Preview: Nor'easter Festival 2011

Last year we made a last minute decision and headed up to Loon Mountain in Lincoln NH to check out the Nor'easter Festival.  With a lineup that included The Walkmen, Dr. Dog, Gaslight Anthem, Alberta Cross, Eli Reed & The True Loves and more, I knew there would be great music - but the festival exceeded all of my expectations.  I'm sure festival organizers were hoping for a better turnout, but the small-ish crowds made for an intimate and relaxed experience.  World-class bouldering and cycle-cross events provided a great break from the music, and the gorgeous setting in the early-autumn White Mountains was perfect.  Our most popular post of 2010, a live recording of The Gaslight Anthem was recorded at the festival, along with another popular recording of The Walkmen.

This year the festival moves north to downtown Burlington VT, on September 23-25.  The location may be different, but the great music lineup and outdoor sporting events are back again.  The 1-2-3 punch of Kingsley Flood, River City Extension and Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons to open Saturday's festival is worth the price of the weekend pass on its own - not to mention headliners Okkervil River, G. Love & Special Sauce and rjd2, more solid undercards including Aunt Martha and Toughcats and a full lineup of bouldering/cycle-cross competitions.  Tickets are still available here.  Don't miss out one last chance to get out of town and experience live music outdoors this year.  Full lineup and mp3s below, along with photos + video from last year's festival:

Nor'easter Festival 2011 Waterfront Stage Lineup

Friday
rjd2
Japhy Ryder
DJ Disco Phantom

Saturday
G. Love & Special Sauce
Mariachi El Bronx
Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons - Say What You Will
River City Extension - South For The Winter
Kingsley Flood - I Don't Wanna Go Home

Sunday
Toughcats
Tan Vampires
Apollo Run
Aunt Martha - Bloodshot
Okkervil River - Rider

Videos from Nor'easter 2010...

The Walkmen

The Gaslight Anthem

Photos from Nor'easter 2010...

Video: Gaslight Anthem live at Nor'easter Festival 2010

A couple weeks ago we posted a live recording of Gaslight Anthem from the Nor'easter Festival in Lincoln NH.  Now I'm happy to share some excellent HD videos of two tracks from the band's set at Nor'easter - The '59 Sound and Bring It On.  Thanks to Steve from Kitchen Sessions for putting these together.  Now, without further ado...

Bring It On

The '59 Sound

The Gaslight Anthem: Nor'easter Festival 2010

 

The Gaslight Anthem brought their breed of Jersey-bred, gutter-punk anthems to the Nor'easter Festival in Lincoln NH, drawing the largest crowd of the weekend for their headlining set.  While the records are great - capturing an authentic, youthful romanticsm that I've forgotten - this is a band that needs to be experienced live to really "get it".  The Springsteen comparisons are undeniable - Brian Fallon's ragged voice recalls the Jersey legend as he hoarsely barks lyrics and engages the crowd with stories and banter between songs.  However, after seeing the band live I'm convinced there's as much Joe Strummer and The Clash in their sound as Springsteen.  When it comes down to it, they write heartfelt songs filled with gritty imagery, fist-pumping choruses and relatable stories -- what's not to like?

Their entire set is available below for stream / download.  Like the Walkmen set from earlier that night, the sound is very good (though maybe not quite as clear as The Walkmen).  In the coming days we will also have some fantastic HD live video from their set, and an exclusive interview with the band -- including some fascinating comments about their experience playing onstage with Bruce Springsteen at Glastonbury.  Enjoy!

The Gaslight Anthem
Nor'easter Festival - Lincoln, NH
September 25, 2010

High Lonesome
Boxer
We Came To Dance
The Diamond Church Street Choir
Old White Lincoln
Even Cowgirls Get The Blues
American Slang
The '59 Sound
Bring It On
Miles Davis And The Cool
Wherefore Art Thou, Elvis?
The Queen Of Lower Chelsea
Orphans
Film Noir
I'da Called You Woody, Joe
Great Expectations
Say I Won't (Recognize)
Here's Looking At You, Kid
The Backseat

Lossless zip available upon request

UPDATE:  Check out some live video from The Gaslight Anthem's set at Nor'easter...

The '59 Sound

Bring It On

Preview: Nor'easter Festival - Loon Mountain 9.24-26

Well, the days are getting shorter and nights are getting colder - it can only mean one thing:  summer is over.  However, before we all resign ourselves to the fact that another cold, dark New England winter is fast approaching, there's one last chance to load up the car, pop in a mixtape and head out in search of music, sun and good times. 

The EMS-sponsored Nor'easter Festival (Sept 24-26) has all the right ingredients - a beautiful setting at Loon Mountain in Lincoln, NH (just 2 hours from Boston), a fantastic lineup of artists and free on-site camping.  The 3 day festival is anchored by indie heavyweights The Gaslight Anthem, The Walkmen, Dr. Dog and !!! - along with a killer mix of lesser-known acts; Eli "Paperboy" Reed, Alberta Cross, Javelin, Sean Bones, Rubblebucket and more.  Besides the music there will be pro rock climbing and cyclocross events, sunrise yoga and a costume "fun run" (whatever that means).  To top it off, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Conservation Alliance. 

Tickets are only $75 for the entire weekend, which includes onsite camping - a great deal if you ask me.  Camping space is limited, so it's recommended that you get tickets ASAP.  For those that can't make it up to NH for the festivities, be sure to check out visible voice for complete festival coverage.  In the meantime, here are a few free downloads from Nor'easter artists:

The Walkmen - Woe Is Me
The Gaslight Anthem - Bring It On
Dr. Dog - Take Me Into Town
Eli "Paperboy" Reed - Just Like Me
Alberta Cross - Low Man
Sean Bones - Let's Do Something Else
Javelin - Moscow 1980