Friday 4/20 Eric Culberson Band – Tubby’s Thunderbolt (6p) Anders Trio – Rail Pub (7-10p) Spirit Wing – Sentient Bean (8p) Tauk – Barrelhouse South George Clanton, Negative Gemini – El-Rocko American Hologram – Molly MacPherson’s South Hill Banks – Congress Street Social Club
Saturday 4/21 A-Town Festival – Indian Street (12-10p) Daniel B Marshall, Brian Fuller, Lyn Avenue, 8 Mile Bend and the Hypnotics – Wingstock at Wild Wing Cafe Pooler (4p) Hitman – Tubby’s Thunderbolt (6p) Damon & The Shitkickers – Jinx Happy Hour Dirty Bird and the Flu – Sentient Bean (8p) Faux Ferocious, Old Money, Santi – El-Rocko Just Ford – Molly MacPherson’s Tribal Hoose, Collin Middleton Band – Barrelhouse South New Familiars – Congress Street Social Club Pointless Honey, Jucifer – Jinx
Sunday 4/22 Voodoo Soup – Congress Street Social Club
Monday 4/23 Mr. Wait and Jim Shorts – Sentient Bean (8p) Open Mic – Abe’s On Lincoln
Tuesday 4/24 Clouds & Satellites – Foxy Loxy Cafe (7p) Ben Keiser Band – Bay Street Blues Eric Culberson Open Jam – Bayou Cafe Open Mic – Molly MacPherson’s
3 stages. 12 bands. The most ambitious outdoor music festival in the city’s history. The public unveiling of a huge new/old indoor-outdoor complex after a long multimillion dollar restoration and rehabilitation project.
In my City Talk column in the Savannah Morning News, I shared some first impressions of the Savannah Music Festival’s finale at the newly unveiled Trustees’ Garden in the northeast corner of Savannah’s Landmark Historic District. The new spaces are the result of hard work and considerable investment by owner Charles H. Morris, and we’d like to give a shoutout too to all the others who worked to rehabilitate the grand Kehoe Iron Works and the rest of the site. Special thanks to Lominack Kolman Smith’s lead architect Kevin Rose, owner of Elevated Basement Studio and a friend of hissing lawns.
And thanks to the staff and board of the Savannah Music Festival for taking the artistic and financial risks of putting on such a large-scale, lovingly produced event to close out this year’s 17-day fest.
Let’s start with a few photos, but you can click on through for more commentary and photos:
The Savannah Music Festival wraps up on Saturday, April 14 with an all day finale (noon to 10:30 p.m.) on three stages encompassing the Morris Center, the freshly rehabilitated Kehoe Iron Works, and the expansive grounds of Trustees’ Garden.
Here’s part of what SMF director Rob Gibson told Joshua Peacock for Do Savannah:
“There have been plenty of outdoor events over the years, but I don’t think there’s been anything like what we’re about to stage with the breadth of artistic talent: Cuban bands, Venezuelan groups, rock bands, jam bands, and folk musicians.
“We’re also erecting a huge stage with a huge sound system, with Meyer equipment,” Gibson continued. “It’s an ambitious day. We’re hoping to get 5,000 people. Trustees Garden is one of the most unique concert spaces this city will have ever seen. Charles Morris carved that hill out and shaped it like an outdoor amphitheater. We have a stage at the bottom of the hill and another by the building.”
In a lengthy piece for in Connect Savannah, editor Jim Morekis takes a deep dive into the site’s history and importance — both historical and contemporary. He writes in part:
Developed by Charles H. Morris, locally-based owner of Morris Multimedia — which includes Connect Savannah — the Kehoe Iron Works project located at East Broad Street in the downtown historic district is the culmination of a four and a half year, multi-million dollar restoration and repurposing which is one of the premier such projects in the country.
“Savannah’s been really good to me, and to all of my family,” says Morris. “I want to give something back to this city. I’m a lucky man to live here.”
The historic site, once a vital and vibrant steel foundry started by William Kehoe in 1883, languished unused for nearly 30 years as a brownfield owned by Atlanta Gas Light.
In a series of purchases beginning in 2003, Morris garnered the entire nearly seven-acre Trustees’ Garden tract, the site of an early experimental garden planted by British colonists who arrived nearly three centuries ago with General James Oglethorpe.
