BIG EARS 2018 [Knoxville, TN]: Diamanda Galas, Wolfgang. Voigt, Milford Graves, ICE, Jaga Jazzist, GYBE, Tyshawn Sorey, Kid Koala, etc etc hype hype

THANK YOU

great Johnny Paycheck cover!

OMFG

fwiw she released a studio version of it last year

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9YYv-oZfsk

but the performance at the Tennessee Theater was slower and more pensive

https://t.co/RfqFCxDKtV

^some of my fave things if anyone cares

I read that earlier this evening because I do care! Great work.

i haven't written mine up but i plan to
so glad i went

i reallllllllllly enjoyed Kieran Hebden/Mats Gustafsson's set -- I loved the Live at the South Bank album and honestly, I didn't miss the presence of a live drummer because 1) the beats were good and heavy already and 2) i could imagine a drummer's part in my mind which was really enjoyable. That set was smoldering and super gnarly.

i was so pooped at that point

i forgot where i was at least 4x during that set
it was amazing

i think the most important thing to remember if you have never been and plan to go is to come prepared with snacks to eat -- there are plenty of good restaurants (i ate at good golly tamale 2x!) but finding time for 1 meal/day seems the norm. i ran into someone i always see at local shows and he was like --starving-- and possibly dehydrated. it was his first time and he didn't realize there would be inevitable music/food scheduling issues.

FYI the bag people were cool about letting me bring in my snacks too. they were just looking for weapons afaict. one person made me open my bottle of advil (bring ibuprofen if you have achy feet!!) but there wasn't anything interesting in there aside from advil.

perhaps most importantly -- if you have a chance to see the doc MILFORD GRAVES FULL MANTIS you should definitely do so. no talking heads, artful editing and quality information about milford graves, who is completely awesome
it made me want to move more like an insect. his experiments making music with the nervous system/heartbeat were super interesting too. he said everyone who comes into his house has to have their heartbeat recorded
<3 <3 <3

my bud made this movie, it was a labor of love and is utterly captivating

it was really well done
i saw ilxor tarfumes' name in the credits too!!!

western mass power. jake and neil are tops. neil is an AMAZING editor. jake's set before the tal national show here in town a couple of weeks ago was amazing. lots of talent in so many arenas. tarfumes is an amazing percussionist in his own right, by the way. i still need to see the film. amherst showing is sold out. might have to sneak in the back.

ilxor geeta wrote a great thing on the film that i linked to on a music doc thread.

this knoxville fest seems so nice. would love to go to one.

it is so exactly what we are saying too -- i do not exaggerate! you should try to make it. every time i go i feel like i am ready to face the world again when i come home. the musical performances are that invigorating!

i could tell that the people who made the doc have solid sensibilities. they made interesting and good choices (like to make the film in the first place -- i really admire the archival footage being collected)

i also had an excellent time touring the highlander folk school -- it's an important and historical place and not far out of town. would recommend to anyone interested in education, civil rights, appalachia. bonus: my guide was an absolute delight.

Evan Parker Ensemble – so much energy. a whirlwind of sound but it was all so perfectly coordinated, violating all laws of entropy. I was standing there in complete and utter awe. I have no idea how these people do it.

lmao I meant the Peter Evans ensemble. I am constantly getting their names confused.

There a book coming out about the festival.

https://mailchi.mp/hatandbeard.com/ten-years-of-big-ears?e=cc35b368fe

This was the first one I went to. So much fun…