Forecastle Analysis

Forecastle released an anticipated lineup today. They had teased many bands via social media and today it finally came to fruition. Headliners: Outkast, Jack White, Beck.

I'll give Forecastle credit because they are in a special situation. While some festivals like Bonnaroo or Coachella do not associate with a neighboring city, they don't have to please an already existing audience. Chicago has Lollapalooza but that festival is so commercial, they grab the big names. Forecastle on the other hand has to please a Louisville crowd who not only love music but also a specific kind of music.With the exception of a handful of diversifying bands, you can look to WFPK, Louisville's public radio station, for a big influence on what kind of music Louisville listens to. Their demographic is predominantly white middle class people aged around 28-52. They have become very successful and Forecastle knows it. You can thank WFPK for acts this year like Jason Isbell, Brett Dennen, Hayes Carll, Spoon, Hurray For The Riff Raff, Leagues, and the influence of others. I don't put a negative blame on it, but it may limit Forecastle in expanding its sound.

With that being said, there are some absolute gems here in this year's lineup. Outkast, Jack White, and Beck make for very formidable headliners. Two worries though: Will Outkast be stale by the time they get to Waterfront Park because they have been playing every other festival? Is Beck too mellow on his most recent album to bust out tunes like "Where It's At" or "Loser?"

The top of the lineup is very legit. Band of Horses (esp. with their recent acoustic arrangement), Spoon, the recent comebacks of The Replacements and Nickelcreek, Twnety One pilots, Gary Clark Jr., Local Natives, Trampled by Turtles, Lord Huron are all must sees for me.

The next half may become questionable. Upon furthur research I may retract this but as it stands now I would see St. Lucia, Brett Dennen, Lucius, Spanish Gold (side project of Patrick Hallahan for all you MMJ insufferables), The Weeks, and Jalin Roze. I hope I have the desire to see more, but we'll see. I would have expected more undercard names to intrigue me.

But regardless, if it wasn't cemented before it is now. Forecastle is a top tier festival and it will stay that way. I'm proud that it is in my city.