Wait, 5000 people? That’s an ambitious number — more than twice the capacity of the Johnny Mercer Theatre (a venue with some deep flaws) at the Civic Center. I’m certain that the top 2 headliners of the SMF finale — Tedeschi Trucks Band and Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit — could sell out shows this week at the Mercer, but there would surely be a lot of overlap in those audiences.
But combine those two acts with the rest of the lineup — more or less in order through the day: Betsayda Machado and Parranda el Clavo, Savannah-based Velvet Caravan with special guest Jessica Ann Best, Mipso, Brett Dennen, Stringband Spectacular feat. Mike Marshall, Julian Lage, Moira Smiley and Mike Block, Brent Cobb, Daniel Hope & Mike Marshall, Gillian Welch, Marc Broussard, Sammy Miller and the Congregation — and put the show in a historic venue that might forever transform the festival experience in Savannah, and 5000 starts looking more doable. It’s not cheap (current general admission prices are either $120 or $140), but it’s going to be a remarkable day — tickets here.
Of course, so far I haven’t even said anything about the acts, which are stellar all the way through. I’m especially a fan of Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, but there are excellent performers throughout the day.
The SMF’s FAQ includes the detailed info you need re food trucks, permitted items, banned items, general policies, etc.
Thursday 4/12 Willie Jackson & The Tybee Blues Band – Tubby’s Thunderbolt (6p) Gypsy Jazz – Rancho Allegre (7p) Eric Culberson Band – Bayou Cafe Roshambeaux – Barrelhouse South
Friday 4/13 City Hotel – Service Brewing (5:30p) Tiger Creek – Tubby’s Thunderbolt (6p) Brandon Nelson McCoy, Deacon Jones & Anders Thomsen – Jinx Happy Hour Jeremy Riddle – Rail Pub (7) Jonathan Murphy – Dub’s Pub Dead Reckoning – Stage On Bay (8p, $10) Whiskey Diablo – Wormhole She Returns from War, Party Dad – El-Rocko Wood & Steel – Molly MacPherson’s Damon & The Shitkickers – Jinx Voodoo Visionary – Barrelhouse South
Saturday 4/14 Keith & Ross – Tubby’s Thunderbolt (6p) Damon & The Shitkickers – Jinx Happy Hour Toxic Oscar – Coach’s Corner (7p) Damon & The Shitkickers – Southbound Brewery Alzheimer’s Benefit The Mercers – Molly MacPherson’s Hans Wenzel & The 86ers – Congress Street Social Club
Savants of Soul, Mo Lowda & The Humble – Barrelhouse South Street Clothes, Samford Justice – El-Rocko Gunpowder Gray, Silver Tongue Devils – Jinx Tattoo Festival After Party
Sunday 4/15 Willie Jackson & The Tybee Blues Band – Wyld Dock Bar (12m) Lou Barlow – Graveface Records (7p) Voodoo Soup – Congress Street Social Club
Monday 4/16 Open Mic – Abe’s On Lincoln
Tuesday 4/17 Dark Star Orchestra – Stage On Bay (7:30, $25-39) Ben Keiser Band – Bay Street Blues Eric Culberson Open Jam – Bayou Cafe Open Mic – Molly MacPherson’s Googie Semple, SayLa V, Halftyme, Charlos San – Jinx ($5)
Wednesday 4/18 Ben Keiser Band – Boomy’s Material Girls – El-Rocko
This week we have new work from:
Shannon Shaw
Rainbow Kitten Surprise
Band of Horses
Vatican
Enjoy!
