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(thirdrail/flickr)Soundcheck Smackdown: Summer Festival Blues
Summer festivals like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza are billed as critical cultural events wrapped up in the greatest party on the planet. But with soaring ticket prices, searing heat, tired line-ups, and defective port-o-potties, are they really such fun? Today: debating whether multi-day festivals are holy or hype. Also: Before his performance tonight with the New York Philharmonic in Central Park, pianist Lang Lang joins us to talk about his two (yes, two) new autobiographies.
The (Not So) Great Music Festival
Summer festivals like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza are billed as critical cultural events wrapped up in the greatest party on the planet. But with soaring ticket prices, searing heat, tired line-ups, and defective port-o-potties, are they really such fun? Today, Annie Holub, contributor for Pop Matters, and Mark Guarino, music writer for the Chicago Tribune, debate whether multi-day festivals are holy or hype.
Our blog: John Schaefer on music festivals.
Bonnaroo online
Lollapalooza online
Annie Holub's Article: How Pricey Summer Shows Have Become
Mike Guarino's Article: Summer Festivals Equal the Perfect Vacation
Lang Lang
25-year-old pianist Lang Lang is one of the most talked-about classical musicians of our day. He joins us to share his new memoir "Journey of a Thousand Miles," which chronicles his journey from an industrial city in northern China to his difficult years in Beijing to his success today.
Lang Lang will be performing Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 in Central Park on Jul. 15. The show, which starts at 8 p.m., is part of the New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks series.
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Join us Tuesday, Nov. 10 at The Greene Space
Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, stars of the romantic indie film Once, will debate which is more powerful: a love song or a breakup song. And: live music from Grammy winning violinist Joshua Bell and Cuban stars Tiempo Libre.
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The Ill Effects of Urban Noise
Soundcheck
Soundcheck received an overwhelming response to our segment on the effects of urban noise. So much so that Arline Bronzaft decided to address the feedback. Listen to the original segment and read Bronzaft's response.
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