Iowa lies at the heart of America along with all of the other ‘flyover’ states, yet has long been the ‘cool heartland’, from shocking presidential primaries to being one of the first states to legalize gay marriage. At the center of America’s center is Des Moines, which also happens to be where major interstates I-80 and I-35 meet. And since 2008, Gateway Park in Des Moines has been hosting the great 80/35 Music Festival on Fourth of July Weekend, which has brought in acts from across the world, across the country, and right nearby, all with Iowa’s alt-edge.
So head down the I-80 – or the I-35 – to 80/35 Music Festival, Friday & Saturday, July 4th & 5th, to celebrate this nation’s independence in the most alt-American way possible:
FRIDAY, JULY 4th
DMMC Main Stage Conor Oberst, 9:00 PM Welcome back, Conor Oberst (QRO photos at a festival). As Bright Eyes (QRO photos), Conor Oberst won legions of hearts (including Summer’s on The O.C. – QRO Music of The O.C.), but after 2007’s Cassadega (QRO review), he dropped the name and strayed into unfortunate country terrain (QRO live review). In 2011, not only did the Bright Eyes name come back (QRO live review outdoors), but also the Bright Eyes (QRO photos at a festival) sound on The People’s Key (QRO review). Last year he revived his early agit-punk band, Desaparecidos (QRO live review), but he’s shifted back to being Mr. Oberst once again for this year’s upcoming Upside Down Mountain (and his backing band for this tour is Dawes – see above – QRO photos together), so who knows what to expect (QRO photos at a recent festival)… |
|
Ziggy Marley, 6:45 PM The oldest son of reggae legend Bob Marley, Ziggy Marley (QRO photos) began playing music with his father in The Melody Makers, and the Melody continued through the elder Marley’s death (even played the funeral), though their post-Bob career had its ups & downs both commercially & critically. In this century/millennium, Ziggy has gone out on his own (QRO photos), including winning a Grammy (for Best Reggae Album) for his second solo release, 2008’s Love Is My Religion. He’s also found success in making children’s music, even winning a Daytime Emmy Award last year for his theme song to Disney Channel’s 3rd & Bird. But he comes to 80/35 behind last month’s new ‘regular’ album, Wild and Free. |
|
Best Coast, 5:00 PM Los Angeles’ Best Coast (QRO live review) is a practical veteran at the still-new garage-scene (QRO photos at a festival), but a goodie (QRO photos at a festival), combining surf, garage, indie, and pop for a sound (QRO photos) that’s sure to be sweet coming from frontwoman Bethany Cosentino (QRO live review) outdoors (QRO photos outdoors). They come to 80/35 (QRO photos at a festival) behind 2012’s simplistic The Only Place (QRO review). |
|
Dawes, 3:15 PM An up-and-coming Americana indie outfit (QRO photos) that’s come up, Dawes (QRO photos at a festival) hail from Los Angeles’ Laurel Canyon (QRO photos outdoors), out last year with third release Stories Don’t End – and neither do they (QRO photos), as they come to 80/35 (QRO photos at a festival) while serving as opener & backing band for Conor Oberst (see above – QRO photos together at a festival). |
|
Also: Gloom Balloon, 1:30 PM – QRO photos at 80/35 last year Brother Trucker, 12:00 PM |
|
Kum & Go Stage Gorilla Stomp Squad, 10:00 PM Welcome the bass as Gorilla Stomp Squad stomps out the Kum & Go Stage on Day One. |
|
Johnny RAGE, 9:15 PM Johnny RAGE has been bringing the dance scene to Des Moines for years now. |
|
