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10 Reasons Not to Miss SweetWater 420 Festival April 18, 2019 01:33

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Words by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen
Photo by Craig Baird: Home Team Photography
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Let's be honest. We've reached that point in the week where all we can think about is the music that lies ahead. Over the last three years, SweetWater 420 Festival has become arguably my favorite annual tradition. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that the anticipation is more than a distraction today. Many of you reading this will join me in feeling like a kid on Christmas Eve tonight.
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This festival will once again offer one of the strongest lineups of the year, featuring countless genres from across the musical spectrum. We'll likely witness some special collaborations, such as that blazing "Statesboro Blues" from Tedeschi Trucks Band and Brandon "Taz" Niederauer last year.
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As a method of burning the time and preparing for what's ahead, I put together a list of ten reasons why you just don't want to miss out on this festival. Check out the full rundown below and make sure be smart, stay hydrated, and be kind to those around you this weekend!
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1. Two nights of Widespread Panic. Need we say more?

  • Let's face it. This festival is in the heart of Panic country, and there is not a more prime candidate to close out the festival on Saturday and Sunday night. The band's history in Atlanta is well documented, most recently completing a three-night New Year's run at The Fox Theatre that we're still trying to comprehend. Being back in Georgia always seems to bring out the best in the band, and if anyone understands the level of expectation for these four sets, it's these guys right here.
  • In case you missed it, Panic's last 420 Fest performance fell on Sunday, April 23rd in 2017. The show kicked off in powerful fashion with "Disco" > "Arleen" and made for one of the hottest festival shows in recent years. I think it's safe to assume there will be much more where that came from this weekend.

2. Joe Russo's Almost Dead: There are tribute bands, and then there's JRAD.

  • Prepare to hear the music of the Grateful Dead like you've never heard it before. If you've had a chance to catch this band before, you know to expect the unexpected. These guys use the Dead's catalog as a launching pad into another dimension, and there's no telling where they'll take a jam at any given moment. Friday night will be dominated by the two-and-a-half hour set from Joe Russo's Almost Dead.
  • The all-star cast features Joe Russo (drums/vocals), Marco Benevento (keys/vocals), Tom Hamilton (guitar/vocals), Scott Metzger (guitar/vocals), and Dave Dreiwitz (bass/vocals). 

3. Stay in tune with the jam scene's hottest rising acts.

  • While the lineup is consistently diverse, you can always count on 420 Fest to feature several of the jam scene's hottest rising acts. Take a look at this year's lineup, and you'll see exactly what we mean. 
  • Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Billy Strings, Big Something, & Turkuaz  are absolutely "can't miss acts" this year. There is a reason that you continue to see these names rise on festival billings each year. You can also find them packing out venues across the country, while releasing new, original material that we're all singing along with in no time. 
  • Surely you're familiar with the mad scientist known as Keller Williams. Have you heard about Grateful Grass though? This set is appropriately scheduled for 12:00 PM on Easter Sunday. Bring your bible, 'cause Keller's gonna take us all to church.
  • Everyone Orchestra will feature a fully improvised set from members of Umphrey's McGee, Trey Anastasio Band, Jane's Addition, Greensky Bluegrass, and more on Saturday at 2:30 PM. 

4. This lineup offers a beautiful variety that any music fan can enjoy. 

  • It's a challenge to even begin keeping up with the amount of annual music festivals in 2019. While many of the these lineups are designed to cater to a specific fan base, such as jam bands or bluegrass, 420 Fest steps outside the box. While there's plenty of jam over the weekend, major national acts such as The Avett Brothers, Moon Taxi, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Rebelution, and Iration

5. THE BEER: Who could forget about the beer?

  • You'd be hard pressed to find a brewery with tastier options from top to bottom. This brewery's impact on the city of Atlanta, our beloved music scene, and the entire Southeast, really, can't be overstated. 
  • Prepare to see the following SweetWater brews across the festival 420 Pale Ale, IPA, 420 Strain G-13 IPA, 420 Strain Mango Kush Wheat Ale, Peach Love & Happiness, and Guide Beer: A Lager.
  • Have you heard about the artist collaboration brews? This year you will find the Pigeons Playing Ping Pong's IPPPA, Iration's Already Gold, and Fruition's "Fruition's Fire." 
  • Take a break from the sun and stop by the SweetWater Experience Tent, a weekend-long craft beer centric event where you can taste your way through 25 unique styles of SweetWater beers. Enjoy presentations a wide variety of topics. We've included the schedule for the SweetWater experience below.

6. Sustainability: SweetWater 420 Fest's eco-friendly focus grows stronger each year.

  • Did you know that 420 Fest started as an Earth Day celebration in 2005? Festival organizers continue to go the extra mile each year with so many ways you can contribute. 
  • Make sure to purchase your refillable Steelys cup to do your part and protect the environment this weekend.
  • Make sure to stop by the Planet 420 Eco-Village, where the majority of environmental workers spend the weekend raising awareness for Mother Earth. Hands-on workshops engage attendees and educate them on how to become more eco-friendly in their day-to-day lives. 
  • The festival offers a heap of transportation options, such as MARTA and Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, which allow for eco-friendly choices to avoid the hassle of parking downtown. 
  • To date, 420 Fest has donated over $120,000 to various neighborhood organizations including CPNO, Park Pride, and Friends of Candler Park (where the festival was previously held).

7. You never know what you'll find in the artist + craft vendor market.

  • There's more to SweetWater 420 Fest than just music and beer. Each year, dozens of artists and craft vendors from across the country are showcased at the 420 Fest Artist Market. You never know what you might stumble across amongst your artist village at a major music festival. Arrive a little early or maybe even take a break from the music and check out the entire festival grounds this year. 

