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| ATP Asbury Park http://forum.theobelisk.net/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3426 |
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| Author: | Toka [ Thu Oct 06, 2011 9:00 pm ] |
| Post subject: | ATP Asbury Park |
In terms of an overall experience this was quite easily the best festival I've ever been to. While I've been to others with a larger percentage of bands I was really into at the time (first couple Emissions, etc) nothing quite delivered in this way. I had something all long and detailed written in my head and I don't really feel like typing it all out now, but I will say the location was stellar (3 distinct venues all within an incredibly short distance), the crowd exceptional (I think I saw maybe 4 unrepentant douchebags over the course of the entire weekend), and the music superb (I saw most of what was on offer and all of it had value to my ears). Highlights were Shellac, Battles (after they got past whatever bad vibes were swirling around them at the start), Portishead (I saw them on Sunday, guest spots by Chuck D. and Simeon of Silver Apples), Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog (wish I caught their whole set), Factory Floor, and Colin Stetson. The Silver Apples/Cluster collaboration was cool but felt too hesitant to me (unrealistic expectations, perhaps) and Earth were Earth. I'm not as into that vibe as I was a few years ago but they did what they do best. Biggest pleasant surprise was the free pinball at the Silverball Museum on the boardwalk. Made for a nice nightcap. Complaints were few. Security definitely felt oppressively omnipresent at times (I don't think this is the sort of festival where you need guards in plainclothes stalking the crowd for smokers during a performance), and outright dickish at others (yes, asshole, I have a wristband...see that door I just walked through? They checked it there, just as they have been doing for the past 2 days). It was the typical outsourced "Strikeforce" or whatever collection of rejects these shows always have so I guess you know what to expect. Still given the overall mission of the fest I thought it was counterintuitive. Musically I found myself wanting more "energy", especially on Saturday. By the time Swans came on I wanted almost nothing to do with them since I spent essentially the entire day lost in my own head due to the musical tone. My "somberly played cello" quota has been more than filled for the year. Asbury Lanes was way too small for some shows...it seemed odd that the Stone Pony wasn't involved given that it was right there. And the food trucks (other than the overpriced but decent pizza) sucked. As much as I love the lazy, disinterested art-school student interpretation of tacos I would prefer the real thing next time. All in all I had a wonderful weekend. I would happily by a ticket for next year tomorrow even without knowing any of the acts. Adding another local venue for the "small room" shows, doing a bit more with the outdoor space and reducing the hipster-ness a tad would make a great thing even better. |
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| Author: | ron [ Thu Oct 06, 2011 11:12 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: ATP Asbury Park |
Still, after all these years, when I read about "ATP", I think it's the band. |
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| Author: | Toka [ Sat Oct 08, 2011 3:20 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: ATP Asbury Park |
Heh, first time I read about the fest a while back I thought the same thing. |
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| Author: | JkFlesh [ Mon Oct 10, 2011 9:23 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: ATP Asbury Park |
I was there Saturday, dude... Where the hell were ya? Agreed about Factory Floor, what a tremendous set! Can't get enough of that band... throbbing dance grooves over Throbbing Gristle-esque noise... Loved it. Swans was the highlight for me, naturally, but lots of great music. Also loved Marc Ribot's trio, that drummer is a sight to behold! |
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| Author: | Toka [ Wed Oct 12, 2011 6:53 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: ATP Asbury Park |
Actually I thought I saw you at one point at the bowling alley but wasn't in a position to go over and say hello...was probably during Factory Floor when I was crammed up front. That drummer was unreal. If I had just listened to the music without seeing them I would have figured it was a drum machine. Saturday was the day of drums, between FF, Ceramic Dog, and Battles. I was never into the latter until I saw them play, now I dig it. Stanier is a beast. I didn't see all of Swans, unfortunately. We got into the Theater right before they went on and it was packed (never saw it so crowded all weekend), so we were way up top/in the back. Hard to really get into it with all the people moving around, talking, etc. Hopefully they will come around again so I can catch them properly. Saturday was definitely the most crowded, but that should be expected I guess. Really hoping they bring it back there next year. |
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| Author: | jmucke [ Thu Oct 13, 2011 11:09 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: ATP Asbury Park |
The way you describe the security that would def. ruin the whole thing for me. I don't want to deal with annoying security guys anymore, esp. after smoking was banned. One of the reasons I don't go to big shows anymore. I rather go to a small club where I can get high with the staff. |
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