The Big Up Music & Arts Festival is making its triumphant return after a hiatus in 2012. Live For Live Music is extremely excited to be a media partner of the festival, as we had a great time attending as fans back in 2011. Set to take place August 8th-10th at Hemlock Hollow Farm in Claverlack, NY, The Big Up is ready to make a BIG return in 2013. As we countdown the days to the festival, we figured we would give you our Big Up’s Big 5 Acts to look forward to. Without further adieu, here they are:
1. Holy Fuck
The electro-noise pop trio of Holy Fuck has been touring non-stop for years, all the while staying dedicated to writing new material and dropping records on us, as only a band with their namesake can. With their resonating, psychedelic frequencies, Holy Fuck is made up of Brian Borcherdt, Graham Walsh, Matt Schulz and Matt McQuaid. As incredible as their studio records are, it’s their live shows that entranced us under their spell. With their heads in the knobs and their bodies firmly set in the groove the Toronto quartet create exhilarating, analog rocked out electro that’s a joy to see unfold live. Chaotic and euphoric channeling of energy, it’s pure expression of experimental electronica in peak form.
These guys are so good, we have to give you 2 videos:
2. Beats Antique
This extremely eclectic group, that melds genres such as world roots music with live electronica, hip-hop, downtempo, glitch, along with a flair for Middle Eastern sounds, puts on a show that is something that you won’t soon forget. The soundscapes created by David Satori and Sidecar Tommy, with drums, keys, live horns, accordions, viola, and kalimba, to name a few, along with the sensual belly dancing of Zoe Jakes creates a vibe that is something that needs to be seen and heard live. This will be a true performance.
3. Kung Fu performing a tribute to Prince
Our favorite Connecticut nu-funk outfit will be performing two sets, one of which we know is going to be talked about as The Set of the weekend, with a full set tribute to the one and only Prince. If you have ever seen these guys before, you know these disciplined musicians can bring it. Their brand of “Lethal Funk” is the perfect pairing for a tribute set to the Purple One, and to throw in an extra bone, Jans Ingber from The Motet will be performing with them for this set. Featuring Tim Palmieri (guitar), Robert Somerville (tenor sax), Todd Stoops (keyboards), Chris DeAngelis (bass), and Adrian Tramontano (drums/percussion), Kung Fu is a must for anybody with a soul.
4. Escort
If Daft Punk has brought back disco, then they must have been listening to Escort before they made Random Access Memories, because “Brooklyn’s finest disco orchestra” has been bringing the dance party since 2006. Pitchfork described their single “All Through the Night” as “one of the best New York disco tracks since West End Records’ early 1980′s heyday.” Founded by producers Eugene Cho and Dan Balis, with a 17-piece lineup led by super sultry and sexy lead singer Adeline Michèle, if you want some serious getdown, then this is the set for you.
Probably one of the best videos we have ever seen – “All Through the Night”:
5. Greenhouse Lounge
These guys have been on a tear lately, with eye-opening performances at Aura, Bear Creek and Gnarnia Music Festivals. This trio from Jacksonville, FL, is ready to take it up another level this summer. With guitarist/programmer Zach Weinert leading the charge, and bassist Dave McSweeny and drummer Scotty Zwang holding down the rhythm, these guys seamlessly transition from spacey electronic dance to hip-hop to funk to house to….well, you get the idea. Definitely a group that should be on your radar as of right now.
Tickets for The Big Up Music & Arts Festival are currently available, with GA Tix available for $120, as well as VIP Upgrades and RV pass options. Click on BIG UP TIX link to purchase your tix today.
The Big Up 2013 Artist Line Up:
Beats Antique • Holy Fuck • GAUDI • Escort • Abakus Live (World Premiere) • Chris Keating DJ set (Yeasayer) • The Egg • Nerve • Higher Organix (host band) • Dopapod • Kung Fu x2 • Brothers Past • DrFameus • Normal Instruments • The Indobox • Consider the Source • Timbre Coup • Party Supplies • lespecial • SOUNDUO • Greenhouse Lounge • Cosmic Dust Bunnies • Business Casual Disco • Former Champions • Jeff Bujak • Blacklight Rukus • Ian Stewart • The Edd • FiKus • King Holiday • Horizon Wireless • Speakerbot • Richard James & The Name Changers • Formula 5 • Color Channel • ConnetICON • Interlopers • Galaxy Dynamite • Laser Sex • Hot Jambalaya • Mister F • Rizzo’s Dilemma • Stokeswood • The Blue Goddess • Aqueous • Spundose • Arpetrio • DJ Adam Amrod • Narkatta • ShwizZ • Sojourner • SOLARiS