All Over Albany

I would really, really like to see LCD Soundsystem.

I would really, really not like to be in the middle of that particular subculture.

... said b on Jun 16, 2010 at 4:21 PM | link

Ditto the previous comment, only replace LCD Soundsystem with Thievery Corporation.

... said tomato(e) on Jun 16, 2010 at 4:34 PM | link

Saw Camp Bisco 5 (back then at Hunter Mountain), it was fun, but seriously, they still don't sell one-day tickets?! Ridic.

... said -S on Jun 16, 2010 at 4:52 PM | link

Ditto to all that above.

The Album Leaf seems like a real kind of odd-band-out on this one...

A band I would have loved to see at Rev Hall, for sure.

... said Matthew on Jun 16, 2010 at 5:03 PM | link

They will sell Saturday only tickets as it gets closer.

As for the subculture - Camp Bisco is really not that bad, I've been more sketched out at recent Phish shows than anything I've seen at 4 years of Camp Bisco.

ILCC staff does a wonderful job of enforcing the no glass policy so there is never broken glass around and they also do a great job of cleaning up the riff-raff and making sure everyone is having a safe fun time. They really know what they are doing there and Camp Bisco couldn't have a more perfect home.

... said C on Jun 17, 2010 at 9:38 AM | link

Speaking of acid:

http://vimeo.com/11242009

... said Chester on Jun 17, 2010 at 10:00 AM | link

C, really, a Phish concert is what you use to compare the Bisco crowd favorably? I've had enough contact highs and dealings with people more blasted than Fallujah at All Points West the last two years, and that's not a fest with the same kind of notoriety.

You know, it's not really true that stoners are all peaceful and carefee when they're high. There are people who get so tweaked they're downright dangerous, and I don't want to be caught in the middle of that. If we legalize pot can we have no smoking zones like we do for tobacco? Oh wait, nobody pays attention to those anyway.

... said B on Jun 17, 2010 at 12:40 PM | link

I am the PR lead for the festival. Few things...

Mr. McManus, from PW, was by his own admission- very wasted, so take his reporting with a grain of salt. The festival certainly had it's share of bad apples, but ultimately it was nothing that got in the way of the majority being able to have a great time.

Camp Bisco, as with any festival, has several cultures/sub-cultures throughout the grounds. The particular sect that you choose to be a part of is completely up to you. The festival provides a very safe and fun environment to hear great music.

I would encourage you to give it a shot. A lot of improvements have been made and it should be the best we've had to offer in the last 9 years.

... said chad shearer on Jun 17, 2010 at 1:34 PM | link

B - With an attitude like that you better stay away from EVERY music festival and concert in case you get a whiff of something that isn't tobacco, we wouldn't want you to get all tweaked and dangerous now.

... said C on Jun 17, 2010 at 1:55 PM | link

been the last 2 years and am dying to go this year but not sure if i can make it yet. camp bisco is a great time.

... said lo swaga on Jun 17, 2010 at 8:39 PM | link

Saturday only tickets are indeed available... for $80! No tickets for Thursday only, with headliner LCD Soundsystem. What gives.

... said -S on Jul 12, 2010 at 4:28 PM | link

I've heard of this festival for a long time and decided to go this year. I knew many artists on the bill plus I was excited about hearing new ones.

As I can only speak for myself, I will offer the following commentary. First of all, the drive there is incredibly beautiful as you drive through undisturbed, bucolic country side. The vendors offered fantastic food, art, and curios ( I really wanted a hula hoop, but I bought me a Moonmat ;-D).

Thievery Corp. was well worth it and they awed me as live performers. The Black Seeds are an amazingly tight and talented group. Having never heard of the Disco Biscuits until recently, I enjoyed their set as well as their visuals. As an "electro freak", I spent alot of time in the dance tent and enjoyed the various sprinkling of DJs throughout the festival grounds. King Britt is a veteran DJ who totally rocked it. I missed Tipper (who was apparently amazing) by opting to catch Break Science and Talib Kwali. His lyrics were deeply cerebral, he did alot of new songs, and they were great (once they showed up - lol).

As for the people, The concertgoers (aka "Bisco kids as I affectionately called them) were peaceful, laidback people and I never feared for my safety. However, be warned: most of these peaceful laidback kids are/were very drunk or very high.Throughout the course of the festival, you will hardly draw a fresh breath as most of it was filled with drug/cig smoke and if that kind of thing bugs you, DO NOT GO. Bisco kids had 3 goals in mind: To hear great music, meet new people, and get F#CKED UP. If you agree with at least 2 of those goals, you'll have a good time. The Biker security people were very cool and they enforced rules without being a##holes.

The festival chugged along pretty smoothly until the heavy rain on Saturday night. It was really something to see nature put on the most SPECTACULAR lightning show. It was fun yet frightening as we watched countless life-threatening flashes in the sky and everyone around us let out a scared/excited "OHHHHHH!!!". The storms put the music on hold for hours, but in that time, we came across alot of rain sobered/soaked Bisco Kids throwing makeshift parties with stereos blaring from their tents and cars. The best one had my friends and I being part of an impromptu drum circle/rain dance party. We decided to end our time there due to the rain and drove home Saturday night, but I don't regret that. I came, I saw, and I was content. The memories will last a lifetime.

... said Snugalug on Jul 18, 2010 at 8:40 PM | link