APW: Muddy Times

Funny that I chose to attend all 3 days of the APW music fest less than a week after returning from my two-month sojourn in Peru. How I longed for this music fest to break my fast from NYC shows and adventures, and how the fest was somehow very un-New York, offering rugged outdoorsy fun with a distinct hippie flair. A 3-day event at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ, with 3 different stages and different headliner acts for each night, the weather was less than favorable and yet the excitement of the festival prevailed over the inconveniences of rain and mud.

The event organizers were kind enough to honor Friday ticket-holders free entrance for the following days due to the inclement weather, while Saturday, a gloriously sunny day, was the embodiment of festival-goers' weather expectations, minus the puddles and mud. Sunday, another rainy day, offered the most disappointing start, in that entrance was delayed until the weather cleared up. All in all, it was a very saturated weekend.

Pictures below.

Friday, July 31:

(even though the Beastie Boys canceled...)

(above, the "Do Lab," featuring DJ's, dancing and mud-wrestling ...)

(above, lemonade stand knocked down because of the wind! Right before it started raining Friday).

(above, Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs)

(above, Karen O and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs)

(above, count down for Jay-Z, who replaced the Beastie Boys as Friday's headliner)
(above, Jay-Z performing)



(above, some of the art installations at APW)


Saturday, August 1:

(above, the Cool Kids performing)



(above 3 pictures, St. Vincent performing - lovely!!)


Sunday, August 2:

(The Black Keys, performing, above pictures)
(MGMT, pictures above, and videos below)

A music festival inherently has its pros and cons. Of APW this year...

PRO'S: many music acts every day, wide open spaces, all-day event, outdoors, amazing view of NYC skyline, art installations

CON'S: sound quality not as good as indoor venues, short set times, Beastie Boys canceled (!), drinks and food very over-priced, overlapping set times between stages (a problem if there are two different bands playing at the same time that you're interested in seeing!)

Overall, it was worth it... but I am looking forward to more indoor shows and nightlife as well!

(See Metromix's reviews of the bands and 3 days at APW here)

APW Festival Madness: Summer 2009 Here We Come!

It's a little mind-boggling for me that tickets are already on sale for this event that is not happening until the end of July to the beginning of August(!) Especially because for two months before this, I will be out of the country, traveling in Peru. And I'll just be getting back into the country the 25th of July... if everything goes as planned.

This is the 2nd annual All Points West (APW) Festival, and the producers promise a more "user-friendly" experience, with free use of the light rail, more ferry service, larger beer areas, more shaded areas, etc etc.

While I am not completely enthusiastic about this year's headliners - Beastie Boys, Tool and Coldplay - the lineups look strong for each day, and if it is half as fun as last year's festival, with a better set-up, this is a not-to-miss opportunity. The views from Liberty State Park are breathtaking, especially when provided as a backdrop to large, sprawling outdoor concerts.



Oh, and the presale starts today, Thursday April 2, at noon. Regular tickets on sale Friday at noon. Tickets are $89 for a one-day pass and, for a limited time, $200 for a 3-day pass, plus service fees for the tickets. I think a 3-day pass may be too good of a deal for me to pass up...