8. Lyrics & Laughter Stage will put a smile on your face.

  • While the SweetWater Stage and 420 Strain Stage get the majority of the attention, one of our favorite elements of 420 Fest is the Lyrics & Laughter Stage, which is presented by Aisle 5. This stage hosts a mix of both local, up-and-coming bands, as well as a handful of nationally touring acts. We're especially excited for Cory Wong of Vulfpeck (Friday), SunSquabi (Saturday), Zach Deputy & The Yankees (Sunday), Hedonistas (Saturday),  Flow Tribe (Friday), Travers Brothership (Friday), Voodoo Visionary (Sunday), and The Orange Constant (Sunday). 
  • You don't want to miss out on Joe Pettis and Andrew Michael either. These two stand up comedians will perform on each day in between various sets on the Lyrics & Laughter stage. Click here to check out the schedule. 

9.  Got a minute to give? Don't miss the 4:19 Auctions.

  • The 420 Fest band charity auction will benefit each participating artists charity of choice. Participating artists include Widespread Panic (Tunes for Tots), The Avett Brothers (Press On), Joe Russo's Almost Dead (Atlanta Community Food Bank), Rebelution (Atlanta Music Project), Moon Taxi (We're Hear For You), Claypool Lennon Delirium (Atlanta Community Food Bank), Pigeons Playing Ping Pong (Music In The Park), SunSquabi (Can'd Aid Foundation), Billy Strings (Nicholas House), Cory Wong (Conscious Allience), BIG Something (Atlanta Music Project), Fruition (Atlanta Music Project), Pink Talking Fish (Positive Legacy), and Turkuaz (Positive Legacy)...just to name a few.
  • Auction items include concert tickets, signed memorabilia, photos, meet & greets, and more. Mobile bidding began on April 16th and lasts through the end of the weekend. CLICK HERE to register for online bidding.

10. There's some serious after shows to choose from. Killer late night sets across the city.

  • Not quite ready to call it a night after the headliner? No problem. The afterparties surrounding this year's festival are as strong as you'll find anywhere. Terminal West will host Ghost Light on Friday night and Billy Strings on Saturday. Aisle 5 will host Voodoo Visionary on Thursday, Higher Learning on Friday, SunSquabi on Saturday, and Knower + Nate Wood Four on Sunday. Additional afters shows we're keeping an eye on include Bird Dog Jubilee Schema at Cotton Club (downstairs at the Tabernacle) on Friday and Runaway Gin "Make Phish Evil Again" at The Loft on Friday.

Here's a quick video recap from the 2018 festival:

    Check out the full weekend schedule and map out your weekend below!


    Pigeons Put the F.U. in Fun & Funk Over Sold Out Brooklyn Bowl Run May 8, 2018 13:14

    Words by Kenny Cunningham: Live & Listen

    Photos by John R. Wisdom Photography

    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong is one of the hottest up-and-coming acts in the jam scene, and this weekend at Brooklyn Bowl proved why. Not many bands are capable of filling up the Bowl for one night, nonetheless three, especially when considering that they were up against Jazz Fest, which annually brings many New Yorkers down to NoLa. But the Pigeons had their flock out in full force, packing out the Brooklyn venue and keeping the full house grooving all weekend.Their astronomical rise through the scene has been a joy to watch, and it makes total sense; musically, they bring the heat and provide what their crowd is there for—funky, danceable bass lines, power drumming, soaring peaks. Performance-wise, they are top-notch, with a lighting design that matches the enthusiasm of the band onstage, and they just look like they’re having so much damn fun!

    This weekend showcased all of those reasons that Pigeons are experiencing this meteoric ascent, from their choreographed playing and superb lighting design to their high energy stage presence to the dancey funky fun they bring. Beginning Thursday night, it was apparent that the crowd was ready to get down. And the Pigeons didn’t disappoint! They opened the first night with “Whoopie,” with rhythm guitarist “Scrambled” Greg Ormont, lead guitarist Jeremy Schon, and bassist Ben Carrey engaged in a choreographed head-nod dance move. And the fun continued straight from there until the encore on Saturday night.

    The band played 6 sets without repeats and many fun covers, including “Hava Nagila” (a fun Pigeons staple), “Hyrule Castle” (the theme song from classic Nintendo video game “Zelda”), “I Just Can’t Wait to be King” (from The Lion King), the Star Wars “Cantina Song” and “Imperial March,” the Beatles’ “Get Back,” The Velvet Underground’s “Rock & Roll,” “Tequila,” Michael Jackson’s “Pretty Young Thing,” and The Who’s “Pinball Wizard.” And they of course broke out some of their most popular hits, like “F U,” “Fun In Funk,” “Julia,” “Poseideon,” “Horizon,” and “Melting Lights.” Each set was fun, funky, spacey, raging, and different. The energy inside Brooklyn Bowl was off the charts, and the crowd was dancing and having as much fun as the band!

    Brooklyn Bowl plays host to many great bands, nights, and shows, and these three soldout PPPP shows should stand near the top of performances there. When Pigeons wrapped up on Saturday night with “Zydeko,” the crowd was not ready for the fun to end! And the way Pigeons are going, it doesn’t have to! They can be seen next at Domefest, their curated festival in Bedford, PA, from 5/17-5/19, as well as at Summer Camp Music Festival (Chillicothe, IL 5/25-5/27), Great South Bay Music Festival (Patchogue, NY 6/14), Peach Music Festival (Scranton, PA 7/19), LOCKN’ (Arrington, VA 8/25), and many other great events throughout the summer. 

