typically been a "jamband" festival, and for the most part that audience is not particularly criminal minded or violent. They are just looking to go out, sit in the sun, party, and hear some music. This track record has caught the eye of many who are viewing Bonnaroo as now being the premier music festival in the country, especially when compared to the disasters of other past music festivals. As the word now gets around, groups of many diverse backgrounds are seeing this as an opportunity to showcase their music to an audience who is actually interested in the music, and where the probability of riots, fights, or burning shit down is very low. In summary, its become an attractive place for musicians of all genres to play to an attentive audience, while at the same providing a low risk of association with destructive behavior.

I was at the first Bonnaroo in 2002, and aside from the logistical nightmares that most festivals encounter during their premier events, I remember it as an incredibly positive and fun experience. Will the festival always be this way? Who knows....probably not is my guess. Its bound to start attracting the "trolls" sooner or later in greater numbers, but for now, I say more power to Bonnaroo. This year's lineup looks excellent.

[Sundog]

....but as long as musicians and fans are into improvised music, but too lazy to learn jazz, jam bands will exist.

I don't think it's quite that simple. "....too lazy to learn jazz" Are you implying that jazz is the only valid form for improvisation? Whether the jazz elistists (I'm not implying your part of that group BTW) of the world care to admit it or not; to some extent the jam band scene has kept jazz from sinking even further from out of the general public's awareness. At it's worst the scene is ponderous and self indulgent. At it's best it can be a real musical stepping stone for musicians and fans alike. Just my 2 cents.

[md655321]

I was mainly just joking around. As I've said, I've been to every Bonnaroo and I'm heavy into both the jam and jazz scene. I think there is SOME aspects of lazy musicianship in the jazz scene (as in a few cats learn mixolydian and just stop there and think they are advanced cats) but for the most part the musicianship is at quite a high level, and really brings rock up to a level that makes an easy handoff to jazz fandom.

[Sundog]

I was mainly just joking around. As I've said, I've been to every Bonnaroo and I'm heavy into both the jam and jazz scene. I think there is SOME aspects of lazy musicianship in the jazz scene (as in a few cats learn mixolydian and just stop there and think they are advanced cats) but for the most part the musicianship is at quite a high level, and really brings rock up to a level that makes an easy handoff to jazz fandom.

I kinda' figured as much. There is quite a bit to like about the scene as you obviously know. So who are you going to catch this year at Bonnaroo?

[md655321]

Radiohead

Phil Lesh & Friends

Mike Gordon & Ramble Dove

Medeski Martin & Wood

Gomez

Steve Earle

Bill Frisell

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

Beck

Elvis Costello & the Imposters

Death Cab for Cutie

Bright Eyes

Robert Randolph & the Family Band

Matisyahu

My Morning Jacket

Cat Power

Atmosphere

Son Volt

Sonic Youth

Andrew Bird

Common

Oysterhead

The bolds are my absolute cant miss picks. Should be a good time.

[.:.impossible]

Has Oysterhead been working on new material?

By the way, I am not implying that the jam scene is over. Superfly has many spin-offs from the Bonnaroo festival. I'd still love to see Organissimo on the list.

[Guest]

wait, oysterheads back together???!??

thats a mistake- unless they really come up w/ a revised sound thats going to be a 'bad reunion'.

the 1st time was acceptable but if its the same stuff as '02 or '03 or whenever that was, then it is going to be a laugh.

yes theres more indie rock this year but whatever phish are over id rather see indie rock take its place than a jam band not 1/2 as good as the phish.

although i would like to really see WIDESPREAD PANIC there again.

[.:.impossible]

I was actually thinking the same thing about Oysterhead. I wonder what they'll be doing. Hopefully all Primus songs. That could be good.

I haven't seen Widespread Panic in years. Well before Houser died. Still, one of my favorite rock albums. In my opinion, they didn't get better than this.

[Sundog]

I haven't seen Widespread Panic in years. Well before Houser died. Still, one of my favorite rock albums. In my opinion, they didn't get better than this.

Totally agree. Bought this one right when it came out and still spin it occasionally.

[Soul Stream]

Allman Bros., Phish, Grateful Dead, Widespread Panic...I'll be the first to admit I've never "gotten" it. I only have positive associations of "jamming" with jazz and bluegrass to be honest (and bluegrass guys keep it short).

[randissimo]

Question: Does a band have to be on a well known label to get into Bonnaroo? We haven't had much luck..

[.:.impossible]

Start circulating live recordings. That is what I would suggest. Post your stuff on oink or dime. Tour Tour Tour. Let people record, etc.

I really don't know how a band becomes "qualified".