1:00 PM: The Twilight Sad, Main Stage
Not exactly the cheeriest band to open up the event, this four-piece from Glasgow plays a dark, moody, but also restrained and powerful, post-rock. But the sad summer break tones of their Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters (QRO review) is sure to reach the numerous underage proto-hipsters that always populate free festivals like this, and perhaps cool off the rest of us laboring under the midday sun.
1:30 PM: White Rabbits, Stillwell Stage
A QRO favorite, they’ve never disappointed, whenever on-stage (QRO live review), thanks to a saloon-style burlesque romp, from honky-tonk pianos to dancehall guitars (and double drummers…), sure to play well on Coney Island. Coming off a tour of the U.K., not to mention their wonderfully fun Fort Nightly (QRO review), and playing Late Show with David Letterman only two days before, catching these hometown boys now is the best reason to make it down the F or Q lines as early as possible.
2:00 PM: Dr. Dog, Main Stage
Not a DJ or hip-hop mixologist, these boys from nearby Philly look to the laid-back sunshine of 60’s hippie-pop like The Band or The Beach Boys, which is sure ring well, just off the boardwalk. And if you NYC hipsters don’t think Philadelphia can give you anything worth a gander, just try telling that to the greatest mascot in the world, the one and only Phillie Fanatic…
2:30 PM: Elvis Perkins in Dearland, Stillwell Stage
A highly-touted up-and-comer fresh off opening for Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and an appearance on David Letterman, Elvis Perkins is unfortunately best-known for the sad and scary events surrounding his parents: father Anthony Perkins played Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, and then died of AIDS in 1992, while his mother, actress-photographer Berry Berenson, was aboard the flight that crashed into the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001. But with the success he’s been enjoying lately, expect his touching voice and complex music to compliment, not compete with, the day’s festivities.
3:00 PM: Noisettes, Main Stage
Proving punk’s not dead in all the right ways, the U.K.’s Noisettes reinvent punk with singer/bassist Shingai Shoniwa leading her three-man army into battle. Another band that recently rocked CBS late night, Noisettes rocked hard on their February debut, What’s The Time Mr. Wolf? (QRO review), and expect nothing else live.
3:30 PM: The Detroit Cobras, Stillwell Stage
Motor City rocks and rolls thanks to Detroit Cobras singer Rachel Nagy, guitarist Mary Ramirez, and their ever-rotating support staff. Their covering of 50’s and 60’s pop and soul with a hard-edge garage rock will do nothing short of crank it up on stage.
4:00 PM: The Black Lips, Main Stage
A crazy mishmash of genres and styles on stage, Atlanta’s The Black Lips follow that up with an even crazier live show that includes nudity, fireworks, vomiting, and much, much more, as can be heard on their 'live from Tijuana' 2007 release, Los Valientes del Mundo Nuevo. Who knows what Siren & Coney Island will let these Southern boys get away with (but this is the home of the annual Mermaid Parade…), but be rest assured that their rabidly loyal fan base will be crying out for more.
4:30 PM: Lavender Diamond, Stillwell Stage
Providing a break from the full-throttle action of the festival, Lavender Diamond’s indie-folk-meets-indie-gospel can clear the air and clear your head, no matter what the humidity. Coming off of this year's Imagine Our Love (QRO review), singer Becky Stark’s voice can harmonize with everything, and that includes the sights & sounds of the Siren Festival and Coney Island.
5:00 PM: We Are Scientists, Main Stage
Siren takes a big step forward in terms of popularity with Brooklyn’s big-enough-to-headline We Are Scientists, whose powerful indie-rock is winning PhD’s across the country and beyond. Also known for humorous between-son banter and audience participation, look for 10th Street to be packed with anyone and everyone who simply likes music when this trio steps on stage.
5:30 PM: Matt & Kim, Stillwell Stage
Or maybe it’ll be Stillwell Avenue that’ll be filled to the gills, when the borough’s own self-described “onstage pizza party” bring their sugar-filled hyper-pop/rock to the biggest venue yet. Known for spreading their giant, ever-present grins to every crowd they play for (QRO photos), expect Matt & Kim to wipe away whatever misgivings the audience has that these two big Brooklyn bands are almost sure to overlap.
6:00 PM: M.I.A., Main Stage
The Sri Lankan-Tamil-British underground success Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam burst onto the big time in 2005 with the Diplo-produced Arular (#2 in The Village Voice’s "Pazz & Jop" best albums of the year), displaying a mix of grime, rap, reggae-dancehall, and electronica, not to mention a diverse array of languages and social commentary (her last album was named after her father’s Tamil Tiger terrorist nom-de-guerre, and she's been refused entry to the U.S. for singing lyrics about the PLO). Now in the run-up to this August’s follow-up, Kala, the biggest hip-hop act ever to grace Siren has a world-spanning sound might be a severe jump from the local indie-rock acts that precede her, but that’s just more bang for your (non-existent) buck.
6:30 PM: Voxtrot, Stillwell Stage
These sweet-sounding Austinites grew from a self-made CD-R in 2003 to a big-time full-length eponymous album in May, picking up legions of loyal fans along the way. Their bright mix of sixties power-pop with eighties New Wave might be enough to outshine the slowly setting sun.
7:30 PM: New York Dolls, Main Stage
Legendary glam-punk pioneers The New York Dolls have been doing their thing for so long that they’ve become not just influential, but flat-out icons. Returning to the city that bears their name, expect Coney Island to be freakier than it’s ever been when they’re on stage.
8:00 PM: Cursive, Stillwell Stage
The expansive sound of Omaha’s Cursive closes out Siren on a powerful note. Coming off their best reviews to-date, expect them to play true ‘sirens’ as they draw massive crowds to the shores of Brooklyn.
For more info, go to the official Siren website
And if you don’t like a band – or just want to see something you don’t at any other festivals this summer – don’t forget about all the attractions Coney Island brings every day. Catch ‘em now before old-school Astroland is raised for gentrification:
The Cyclone
Celebrating its eightieth (!) year in operation, this wooden rollercoaster still scares – with its age and rickety structure really only adding to that…
Wonder Wheel
Far more than a Ferris wheel, get on the shorter line for the inside carriages that sway along an unusual and exciting track, with precision and exhilaration, all the while giving you wonderful views of the entire amusement park.
Bumper Cars
Just off the main stage. Do you really need to know anything else?…
Circus Sideshow
Without a doubt, the best, best attraction on Coney Island, absolutely make sure you catch quite likely the only freak show still in existence in America – if not the world. No, the authorities or the P.C. police haven’t shut this down – yet – so enjoy the fire-eating Insectavora (seen right), snake-charming Serpentina, sword-swallowing Heather Holiday, and the newest addition, Chuy, the Mexican Wolfman. The show will be running on a continuous loop throughout the day, so come when you can and stick around until it comes back around (and yes, they serve beer inside…).
For more info, go to Coney Island's offical website and Astroland's official website