Surfer Blood, 8:00 PM Shooting up very quickly in indie-circles was West Palm Beach’s Surfer Blood (QRO live review), who were gaining tons of fans (QRO photos of a packed house) long before acclaimed debut Astro Coast (QRO review) finally hit the shelves (or whatever you say in today’s digital age…). Surfer Blood (QRO photos at a festival) then signed to Warner Brothers, so at least one major label is hoping that they the first wave of a new ‘South Florida Invasion’ (QRO photos at home). However, QRO called them way back when (QRO photos at a festival), before they played a million-and-one festivals (QRO photos outdoors at a festival). They come to 80/35 (QRO photos at a festival) after moving to L.A., and are touring last year’s less-special Pythons (QRO review). |
|
Also: The Hooten Hallers, 6:45 PM Pert Near Sandstone, 5:45 PM Black Diet, 4:45 PM Circle of Heat, 3:45 PM TREE, 2:45 PM Chicago Farmer, 1:45 PM Fury Things, 12:45 PM Quick Piss, 12:00 PM |
|
Hy-Vee Stage Brad Goldman and Tobias Cross present CLIMAX, 10:00 PM DJ G Mint, 9:15 PM The River Monks, 8:00 PM Max Jury, 7:00 PM MAIDS, 6:00 PM GoodcaT, 5:00 PM Bonne Finken, 4:00 PM Cirrus Minor, 3:00 PM TWINS, 2:00 PM Fire Sale, 1:00 PM M34n Str33t, 12:00 PM – QRO photos at a festival |
SATURDAY, JULY 5th
DMMC Main Stage CAKE, 9:00 PM A band that covers a lot of musical ground, CAKE (QRO live review) draws from more than just the indie-rock well. While best known for singles like “The Distance” and “Short Skirt/Long Jacket”, the repertoire is varied (QRO photos). Look for material old and new at 80/35 (QRO photos at a festival). |
|
Dr. Dog, 7:00 PM 80/35 has some of the jam-festival with Philadelphia’s Dr. Dog (QRO photos), who have become a festival regular (QRO photos at a festival) since 2008’s commercial breakthrough Fate (QRO review) launched them into headlining status (QRO photos headlining a festival). Unfortunately, Fate wasn’t anything special (QRO photos), but Dr. Dog make a lot of people happy live (QRO photos outdoors), especially outdoors (QRO live review outdoors at a festival), so expect the “Sweetness”, along with material from 2010’s still-middling Shame, Shame (QRO review) and last year’s also okay Be the Void (QRO review). |
|
Also: Xavier Rudd, 5:00 PM The Envy Corps, 3:15 PM – QRO photos at 80/35 ’11 Raz Simone, 1:45 PM Boy & Bear, 12:00 PM |
|
Kum & Go Stage Jesse Jamz, 10:45 PM Closing out the Kum & Go Stage will be Jesse Jamz, spinning beats at 80/35 for a second year in a row (but will there also be dancers? – QRO photos at 80/35 last year). |
|
DJ Raj, 9:15 PM 80/35 welcomes India-by-way-of-Iowa DJ Raj. |
|
Those Darlins, 8:00 PM Tennessee Appalachian trio Those Darlins (QRO photos at a festival) have managed to get serious attention in the indiesphere, thanks to connections like producer Jeff Curtin (QRO interview – of Small Black, and also producer of Vampire Weekend – QRO live review), or ukulele-ist Nikki Darlin (QRO interview) failed engagement to Deer Tick singer/guitarist John McCauley (he even popped the question while Darlin was guest-spotting on stage with Deer Tick – QRO photos). But the lovely ladies’ (QRO photos) backwoods sound can more than hold its own (QRO spotlight on), like on last year’s Blur the Line. |
|
King Fantastic, 6:45 PM Rapper Killer Reese One and DJ/producer Troublemaker form Venice, California’s King Fantastic. |
|
Caroline Smith, 5:45 PM From just up north in Minnesota comes indie-folk artist Caroline Smith. |
|
The Whigs, 4:45 PM Outta Athens, Georgia, The Whigs (QRO photos at a festival in Georgia) are into their second decade of southern garage rock together, touring behind this year’s Modern Creation. |
|
Also: Useful Jenkins, 3:45 PM – QRO photos at 80/35 ’12 Shy Boys, 2:45 PM Soap, 1:45 PM Har-di-Har, 12:45 PM Dat Dude Biggz, 12:00 PM |
|
Hy-Vee Stage TimeWlkr, 11:00 PM Cloudy with a Chance of Techno, 10:00 PM Shawn Shady, 9:15 PM The Maytags, 8:00 PM Holy White Hounds, 7:00 PM Aquamarine Dream Machine, 6:00 PM Parlours, 5:00 PM James Biehn, 4:00 PM Kris Adams, 3:00 PM Foxholes, 2:00 PM Zeta June, 1:00 PM Volcano Boys, 12:00 PM |
|
For festival website, go here: http://2014.80-35.com/