    Setlist: Pigeons Playing Ping Pong - Brooklyn Bowl - 05.03.18

    Set One: Whoopie, Somethin’ For Ya > Havana > Spacejam > The Hop > F.U., Fortress, Porcupine, Hava Nagila > Schwanthem

    Set Two: Too Long > Upfunk > Hyrule > Upfunk > Drums > Upfunk, Dawn A New Day, Kiwi > I Just Can’t Wait To Be King, Burning Up My Time > Condenser > Su Casa > Condenser, Doc

    Encore: Sail On

    Setlist: Pigeons Playing Ping Pong - Brooklyn Bowl - 05.04.18

    Set 1: Fun In Funk, Live It Up, Penguins > Funkijam > Time To Ride > Cantina Song > Time To Ride, Bad For You, Fox And Toad, Get Back*

    Set 2: Totally, Sunny Day, Horizon > Offshoot, Walk Outside, White Night > Imperial March > White Night, Ocean Flows

    Encore: King Kong

    Notes: * w/ Jon Brady (Electric Love Machine) on keys
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    Setlist: Pigeons Playing Ping Pong - Brooklyn Bowl - 05.05.18

    Set 1: Pop Off, Poseidon, Drunk People, Landing > Jam > Rock and Roll > Funk E Zekiel, Julia

    Set 2: J-Town > Melting Lights > Jam* > Fade Fast, High As Five > P.Y.T. > Pinball Wizard > High As Five, The Liquid, Henrietta, Skipjack

    Encore: Zydeko

    Notes: * w/ Tequila tease

    Watch Pigeons Playing Ping Pong close out the three-night run with "Zydeko" here:


    Wanee Festival Releases Stacked 2018 Lineup November 13, 2017 10:43

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    Photos by Craig Baird: Home Team Photography
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    It's hard to believe that we're already mid-November, and we're already looking into the 2018 festival season. Just a few weeks ago. SweetWater 420 Festival dropped its initial 2018 lineup, leaving many of us wandering what Wanee Festival, which is the same weekend, would have in store. Last year, the two festival lineups were very similar, leading to some tough decisions for festival goers across the country. Earlier this morning, Wanee released another killer lineup for 2018, led by the likes of Widespread Panic x2 and Phil Lesh & The Terrapin Family Band x2.
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    Additional performers on the initial lineup include Allman Brothers alumni like Marc Quinones' Eat a Bunch of Peaches project with special guest George Porter Jr., Jaimoe's Jasssz Band,  and Berry Oakley's Indigenous Suspects. Chris Robinson Brotherhood, North Mississippi Allstars, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, The Marcus King Band, and BIG Something will provide a killer sample of the modern jam scene's finest. Pink Talking Fish will also present an ABB tribute set with their "tied to the Whipping Post" show.  Wanee will kick off April 19 in Live Oak, FL. All ticketing information can be found here. 
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    Wanee Festival 2018 Lineup: 
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    Widespread Panic 
    Phil Lesh & the Terrapin Family Band
    As the Crow Flies
    Dark Star Orchestra
    St. Paul & the Broken Bones
    Jaimoe's Jasssz Band
    Chris Robinson Brotherhood
    North Mississippi Allstars
    Karl Denson's Tiny Universe
    Eat a Bunch of Peaches
    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
    Walter Trout
    Sonny Landreth
    Marcus King Band
    Soul Rebels
    Les Bros
    George Porter Jr. and the Running Pardners
    Pink Talking Fish (Tied to the Whipping Post) 
    Bobby Lee Rogers Trio
    Big Something
    New Orleans Suspects
    Berry Oakley's Indigenous Suspects
    Midnight North
    The Yeti Trio
    Crazy Fingers

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    Candler Park Music & Food Festival Releases Daily Schedule May 23, 2017 12:20

    Photo by Keith Griner: Phierce Photo

    Candler Park Music & Food Festival recently announced arguably its most exciting lineup to date, which will feature Joe Russo's Almost Dead, Railroad Earth, The Motet, MatisyahuLake Street DiveThe Marcus King BandPigeons Playing Ping PongRipeWebster, and Chelsea Shag on June 2nd-3rd. Yesterday, the festival revealed it's official daily lineup, which is headlined by Railroad Earth on Friday and Joe Russo's Almost Dead on Saturday.  In addition to the music, Candler Park will feature an array of food options including 20+ food trucks, a local artist market and the running of a 5K. General admission tickets cost $25 and can be purchased today via the festival’s website. VIP tickets can also be purchased for $80 by clicking here.  Stay tuned for future updates on what is sure to be an amazing weekend of music in Atlanta!

    Watch highlights from the 2016 Candler Park Fest here:


    Candler Park Music & Food Festival Announces Killer Summer Lineup March 24, 2017 12:42

    Photo by Keith Griner: Phierce Photo

    The summer festival lineups are continuing to roll out, and the Atlanta music scene has dropped another killer lineup. Candler Park Music & Food Festival has just announced arguably its most exciting lineup to date, which will feature Joe Russo's Almost Dead, Railroad Earth, The Motet, MatisyahuLake Street DiveThe Marcus King BandPigeons Playing Ping PongRipeWebster, and Chelsea Shag. In addition to the music, Candler Park will feature an array of food options including 20+ food trucks, a local artist market and the running of a 5K. General admission tickets cost $25 and can be purchased today via the festival’s website. VIP tickets can also be purchased for $80 by clicking here.  Stay tuned for future updates on what is sure to be an amazing weekend of music in Atlanta!

    Watch highlights from the 2016 Candler Park Fest here:


    moe. and Twiddle To Play Red Rocks Show With Pigeons Playing Ping Pong February 13, 2017 14:35

    Photo by Taylor Pack: Live & Listen

    Moe. will be joining forces with Twiddle on August 13th at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre with special guests Pigeons Playing Ping Pong! This epic weekend will kick off at Boulder Theater with moe. and Twiddle trading off acoustic and electric sets on August 11th & 12th. Multi-day, VIP and GA tickets will be available Friday, February 17. Stay tuned for further details on this run of shows, as well as all of the latest updates on moe., Twiddle, and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong!

