The El Vee
  • Food
  • Drinks
  • Events
  • Music
  • Previews
  • Opinion
  • Food
  • Drinks
  • Events
  • Music
  • Previews
  • Opinion

The El Vee

Category:

Reviews

    DrinksEventsFoodMusicReviews

    Musikfest 2012 Wrap-up: Part 2

    by theelvee_w2oe3m August 27, 2012August 27, 2012

    So we survived the first weekend of Musikfest, but there was much more fun to be had, including the best show at Fest this year by far.

    Monday we hit up Junior Toots, a reggae artist who came from a family of music, at Volksplatz. Unfortunately his live show didn’t live up to his recordings, and the crowd apparently noticed. Even though it was early in the evening, the music should’ve been danceable and fun, but came off as grating and boring. We snapped a few shots and were off to gorge on food instead.

    Junior Toots

    Later that evening we saw one of the most fantastic blues artists we’ve ever had the privilege of witnessing over at the Steelstacks at the Levitt Pavilion. It’s odd, though. The band is full of relatively young kids. Who is some 19 year old to ask a crowd full of people mostly much older than he if they’ve ever been in love? Or cheated on? But it works. The oldest one in the band is 19, followed by a 17 year-old bass player and a 14 year-old drummer, all related.

    Homemade Jamz



    Lead singer Ryan Perry’s voice is so full of classic soul it’s a wonder to believe he’s so young, let alone mature enough to be singing about the heartbreak and hard living he incorporates into the band’s music. It is truly astounding. Utilizing possibly the most stylish guitars at the entire festival (see below), their fiery solos and deep songs energized the crowd. It was truly a special set, from a special band, and one we hope to see again in the Lehigh Valley.

    Tuesday was a day of rest for the liver.

    Wednesday, oddly enough, was probably the most electric and fantastic night at Musikfest this year, and it was all because of one band. But before we get to them, we hit up New Sweden, an Americana/folk act from Delaware that was lively and awesome. They played foot-stomping, hand-clapping tunes that somehow failed to inspire Liederplatz but certainly caught our attention. If this band was playing inside of a small area with a lot of fans it would’ve certainly been a raucous time. Alas, we seemed to be one of the few having a genuinely good time at this underrated show.

    New Sweden



    But the show we hyped up last year, and rated our second best show of the year (only behind Here Come the Mummies) was easily the best of this year. March Fourth Marching Band, the psychedelic, provocative, and party-hard band wowed an absurdly large crowd at the Levitt Pavillion at Steelstacks. The crowd was unlike any we had ever seen at the venue before. The word about the band obviously got out from last year’s under-attended shows (mostly due to weather factors).

     

    And March Fourth delivered. The huge ensemble, featuring drummers, people on stilts, trombones, trumpets, and burlesque dancers, had a lot of people cheering. Dancers twirled fire as onlookers were treated to the most engaging and popular show of the entire festival. With how great their performance was last year, as well as the turnout and response of the crowd for the Wednesday show, March Fourth has sealed themselves in the annals of Musikfest essentials. We’re predicting they become a regular act, much like the Red Elvises have become the defacto “always there” act at the festival.


    Thursday ended early due to weather, as many probably know due to the drama of Jane’s Addicting cutting their show early. We saw March Fourth for the second time, however the show wasn’t as good as the previous night. An earlier set, along with a less enthusiastic (and huge) crowd, and a smaller stage all took away from the show, which was still stellar. We then wandered a bit, drank some beer, and just as we arrived at Yellow Dubmarine, a reggae band that covers Beatles music, all of the tents were evacuated and shut down. It was a bit of a letdown to close out the weekdays at the festival, but such is life.

    Up next: Part three, the last weekend of music at Musikfest

     

    August 27, 2012August 27, 2012
    0 FacebookTwitter
  • EventsMusicReviews

    Musikfest 2012 Wrap-Up: Part 1

    by theelvee_w2oe3m August 23, 2012August 23, 2012
    August 23, 2012August 23, 2012

    Finally the hangovers have been cured, the food has digested, and the ringing in our ears from being too close to the speakers has quieted. Yes, it’s time for the annual Musikfest wrap-up. This year we’re dividing it into five parts (first weekend music reviews, midweek music reviews, closing weekend music reviews, food reviews, and closing thoughts) because there’s just too much to write about and too many photos to share. And so we begin with the first three nights of the festival…

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitter
  • FoodReviews

    Review: Olive Branch

    by theelvee_w2oe3m August 14, 2012August 14, 2012
    August 14, 2012August 14, 2012

    The Olive Branch in Bethlehem is a quaint little restaurant serving up traditional Middle Eastern cuisine that the owners grew up eating in Syria. They feature a full menu of appetizers, entrees, and desserts, with meals catering to both vegetarians and omnivores.

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitter
  • EventsOpinionReviews

    Review: Bob Saget Brings at the Sands Event Center

    by theelvee_w2oe3m July 11, 2012
    July 11, 2012

    Bob Saget brought his unique brand of raunch to the Sands Bethlehem Event Center last Saturday night.  Known best for his role as Danny Tanner on the 90’s TV hit Full House, a…

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitter
  • EventsMusicReviews

    Review: Beach Boys and the New Sands Event Center

    by theelvee_w2oe3m May 19, 2012May 19, 2012
    May 19, 2012May 19, 2012

    A guest review by fellow blogger Jenn Cotto takes a look at the new Sands Bethlehem Event Center and the Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Tour

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitter
  • ArtDrinksReviews

    Review: Burrito Works

    by theelvee_w2oe3m May 9, 2012May 9, 2012
    May 9, 2012May 9, 2012

    There’s been a lot of burrito restaurants popping up in the area. Last year the Brew Works decided to throw their hat into the ring. How do they stand up?

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitter
  • EventsMusicReviews

    Review: Nowadays

    by theelvee_w2oe3m April 4, 2012April 4, 2012
    April 4, 2012April 4, 2012

    Artsquest’s first indie music festival has come and gone. How did the inaugural year go?

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitter
  • FoodReviews

    Review: Hello Burrito

    by theelvee_w2oe3m January 20, 2012January 20, 2012
    January 20, 2012January 20, 2012

    With the rash of burrito shops that have opened across the Lehigh Valley, it’s time to take on another. Hello Burrito, which opened in late 2010, has been serving up various wraps, salads, and quesadillas on the north side of town.

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitter
  • FoodReviews

    Review: Pho #1

    by theelvee_w2oe3m September 2, 2011September 9, 2011
    September 2, 2011September 9, 2011

    Pho #1, formerly Pho Vung Tau in Allentown, is an establishment best at serving up its namesake dish: Pho, a Vietnamese noodle dish. In a town with an Asian population just over 2%, how does this ethnic spot stack up?

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitter
  • Reviews

    Appetizers for August 22nd, 2011

    by theelvee_w2oe3m August 21, 2011
    August 21, 2011

    Random food and news bits from around the valley featuring porn stars, rock bands, and alcohol.

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitter
  • 1
  • …
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8

Categories

  • Art
  • Drinks
  • Events
  • Food
  • Music
  • Opinion
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Email

@2017 - PenciDesign. All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by PenciDesign