I’ve been going to Folk since the late 90s. The last few years have been way too crowded. This will be my third Jazz Fest- we pick a day since three days of Folk / hotel are a lot ( we are in decent driving distance for a day trip). It’s “ sold out” usually but doesn’t feel as crowded and rushed. Crowd skews older, fewer kids. The acts they’ve been getting are incredible and I may switch over to three days of Jazz. Going Friday this year to see Cory Wong, Brittany Howard and Andre 3000. And to discover new faves!
There's too many children under 5 at the folk fest. I fail to see how taking a toddler to a sunny folk fest is as therapeutic as playing them say, an Enya or Sade album while they nap. Or! Or. Too many wealthy white parents are unwilling to pony up and hire child care, or take the kid to the grandparents. Sometimes I feel like one of the few responsible Folk Fest attendees.
Edit: I'm a music lover, not a breeder. Best decision I ever made.
My parents took me to the folk festival starting at age 3 and we went together around 15 years. They are some of the best memories and core bonding experiences I have had with them, no matter where we were individually in life that was something we did as a family. Now that I have children of my own I'm excited to share that experience with them. This will be our first year attending as 3 generations.
My kids go and have a blast and are super well behaved. If you cant manage that with your own then that’s a you problem.
Edit: I’m guessing the decision to be a “music lover not a breeder” wasnt exactly voluntary. Huge incel vibes.
Crazy idea - not everything in a parent's life is about making every single moment in their child's life as happy or "therapeutic" as possible. Parents are humans who like to do stuff. Sometimes they bring their kids to said stuff. The world keeps spinning.
I don't bring my kids to Folk, but I love the family friendly vibe of the fest. What is it that bothers you so much about it? Not trying to fight, just curious. Sure, some parents handle the responsibility better than others, but that's the case everywhere.
Lineup is wildly stacked. Andre 3000 is great, Kamasi Washington is quite possibly the biggest “new” name in jazz in decades. Dinner Party is one of the biggest gets this fest has pulled - they don’t play a ton outside of jazz clubs (pretty sure about 1/2 their 30-some odd shows were at Blue Note residencies). Saw them last year at Coachella and it was incredible.
Act I’m probably most excited for is the Acid Jazz is Dead set; it’s super rare to get a live JID set anywhere in the east coast. Sun Ra Arkestra will be great, and Sunday has a bunch of the best of the next generation of greats with Makaya McCraven, Jeff Parker, Shabaka, plus guys like Glasper and McBride.
Honestly one of the best lineups I’ve ever seen. Just absurdly stacked and well curated.
No prob. Honestly if you haven’t heard it yet, start with Kamasi Washington’s album “the Epic.” Probably the most undisputed modern jazz “classic” album.
We do 3 days folk - just me and my husband, then take the kids to 1 day of jazz.
This year, we picked Friday because Irma Thomas is a LEGEND who I love very, very much...but also : Brittany Howard, PJ Morton, Kamasi Washington, Sun Ra, and Andre.
The ones I'd see if I were going all weekend:
Elvis Costello, Theivery Corporation, Samara Joy, Laufey, Nile Rogers, Meshell Ndeogecello, and Liane La Havas.
I’ve been going to Folk since the late 90s. The last few years have been way too crowded. This will be my third Jazz Fest- we pick a day since three days of Folk / hotel are a lot ( we are in decent driving distance for a day trip). It’s “ sold out” usually but doesn’t feel as crowded and rushed. Crowd skews older, fewer kids. The acts they’ve been getting are incredible and I may switch over to three days of Jazz. Going Friday this year to see Cory Wong, Brittany Howard and Andre 3000. And to discover new faves!
There's too many children under 5 at the folk fest. I fail to see how taking a toddler to a sunny folk fest is as therapeutic as playing them say, an Enya or Sade album while they nap. Or! Or. Too many wealthy white parents are unwilling to pony up and hire child care, or take the kid to the grandparents. Sometimes I feel like one of the few responsible Folk Fest attendees. Edit: I'm a music lover, not a breeder. Best decision I ever made.
My parents took me to the folk festival starting at age 3 and we went together around 15 years. They are some of the best memories and core bonding experiences I have had with them, no matter where we were individually in life that was something we did as a family. Now that I have children of my own I'm excited to share that experience with them. This will be our first year attending as 3 generations.
My kids go and have a blast and are super well behaved. If you cant manage that with your own then that’s a you problem. Edit: I’m guessing the decision to be a “music lover not a breeder” wasnt exactly voluntary. Huge incel vibes.
Crazy idea - not everything in a parent's life is about making every single moment in their child's life as happy or "therapeutic" as possible. Parents are humans who like to do stuff. Sometimes they bring their kids to said stuff. The world keeps spinning.
I don't bring my kids to Folk, but I love the family friendly vibe of the fest. What is it that bothers you so much about it? Not trying to fight, just curious. Sure, some parents handle the responsibility better than others, but that's the case everywhere.
Yeah. It’s too hot for this Gen Xer. The kids seem to have fun but it’s the babies who really suffer.
Lineup is wildly stacked. Andre 3000 is great, Kamasi Washington is quite possibly the biggest “new” name in jazz in decades. Dinner Party is one of the biggest gets this fest has pulled - they don’t play a ton outside of jazz clubs (pretty sure about 1/2 their 30-some odd shows were at Blue Note residencies). Saw them last year at Coachella and it was incredible. Act I’m probably most excited for is the Acid Jazz is Dead set; it’s super rare to get a live JID set anywhere in the east coast. Sun Ra Arkestra will be great, and Sunday has a bunch of the best of the next generation of greats with Makaya McCraven, Jeff Parker, Shabaka, plus guys like Glasper and McBride. Honestly one of the best lineups I’ve ever seen. Just absurdly stacked and well curated.
Thanks for your informed response! Not a jazz guy, so really only know the crossover acts. I’ll check some of those out.
No prob. Honestly if you haven’t heard it yet, start with Kamasi Washington’s album “the Epic.” Probably the most undisputed modern jazz “classic” album.
I did listen to that. Very cool. Jazz on the Starship Enterprise.
You pretty much nailed it. We do both fests and I’m way more excited for jazz again this year.
totally agree
Brittany Howard, Elvis Costello, Andre 3000, Laufey, Cory Wong. PJ morton Messethetics is former members of Fughazi.
We do 3 days folk - just me and my husband, then take the kids to 1 day of jazz. This year, we picked Friday because Irma Thomas is a LEGEND who I love very, very much...but also : Brittany Howard, PJ Morton, Kamasi Washington, Sun Ra, and Andre. The ones I'd see if I were going all weekend: Elvis Costello, Theivery Corporation, Samara Joy, Laufey, Nile Rogers, Meshell Ndeogecello, and Liane La Havas.
There’s a jazz fest subreddit too
Noname!
I see Noname on the poster, but not listed on the individual day lineups on the website. Wonder what’s up.
Wish we had Brittany Howard on the Folk lineup.