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October 11, 2008
Live from the All Points West Festival
In August I had the pleasure of attending the later half of the All Points West Festival (APW) in Jersey City. First let me say that the Coachella and Highline Ballroom organizers get a gold medal for their efforts in setting up the New York metropolitan area’s first music and arts festival. While they managed to gather some big hitters (Radiohead & Jack Johnson), hipster bands (Animal Collective & Metric) and up and comers (Alberta Cross & The Felice Brothers) it lacked a true festival vibe. Instead, it was better seen as glorified concerts of a contemporary folk rocker and one of the new millennium's best bands. This was especially apparent on Sunday as Jack Johnson’s label mates Matt Costa, Rogue Wave, and Neil Halstead found their way to Sunday’s lineup. While the festival did gather a wealth of talent on multiple stages, a regimented schedule resulted in numerous conflicts that aggravated open minded listeners. I also could talk more about how my public transportation experience was less than memorable but will forgo that to go on with the music!
Saturday
I arrived just in time to check the end of Alberta Cross’ short set. I grabbed their EP, The Thief & The Heartbreaker, a few months ago and looked forward to hearing their modern rock with a Neil Young twist. Due to traffic I only saw two new originals. They closed with “Leave Us or Forgive Us” a steady paced rocker with just enough energy to leave the crowd wanting more. Rumor is they have been working on a full album to be released in the near future. Be sure to look out for that one. Next, I hung around the second stage to check out the Felice Brothers. The New York area band comprised of immediate and “extended family” were one of the few folk/country acts at APW. Their music, heavy on accordions, fiddles, and washboards, left the impression that you were far from city life. Their drummer's on stage antics also strangely boosted the crowd's energy. From them I saw a punchy half hour in which they easily got the crowd to clap along with songs about drinking, chicken coups, and country crime. Highlights consisted of “Frankie’s Gun!”, “Whiskey In My Whiskey” and “Ruby Mae”.
To get a pick-me-up it was onward to the main stage to check out Chromeo as well as Broken Social Scene offshoot Metric. 
Chromeo brought easily accesible electronic music with guitars, keyboards and a drum machine all of which were geared mostly to a large crowd of adults in their twenties. They were particularly indulgent on the song “Mama’s Boy”. Their set stressed new material from Fancy Footwork and no one seemed to disagree with their choices. Unfamiliar with Metric’s catalog I saw a set of inspired synthesizer rock. “Monster Hospital” stuck with me in particular as lead singer Emily Haines gave her best battle cry.
Call them what you will but the ever evolving Animal Collective brought on the noise, rock, electronic jams and hypnotic beats. However, their music was met with great enthusiasm by some and utter confusion by others, as their set was a sixty minute seamless segue. Highlights of their set included “Fireworks” and “Peacebone”. The Kings of Leon played right before Radiohead with an 80 minute set that was both straightforward and rocking. While they brought older songs like “The Bucket”, “Molly’s Chambers”, and “Taper Jean Girl” their set leaned on Because Of The Times. I strongly recommend getting your hands on this album as it was one of the best releases of 2007. On cuts like “Knocked Up”, “My Party”, “On Call” and “Charmer” the family Followill brought their whiskey dowsed sound which rocked and jammed, definitely holding the crowds attention. Also welcomed was a preview of some of the material from their forthcoming CD.
Now on to Saturday’s main course, Radiohead. After a stealth and formal release of In Rainbows and amidst touring the US, the All Points West crowd was ready for anything they gave. The band chose a smart set to entertain the masses by performing all of In Rainbows and a smattering from their entire catalogue. Song choices were eclectic as both electronic numbers and arena rocking anthems fit well together. Thom Yorke and company provided intense energy and quite honestly is one of the best out of any touring band. Looking at the massive sing along was more akin to a catharsis that was years in the making (Radiohead’s last NY area appearance was at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in 2006). While every song from their more than two hour set was considered a stand out some strong points were “15 Step”, “There There”, “The National Anthem”, "Idioteque”, “No Surprises” and “Fake Plastic Trees”. Also played was the b-side “Banger’s n Mash” which featured lead singer Thom Yorke on a second drum kit. At show's end I couldn’t have asked for any more.
Sunday
Sunday could have been interpreted as a Jack Johnson picnic. However, I found myself more excited to see the other bands on the bill. I arrived earlier on Sunday ensuring I could catch more opening acts. First up was Neil Halstead, one of Jack Johnson’s surfer friends turned solo artist. His 40 minute set brought some good folk rock. Halstead received help from friends on bass, mandolin, and acoustic guitar, which definitely enhanced the stripped down songs. “Sometimes The Wheels”, “Elevenses”, the title track from Oh! Mighty Engine were highlights of the set as they elaborated upon relationships and the contemplative states life can lead us to. Halstead’s material was deep yet subtle and later I found myself bobbing along. Rogue Wave 
was up next. As the band assembled it looked as if California native Zach Rogue had assembled a group of hipsters to help him boast his songs. What I found was far from that. The band came out hard hitting and continued to keep the momentum going. In great part this was due to having three muti-instrumentalists. The band played many cuts from Asleep At Heaven’s Gate yet managed to sneak in some older songs like “Bird on A Wire”. Standouts from the album performed during the set were “Like I Needed”, “Harmonium”, and “Lake Michigan”. These songs channeled all aspects of a cleverly arranged and layered sound, from indie to alternative to singer-songwriter.