    Watch moe.'s full performance from Red Rocks in 2016 here:

    Watch Twiddle's full performance from Red Rocks in 2015 here:

    Watch Pigeons Playing Ping Pong's full set from Toad's Place (10.27.16) here:


    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Announces Domefest 2017 Initial Lineup January 19, 2017 13:48

    Today, festival organizers Pigeons Playing Ping Pong have announced the initial wave of bands set to play their eighth annual music festival Domefest on May 18-20, 2017 at Fort Royale Farm in Bedford, PA. 

    High-energy psychedelic funk band and official hosts Pigeons Playing Ping Pong will play four sets throughout the weekend, alongside performances by Consider The Source, Aqueous (x2), Electric Love Machine (x2), Broccoli Samurai and many other jam scene favorites. This year’s event will be the second consecutive Domefest held in Bedford, PA.

    We’re really looking forward to bringing Domefest back to Fort Royale Farm,” said Jeremy Schon, founder of Domefest and lead guitarist of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. “The venue has the perfect vibe, and I couldn’t be happier with the lineup we’re bringing there this year!”

    Advance tickets are on sale now for only $75 here (mt.cm/domefest-2017). Tune into Domefest’s Facebook Page for full details and more artists TBA.

     

    Domefest 2017 Initial Lineup

    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong (x4), Consider The Source, Aqueous (x2), Electric Love Machine (x2), Broccoli Samurai, The Fritz, Swift Technique, LITZ, Deaf Scene, Strange Machines, The Clock Reads, and many more artists TBA.

    Watch this pro-shot multi-angle video of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong performing “Whoopie > 1999 > 2001” at Domefest 2016:

     

     


    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Announce 17-Date Spring Tour January 13, 2017 09:22

    Jam/funk rock sensation Pigeons Playing Ping Pong has announced a 17-date spring tour which will span across the East Coast and into the Southeast.  Following a winter tour which is heavily focused on the Midwest and West coast, much of the bands loyal following, "The Flock," can rejoice that their beloved band will be returning to many of its most familiar venues in the spring.  The spring dates kick off on March 29th in Rochester, NY and continue with stops all down the coast.  Supporting bands include Aqueous (Ithaca, Northampton, Burlington, Portland (ME), and Providence), Hayley Jane & The Primates (Brooklyn), Organ Freeman (Brooklyn), ELM (Washington, DC), and BIG Something (Norfolk).  The Pigeons will be supporting Papadosio for a two-night run at the Madison Theater in Covington, KY on April 28th-29th.

    Earlier this week, the band launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund their latest studio effort, Pizazz, due for release in September 2017. They are also releasing their first ever live album, in coordination with the Kickstarter campaign. The live album, The Great Outdoors Jam, features highlights from the band’s performance at The Great Outdoors Jam Festival in Mount Dora, FL from July 2016. Each and every contributor to the Pizazz Kickstarter campaign will receive a digital download of The Great Outdoors Jam on February 10th if the campaign reaches its goal of $18,000.

    Check out the video below for their Kickstarter campaign and help Pigeons Playing Ping Pong reach their goal!

    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong’s Full Winter/Spring 2017 Tour Dates:

    1/27 Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre *
    1/28 Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theater *
    1/29 Steamboat Springs, CO @ Schmiggity’s
    1/31 Durango, CO @ Animas City Theatre
    2/2 Jackson, WY @ Pink Garter Theatre
    2/3 Bozeman, MT @ Eagle’s Ballroom
    2/4 Missoula, MT @ The Top Hat
    2/8 Spokane, WA @ Big Dipper
    2/9 Seattle, WA @ Nectar Lounge
    2/10 Eugene, OR @ HiFi Music Hall
    2/11 Portland, OR @ Goodfoot
    2/12 Bend, OR @ Volcanic Pub Theatre
    2/15 Crystal Bay, NV @ Crystal Bay Casino ^
    2/16 Chico, CA @ Lost On Main ^
    2/17 San Francisco, CA @ The Independent ^
    2/18 Los Angeles, CA @ The Mint ^
    2/19 San Diego, CA @ Casbah ^
    2/22 Phoenix, AZ @ Last Exit Live ^
    2/24 Austin, TX @ The Parish
    2/25 Houston, TX @ Raven Tower
    2/26 Dallas, TX @ Sundown at Grenada
    2/28 Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck
    3/1 Columbia, MO @ The Blue Note ”
    3/2 Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection ”
    3/3 Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection ”
    3/4 Columbus, OH @ Express Live ”
    3/29 Rochester, NY @ Flour City Station
    3/30 Ithaca, NY @ The Haunt$
    3/31 Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Bowl~
    4/1 Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Bowl ^
    4/7 Washington DC @ 9:30 Club #
    4/8 Norfolk, VA @ The NorVA @
    4/12 Knoxville, TN @ The Concourse
    4/13 Birmingham, AL @ Workplay
    4/14 Charlotte, NC @ Visulite Theatre
    4/15 Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre
    4/19 Northampton, MA @ Pearl Street $
    4/20 Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground $
    4/21 Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall $
    4/22 Providence, RI @ Fete Ballroom $
    4/27 Lexington, KY @ Cosmic Charlie’s
    4/28 Covington, KY @ Madison Theater &
    4/29 Covington, KY @ Madison Theater &

    * – w/ Dopapod
    ^ – w/ Organ Freeman
    “ – supporting Lotus
    $ – w/ Aqueous
    ~ – w/ Hayley Jane & The Primates
    # – w/ ELM
    @ – w/ BIG Something
    & – w/ Papadosio


    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Announces “Flying West 2017” Tour Dates December 7, 2016 15:11

    Photo by mkdevo

    Baltimore, MD-based quartet Pigeons Playing Ping Pong have been tearing the East Coast music scene up with their electrified brand of psychedelic funk since 2009, bringing some serious heat to the masses every time they take the stage. Their undeniable energy and ability to stretch songs out into uncharted territories on a nightly basis, has made them one of the hottest acts to see in the jam scene today. Pigeons live performance is simply something that has to be witnessed in order to fully comprehend.

