Maha: Voodoo Method and It's True

I've never seen Voodoo Method before, but I was impressed. I don't know how much they fit with the rest of the bands, but it was good stuff. Their style is kind of rock/r&b/blues and the band's singer has a great voice.

The lead singer was one of the most energetic guys I've ever seen especially considering he was playing to about 30 or 40 gathered in front of the stage. A few hundred more were seated near the stage(s), but who knows how much they were paying attention.

Kudos goes to Voodoo Method's bassist, who was wearing a kilt. Brave choice.

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It's True just played the best set I've ever seen them pull off. A shame, too, because it's the band's last show. They're one of the best (and definitely the most buzzed about) bands in town, but Adam Hawkins is moving away.

They sounded great on the big soundsystem of Maha's main stage, better than I've ever heard them play before. They got about a 45-minute set in and the crowd went wild for them.

Little does anyone in the crowd know that it's the last time It's True will be seen (aside from tonight's afterparty show at the Waiting Room). Neither Hawkins nor anyone else made any acknowledgment of the band's demise. Wonder what will happen at tonight's show.

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Betsy Wells is playing on the side stage now. Chris Aponick from The Reader said they looked like an Urban Outfitters commercial. I agree.

I don't know if it's the band or the side stage, but it sounds awful, like an amp or speaker is blown. It's too loud and really muddy.

Also, the side stage is in a crappy spot, on top of a concrete wall just to the left of the main stage. It's awkward and kinda lame (the kind of stage that barely deserves to be called a stage).

I wonder how it will be for bands like the Mynabirds or Satchel Grande who are going to need a clean, good sound. We shall see.

More later...

News: Second-to-last Maha band showcase announced

More Maha Music Festival details have trickled out.

The news today is the lineup for the second Maha showcase (of three) that decides who plays the fest has been announced. Who will be playing the Waiting Room on June 24? So glad you asked: The Matt Cox Band, Midwest Dilemma, Honey & Darling, Tim Wildsmith, Landing On The Moon.

Who will win? That remains to be decided. This showcase appears to have bands with bigger followings than the last showcase did, so voting tallies may be a bit tighter. Frankly, I like this group of bands better than the first, but that's me.

How does one of these bands get picked for Maha? You, the fans, should go to the free (yes, free) show. Each person gets a vote. If you have purchased your Maha tickets, you get 10 extra votes. Winner of the voting plays the little, local stage at Maha.

So, it's in your hands. The festival is in your hands, dude. (Sorry... Watched a lot of "The Big Lebowski" over the weekend.)

In case you haven't been following, the all-day concert's main stage lineup is all full (Spoon, The Faint, Superchunk, Old 97's, Ben Kweller, It's True), but the smaller, local stage lineup has not yet been decided.

Local groups Satchel Grande and The Mynabirds will be performing on the little stage and, as of last week, Betsy Wells.

Two spots are left to be filled. One will be at the OEAA showcase in Benson down the road and the other is decided June 24 at the Waiting Room.