Matt Costa also played a folk friendly set. With a full band, Costa ran through a good mixture from both Unfamiliar Faces and Songs We Sing. Highlights were the bouncy yet melancholy pop ballad “Mr. Pitiful”, and the straight ahead “Emergency Call”. He sent the crowd out with an untitled acapella number that seemed to slowly bring the sunshine on a rainy Sunday. I made sure to catch at least some of former Drive By Trucker Jason Isbell.
My efforts were rewarded as Jason Isbell provided a good dose of Southern-infused rock and roll. He made the most out of not having his drummer make the gig. Pleasant surprising was “Try” from Sirens of the Ditch, and an interesting yet much welcomed take on Van Morrison’s “Into The Mystic”. Next Earl Greyhound brought out the pure unadulterated 70’s rock and roll with a new millennium update. One part T.Rex, another part Led Zeppelin (think elements of I, II, and III combined with the ethereal Houses of The Holy while managing to sneak in a crunchy yet full distortion), with Queens of the Stone Age and Wolfmother twists. That briefly describes their vibe. While unearthing new material the power trio led by Matt Whyte played to a very receptive crowd well aware of its roots. This was especially apparent during accelerated full force run throughs of “S.O.S”, “Monkey” and “I’m The One” from Soft Targets. Unfortunately, while they had great songs they also had a penchant for turning their amps to eleven out of ten. For Sunday they win my “Bring Earplugs to Groove” Award. All in all they played on of the best sets of the day and I look forward to their new album coming out in the next few months.
After staying for a few songs of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals (a band that I love of but could not see their whole set due to festival scheduling) I made sure to catch Trey Anastasio 
former lead singer of Phish. As he ran through both solo material (“Cayman Review” & “Mr. Completely”), and jam- heavy tracks from Phish’s later catalog (“Sand” and “First Tube”), his band even snuck in new material clearly influenced by both the blues and pop genres Alaska. The hour long set saw old friends from his initial Trey Anastasio Band lineup musically reconnecting, feeding of each others improvisations, and elated to be reformed. Look for Trey Anastasio to be more visible than in years past. It was interesting paradox to see Ben Harper open for Jack Johnson, when the exact opposite occurred in 2003. Unfortunately, I chose to miss Ben Harper (as I have seen him in years past) but heard he played a great set despite a number of technical problems.
Jack Johnson was designated to close out the festival as it has been a couple of years since his last visit to the New York area. 
While Johnson is still considered by many as a singer-song writer who plays acoustic folk jams for the surf happy, West Coast inspired twenty somethings, his musical outlook and sound has greatly evolved over the years. Adding piano, melodica, and accordion player Zach Gill (from Animal Liberation Orchestra who in his main project plays jam friendly rock with a pop sensibility that is truly hypnotic.) along with playing more exclusively electric guitar have been catalysts in Johnson’s sonic shift. This new combination also saw Johnson pushing himself much more than in years past as he comfortably played rhythm and even loosely soloed over songs from his previous albums. Highlight of his set were “Staple It Together” “Hope” “Sitting Waiting Wishing” “Taylor”, “Flake”, “Breakdown” and Trey Anastasio joining the band for “Mud football (for Moe Lerner).” New arrangements of both classic and current songs also gave the band new life. Looking out from the audience, it was a joy to see as fans both old and new gladly sang along. The encore saw Johnson utilizing what works well for him which is playing solo acoustic. This included “Times Like These”, “Gone” and “All At Once.” As the lights came up I was sad to return home but tired from the plethora of activities. I look forward to potentially making a return next year.
Music from many of the artists above including Radiohead, Phish, Jack Johnson, ALO, Matt Costa, Kings of Leon, The Felice Brothers, and Rogue Wave are available for loan in the Manhasset Public Library’s music collection.
John Paul Leonardi
Posted by msrap at October 11, 2008 2:24 PM
Comments
i just got because of the times from the library and it was really bland, boring, average, etc...the singers voice is irritating and i really miss their old songs..."mollys chambers" and "red morning light" are the kind o fsongs they were meant to sing, not songs as dreadful and boring as "knocked up" (which has no real substance and seems to go on FOREVER)! but this is a really good blog =]
i hope you keep it going!
Posted by: lucy at October 28, 2008 5:19 PM