Monthly Archives: May 2023

THINK AND PRAY – New Track from The Prizefighters!

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Hey friends, get ready to hit the dance floor! There is another track from Minnesota’s stellar ska preservationists, the Prizefighters, just about to hit the public domain on May 19th. I can’t get enough of the good protest energy these folks put forth with this upcoming album of theirs, and this track is no less a statement to be made, but listen closely because it’s not entirely what you think!

Think and Pray, the next song released from the band’s up and coming full length record Punch Up, is a body-moving, groove heavy message of hope that positivity can change the world around you. It’s also a cool dig at all the “thoughts and prayers” offered into nothingness every time something tragic happens in our country – usually the result of senseless gun violence. This smart dual meaning is brilliantly laid out among the hearty dancing tone of traditional ska energy, always done so well by the Prizefighters. Their upbeat throwback vibe, laced with words that truly mean something, is a refreshing and welcome addition to the world. I am a fan of telling folks that you get back the energy you put out to the universe, and this song reminds us that while simple phrases in tragedy can be trite, real change can be effected by true positivity. That is something we can desperately use these days as the younger among us are doing their best to try to change our world for the better. I cannot wait for this record to hit. What a fantastic soundtrack to these times!

Check out Think and Pray on all streaming services!

You can get the full length record Punch Up when it releases on June 9th on vinyl, CD, and digital. The band’s album release show, which is sure to be a blast, will be going down at the Turf Club in St. Paul, MN on June 14th. If you can get yourself there, get those tickets here!

https://www.axs.com/events/484485/the-prizefighters-tickets?skin=turfclub

Keep up with The Prizefighters HERE!

https://www.theprizefighters.net

Beardfest is Back For 2023!

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Beardfest 2023 Lineup Blends Jazz and Jam: Mark Guiliana, Spafford, Isaiah
Sharkey, Snacktime, Dogs in a Pile, and more.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hammonton, NJ – Beardfest just announced its 2023 lineup. The annual festival has evolved from a hidden gem into a cult-following event that draws thousands of fans to the NJ Pine Barrens’ Paradise Lakes Campground. This year’s lineup features a strong showcase of jam, jazz, dance, and guitar-driven artists, including Spafford, Mark Guiliana, Dogs in a Pile, Isaiah Sharkey, Pink Talking Fish, Out of the Beardspace, and more.

Named after the NJ-based progressive jam band “Out of the Beardspace,” Beardfest has
steadily grown to draw national acts without succumbing to the overcrowded chaos that makes some larger festivals feel like a Lord-of-the-Flies experience. Each year, Beardfest attracts over 2,000 fans to its unique location in the picturesque NJ Pine Barrens, offering ample camping space and a beautiful lake where attendees can swim next to the main stage.


“We’re excited to bring back Beardfest for another year to showcase incredible talent and bring our community together,” said event organizer Jeremy Savo. “Whether you’re a fan of jam, jazz, funk, or dance music, Beardfest has something for everyone.”

Community plays a big role in Beardfest. In addition to the music, the festival offers a variety of workshops, activities, and interactive installations suitable for attendees of all ages. From fire dancing to yoga and wellness classes, there’s something for everyone at Beardfest.
Tickets for Beardfest are available now on the event website, www.beardfest.net. The festival is family-friendly, and children under 12 can attend for free.


About Beardfest: Beardfest is an annual music festival in Hammonton, NJ that celebrates the joy of community and the power of music to bring people together. Named after the band “Out of the Beardspace”, the festival features a diverse lineup of musical acts with a focus on jam, jazz, funk, and dance music. Beardfest is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all attendees, regardless of gender, race, or background.

Please check out the festival webpage for tickets and further information and updates!

https://www.beardfest.net/

Going Up the Country for Yasgur Road Reunion, Celebrating 54 Years of Woodstock!

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In the summer of 1969, thousands upon thousands of people descended on the gorgeous area of Bethel, NY and found themselves on the farm of Max and Mirium Yasgur. They were meeting up with like minded souls for four days of music and peace. What they found in those rolling hills, lakes, and trees was exactly that with a special kind of welcoming that is hard to explain unless you feel it for yourself. There is something in the ground in this area. A divine energy full of vitality, soul, and peace that permeates everything and everyone who stops to feel it. It’s palpable the moment you take off your shoes and walk around. Something becomes a part of you and it never leaves. You find yourself wanting it to be a part of you every year – and I say that from experience! For many years after the original festival took place, attendees returned annually to feel that vitality and meet up with friends they connected with that summer weekend. The feeling and that kinship was something that folks have long wanted to keep alive, and it’s been being kept alive in the best possible way over at Yasgur Road.

Yes, we know that Bethel Woods is here, and I heartily suggest that any visitor to the area head over to the original concert field, stand at the bottom, and take it all in. It’s a truly moving experience. It’s like you can hear the roar of the crowd in the wind that carries across the field. There is often a peace sign lovingly mowed into the grass, and things are so well maintained. But it’s a part of a large venue now and not a place that you can come, camp, and feel kinship with others. Fear not, friends, as that is something being cultivated a few miles up 17B at Yasgur Road. In addition to hosting campers for most major events at Bethel Woods, they also host many of their own events on their gorgeous farmland and amazing wooded camping areas. The best event of the year is their annual celebration of the reason so many people still take a pilgrimage to this area – Yasgur Road Productions annual Yasgur Road Reunion. It takes place the on the anniversary of the original festival every August and is a great way to commemorate the true meaning of Woodstock with peace, love, and music. This year, the Reunion will be taking place Thursday August 10th through Sunday August 13th and celebrating an incredible 54 years of Woodstock.

The bands on the lineup include ShwizZ, PEAK, Forbidden Fruit, Mums the Word, Gypsy Funk Squad, Sistermonk, and so many more. There is a fantastic covered stage area, great woods camping, facilities with plumbing, vendors, art, and a wonderful and truly welcoming festival atmosphere that simply can’t be beat. We have been covering festivals for many years at A Perfect Mess and this has become our favorite, three years running. So many fests seek to bring the spirit of Woodstock to what they create but none do it better than the original. We cannot recommend enough that you gather your favorite souls, head on up the country and dance to the music at Yasgur Road Reunion. You will not regret it!

This is one of the most affordable summer festivals you will find this year so if you are steering clear of some of the usuals because prices are up, this is the destination for you! Tickets for the event are available now and start at $89 for Friday through Sunday GA, including camping. There are also RV options available with and without hookups at the site and an early entry option for those who want to come and get things started on Thursday. For those like myself who are very concerned about accessibility at a festival, there is handicapped camping at no additional charge. This means a lot to us here at APM!

Head on over to the website for tickets here:

https://theticketing.co/e/yasgurroadreunion?fbclid=IwAR2Wbq4Q0SEBPN2iUJrn9lrvFQlfC7sBYKAH8SEFAjLi-w24QtyG3iG18Co

Please keep an eye to the web page at www.yasgurroadfarms.com in addition to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/yasgurroad for updates to lineup and pricing, and make your reservations! A Perfect Mess will also keep you updated with any changes, and we truly hope to see and dance with you all!