George Fest - A Celebration Of George Harrison

Last night was the big George Harrison-A-Thon show at the Fonda theater in Hollywood, affectionately called George Fest. It was really one for the ages, People. More a matter of who DIDN'T get up there and play. For real.

I had spent the day at the Abbot Kinney Festival going nuts, so it was a true test of endurance to first, get to Hollywood at all, and second, hang in there for this many-hours-long show. I did not make it to the end, I confess, but I sure did see an awful lot while I was there. For instance ...

We missed a few openers like the tight house band led by George's son, Dhani Harrison, and I heard Conan O'Brien threw down "Old Brown Shoe". Wow. I got there just in time to hear the end of the darling guys of Jamestown Revival singing "If I Needed Someone." Bam. Just like that, I have a new crush.

The Black Ryder played "Isn't It A Pity", followed by Chase Cohl (and Brian Bell of Weezer) with "For You Blue". The stage was almost as packed as the audience, where people stood on tip-toe the whole night to catch a glimpse of who was all cramming on up there. Like The Heartless Bastards' (who I love) rendition of "If Not For You." So good. Butch Walker got up and sang "Any Road", The Cold War Kids did "Taxman", and then The Cult's Ian Astbury really delivered with "Be Here Now". I was standing next to Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains) during this number, and we both just went "Wow. That was awesome." when Mr. Astbury was done. And whistled real loud. I think it was my favorite of the night.

Next up was Black Rebel Motorcycle Club with "Art Of Dying" - Awesome. Then Spoon's Britt Daniel with "I Me Mine", which was great, but even better was the lovely Karen Elson and Norah Jones on "I'd Have You Anytime". And even better than THAT was Ben Harper with "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)". I mean, come on.

Kind of weirdly following that was Weird Al Yankovic in an unusually straight turn for him, singing, "What Is Life", real lyrics and all. Then Dhani Harrison (and friends, including Aaron Emby, Jimmy Vivino, and Stephen Perkins from Jane's Addiction) really going for it with their "Let It Down". It's really good. We got down.

Big Black Delta played "The Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp" while we were in line at the bar (Jameson was the gracious sponsor), and then Dhani Harrison was back on lead with "Savoy Truffle". Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips came out and gave us "It's All Too Much" - which it really almost was. Because NEXT, joining Coyne and Harrison came Perry and Etty Farrell, singing the sweetest favorite, "Here Comes The Sun" to us, and to each other. Love.

The line-up was so super-diverse, and so jam-packed ... it was clear to see how intensely George Harrison (and The Beatles) have influenced and inspired, well, everyone. And they clearly all wanted to play in a show honoring him, because the cavalcade continued on and on ... Nick Valensi (with Danny Masterson and Matt Sorum) playing "Wah Wah". Norah Jones' beautiful ways with "Behind That Locked Door" and "Something" were simply lush and gorgeous. As was Heart's Ann Wilson with "Beware Of Darkness".

My phone died somewhere around here after a long day's work, so I gave up on photos and caring and just completely enjoyed ... The Killers' Brandon Flowers throwing down "Got My Mind Set On You" with Dhani Harrison. How good. We thought that would be a good note to sneak out (and CRASH!) on, but just as I turned around to split, out came Brian Wilson. BRIAN WILSON with "My Sweet Lord", which I'm pretty sure is what I said right then too. Wow. What an evening! What a day!

That was a REALLY good note to sneak out on, so we did, and that was our finale. The real finale, I'm told, was an All-Star jam of both "Handle With Care" and "All Things Must Pass" - both very sage - and timely, as we were about to crash hard. What an excellent night of music, and what an excellent legacy to see, more than honored ... Rocked. Let's hope this was the first of many, many George Fests ... and many thanks to all involved for a spectacular time!

Lollapalooza 2013 - Day Two!

Day Two. We got off to a little slower start (as seems to happen progressively at Lollapalooza), got dolled up, had a little more champagne - it's a celebratory place! - and headed over to the site with Etty. What a GLORIOUS day in Chicago! Absolutely perfect, clear blue skies, with a slight breeze. Amen.

