Where It's At—It was one of those life-affirming, “you had to be there” moments. All the planets aligned neatly into concentric rows, international superstar Beck and his boys put on a clever, enormously entertaining spectacle at the Kiva, then donned wigs and sunglasses, jogged over to the Launchpad, and played an impromptu set for locals SuperGiant's CD release show (See last week's “Show Up!,” June 22–28). They jammed for a full hour through a backline of SuperGiant's own amps and drum set. This time, the show was loose and candid. It was a damn near perfect foil to their slick Convention Center production. (We were actually close enough to see Beck's rosacea-tinted cheeks, the only splotch of color on a nearly translucent man.) White buffalo that he is, Beck closed his set with an offering of, “Thanks to SuperGiant for letting us play.” Can you imagine?
Ten-time Grammy Award winner Linda Ronstadt will headline event at Balloon Fiesta Park
By Simon McCormack
“Being able to say we opened for Linda Ronstadt is definitely a nice résumé builder,” says Edward Burch, singer/songwriter and guitarist for Foma, one of the 14 bands who will rock Balloon Fiesta Park on July 4. It doesn’t hurt that Foma will be playing in front of more than 80,000 people (some of whom probably have never made it out to a show). And, thanks to the work of Tom Frouge (he’s producing the entertainment for the event), when Foma performs, more eyes will be on them than ever before.
with Ryan McGarvey, Sol Fire and Hundred Year Flood
By Simon McCormack
Sunday, July 2, Fort Marcy Ballpark in Downtown Santa Fe (all-ages): “Ya Se Fue! Ya Se Fue! O-Zo-Mat-Li!” And with that resounding chant (which means “Ozomatli is leaving” in Ingles), the Los Angeles-based, Grammy Award-winning Latin/hip-hop band disappears into the crowd with their array of percussion instruments, leading the audience in one last rhythmic jam before putting a cap on one of the best live shows you’ll ever see.
Saturday, July 1, Harlow’s on the Hill (21-and-over): Red Hunter is probably a crazy genius. Making over 50 stops on a massive U.S. tour by himself, playing with local musicians and on found instruments in a “divine orchestra of junk metal?” Crazy. Doing the last 10 dates by sailboat? Genius.
with The Lilys, Human Television, The Giranimals and The Cherry Tempo
By Marisa Demarco
Let's call it happycore. Phantom Buffalo's singer and guitarist Jonny Balzano-Brookes has turned his back on fads, on the kind of music that ages poorly by being fashionable. “It's kinda weird to be conscious of this, but I think I try to make sure we're steering clear of modern trends and try to make it so that it would not sound dated in 10 years.”
... at Warehouse 21’s third annual Get Awesome Fest in Santa Fe. Twelve bands from near and abroad, free food, no booze or drugs. Saturday, July 1, from noon to midnight, and this one is most definitely all-ages. (LM)
