This Weekend - Maplewoodstock - Free
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It's that time of year again when I let everyone know about what I consider one of the best small festivals around. And it's all free. Maplewoodstock may be a small municipal music festival but it always gets major acts. This year the Saturday headliner is Third World with Daniela Cotton as direct support. On Sunday night, Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band is the headline act and The Suffers are direct support. Of course, there are many other bands on each day and each year I find at least one or two acts that wow me and the crowd. They have excellent talent bookers.
Super family and animal friendly. Low key vibe. You can bring your own food and beverage And did I mention it was FREE?
Each year I see a few more Zoners there and figure somebody new will show up this year. Could that be you? Say hello. I'm that guy with the cameras around his neck.
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Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Bluelight
How bi is this now?
How big is this now?
When Tiftoo used to write about, it seemed like a small party on a hill?
This year it landed on the same weekend as the Great South Bay Music Festival here on Long Island...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lasher Von Zekenstein
Every year the hill gets more
Every year the hill gets more crowded. And last year, we got there early on Saturday, only to find that the Colorado tarp disease had spread its entitlement to NJ.
While the talent is a given, there is no one that I have to see, as there has been in years past, so I think we're out. Go see my friends in SisterMonk play on Saturday.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: skifurthur
It does seem that the hill
It does seem that the hill get a bit more crowded each year but I have never found it oppressive. Plenty of room on the edges. I'm glad they instituted a new "tarp, tent, blanket, chair" policy this year that basically says tents all the way in the back, held spaces have to be occupied and if they are empty for an hour, the powers that be remove any tarps, blankets, chairs, coolers etc. It should help the thwart the entitled crowd.
While I will be there both days, I'm really looking forward to catching Josh Ritter after a few years. He and his band are superb and their are few artists that have as much fun performing as Josh. Considering he sells out venue much, much larger venues (Radio City, Town Hall, Brooklyn Steel) this can almost be considered an intimate performance these days.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: andy
Tiftoo checking in.
Tiftoo checking in.
I'll be missing my first Maplewoodstock since it started. Moved to CO and will be at Dead Co instead. I'm sad I'm not back on that hill this year. Maybe next year.
It will be a smaller party on the hill for most of the day. Around 5:00 it starts to fill in and will be packed by time the headliners come out. Go out for the whole day (or both days). I was usually out there by 1:30 and got a good spot half way to two thirds up the hill. The closer to the top the earlier the shade. Skifurther is right. The most exciting, interesting acts are usually earlier in the day.I'd move down to the dance pit for the headliners to boogie bare foot in the grass.
This started as a one day festival with local bands rotating on two stages. Nobody got paid and some of the music was as mediocore and fun as you'd expect. It's come a long way. Bring a few friends and a cooler. Food and beer are available and relatively inexpensive, too.
The park is really nice. It was designed by the Olmstead brothers, whose father designed Central Park. Sitting on the hill and watching the clouds roll by over town hall while listening to music is a perfect day.
Send me an email and I'll give you my secret parking spot. I have no use for it. Or take the train. The station is across the street from the park.
[email protected]
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: andy
Lord Calverts on Saturday
Lord Calverts on Saturday will be real good. I"ve seen them and had a real good time. Jane Lee Hooker on Sunday will lay down the blues. They played their a few years ago and I remember wanting to see them again.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: skifurthur
Send me an email and I'll
Free music AND a secret innie parking spot. This is what make the Zone great.
Let me say something else about Josh Ritter's band, The Royal City Band. On lead guitar is Josh Kaufman who was Bobby's lead guitarist on the recent Cowboy record/tour. He also co-produced the record. Keyboardist Sam Kassirer has produced a number of Josh's records, David Wax Museum, Lake Street Dive and about 20 other albums. This band has talent in droves.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lasher Von Zekenstein
Hey Andy! I knew you were
Hey Andy! I knew you were planning to make the move. Congratulations!!
I was actually really frustrated last year, as the entire center section of the hill was full of tarps and blankets holding empty space by noon on Saturday, so we were relegated to the side. Still had a blast, but I would have liked to have had a chance at a decent vantage point coming out as early as we did.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: skifurthur
I heard from a little birdy
I heard from a little birdy that they will be seriously enforcing the unattended space rules this year. Supposedly one supporter created a image database time stamp system that will alert the powers that be when I spot has been unattended for anything over 1 hour and when that happens all things in that space will be removed immediately. I'm sure there are going to be some heated discussions from people who left for a couple hours to find when they return that their "spot" is no longer.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Thumbkinetic
Danelia Cotton kicks ass.
Danelia Cotton kicks ass.
I'd love to see The Suffers on Sunday, but I think we're doing Rebirth Brass Band @ Summerstage (pregame for our NOLA trip next w/e).
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Bluelight
Hi Ya Tifftoo!
Hi Ya Tifftoo!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lasher Von Zekenstein
>>>but I think we're doing
>>>but I think we're doing Rebirth Brass Band @ Summerstage
Let's make sure to find each other!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: skifurthur
Although it's not something
Although it's not something that I need, for those who would need to travel to get there, use the train. The station stop isn't just close to the festival it's at the back edge of the festival. Easy travel.