Once in the Perry compound, we compared notes on the previous day and made game plans to try and see as much music as we could today. We had our work cut out for us, especially considering there is simply just a lot of fun to be had hanging out with those that we only get to see at this event, as we're spread out all over the country. The earlier timed bands tend to get missed for sure, sadly. I did a little exploring of the grounds, and was just floored at how massive and well put together the whole thing is. There really is something for everybody, and there are plenty of places to find shade and quiet if you feel yourself needing that. I did not.

As the spread is so massive, it's near impossible to see all the music, as many tend to overlap. Because of this, I missed Lukas Nelson, who I really wanted to see. Instead, we goofed around at the compound, where half of Porno For Pyros enjoyed the kids' jumping castle.

Then the entire gang headed over to the Kidzapalooza Stage to see Sean White's band, Bad Things. The Flying Tomato has cut off all his hair, was stylish in a vest, and is playing guitar - AND missing the X Games back in L.A., curiously?

Lots of kids had signs for Sean - "You inspired my sister to snowboard," and the like, and he is clearly the draw for the band. That is, until Perry and Peter DiStefano (that same half of Porno For Pyros) got up there and kicked out The Stooge's "Search and Destroy" jams with them to close their set.

Perry's kids had a lot of school friends in attendance this year, and it was a joy to see them see their friends' dad in full rock star mode. Super fun times.

From there it was time to divide and conquer, as you can get a whole lot more in when you're not gathering ALL the troops, finding enough golf carts, etc.

I took off for some HAIM, some Local Natives, and some Foals. All were pretty good.

I love The Heartless Bastards, and got to see them play a few up close before we had to race to meet the group over at Kendrick Lamar. Holy Moly. I have a lot of diverse musical taste, but in the whirlwind of life, some things get by you. I had no idea how HUGE Kendrick Lamar is.

The crowd stretched all the way back, and everyone was singing along loudly. I laughed when the bespectacled, most straight-edge looking young guy of all time next to me was singing, "Pussy and Patron will make you feel alright ..." I looked at him and said, "Did you just say 'Pussy and Patron'?" He very seriously answered, "What else is there?" Well, go ahead, young man!

Every new song that started up had the audience going even more wild. Kendrick Lamar is a big deal, I learned. I can't imagine being in the thick of the middle of that crowd, but each and every face had a beatific smile going on - even the ones strapped to stretchers getting taken out of there (seemingly due to drugs, heat, dehydration and stuff, not injuries) were mostly smiling with their glazed over eyes. It's a good time when even the fallen are happy.

As we headed back south across the fields, I saw some Lumineers from afar, but we couldn't stay long because ... there was a Porno For Pyros reunion in the works!

Azealia Banks had canceled her spot due to a throat infection, so at the last minute, Perry and Peter D. were going to step in and blow minds. One of the highlights of the entire Lollapalooza was listening to them rehearse "Under The Tahitian Moon" together in the trailer - one of my all-time favorite songs. That I know the story behind, and it is awesome.

We got the whole gang together and set off for the Grove stage, where again, Sean White's Bad Things were performing. We hung on the side of the stage and waited ... and waited ... until the whole thing was aborted due to some miscommunications and an emptying crowd that had no idea what they were about to (almost) see. It was extra disappointing, but when it does happen ... we should all be there. They were sounding excellent in practice, and I just can't wait.

So it was back to the Red Bull Stage end, where I heard a little of Mumford and Sons, but really, it became a party back at the ranch. A big one. And that's how we ended Day Two of a month's worth of shows in one day. Not on a stretcher (barely), but smiling (with glazed over eyes). !!!!!!!

Only For You

My darling friend Amelia moved from Venice to Austin, Texas last year, and now she's starring in music videos! Here she is (the little red haired girl) in the new one from The Heartless Bastards, "Only For You".




I'm so proud of her I can't stand it. Enjoy!