LayFlats is a big success for local music, art
Thursday, August 23, 2007
By TIM BROUK
tbrouk@journalandcourier.com
From the heavy metal thunder of Thor to the twang of Moonshine Mason & the Rot Gut Gang, the LayFlats Arts Festival had a harmonious effect on more than 1,000 local music fans Saturday at the Tippecanoe County Amphitheater.
The weather was nearly perfect for this festival, a major factor for any outdoor event. However, great sound, great performances, and great organization and flow had a lot to do with the success of LayFlats.
It was fantastic to hear many of the top acts in town perform on the same stage with top-notch sound. While the local scene is about as strong as I've seen it, getting consistently good sound at many of the venues is still a little dicey. Hearing Fergus Daly's soul-stirring vocals clear as a bell was one of the many highlights.
Some bands gave their sets a little extra zing by bringing up guest musicians. The PMG had Woodstove Flapjacks banjo player Chris Johnson sit in for a tune while singer Mollie Grieser performed for another. Both appear on PMG's latest album, The Tower, the Robot or The Monster. The MiniVans made a surprise appearance on the second stage. Jordan Allen and Max Campbell, two members of Trent and the Rippers and formerly of about a thousand other bands, added some interesting elements to the set by hopping in on a few songs on guitar and bass, respectively.
Expect the rockin' trio of Sensation Brothers to benefit the most from LayFlats. This was the band's first chance at a big show and SB made the most of its strong showing on the Main Stage sandwiched between Green Room Rockers and Oh Discretion!, two popular and more established bands.
Music wasn't the only thing that was noteworthy. Not to get too hippy-dippy here but the overall vibe at LayFlats was a lovefest -- for music, for art and for each other.
Rumors are that there will be a LayFlats 2008. That's good news but even if there isn't, the first LayFlats was something to behold.
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