music reviews

The first time I heard Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad was earlier this year at the G. Love & Special Sauce concert in Fayetteville ('member that?). They were the opening act and I didn't know anything about them. So I asked what kind of music they played, and a guy came over and said "it's baby-making music." That was my introduction to Giant Panda G.D.S. That guy was right, to certain extent, but after seeing them for a second time I learned they're much more than just baby-making music. Read the rest of the review and see my favorite photos after the jump.

I will admit that Kinetix was not on my must-see list of Waka 2010 until James Searl of Giant Panda G.D.P. made a pretty good case to check them out. So I headed over a bit late from seeing State Radio, where people literally started running when they heard the sounds of Queen erupting from the Outpost Tent.

Queen wasn't the only cover, Kinetix also played a kick ass "Killin in the Name Of" from Rage that had the entire tent jumping. The energy they put out gets a huge A+ from me, and made them infinitely better. Eric Blumenfeld on the keyboard is a welcome addition that elevates the sound from solid rock to a rock borne from funk. Cafe Con Leche was instantly in love with the bass player, Josh Fairman, who could win a look-a-like contest with Slash if he threw on the hat. Towards the end of the set, Adam Lufkin [guitar/vocals] went into a very respectable rap with dance moves to match. Check out the full review after the jump.

Slightly Stoopid filled up the Revival Tent. I don't think another soul could fit in there, in fact, Hash Browns got a little overwhelmed and left me. I thought I had lost her, but no, she left me. I struggled going around the people when trying to get better angles for my shots, all the while soaking in the love from the fans (as well as some fumes and sweat, ya'll).

See the rest of the review and photos after the jump.

Words and photo by B "Café con Leche" Gutierrez.

I had been looking forward to this Friday for quite a while. One of my favorite bands was set to play that afternoon and BoT was given some time to interview them. HashBrowns was the one in charge of the interview, while I had to wait outside the building. Forty-five minutes later she came out with a story completely different to what I expected — their flight had been delayed, so they probably weren't going to make it in time for the interview. I was bummed, but we were also missing out on some good music, so we started walking. But just as we were headed downhill towards the stages, the guys of ALO got out of their van and we got to meet them. So far, that was the highlight of my day, until I got to hear their set.

But I know you want to hear more about the music. Friday at Wakarusa was a fun day. The type of music set for Friday was quite different from Thursday. The festival's atmosphere was still relaxed and easy, even though a new wave of Wakarusians arrived that day to stay for the weekend. Read on for Fridays's line-up after the jump.

Music is good for the soul. And the ALO set at Wakarusa was just what my soul needed. There was a big crowd at the Revival Tent waiting for them, so when Dave Brogan's drums started "Man of The World" (the title track of their new album) it gave cue for what would be a big sing-along. The set was a great mix of old favorites and new material. Songs like "Walls of Jericho," "Wasting Time," and "Try" are some of the must-know ALO songs; the smiles all over the audience made that evident to those seeing ALO for the first time. The rest of the review and photos after the jump.

Words by Toast. Photo by Café con Leche.

Another year has come and gone for the Wakarusa Camping and Music Festival, and this year was sure to bring several changes. One of the main changes that was immediately noticeable was the volume of attendees this year. I heard rumors of anywhere from 15,000 to 60,000 people were there. If I had to guess based off experience, I would say there were around 20,000. Regardless, it proved to be yet another year that was run flawlessly thanks to staff and festival-goers alike. Read on for Thursday's line-up after the jump.