Shannon Shaw Oakland, CA
“Broke My Own”
Shannon Shaw is Shannon of Shannon & The Clams, the beloved retro- leaning, California-based garage punk quartet. She’s also a member of (Savannah faves!) Hunx and His Punx. As if those chops weren’t enough, Shaw has teamed up with Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys to produce her first solo album, Shannon In Nashville, an obvious nod to Dusty Springfield’s 1969 classic Dusty In Memphis. The album drops June 8th on Auerbach’s own label, Eagle Eye Sound, and the first single is killer. Once you get past the immediate compulsion that this track NEEDS to anchor the next James Bond film, just sink into it’s sophisticated take on 60’s era northern soul, brilliantly produced by Auerbach. -Kayne
Rainbow Kitten Surprise Boone, NC
“Hide”
People made fun of the band called Rainbow Kitten Surprise when we first added them to the Savannah Stopover lineup back in 2016. Who could take them seriously? (Their legendary, obsessive young fans for one!) But make no mistake, this band is here to stay and continues to craft great indie rock/ pop songs. With “Hide”, they elevate things to a deeply personal level with a song about having to hide who you love. The video for the track, directed and shot by Kyle Thrash, follows the lives of four drag queens in New Orleans. It’s emotionally riveting and empowering. Sam Melo, the charismatic lead of RKS is himself gay and in a bi-racial relationship. The new RKS album, How To: Friend, Love, Freefall was released Friday, April 6th. -Kayne
Band of Horses Charleston, SC
“Into My Arms”, a cover of Nick Cave.
Seeing Band of Horses record their Austin City Limits session was nothing short of magical. I’m a fan and happy anytime there’s new material. A piano driven cover of a Nick Cave tune? Okay, I’m game.
tom
Vatican Savannah, GA Spawn of All Pain Taken e.p., on Bandcamp now via Sorrow Carrier Records / Glass Vial Records
Savannah’s own Vatican released this gnarly, crushing metal…wait…post hardcore?…kinda metalcore….uhhh, look, man, genre labels don’t really matter. Does this e.p. crush or not? It most certainly does. Bonus points for the line “Fuck you in fractions”. Check it out.
tom
Just a quick request that if you are like me and waited until the last week to vote on the Connect Best Of survey, I hope that you will consider voting our site for Best Local Facebook page. Thanks in advance if you do, the heck with you if you don’t. I hope to see you around somewhere this weekend.
Thursday 4/5
Holly Goodspell – Tubby’s Thunderbolt (6p)
Choir of Babble, Machine Dreams – El-Rocko
Little Bird Album Release – Barrelhouse South
Eric Culberson Band – Bayou Cafe
Friday 4/6 City Hotel – Service Brewing (5:30p) Marshall Brothers – Tubby’s Thunderbolt (6p) Train Wrecks – Rail Pub (7p) Prime Real Estate – Dub’s Pub Hypnotics – Molly MacPherson’s Mammoths, Kevin Maines & The Volts – Barrelhouse South Domino Effect – Congress Street Social Club Xuluprophet, The Woofs – Wormhole Dolo Jazz Suite – El-Rocko (11p)
Saturday 4/7 A-Town Launch Party w/ the Hypnotics – Congress Street Social Club (4p) American Hologram – Tubby’s Thunderbolt (6p) Departure: A Journey Tribute Band – Coach’s Corner (7p, $10) Damon & The Shitkickers – Jinx Happy Hour Glove, Del Sur, Lakin Crawford, Ryder Ripps – El-Rocko Danielle Hicks Band – Molly MacPherson’s That 1 Guy – Wormhole The Bailsmen – Prohibition Hedonistas, Lyn Avenue – Barrelhouse South Bonnie Blue – Congress Street Social Club Liquid Ginger – Boomy’s Ordinary Boys (Tribute to Smiths and Morrissey) – Jinx ($10)
Sunday 4/8 Voodoo Soup – Congress Street Social Club
Monday 4/9 Open Mic – Abe’s On Lincoln
Tuesday 4/10 Ben Keiser Band – Bay Street Blues Eric Culberson Open Jam – Bayou Cafe Open Mic – Molly MacPherson’s Matt Phillips, Suzanna Kennedy – El-Rocko
Wednesday 4/11 The Wailers w/ Zander – Stage On Bay (7p) Ben Keiser Band – Boomy’s
This week we’re listening to new work from:
Tyler the Creator
Parquet Courts
Beach House
Hop Along
Natalie Prass
The Melvins
Red Hare
Tyler the Creator LA, CA
“OKRA”, a stand alone song “just for fun”.
Man, I don’t follow rap closely enough to say anything of value about most of the genre, but I do know what sounds good to me, and this is that. I have no idea what Grammy nominated Tyler the Creator is talking about, but his flow over this old school bass bumping track is rad. Check, check, check it out.
tom
Red Hare Washington, D.C.
“Affirmation” from Little Acts of Destruction,out in May on Dischord Records.
