Robby Takac and his army of volunteers have done it again, and better than ever. On Saturday, at the Main Stage and secondary stages Two and Three, in North Buffalo between Delaware Park’s Marcy Casino and the Albright Knox Art Gallery, Robby all day long energetically-introduced bands every 15 minutes for their three song sets on the three alternating stages. Robby, of the Goo Goo Dolls, displayed the same incredible enthusiasm at 11am in the morning as he did at 5pm that night. How rare is his inspiration, I must say Buffalo is truly blessed by not only a superstar musician, but a superstar leader as well.
There was much sadness many years ago when the Allentown Art Festival organizers did not appreciate Music is Art fans attending the art festival. That was when Music is Art was centered around Robby’s Chameleon West recording studio at Franklin Street near Allen Street. In order for Music is Art to continue it had to move. Thankfully, the incredible growth of the event in just ten short years is nothing short of a miracle. The space in its current home at Delaware Park has certainly helped to grow the event into a large and successful festival. When you “go this big”, spacing eleven stages so that guests hear only the music from the stage where they are standing is a challenge that MIA has successfully won, although there are always improvements to be made.
Saturday’s MiA event began at 10 AM and ended, for the most part, at 10 PM, excluding after-parties. New this year was an additional 11th stage for Spoken Word. And for the amazing kid-friendly aspect of the festival, check out queenseyes’ post.
During band performances, artists painted on canvas right behind the bands (Live Art). Live sculpture also took place with three DJ stages around the grounds. Scores of artist booths and photographers were also on-hand. The recent trend of food trucks continued strong at MiA with a great variety of munchies, and at the end of the night there was not much clean up and take down for the trucks considering that they just drive away into the night.
^What a gorgeous day for Music Is Art. Not a drop of rain – photo from queenseyes
There were two fenced beer tents that served beer and wine for three bucks, and were strategically placed so that you could see and certainly hear most of the stages. Kudos to the logistical people that planned and set everything up. Great names for stages such as the Shakespeare Hill stage – people knew exactly where to go! The centerfold map in the program made everything easy to find, but also the app for smartphones and even computers: eventmobi.com/miaf. You could easily create a calendar of acts that you want to see!
I loved the Kid’s Village. There was actually a parade, with youngsters marching, led by a mini Music is Art banner. This reminided me a bit of the kid’s tent at Buffalo’s annual Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts in August. I feek it is so important to expose children to music and art at as early an age that is possible.
^Mike Doctor’s unique cigar-box guitars. You can actually play them!
My favorite band was the high energy Ruby Spirit from Toronto. The lead singer, Paige Boy, had such a strong and beautiful voice! Great keyboard chops by Juliana Eye. Clean percussion, nice guitars, I could actually understand all of the lyrics, and nice melodies to boot. I can’t wait to see them again. Paige mentioned that they will be playing the Feed the City concert to benefit the Food Bank of Western New York on December 8 at the Town Ballroom. Someone from the The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame booth told me that Ian Hunter from Mott the Hoople was also going to perform at the benefit, his first performance in Buffalo in 18 years. I also loved 2012 Battle of the Bands winner Victory for Poland. They reminded me of Green Day
Please let us know what you liked most about MIA2012!
^Art and music at every turn – photos queenseyes