Music Festivals

Did you end up finding some rare bottles along the way ?
No, not at all. Pretty much anything we could buy at the distilleries we could buy back home - though we were able to taste some interesting things. We did meet Jimmy Russell at Wild Turkey and he signed some bottles for us.
 
Did you end up finding some rare bottles along the way ?
How rare are you looking? I just went down last month and hit a few distilleries. I didn't go to Heaven Hill, but I heard that they changed the way they sell allocated stuff, now. I guess they only sell allocated stuff twice a week and announce what it will be the day before (or maybe a few) and they hand out tickets in line before they open.

I did go to Buffalo Trace and got Blanton's one of the days. I was in line at 9:15am and got my bottle and on my way by 9:45am. They say the store opens at 10, but they started letting people in around 9:30 all 3 days I was there. There a website BuffaloTraceDaily that keeps track of what has been available there and odds on what will be for sale tomorrow.

I didn't go to Old Forester, but people told me it's hit and miss getting anything rare there. You're either lucky and they put something out while you're there, or you're not and they don't.

Maker's Mark has distillery only releases from their Private Selection line.

If you're willing to pay top dollar you can go to Justin's House of Bourbon in Lexington. Lots of selection, lots of rare bottles (for a price), and I heard that their Store Picks are all fantastic. Once again, I did not go there but talked to many people in lines over the 3 days I was down there.

As for music festivals, that Bourbon & Beyond festival is a alternative to Forecastle for us this year. Better time of year, waaaay better line-up, and more focus on the booze. If I can budget this and our trip to Maine in the late Summer, I will be happy.
 
How rare are you looking? I just went down last month and hit a few distilleries. I didn't go to Heaven Hill, but I heard that they changed the way they sell allocated stuff, now. I guess they only sell allocated stuff twice a week and announce what it will be the day before (or maybe a few) and they hand out tickets in line before they open.

I did go to Buffalo Trace and got Blanton's one of the days. I was in line at 9:15am and got my bottle and on my way by 9:45am. They say the store opens at 10, but they started letting people in around 9:30 all 3 days I was there. There a website BuffaloTraceDaily that keeps track of what has been available there and odds on what will be for sale tomorrow.

I didn't go to Old Forester, but people told me it's hit and miss getting anything rare there. You're either lucky and they put something out while you're there, or you're not and they don't.

Maker's Mark has distillery only releases from their Private Selection line.

If you're willing to pay top dollar you can go to Justin's House of Bourbon in Lexington. Lots of selection, lots of rare bottles (for a price), and I heard that their Store Picks are all fantastic. Once again, I did not go there but talked to many people in lines over the 3 days I was down there.

As for music festivals, that Bourbon & Beyond festival is a alternative to Forecastle for us this year. Better time of year, waaaay better line-up, and more focus on the booze. If I can budget this and our trip to Maine in the late Summer, I will be happy.
Ooh thanks for the info 🥃🥃
 
Did they forget to paste in the row with the actual headliners? Because it's hard to imagine seeking out Valerie June for a festival with the intention that she is the #1 headliner. A fine artist, but...pretty niche right?

Then again I've never even heard of the #2 artist so what do I know.

Edit: maybe it's just been too long since I've been out of the house, but is the #11 artist at Pickathon a podcast?

For reference, Goth Babe is on the 3rd to last line of this fest, which is $100. Lineup - All Things Go Music Festival

Big oof.
 
Did they forget to paste in the row with the actual headliners? Because it's hard to imagine seeking out Valerie June for a festival with the intention that she is the #1 headliner. A fine artist, but...pretty niche right?

Then again I've never even heard of the #2 artist so what do I know.

Edit: maybe it's just been too long since I've been out of the house, but is the #11 artist at Pickathon a podcast?
It's kind of a bummer, as I just moved within walking distance of this festival. But just as you said, it's missing the top few rows. Below is the last one they had in 2019. I know the festival has changed leadership, and a ton of things have to change as their parking area has been sold off and houses being built on them. But still, they could manage someone that could be called a mid-level headliner I would think.

