Who’s Missing – Round 3

With months left till Bonnaroo, and the new addition of big names like Public Enemy and Ani DiFranco, I am still confident that the festival’s lineup is not yet complete. The website still says that more artist additions will be coming soon, but hopefully they are not only contest winners and no-name bands. Here are three more artists whom I’m hoping Bonnaroo will contact and hook in.

Clutch

Clutch performs in Jacksonville, North Carolina in 2007.

The southern, stoner-rockers Clutch have only made the trip to Bonnaroo once in their incredibly long-lasting career, in 2007. Still, after seeing them play around Christmas last year for the second time and being – yet again – completely blown away by their stage presence, I can guarantee their presence will be missed this year.

After releasing their joint CD-DVD collection of live music in the summer last year, the modern rock gods have remained relatively quiet. Still, considering that Clutch is one of the music industry’s biggest workhorses, they are probably itching to tour and test out some new material.

I got into Clutch through my brother who lists them as their favorite band, and the sheer amount of music they have produced over the years is downright intimidating. Still, with a spring tour lined up for 2009 and no dates yet released for June, I’m hoping they decide to come down to Tennessee and please the crowd with their entertaining stage show. (-Photo/jasonawhite)

The Dresden Dolls

The Dresden Dolls perform in Milan, Italy in 2005.

When the burlesque-pop group The Dresden Dolls played the festival in 2006, their star was only beginning to shine. Front woman and pianist Amanda Palmer and drummer Brian Vigilone have been praised by critics for their honest lyrics and stripped-down sound.

Their self-titled debut album, released in 2003, became a cult-favorite amongst those with a chip on their shoulder. Their sophomore attempt, “Yes, Virginia,” was much more mature, both in the lyrical intensity and the presence of other instruments made their sound much fuller.

Often called a cabaret act, The Dresden Dolls released a full-length EP called “No, Virginia” that contains such stand-out tracks as “Dear, Jenny” and “Night Reconnaissance.” Despite Palmer and Vigilone’s tendency to release music as solo acts, this EP proves the dolls still have that magic that got them noticed six years ago. Separate solo tours for the pair in 2009 may mean my hopes for a reunion may be a bit pointless, but still, a Bonnaroo-er can dream. (-Photo/littleo2)

Zappa Plays Zappa

Ray White and Dweezil Zappa perfom at the 2008 Bonnaroo Festival.

The Frank Zappa cover band fronted by one of his offspring, Dweezil Zappa, made their Bonnaroo debut last year. Since then, they have enjoyed great success for a cover band, even winning a Grammy award earlier this year for their version of the Zappa classic “Peaches en Regalia.”

If Frank Zappa were still alive, there is no doubt in my mind he would play Bonnaroo every year, or at least, as much as possible. Zappa Plays Zappa has the distinction of being a band whose female vocalist, Scheila Gonzalez, is singing to lyrics written by a man.

Unfortunately, a repeat appearance by the band seems to be more wishful thinking than an actual possibility. Zappa Plays Zappa is currently on a world-wide tour and will be performing in Sweden when the festival kicks off June 11. Who knows, maybe they’ll get a sudden rush to come home to the states and entertain Bonnaroo patrons. (-Photo/HipNosePhotography)

Who’s Missing – Round 2

With just over three months left until Bonnaroo, the line-up has yet to have any major changes or additions.  All of these artists have played the festival in the past, so if these suggestions fall on deaf ears, there’s always Bonnaroo 2010.

Les Claypool

Les Claypool performs with Primus at the Ottawa Bluesfest in 2008.

One of, if not the, most talented bassists to ever play music, Les Claypool has a love affair with Bonnaroo that dates back to the inaugural festival in 2002. He’s also made appearances in 2005 – when he played with protégé Gabby La La – 2006 and 2008. 

In recent years, Claypool has dabbled in a number of different entertainment outlets.  He wrote, edited, directed and starred in the mock-umentary “Electric Apricot,” made an appearance as a hillbilly the movie “Pig Hunt,” and scored the soundtrack to a video game, “Mushroom Men.” 

Claypool is on tour all March promoting his new full-length album, “Of Fungi and Foe,” a collection of music taken both directly and indirectly from his most recent projects. If you can play in March, Les, you can surely play in June. (Photo courtesy of bcymet on Flickr)

Regina Spektor

Regina Spektor performs at the Truck Festival in Oxfordshire, England in 2006.

After breaking out of the anti-folk scene with her 2006 hit-fourth album “Being to Hope,” Regina Spektor has remained relatively quiet for the past two years. She wrote and performed “The Call” for “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” soundtrack, collaborated with Ben Folds on his song “You Don’t Know Me” and played just a few shows, most recently on Jan. 22 in the Bowery Ballroom in New York City.

Rumors on blogs say she is working on a new album that could be due out as early as the end of the year.  The still-untitled LP may contain as many as five new tracks, as well as the rerelease of some of the dozens of unreleased Spektor gems. 

Spektor played Bonnaroo in 2007, just as her star was beginning to shine on the mainstream level.  With the announcement of Spektor’s involvement with the Hultsfred Festival in Sweden in July, at trip to Tennessee shouldn’t be that out of the question. (Photo courtesy of Stuart Leech on Flickr)

Medeski Martin and Wood

Madeski Martin & Wood perfom at the Slow Food Rocks Festival in San Francisco, CA in 2008.

The Brooklyn-based, experimental progressive-jazz trio has released over 15 albums since they formed in 1991. Medeski Martin and Wood were introduced to me by my brother a few years ago, but it’s their recent foray into children’s music, “Let’s Go Everywhere,” that has peaked my – and my 5-month-old nephew’s – interest.

Their most recent project, a trilogy of albums called “The Radiolarian Series,” is being produced in the exact opposite way that music is usually created. Over the course of 2008-09, MMW plans to write the music for one album, tour, record it and then start the process all over again.

Always eclectic and often-improvisational when they perform live, the band hasn’t graced the Bonnaroo stage since 2006.  With a handful of shows scheduled for April and May, a stop in Manchester would be a great way to test out some new material. (Photo courtesy of staxnet on Flickr)