    Consistently playing 150-200+ shows a year, the band's current run of upcoming dates marks the first time the funky foursome will take flight out to the West Coast. The group, made up of Scrambled Greg (vocals/guitars), Jeremy Schon (guitar/vocals), Ben Carrey (bass/vocals) and Alex Petropulos (drums/electronics) are geared up and looking to expand their ever-growing "Flock" nationwide.

    "To say we're ecstatic would be an understatement," said Scrambled Greg, lead singer and rhythm guitarist of Pigeons. "We've been waiting a long time to give the Pacific Time Zone some serious love and I'm beyond stoked that the time has finally come. I can't wait to soak in the left coast sun, make some new friends and give these debuts everything I funking got."

    The band begins their “Flying West 2017 Tour” in Colorado at Denver’s Ogden Theatre with Dopapod before making their way to the Pacific to make their debut in 7 states including Montana, Washington, California and Arizona. The tour culminates with a four-night run supporting Lotus in the Midwest. Tickets go on sale on Friday Dec. 9th at 1pm EST / 10am PST via the band’s website.

    Watch Pigeons Playing Ping Pong perform “High As Five > PYT > Pinball Wizard > Praise You > Picture In Picture > Praise You > High As Five” live at Paradise Rock Club in Boston, MA on 10/28/16:

    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong 2017 West Coast Tour Dates

    1/27 Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre*

    1/28 Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theater*

    1/29 Steamboat Springs, CO @ Schmiggity's

    1/31 Durango, CO @ Animas City Theatre

    2/2 Jackson, WY @ Pink Garter Theatre

    2/3 Bozeman, MT @ Eagle's Ballroom

    2/4 Missoula, MT @ The Top Hat

    2/8 Spokane, WA @ Big Dipper

    2/9 Seattle, WA @ Nectar Lounge

    2/10 Eugene, OR @ HiFi Music Hall

    2/11 Portland, OR @ Goodfoot

    2/12 Bend, OR @ Volcanic Pub Theatre

    2/15 Crystal Bay, NV @ Crystal Bay Casino^

    2/16 Chico, CA @ Lost On Main^

    2/17 San Francisco, CA @ The Independent^

    2/18 Los Angeles, CA @ The Mint^

    2/19 San Diego, CA @ Casbah^

    2/22 Phoenix, AZ @ Last Exit Live^

    2/24 Austin, TX @ The Parish

    2/25 Houston, TX @ Raven Tower

    2/26 Dallas, TX @ Sundown at Grenada

    2/28 Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck

    3/1 Columbia, MO @ The Blue Note”

    3/2 Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection”

    3/3 Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection”

    3/4 Columbus, OH @ Express Live”

    * - w/ Dopapod

    ^ - w/ Organ Freeman

    “ - supporting Lotus


    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Announces Domefest 2017 December 5, 2016 14:40

    Rising funk act Pigeons Playing Ping Pong has announced that their eighth annual music festival Domefest will return to Fort Royale Farm in Bedford, PA on May 18-20, 2017 for three nights of music and camping.

    “We absolutely loved Fort Royale Farm and can’t wait to bring Domefest back there next year,” said Jeremy Schon, founder/executive producer of Domefest and lead guitarist of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong.

    Watch Pigeons Playing Ping Pong play “Whoopie > 1999 > 2001” at Domefest 2016:

    “I don’t know if my pajama pants gave it away, but comfort is a huge factor for us,” chimed in Greg Ormont, co-producer of Domefest and singer/rhythm guitarist of Pigeons. “The grounds have everything you need to feel cozy and carefree. It’s going to be another wild weekend in the woods, that’s for sure.”

    For more information, stayed tuned Domefest’s Facebook page and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong’s Facebook page.


    Dopapod & Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Will Team Up For Extensive Fall Tour August 3, 2016 11:48

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    Live For Live Music has announced a massive fall schedule with Dopapod and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. The co-headline tour will feature full sets from both bands, covering most of the eastern half of the country and including stops at Irving Plaza in New York City, The Jefferson Theater in Charlottesville, VA, The Orange Peel in Asheville, NC, Terminal West in Atlanta, Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, NC, The Pour House in Charleston, SC, and more.
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     The Boston born, now generally Northeast based, but ever on-the-go Dopapod has come a long way from their college basement, DIY party roots. While maintaining to be as grassroots as their humble beginnings, the group has earned praise from taste making critics like Huffington Post, Jambase, and Relix, all the while tending to their ever expanding community of devoted listeners. The past 4 years have individually held the weight of about 150 shows, and included numerous festival appearances like BonnarooWakarusa, Summer Camp, Electric Forest, Camp Bisco, Peach Fest, & Gathering Of the Vibes
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    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong brings end-of-the-world enthusiasm to their high-energy psychedelic funk. Their infectious electro-funk grooves, undeniable live energy and contagious smiles have their rabid fanbase "the Flock" growing exponentially. Based out of Baltimore, MD, this animated quartet has been scorching up the country with their explosive performances and danceable peaks... and they're loving every minute of it!
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    Check out the full schedule below. Tickets and show information can be found at both Dopapod and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong's band websites.
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    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Reveals Summer Tour Dates May 4, 2016 14:36

    Photo by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong has revealed their 2016 Summer Tour dates, which kick off with the band's annual festival Domefest in Bedford, PA (5/19-5/21). The Pigeons are scheduled for shows and festival appearances across the Northeast, Midwest, East Coast, and Southeast in support of their recently released Pleasure LP.  

