SUNDAY
WEST STAGE
The Giving Tree Band
12:30 p.m.
A group that fell asleep at Woodstock and just woke up. Their blend of rural folk, bluegrass, and old timey country is as fresh and pure as their "environmentally friendly music" and "a band that rocks green" mottos are illogical. (What, did you walk here from Chicago?)
Arnett Hollow
1:30 p.m.
Locals grounded in bluegrass (and, perhaps, a bit of extra rock 'n' roll energy) who began from a concept -- a bluegrass "opera"? -- and can be seen regularly at bars around town. And proud we are of all of them.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
2:30 p.m.
Wait, what? The music takes a break for the festival's "keynote speaker," who just happens to be the eighth-most important member of the Kennedy dynasty. Well, it's still better than Jack Johnson.
Gran Bel Fisher
3:30 p.m.
No pressure, Gran Bel Fisher, he's just a Kennedy. The lad (his name is spelled incorrectly on the festival website) is such an insufferably sensitive singer-songwriter twit that I'm surprised that he plays anywhere but college coffeehouses. Who else but those girls would tolerate this?
Catfish Haven
4:30 p.m.
From Chicago, home of the Blues Brothers, comes this oddly soulful rock band that only needs to be heard to increase its fanbase. It would take a cold, dark heart to not be impressed by the genuine feeling, talent and dedication.
Groovatron
5:30 p.m.
The first song on this band's MySpace is called "Scuff Muffin." Take your bong back to the basement and learn how to play music, guys. (F.Y.I.: You do realize that the cantina band in "Star Wars" was supposed to be funny, right?)
The Del McCoury Band
6:20 p.m.
One of the greatest bluegrass bands in existence today graces us with its beautiful vocalizing, harmonizing and amazing musicianship. If you don't like Del and the boys, then you don't like life and I don't like you.
Dr. Dog
7:40 p.m.
It's America's Gomez, road warriors from Philadelphia making their 23rd trip to Louisville this year and doing their dangdest to win you over with a '60s-inflected classic rock sound that always works on a sunny day.
The New Mastersounds
8:45 p.m.
I don't get how none of the oxy-fueled faux-freaks who love jam bands listen to actual jazz, yet somehow can appreciate a well-done approximation of the real thing like this. These Brits have played with Lou Donaldson and Idris Muhammed, names which will mean nothing to fans of Ekoostik Hookah.
Ekoostik Hookah
10 p.m.
This is a headliner? This sounds like what happens when guys who used to play together in high school get together at their 25th high school reunion and jam one more time.
EAST STAGE
The Town Criers
Noon
Led by Mick Sullivan of the dearly departed Fire the Saddle, this rootsy group includes guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, tuba and drums. That's right, drums. Weird, huh?
Otis Gibbs
1 p.m.
From the unfashionable state of Indiana comes this Socialist-seeming folk singer of the type that was only fashionable for a moment in the late '50s. (But you don't follow fashion, do you?)
Backyard Tire Fire
2 p.m.
Some bands do a great job of picking a name that tells you about their music. This is punky/rootsy/alt-country/heavy drinkin' rock, right? Yeah, pretty much. It's not as on the nose as Drive-By Truckers, but it also doesn't get old as quickly -- just like their music.
Cabin
4 p.m.
Once tagged as Louisville's Coldplay, the Cabin mates have yet to marry a Gwyneth, father an Apple, be savaged by the New York Times or be produced by Brian Eno. But there's still time!
Paradigm
5 p.m.
Like Medeski Martin & Wood, these U of L alums do a respectable job simulating post-bop jazz. They might even make you dance, but it's a challenge -- when was the last time you danced at 5 in the afternoon?
ACTIVISM STAGE
Chris Volpe
1:15 p.m.
From Nashville, an independently-minded, finger-pickin' folker who's just a little too interesting to ever get played on the radio, unfortunately.
Josh Garrels
2:15 p.m.
Garrels' "soulful" "grooves" will help convert you to his ministry. (And this time, I don't just mean fanbase. This Indianapolis singer/songwriter is a true believer amongst Mary Magdalene and the lepers.)
Brigid Kaelin
3 p.m.
If you live here and are interested in music, you don't need me to tell you that this is one of the most popular and respected singer-songwriter-keyboardist-accordianista-saw players in town, do you?