This pushes all the right buttons for me: 2 minute melodic hardcore, members of a bunch of Dischord bands, Jason Farrell’s galloping guitars and Shawn Brown’s pissed off vocals. If there is a micro genre that I am obsessed with it is this, aging veterans of the mid eighties through early nineties DC hardcore scene still putting out great music. Weirdly specific? Yeah, but it makes me happy.
tom
The Melvins Seattle, WA
“Embrace the Rub” from Pinkus Abortion Technician out 4/20 on Ipecac.
It’s been a few months, of course there’s a new Melvins record on the way. From what I can gather, and judging from this song, the Melvins attempted to make a Butthole Surfers sounding record with Jeff Pinkus, former bass player of, you guessed it, The Butthole Surfers. We’ll see what they came up with.
tom
Hop Along Philadelphia, PA
“Bark Your Head Off, Dog” due out on April 6th on Saddle Creek Records
There may be a few more days left before the official release of Hop Along’s next album but if you’re a bit impatient (like me) NPR has an advance stream available on their website. And trust me, this album is a doozy. An instant indie rock classic. ~ Petey
Natalie Prass Richmond, VA
“Sisters”
It’s been three years since Prass’ impressive debut album dropped like some marvelous, reimagined nod to Dusty In Memphis. Prass roars back on June 1st with her sophomore album The Future and The Past (and first for ATO Records). The second single “Sisters” dropped last week. It’s a breathy yet funky nod to 70’s R&B with overtones of early Erykah Badu and Sade. It also feels extremely timely as Prass croons “keep your sisters close”. The video, as well as Matthew E. White’s orchestration and production, are pitch perfect. -Kayne
Parquet Courts New York, NY
“Wide Awake!”
Punk goes funk! Parquet Courts released the title track off of their forthcoming 6th studio album a few weeks back. The album, produced by Danger Mouse (seriously), hints that PQ isn’t afraid to take chances. Lets just say that this one’s like nothing they’ve done before and that they TOTALLY swung for the fences. The first time I heard it (before I saw the video), I thought it might be a new track from Dumpstaphunk; that’s how much of a funky, NOLA, Mardi Gras vibe it has. Whistles, hand claps, triangles, cow bell, call and response, deep funky beat, is that s kazoo? It’s all there. Dare ya not to dance! -Kayne
Beach House Baltimore, MD
“Dive”
The 2:25 second mark. That’s all I’m gonna say. Music geeks live for these little moments in a song that are transcendent. It can be a phrase or a riff or a shift that you wait for that gets you every single time.The moment when you go, “whoa, this is GOOD”. It’s in this song. Beach House release their new album, 7, on May 11th on Sub Pop/ Bella Union. -Kayne
Friday 3/30 Ford Natirboff (2p), Jubal Kane (8p) – Warehouse City Hotel – Service Brewing (6p) Jon Lee’s Apparitions – Rail Pub (7p) Rachael Shaner – PS Tavern (9p) Danielle Hicks Band – Molly MacPherson’s Charlie Fog Band – Barrelhouse South Dustin Price, God Bless Relative, Vila, Mello D – El-Rocko The Snozzberries – Congress Street Social Club
Saturday 3/31 Damon & The Shitkickers – Jinx Happy Hour Empire Strikes Brass – Southbound Brewery (7p) Crust, Lady Valore, Futility – Sentient Bean (8p) Algiers, Lee Bains III & The Gloryfires, Mourning [A] Blkstar – Wormhole The Mercers – Molly MacPherson’s The Band Be Easy – Barrelhouse South Say Brother, Watson Village, Kudzu, GONG – El-Rocko Psycho Devilles, Crazy Man Crazy – Jinx
Sunday 4/1 Savannah Songwriters – Sentient Bean (7p) Voodoo Soup – Congress Street Social Club
Monday 4/2 Open Mic – Abe’s On Lincoln Cro Mags, Slave Grave – Jinx
Tuesday 4/3 Adam Nye – Foxy Loxy Cafe (7p) Ben Keiser Band – Bay Street Blues Eric Culberson Open Jam – Bayou Cafe Open Mic – Molly MacPherson’s
Wednesday 4/4 The Flex, Arms Race – Sulfur Studios (9p) Ben Keiser Band – Boomy’s
Wow… what a festival! Year 8 of Savannah Stopover is in the books, and after some time to review, hydrate, and deal with a cold and some work travel, we’re back in the swing of things.
