Festival Talk Continues with Some Moondance Jam News

If you're wondering why I haven't been writing long posts, I have a good reason: I've got pain shooting up and down my arm, making it near impossible to type. Luckily, I get to go to the doctor tomorrow -- and not a moment too soon! Hopefully I'll get some relief and be able to write like normal again. After all, writing is my job and I haven't been able to do much work the past week or so. Sometimes you have to give in to your body's aches and pains.

That said, we might as well stay on the festival train and talk about Moondance Jam. The 19th annual jam is set for July 15-17 in Walker, MN. The lineup isn't set yet, but so far REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Buckcherry, Jonny Lang and Don Felder (ex-Eagles) have signed on for the event. There doesn't seem to be an exact pattern to the Moondance announcements - they are happening sporadically.

Tickets are on sale now. General admission and VIP seating is available. So is camping.

Bonnaroo Lineup 2010

Artists are announcing their spot at Bonnaroo during the day. The fest is set for June 10-13 in Manchester, Tennessee. Tickets are on sale today.  It's not exactly my cup of tea, but this is a major U.S. event and definitely BBG! worthy.  Confirmed acts:

Dave Matthews Band
Kings of Leon
Stevie Wonder
Jay-Z
Tenacious D
Weezer
The Flaming Lips perform Dark Side of the Moon
The Dead Weather
Damian Marley and Nas
Phoenix
Norah Jones
Michael Franti & Spearhead
John Fogerty
Regina Spektor
Jimmy Cliff
LCD Soundsystem
The Avett Brothers
Thievery Corporation
Rise Against
Tori Amos
The National
Zac Brown Band
Les Claypool
John Prine
The Black Keys
Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers
Jeff Beck
Dropkick Murphys
She & Him
Against Me!
The Disco Biscuits
Daryl Hall and Chromeo
Jamey Johnson
Clutch
Bassnectar
Kid Cudi
Baaba Maal
Kris Kristofferson
Medeski Martin & Wood
The XX
Gwar
Dan Deacon Ensemble
Tinariwen
Wale
Deadmau5
The Melvins
Gaslight Anthem
Miike Snow
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Dr. Dog
They Might Be Giants
Punch Brothers
Isis
Blitzen Trapper
Blues Traveler
Miranda Lambert
Calexico
OK Go
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Martin Sexton
Lotus
Baroness
Dave Rawlings Machine
Mayer Hawthorne and the County
Japandroids
Jay Electronica
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
Ingrid Michaelson
The Dodos
Manchester Orchestra
The Temper Trap
Cross Canadian Ragweed
Carolina Chocolate Drops
Tokyo Police Club
The Entrance Band
Local Natives
Brandi Carlile
Mumford & Sons
Rebelution
Diane Birch
Monte Montgomery
Julia Nunes
The Postelles
Lucero
Here We Go Magic
Hot Rize
Neon Indian
B.o.B
Needtobreathe

Rock on the Range 2010 Lineup

The promoters of Rock on the Range just announced the lineup for this year's event. The festival is set for May 22 and 23 at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

Godsmack
Rob Zombie
Three Days Grace
Limp Bizkit
Rise Against
Seether
Slash
Deftones
Papa Roach
5 Finger Death Punch
Coheed and Cambira
Bullet for My Valentine
Mastodon
Killswitch Engage
Theory of a Deadman
Puddle of Mudd
Sevendust
Drowning Pool
Skillet
Apocalyptica
Halestorm
Airbourne
Mushroomhead
Adelitas Way
Helmet
Escape the Fate
Cold
Anberlin
Nonpoint
2Cents
Violent Soho
Janus
Shaman’s Harvest
Year Long Disaster
Taddy Porter
Like a Storm
Noise Auction

Tickets go on sale Feb. 20 via Ticketmaster.

Melodic Rock Fest 2

If you're keeping score, this week has already been very fruitful for festival announcements - and today, we've got a few more with Melodic Rock 2, Rock on the Range and Bonnaroo. Melodic Rock Fest 2 will take place May 1-2 in Elgin, Illinois at The Roadhouse. The following bands will play:

Y&T
WINGER
W.E.T.
DANGER DANGER
TALON
TED POLEY
JIMI JAMISON
ECLIPSE
BOMBAY BLACK
EDEN'S CURSE
MECCA
KEVIN CHALFANT
7TH HEAVEN
ALIAS
TERRY BROCK with VALENTINE
FARCRY
CROWN OF THORNS

Tickets go on sale this Friday and a weekend VIP pass is $175 and that includes an exclusive warm-up concert. A regular Saturday/Sunday combo ticket is $100 and single day tickets are available.

Remember, at 10 am ET, I'll post the Rock on the Range lineup! I'll post Bonnaroo bands, too but that announcement will come throughout the day, so check back.

Festival Roundup Continues: Dakota Rock Fest Announces Bands

The Dakota Rock Fest is set for July 22, 23, and 24 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The fest will take place at the Sioux Empire Fairgrounds. So far, promoters have confirmed Vince Neil, Warrant, Molly Hatchet, Axe, Ted Poley, Bombay Black, Talon, Paisty Jenny, Jukebox Zeroes, Tango Down, Lita Ford and Far Cry with more acts to be announced. Maybe the best thing about this fest is that it is cheap - just $175 for the VIP, or $55 for a basic all-fest pass. One day tickets are available.

South Dakota is pretty far away from just about everything - but if you're in the region, this seems like a fun event! Check out the festival's official website.

A Big Week Ahead!

This is a big week for festival lovers! Promoters for Rock on the Range and Bonnaroo will announce full lineups tomorrow! I'm not planning on attending Bonnaroo but I'll definitely be at Rock on the Range no matter what. Some of the rumors for Rock on the Range include Soundgarden, Creed, Limp Bizkit, The Last Vegas, Cavo, Skillet, Godsmack, Nickelback, Shinedown and Papa Roach. Again, just rumors but there are a handful of bands in that list I'd love to see...and a couple I could do without! Of course, when both Rock on the Range and Bonnaroo announce tomorrow, I'll post here.

On a completely unrelated note, someone over on Metal Sludge posted an interesting video of John Mayer covering Van Halen's "Panama." Gotta say, it's a pretty good cover and John even plays one of Eddie's striped guitars! Before everyone freaks out, remember Eddie and John are two completely different style players - so no - the song isn't going to sound identical. Let me know what you think of this performance.

The Who Will Rock the Super Bowl Tonight

The Who will play the Super Bowl halftime show tonight. During the show, they'll play a 15 song medley of their best-loved tunes. Yes, 15 songs in 12 minutes - so don't get too excited to hear a lot of any one song! The Who will perform bits of "Baba O'Riley," "Pinball Wizard," "Tommy," "Won't Get Fooled Again" and my favorite "Who Are You." I think "Who Are You" is easily in the Top 5 best rock songs ever recorded, but I guess that's a topic for another day.

I'm looking forward to The Who and the big game between the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints. May the best team win!

"Baba O'Riley"

"Who Are You" [from a 1981 sound check]

Queen Latifah and Carrie Underwood will also sing during pre-game ceremonies.