1649785940882.png
 
Well, Pickathon announced the lineup. It's always a good time, but I'm not sure this is a $350 festival. Maybe I've just seen most of the bands here I want to.


View attachment 135408
Well, the more I look through this the more I think it will be solid. A lot of lesser known bands that I'll be able to get right up to and watch. Didn't see Tobacco City all the way down there at the bottom! The rap action actually looks solid too with Sampa, Billy Woods, Armand Hammer. And the country/folk and jazz is solid.
 
Well, Pickathon announced the lineup. It's always a good time, but I'm not sure this is a $350 festival. Maybe I've just seen most of the bands here I want to.


View attachment 135408

That has to be the weakest fest lineup at that price point I've ever seen. The upside is that it's a rather deep lineup (Cassandra Jenkins and Yasmin Williams on LIne 7 is really nice) but I don't even think they're lacking headliners, they're lacking headliners and secondary artists.

It'll probably be a good time as there are a lot of good artists listed but not for that price
 
That is highway robbery for $350. I'm assuming that's the lowest price point. And absolutely no disrespect to any of the artists listed but that's not worth $350.
That has to be the weakest fest lineup at that price point I've ever seen. The upside is that it's a rather deep lineup (Cassandra Jenkins and Yasmin Williams on LIne 7 is really nice) but I don't even think they're lacking headliners, they're lacking headliners and secondary artists.

It'll probably be a good time as there are a lot of good artists listed but not for that price
I'm warming up to going as I was putting a playlist together. And one thing with this fest, all the artists play twice over the three days.
 
That has to be the weakest fest lineup at that price point I've ever seen. The upside is that it's a rather deep lineup (Cassandra Jenkins and Yasmin Williams on LIne 7 is really nice) but I don't even think they're lacking headliners, they're lacking headliners and secondary artists.

It'll probably be a good time as there are a lot of good artists listed but not for that price
I am not uncritical, and will admit that the headliners are seriously underwhelming this year. That said, this is a deep lineup with very little filler. I might be most excited about the bands in the third tier: Frankie & the Witch Fingers, Margo Cilker, Kassi Valazza, and Tobacco City are all going to be rad. Beyond that, Built to Spill and the UK jazz acts (Sons of Kemet, Nubya Garcia, Emma-Jean Thackray) have me fired up.

Regardless, Pickathon is mostly about the experience. Without exaggeration, it is unlike any other festival I have ever been to. Everything is designed so well, amazing food and beverage, no price gouging, all of the little details attended to. We have taken our daughters every year since they were 7 or so, camping on the farm all weekend. I'll typically see 20-25 bands over the course of the weekend, all at close range. I have discovered so many great bands for the first time at Pickathon, before they gained a wider audience. The lineup never blows you away up front, but you always go home with 3-5 of your favorite new bands. Underrated curation in my opinion.
 
Last edited:
I am not uncritical, and will admit that the headliners are seriously underwhelming this year. That said, this is a deep lineup with very little filler. I might be most excited about the bands in the third tier: Frankie & the Witch Fingers, Margo Cilker, Kassi Valazza, and Tobacco City are all going to be rad. Beyond that, Built to Spill and the UK jazz acts (Sons of Kemet, Nubya Garcia, Emma-Jean Thackray) have me fired up.

Regardless, Pickathon is mostly about the experience. Without exaggeration, it is unlike any other festival I have ever been to. Everything is designed so well, amazing food and beverage, no price gouging, all of the little details attended to. We have taken our daughters every year since they were 7 or so, camping on the farm all weekend. I'll typically see 20-25 bands over the course of the weekend, all at close range. I have discovered so many great bands for the first time at Pickathon, before they gained a wider audience. The lineup never blows you away up front, but you always go home with 3-5 of your favorite new bands. Underrated curation in my opinion.
As I was putting together a playlist, I found it a bit more fulfilling than first glance. It's pretty deep in newer acts, and I'm looking forward to checking the ones I don't know out. Really would like to see how/if the layout is changing.
 
Back
Top