    Additional festival appearances include Summer Camp (5/27), Revival Fest (5/29), Disc Jam (6/9-6/12), The Big What? (7/21), Buffalove Music Festival (7/31), Camp Barefest (8/18-8/20), and Catskill Chill (9/23-9/25).  The Pigeons will headline Atlanta's Terminal West on June 30th, as well as The NorVa in Norfolk, VA on July 22nd.   Make a point to get out and join The Flock this Summer!

    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong brings end-of-the-world enthusiasm to their high-energy psychedelic funk. Their infectious electro-funk grooves, undeniable live energy and contagious smiles have their rabid fanbase “the Flock” growing exponentially. Based out of Baltimore, MD, this animated quartet has been scorching up the country with their explosive performances and danceable peaks... and they're loving every minute of it.

    Watch Pigeons Playing Ping Pong perform "Funk E. Zekiel" in Boulder, CO on 04.01.16 here:


    Win Free Tickets To See Pigeons Playing Ping Pong At Zydeco (Fri. 4/29) April 25, 2016 16:33

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    Live & Listen is excited to announce that we are teaming up with our friends at Zydeco in Birmingham, AL to give you an opportunity to win two free tickets to see one of the hottest bands in the jam/festival scene, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, with special guests Opposite Box on Friday night.  Simply follow the instructions listed below for your chance to win.  We will announce a winner at 6:00 PM CST on Thursday, April 28th.  Make sure your Facebook settings are set to "public" so we are able to see that you shared the post.

    About Pigeons Playing Ping Pong:

    Funk, Rock, Electronic ENERGY: These four Pigeons bring it every night. Based out of Baltimore, MD, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong has an undeniably unique and versatile live sound that ascends peaks of musical ecstasy. Their evolving arrangement of original compositions, psychedelic improvisational jams, and contagious smiles have ‘The Flock’ growing and coming back for more. With no end in sight, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong is here to bring the party with their danceable electro-funk grooves and infectious ability to bring positive energy to any environment.

    Through extensive touring paired with high profile festival spots including Catskill Chill, The Werk Out, Camp Barefoot, Wormtown Music Festival and others, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong have put the memorable band name on the lips of music lovers and groove nuts.  Playing nearly 200 shows a year, Pigeons continue to expand people’s minds (musically…), playing a unique, energy-packed set at every show. Whether it be at a major festival or in your local rock club, Pigeons will show you a good time.

    About Opposite Box: 

    Opposite Box is a genre-bending experimental rock band from Chattanooga, TN known for high energy live shows and a seamless blend of psychedelic jazz, progressive rock and dirty funk – dubbed “Belligerent Jungle Funk” – that is often compared to acts like Frank Zappa, Mr. Bungle and Parliament Funkadelic.

    Opposite Box presents a theatrical live experience with an over-the-top, psychedelic atmosphere. Dazzling lights, a spectacular cast of characters ranging from belly dancers and fire eaters to live painters and costumed freaks and an organized cacophony of sounds and inspirations hearken back to a time when artists were more than still life paintings in the background performing the soundtrack to failed dive bar pickup lines and overly complicated drink orders. Opposite Box challenges all in attendance to engage and react, allowing the audience to become the show.

    Watch Pigeons Playing Ping Pong perform at Ardmore Music Hall on 12.19.15 here:

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    We have one pair of tickets to giveaway, and we will announce a winner at 6:00 PM CST on Thursday (4/28). The winner's name (+1 guest) will be placed on the list at Will Call at Zydeco on Saturday night. 

    How the contest works....

    1: 'Like' this post directly on our Facebook page.

    2: Share this post directly from our Facebook page.  Make sure your privacy settings are set to 'Public' so we can see that you shared the post.

    3: Tag a friend who you would like to take to the show in the comments on our Facebook page.

    4: The winner will be announced on our Facebook page on Thursday (4/28) at 6:00 PM CST.


    Listen to Pigeons Playing Ping Pong's New Album "Pleasure" April 1, 2016 14:11

    Photo by Brady Cooling Photography

    It may be April Fools' Day, but this piece of news is no joke.  One of our favorite up-and-coming bands in the jam scene, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, has officially released their highly anticipated third studio album, Pleasure. The album is available for streaming below via the band's official Bandcamp page.  We encourage you to support one of the hardest working bands we know by purchasing your copy today!

    We recently had a chance to catch up with Greg Ormont (guitar/vocals) prior to the band's performance at AURA Music & Arts Festival.  Here's what Greg had to say when asked about the new album, and how this release differs from the band's previous two studio efforts:

    Greg:  Oh man... listening to Pleasure gives me a lot of... pleasure (chuckles). I'm so proud of this album.  I consider Pleasure to be our first "professional" studio recording in the truest sense of the word. We recorded at a phenomenal studio in Baltimore called Wright Way Studios and the experience was totally different than Psychology's recording process.  With Psychology, we recorded the album ourselves, albeit with some help from our sonically inclined friends, at an impressive home studio, but we didn't have any professional assistance from start to finish.  With Pleasure, we hired the owner of the studio to engineer the album, and his input and abilities eclipsed Psychology within seconds of the first recording session. Our fans can expect to hear our songs jump off the speakers with professional-grade sound quality. The album's overall flow rises and falls like the peaks and valleys of our live experience, and it's all mixed with precision. 

    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong brings end-of-the-world enthusiasm to their high-energy psychedelic funk. Their infectious electro-funk grooves, undeniable live energy and contagious smiles have their rabid fanbase "the Flock" growing exponentially. Based out of Baltimore, MD, this animated quartet has been scorching up the country with their explosive performances and danceable peaks... and they're loving every minute of it!


