SubHead: Jam bands, art and DJs are ready to climb Peak
Byline: Jeffrey Lee Puckett
For fans of the jam-band aesthetic, the following paragraph is the good-news equivalent of someone handing them a stack of pristine Dead bootlegs:
Tomorrow’s Peak Summit Groove and Dance Festival offers four venues, eight bands, three solo performers, a bluegrass jam, three DJs and an art exhibition all within walking distance of each other. And all for $5.
The Merry Pranksters, Bloom Street, Sativa Gumbo, L’Woo, Green Genes, Gladstone, Trustees of Modern Chemistry, Troubadours of Divine Bliss, Myron Koch, Todd Hildreth, Garrett Peters and DJs Free Agent, A-Train and Exodus will provide the music.
Gerstle’s Place, 3801 Frankfort Ave.; Maier’s the St. Matthews Tavern, 3921 Shelbyville Road; Dutch’s Tavern, 3922 Shelbyville Road; and the Bluegrass Brewing Co., 3929 Shelbyville Road will host the event from 8:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. Pay $5 at any venue for admission to all of them.
Koch has been instrumental in putting the festival together, having spearheaded last year’s inaugural event. Peak Summit is designed to feature established bands that are at the top of their game, or peaking.
“The reason we call ourselves jam bands is because we all attract like-mined people who are into experimentation and like bands that stretch themselves out and do something different,” Koch said.
“Louisville isn’t really full of jam bands, by definition. There are a lot of bands willing to experiment, though, from the Java Men to My Morning Jacket.”
Koch and fellow organizers conceived of the festival Summit as a way for serious bands to play for a much larger crowd than usual. It’s a promotional tool put together in communal fashion, with bands sharing resources and a common goal of building their fan bases.
Last year, more than 1,600 fans showed up, twice what Koch expected. This year, with strong word of mouth, the festival should grow considerably. “All we’re banking on is that we’ll get the same amount as last year, but we have to be prepared for twice as many.”
Pertinent details: Performers will play 90-minute sets and starting times will be staggered, allowing you to see at least 40 minutes of every act. An art exhibit featuring Bob Pearce and a bluegrass jam will be hosted by Chris Brandstatt and Bluegrass Anonymous.
Caption: The Peak Summit Groove and Dance Festival will be held tomorrow at four venues in St. Matthews
Courier – Journal – Louisville, Ky.
| Subjects: | Bands; Festivals |
| Author: | Puckett, Jeffrey Lee |
| Date: | May 30, 2003 |
| Start Page: | W.6 |
| Section: | WEEKEND EXTRA |