What? You wish Stopover could be every weekend? Don’t wish that madness on me. But you want to relive the festival magic? That I can do for you!
Since we had Savannah Stopover hot on the heels of this show I decided to wait until after to post these images. Ashley McBryde is no stranger to the road & performing, but finally seems to be hitting her stride on being ‘the next big thing’ in current country music. Opening for the likes of Willie Nelson and Hank Williams Jr., performing on the late night television show circuit, and getting signed by Warner Bros. seems to be just the beginning of the good things coming her way.
Thanks to my friend, Ashley’s band-leader, and now Savannah resident Andrew Sovine I was able to grab some shots during their recent sold-out, opening slot for Luke Combs at Historic Grayson Stadium. Here are a few highlights with more after the jump.
And this week we have new work from:
Lucy Dacus
We Are Scientists
Hank Wood and The Hammerheads
Giraffes? Giraffes!
Lucy Dacus Richmond, VA Historian out now on Matador Records
For her sophomore album, Lucy Dacus returns with her signature indie rock/Americana style. This time around though, Dacus gives us a bit more insight into her darker side, dealing with loss and relationships, both romantic and platonic, with those around us. Easily an early contender for album of the year in my book. ~ Petey
We Are Scientists New York City, NY
“Your Light Has Changed” from MEGAPLEX due out on April 27th
The post-punk group We Are Scientists have been making riff heavy indie rock for the better part of 18 years now and yet each new release they produce sounds fresh and exciting. Their newest single, “Your Light Has Changed”, doesn’t deviate from their tried and true formulation and is a pleaser for new listeners and old fans alike. ~ Petey
Hank Wood and The Hammerheads New York, New York S/T, out now on Toxic State Records.
Maybe (probably?) the best live band in the US currently has a new album out that captures their frenetic, messy, beautiful cacophony surprisingly well. 25 ish minutes of guitars, drums, Farfisa, and the singular voice of Hank Wood, who uses “UHN!” as an instrument, a refrain, maybe a weapon at times. If you like punk rock, you need to listen to this, because THIS RULES.
tom
Giraffes? Giraffes! Northampton, UK
“Hug of Death” from Memory Lame, available for preorder on Topshelf Records. Do you like math rock? A little jazz in your rock? A little rock in your jazz? Weird time signatures? Strange song titles? Check out the 9 part Hug of Death from these 2 virtuoso weirdos, then, it’s pretty cool.
tom
Friday 3/23 CitThe y Hotel – Service Brewing (5:30p) Matt Eckstine – Edgar’s Proof & Provision (7-10p) Abigail Dowd – Sentient Bean (8p) Mike & The Mechanics – Stage On Bay (8p) The Surly Gentlemen – Randy Wood Guitars (8p, $23) Keystone Postcard – PS Tavern (9p) Jon Lee’s Apparitions – Molly MacPherson’s Dangermuffin – Barrelhouse South Dry Reef – Congress Street Social Club Dope KNife, Obeah, C. Shreve, SymmaTree – Wormhole Rare Creatures – El-Rocko The Young Antiques, Reconciler – Jinx
Saturday 3/24 Ford Natirboff – Warehouse (2p) Damon & The Shitkickers – Jinx Happy Hour Jason Bible – Blowin Smoke (6:30p) John Griswell, Fields – Sentient Bean (7p) Street Clothes Record Release Party – House Of Strut (9p, $5) Hitman – Molly MacPherson’s The Grizzly Atoms, Rude Dude, Camel Blues Band, Bubble Boys – El-Rocko Backup Planet – Barrelhouse South All The Locals – Congress Street Social Club
Sunday 3/25 Voodoo Soup – Congress Street Social Club
Monday 3/26 Open Mic – Abe’s On Lincoln
Tuesday 3/27 Clouds & Satellites – Foxy Loxy Cafe (7p) Ben Keiser Band – Bay Street Blues Eric Culberson Open Jam – Bayou Cafe Open Mic – Molly MacPherson’s
Wednesday 3/28 Ben Keiser Band – Boomy’s Thelma & The Sleaze, Craig Brown – El-Rocko