    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Release "Burning Up My Time" March 8, 2016 11:30

    Photo by Brady Cooling Photography

    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong has released "Burning Up My Time", the second single off of the band's upcoming album, Pleasure.  The band had previously released "Live It Up" as their first single, making this the second taste off of Pleasure.  Check out the latest from the Pigeons below, and keep an eye out for future updates from one of our favorite bands on the scene right now.  Pleasure is scheduled for release on Friday, April 1st.

    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong will host the 7th annual Domefest on Fort Royale Farm in Bedford, PA on May 19-21.  Domefest's 2016 full lineup includes: 

    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong (x3), Consider the Source, BIG Something, The Mantras, Splintered Sunlight (Grateful Dead tribute), Aqueous (x2), ELM (x2), Broccoli Samurai, McLovins, lespecial, The Hornitz, Mister F, ShwizZ, Vibe & Direct, LITZ, Deaf Scene, Out of the Beardspace, The Jauntee, Strange Machines, Sweet Earth, Puremotion, Mateo Monk, Scrambled Greg, Star City Disco.


    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Announces Domefest’s Full Lineup March 1, 2016 12:38

    The 7th annual Domefest, presented by up-and-coming funk outfit Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, released their initial lineup in January with three nights of Pigeons, plus performances by BIG SomethingSplintered Sunlight (Grateful Dead tribute), Aqueous (x2), ELM (x2) and many more. Taking place on Fort Royale Farm in Bedford, PA on May 19-21, the festival has added several more exciting performers, including Consider the Source, The Mantras, McLovins, The HornitzScrambled Greg and many other rising stars listed on the bill below:

    Tickets are available now for only $70 at www.domefestival.com. Join the Flock for an unforgettable three nights of musical mayhem in the mountains!

    Domefest 2016 Full Lineup:

    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong (x3), Consider the Source, BIG Something, The Mantras, Splintered Sunlight (Grateful Dead tribute), Aqueous (x2), ELM (x2), Broccoli Samurai, McLovins, lespecial, The Hornitz, Mister F, ShwizZ, Vibe & Direct, LITZ, Deaf Scene, Out of the Beardspace, The Jauntee, Strange Machines, Sweet Earth, Puremotion, Mateo Monk, Scrambled Greg, Star City Disco.

    Watch Pigeons Playing Ping Pong perform "Poseidon" at Domefest 2015:


    The Road To AURA: Greg Ormont of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong February 25, 2016 10:22

     

    Photo by Brady Cooling Photography

    The 7th Annual AURA Music & Arts Festival is right around the corner, taking place at The Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida from Thursday, March 3rd to Saturday, March 5th.  As a part of our coverage of the festival, we are sitting down with a handful of this year's performers for a series of interviews called "The Road To AURA."  First up is the always charismatic Greg Ormont (guitar/vocals) of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong.  

    Interview by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong has just finished up another highly successful year.  Your audience continues to grow, you're playing bigger venues, and the band is clearly in high demand on the festival circuit.  What has been this band's approach toward building this momentum, and how do you plan to continue on in 2016?

    Greg: Well, you know, we continue to do the same things on our end, which is practicing every week when we can, while continuing to focus on having fun.  Our vibes seem to be resonating with more and more people and as we play larger venues.  But our "momentum" as you put it, is separate from what we experience daily.  We're just doing the same thing we've been doing since college, which is just getting together, working on creating a unique funky sound as a group, and trying to put a smile on everybody's face when we're playing live.  So we're just continuing to do what we love to do, and it seems to be moving nicely, in terms of us being able to play in bigger rooms,which just allows us make more people smile.


    You've recently announced the release of the latest Pigeons' album, Pleasure, due out on Friday, April 1st. How does this album differ from Psychology, and what can your fans expect upon listening for the first time?

    Greg:  Oh man... listening to Pleasure gives me a lot of... pleasure (chuckles). I'm so proud of this album.  I consider Pleasure to be our first "professional" studio recording in the truest sense of the word. We recorded at a phenomenal studio in Baltimore called Wright Way Studios and the experience was totally different than Psychology's recording process.  With Psychology, we recorded the album ourselves, albeit with some help from our sonically inclined friends, at an impressive home studio, but we didn't have any professional assistance from start to finish.  With Pleasure, we hired the owner of the studio to engineer the album, and his input and abilities eclipsed Psychology within seconds of the first recording session. Our fans can expect to hear our songs jump off the speakers with professional-grade sound quality. The album's overall flow rises and falls like the peaks and valleys of our live experience, and it's all mixed with precision.

    Listen to Pigeons Playing Ping Pong's latest single "Live It Up":


    The first single released from Pleasure, "Live It Up," is one which has been in rotation in the Pigeons catalog for a while now.  Have many of the remaining songs on this album been played live as well?

    Greg:  At this point, all of them have been played at least once. We play so many shows that we don't really like holding back our material live, especially in this musical-ADD age.  So if we're working on a new song that we're liking, and we feel it's ready to play live, we play it.  That way, we can experience the live energy and see how the song actually plays with a live crowd. And typically, our songs will develop after a few performances. The thing is, you can get all the parts together in practice, but once you play it live, you find out what that song actually "is" and how it affects people.  Because, you know, music is communication, and when you create a song, it communicates one thing in practice, but when you expand that setting to an excited crowd in an exciting place, you end up with a different result. Just like delivering a speech to one person vs. 1,000, you're going to say things with different emphases based on your audience, setting and mood. Sometime we'll play a new song and it goes exactly as expected, and then other times, the jam section emits an emotion that is not what we planned for initially, just based off of the energy of a particular crowd. So we prefer to test our songs live and experience the feedback before laying it down for good in the studio. That way, we can embellish the parts that resonate with our fans. As a result, all of the songs off Pleasure have natural live energy injected into the studio versions.

