Music Tastes Good

Yesterday was day one of Music Tastes Good, a festival down in Long Beach that features musicians and duh, food. But not just food. They have cooking demonstrations by notable chefs in a very large hangar-sized tent, as well.

While I wouldn't call it Oldchella, there was definitely an mix of age groups yesterday. OG SoCal punks who should think abotu visiting a gym. Families toting newborns or long-haired Vans-wearing toddlers. A few newer bands played earlier time slots, but most had been around for a minute like Santigold whose performance mostly killed. But she had major sound issues and was largely frsutrated at an audience who didn't want to do the whole call-and-response wave-your-hands-in-the-air thing. At one point, told people to stop filming with their phones and just "be in the moment." That's kind of like telling someone not to steal music from a torrent site. Good luck with that.

I also think there are only a few times in which a musician should be allowed to lecture their paying audience and that's when the behavior is destructive to others around them. Otherwise, your choices are to ban the phones outright. Or do what King Crimson does– tell the fans no phones during performance, than stay for a big photoshoot after.

Normally, I'm not a fan of outdoor festivals as it always feels like the worst place to see bands perform. Never any shade. Always too loud. And standing with people who are mostly there to be seen rather than fans. I much prefer the intimacy of a smaller venue. But so far this has been pretty well-organized. One person who was there last year complained about how there are now three times as many people showing up. Well, that's a good thing, no? But people will complain about anything if given half the chance.

Today's highlights will be Bill Callahan, The Church, Janelle Monae, and The Black Angels. Here's photos from last night.

Bradley Nowell's sister started an organization to help musicians addited to opiates. She's a great soul.

baby beings were there, too.

Hey, if you like music and reading, you should check out my Amazon page, featuring a short-story collection, and a novel based on a Camper Van Beethoven album.