Phil and Pickathon, getting ready for the weekend ::: photo courtesy of Pickathon

How many of you went to Hot 97′s Summer Jam?!?!

Exactly.

Just like a decent amount of you are probably scratching your heads, wondering what kind of preserve a “Summer Jam” is (“Oh, I think I saw that at PCC on Sunday!”), I am doing the same as it relates to Pickathon.

I’ve only heard what rumors were brought to my attention. All that I have felt and seen has been second-hand.

When it comes to music festivals, I read names, I scour press releases but rarely do I check out what the artist actually sounds like. Gentle readers, you may think I am failing you as a “music writer,” but I am merely just setting myself up for the slow bump and grind of disappointment or the potential minuet they call a pleasant surprise. The ironic cliche of expecting the unexpected is what the live music experience is all about. I fully expect to be both disappointed and elated by consternation this weekend.

Despite all the things that remain unknown heading into this weekend, what I can tell you about Pickathon is that if you miss an artist the first time, there’s a pretty good chance you can catch them the next day at a different stage. For instance, Typhoon, White Denim, Heartless Bastards, Thee Oh Sees and many more are performing on both Friday and Saturday. There’s also a dozen or so musical acts that are performing both Saturday and Sunday. Then there’s the War on Drugs skyrocket’s in flight, afternoon delight who are performing every 11 minutes throughout the weekend. They are taking the term burning the midnight oil to a new level.

If you want the official schedule without any hint of sarcasm, you can click here.

My expectations for my first Pickathon are levied by my embryonic experiences at Sasquatch and Doe Bay Music Festival. In other words, I forecast great things. If I am doing a minuet alone all weekend, you’ll be sure to hear about it in an unfiltered fashion.