RaspberryJam

That's a great point. I don't know. I think if I were an owner in a town that isn't a huge tourist destination and had friends who were thinking about renting out their place for a huge event, it wouldn't bother me if someone asked. But I can't speak for everyone. Maybe explain that you are coming from so far would help? I don't think it would be a reason to report or get a bad vote. Another thing I've done for another festival is to contact local real estate agencies. They may have clients who would be willing to rent for a weekend. That is how I rented a house at Mountain Jam last year

Also, I would call the hotels in Williamstown directly. You don't know if there are cancellations or waiting lists. There always seems to be people looking to swap lodging or posting that they are going to cancel as we get closer. Also, craigslist may have apartments for rent that weekend. You may have to get creative. Contact airbnb listings and ask if they know anyone who might rent out their house or apartment?

I really enjoy MMJ, and would be happy to see them at SS. That said, it would change the flavor unless they were announced after most of the show is sold out. And I can't imaging MMJ management being ok with that. It's an interesting concept. I'll echo Diane with the assumption that everything that's been done with SS has been so well thought out, that any line up will be fine and awesome. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I don't know. Without cynicism, sarcasm, or pessimism, I'm pretty much left with no personality whatsoever.

It was great. The Districts opened and they were very good, and Dr. Dog just puts it all out there. Good crowd around us too. They're broadcasting Monday's show someplace on line.

Dr. Dog Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

http://nymag.com/thecut/2015/01/could-you-go-40-days-without-being-mean.html?mid=facebook_nymag Maybe I'll try this. It looks hard, though. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hammer.

OK, so that begs the question for us who aren't planning on going. What line up would really make you want to eat your shoe? I was so happy last year with Jack White and the rest, I'm not sure what would make it better. I will get my Wilco fix at SS, and many other bands I would rather see full length sets. I suppose its the new acts who I wouldn't normally see or even know of otherwise that I would miss. I will bum me out to miss one of those Deer Tick after shows, those are pretty special in a drunken/raucous way.

Damn it. Now I wish I was going. We went to one of Deer Tick's after hours shows. It was a high point of the weekend. Tickets sold out in seconds so have your ear to the ground if you are interested in those. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I would agree with TP on everything. Where at SS there is only one act playing at a time, there is overlap at NFF. I would recommend concentrating on seeing the ends of sets, not the beginnings. When a band is starting at another stage, there is a mass exodus from who is already playing. I would argue that the best parts of each act is in the 2nd half, and by then some spots may have opened up. The stage between the main fort stage and the courtyard stage gets congested because it is right in the middle of traffic. The no chair rule is awesome, we were front row for Jeff Tweedy, no probl

Ha! I doubt they've given it one minute of thought!

I plan on keeping up with the exercise and food thing that I've been doing since October. I feel great, I'm down 15 lbs, and my knees aren't sore anymore. I'd really like to get a permanent job in my preferred field. I'm afraid I made a huge mistake staying home with my kids when they were young. I didn't imagine that I'd have difficulty getting back into it, but I am. I don't have many big regrets, but this is shaping up as one. I've got some good travel and music plans for this year, so yeah for that!

To Boss and everyone else-Here's to 2015 that brings joy, health, and good music. I went over to a friend's who puts on a magazine worthy sit down dinner party every year. She decorated her tables with tons of clocks all set to right before midnight. Then after we rang in the new year, we put on some music and danced for 3 hours. I feel like hell today, but it was worth it.

Thanks Donna! You too!!!

Genny Cream was my dad's beer of choice when I was little. Whenever I have one, it makes me think of my dad's breath in 1974. It sounds unpleasant, but it's actually a pretty positive aroma memory.

In the spirit of the 2014 review of shows we've seen, I thought it would be fun to hear what people have coming up. 2015 looks good for me so far: January Dr. Dog in Brooklyn My Morning Jacket and others in Mexico May Justin Townes Earle at Infinity Hall in Norfolk, CT. I've said it here before, but Infinity Hall is such a special small venue in rural CT. If anyone you really like plays here, it is worth an excursion from anywhere in the Northeast. June Solid Sound I was planning on going to Newport Folk Fest, but a family trip to Europe is happening so I have to save my euros for c

Well, first off it was pouring. So maybe they had had enough. But, I wish I could put my finger on it....It seemed like they were taking the cheap way to the top. "OK, the crowd likes it when we sound like we are peaking, so, let's make it sound like we are peaking repeatedly, and let's not really do anything different. Just peak. Over and over. And just when they think we're done, let's peak again." I'm in no way criticizing their musical abilities, maybe I wasn't in the right mood.

High points Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - NYC White Denim - NYC Jeff Tweedy - Northampton MA Deer Tick - aftershow at Newport Folk Jack White - Newport Benjamin Booker - Newport Wilco - Port Chester Low points (well, not low points. Maybe just not up to expectations) Umphree's in Utica, NY - seemed canned Jeff Tweedy at Mt. Jam and Newport - they got better as they toured though The Avetts at Mt. Jam My friend made a comment that they are Mumford and Son with better hair. I'd seen them before and they were great, so that was a dissapointment. I saw lots of other good music. It w

Matt's splits? Did you go to high school with me?

Same issue with the concerts at Ommegang. The beer is so tasty, and goes down great, but is high test. Another great one in New England that is not well known is Ghandi Bot. I'm going to throw out another plug for Utica Club. The first beer sold after prohibition was abolished. Cheap, cold, great flavor. Made by the West End Brewery, who went on to make Saranac products. But they still make UC, although it's hardly distributed beyond upstate NY. It may even be hard to find in Albany. But nothing tastes better on a hot day. Actually it's great after skiing too. Very upstate.

I enjoy a Heady Topper. ONE Heady Topper. Anything more is asking for it-learn from my experience. I would like to see them offer a lower alcohol, all day drinking kind of beer. Maybe a regional favorite; Utica Club, Narragansett.... But Mmmm. Lawsons and Hill Farmstead. Good stuff.

Thought that might be you. That's a pretty good coincidence. I just went over there today to join and add my name to the roll call, and saw your name. This is AFTER I asked you your favorite band.

So, who's your favorite band, e-wind?

That makes me happy. Are you coming, Brianne? There are some very good names being thrown out there. I would also second Dr. Dog and Deer Tick. Justin Townes Earle would be enjoyable as well.