    Click here to pre-order your copy of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong's new abum, Pleasure.

    Photo by Brady Cooling Photography

    Over the years, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park has become the home to many of the nation's most anticipated annual music festivals.  What is it that differentiates Suwannee from other festival sites and makes it so special?  Do you feel the atmosphere has a direct effect on this music?

    Greg:  Oh definitely...everyone talks about The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park the same.  The rumors are always true. Just like any major city that I've heard a lot of buzz about, such as Asheville, North Carolina, Burlington, Vermont, the entire state of Colorado...typically when hear great things about a place, you go there and feel the magic right away.  The same goes for Suwannee, for so many reasons, but primarily, it's like...imagine the perfect set up for a festival, with an awesome amphitheater stage where everyone can see the music amongst tropical trees, artists and fans are hanging together, there's swimming available, and it's warm....  And then, add like...I don't know...a sheet of Dr. Seuss' best acid in terms of aesthetics, with drooping Spanish moss hanging over picturesque ponds, with lit up swans floating in the water... Plus there's a mysterious and legendary black river with black water running through it...a common site for cliff jumpers... the intrigue never ends.

    And then on top of all of that, you're in Florida in early March, so anyone who has travelled from outside of the Southeast like us is thrilled to be walking around in shorts and t-shirts in the middle of what should be snowy weather.

    Plus, AURA does such a good job of booking up-and-coming bands, and they are the same bands we run into at different festivals and in clubs year round. All friends. So we're surrounded by amazing people who are also experiencing a happy break from the weather in a magical, almost nonsensical festival site. There's just too much beauty to explore. I still haven't experienced all of its amenities, and this will be my third time down there.

    Watch Pigeons Playing Ping Pong perform "Julia" at AURA 2014 here:

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    You guys are scheduled to play at 6:45-8PM on Saturday night at the Vibe Tent.  How does this band go about determining the setlist for a major festival set vs. any other night on tour?

    Greg:  We love taking festivals from the daytime to the nighttime.  It is the best.  I mean, I love headlining and playing late night too, but it's really interesting to experience a sunset while you're playing.  You can literally see the crowd's mood change from daytime smiles to nighttime raging and you tailor your setlist to accentuate that experience.  That moment of nightfall is always great visually, but it's also a very unique musical experience that emits some serious natural energy.

    And one thing that we focus on is putting on a different show every time.  We work hard to consistently brew up something special and new for our crowd, and continue to push ourselves to create new transitions, bust out new covers and teases and continue to keep it fresh. Plus, we have a ton of friends in the AURA family, so there's a good chance that we'll get some help from our musical friends. I wouldn't miss this one...


    This year marks the 7th Annual AURA Music & Arts Festival.  You guys understand the amount of time and effort required to execute a successful weekend festival, as your 7th annual festival Domefest proves.  What are some of the most important factors in establishing and growing a successful music festival?

    Greg: It's key to build a good team around you and delegate responsibility, because you simply can't run a festival by yourself.  Our guitarist Jeremy Schon and I can work every day for 6-12 months a year planning out every single detail of Domefest, but once the weekend is upon us, we couldn't pull it off without our team of go-getters. This year, we'll have around 40 staff and 60 volunteers, and no one can slack off for a second if we want to continue to put on the a smooth and epic event that people have grown to love. Fortunately, we're surrounded by an amazingly supportive community of people who give Domefest their all each year.

    Click here to sign up to be a volunteer at Domefest 2016

    Beyond that, we focus on fostering a fun and easy-going experience for our attendees and bands. Having toured the country for years, we know how important it is for bands to feel comfortable at festivals during the long summer. We model our festival after what we look for in hospitality as touring musicians, as well as festival attendees. Musicians and fans can enjoy some mountain air and new music side-by-side in a hassle-free environment, which our fans have grown to appreciate in the age of a million festivals. Domefest is a little more laid back and grassroots than most festivals these days. There isn't much separation between where the artists and fans camp and chill.  It's really free flowing, and I've felt similar vibes at AURA the past two years. Fans and bands seeing new music together. That's what it's all about.

    Watch Pigeons Playing Ping Pong perform "F.U." at AURA 2014 here:

    This year's lineup features a notably diverse variety of the festival scene's most exciting groups.  What do you think this lineup says about the depth of this music scene in 2016?

    Greg:  AURA always books the best up-and-comers and top headliners in the jam scene. For years, I always noticed that their lineups were on the pulse and I wanted to be part of it. The lineup is always comprised of bands who are just down to have a good time, no prima donnas or anything like that.  Everyone just enjoys a winter vacation in Florida while getting their name out there.

    I mean, from top to bottom, you have The Disco Biscuits, who have been having a good time since they started, and then every band who would be totally fine with having a career similar to The Disco Biscuits' in 10 years, with the exception of a few acts who are dominating their own paths, like multiple Grammy Award winning Snarky Puppy, the incredible songwriters of ALO, and then of course the globally successful Thievery Corporation. And I think AURA has hand-picked some of the best up-and-comers that will lead the future of the jam scene.  I'm talking about Turkuaz, The Main Squeeze, hopefully us, Aqueous...I think that every band on AURA's lineup deserves to be there and I can't wait to see them all lay it down in the swamp!

    DomeFest will take place from May 19th - May 21st on Fort Royale Farm in Bedford, PA.  Tickets are currently $60, but prices will increase to $70 on Tuesday, March 1st.  This year's lineup features three nights of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, as well as sets from Big Something, Aqueous, Broccoli Samurai, Mister F, and many more.  Click here to purchase your tickets today!