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    Michelle Eigenheer, Editor:

    It is really hard to make it all the way to Day 3 when you're fighting against the merciless July sun and all that bourbon. But it was so worth it. This was the day I'd been waiting for, with almost all of my top performers taking the stage on Sunday. Anderson East, Joan Shelley, Death Cab, Gary Clark, Jr., White Denim and, my definite must-see, Brandi Carlile.  Watching the sun go down on Brandi Carlile's "Wherever Is Your Heart" will stay with me for a long time.

    By Day 3, you fully get into a festival mode and become a pro at navigating, anticipating what's going to happen and making friends out of strangers. You find your preferred bar and the water station with the shortest line. By Day 3, you are a pro, which makes it that much more bittersweet when it ends (though it stings a little less when you find the sweet solace of air conditioning and a long shower).

    Who am I hoping to see on the waterfront next year? Childish Gambino would be an amazing headliner and Bryson Tiller (a Louisville native) should absolutely be given a space on one of our stages. Chris Stapleton and Sturgill Simpson, two more Kentucky natives, feel like obvious choices, especially after Stapleton's CMA performance with Justin Timberlake. On my personal wishlist are husband and wife duo Johnnyswim, sister group HAIM, The Decemberists (their sea shanties are totally on-theme with Forecastle), Brand New (maybe as part of their expected/dreaded farewell tour??) and Louisville-based Vandaveer, whose newest release, "The Wild Mercury," is uplifting, energetic and perfect for the WFPK Port Stage.

     

    Katie Molck, Staff Writer:

    Sunday proved my exhaustion. I spent most of the last day checking out everything I missed whilst going hard in the paint Friday and Saturday. The poster vendors are always cool and I ended up splurging on two at James Flames. I also spend some time at the craft beer booths which are often overlooked in Kentucky Landing. I mean, I get, they're small pours, but it's a nice break from the Sierra Nevada and PBRs. Plus, it's a great way to support the local businesses Forecastle brings in. 

    I did get to catch Speedy Ortiz on the WFPK stage and they were rad. Their showed was canceled last year due to "muscle relaxers," said frontmen Sadie Dupuis. They definitely made up for what was missed. 

    Now that's it's all over, I can't help but to wonder what next year will bring. I'm hopeful and a bit fantastical that perhaps LCD Soundsystem (since they're back together again) will make the bill along with Hall & Oats and Jenny Lewis. I also hope the food truck game will improve. Don't get me wrong, I love a hand dipped corn dog more than anything in the world, but I wouldn't be opposed to healthier food options, either. 

    Aaron Hartley, Intern:

    I have to admit; I was practically a dead man walking by the end of the Forecastle weekend. I could keep the heat at bay for a while, but it was kicking my ass by the time Sunday rolled around. A couple of Red Bulls kept me on my feet.

    Anderson East took me by surprise and put on a great show, as well as Gary Clark, Jr. (as usual). But my favorite stuff came later in the day. Death Cab for Cutie was a fun throwback, but Speedy Ortiz and Ryan Adams were absolutely my faves. Led by the incomparable Sadie Dupuis, Spedy Ortiz is an awesome call to old school noisey alternative like Pixies and Nirvana, but with an indie pop flavor.

    Ryan’s charismatic, engaging and entertaining performance was a fantastic cap to the weekend. Apart from his great music and guitar playing, of course, a Black Sabbath cover and an improvised song directed towards a heckler made for an especially memorable set.

    While this year was fun, I’d really like to see some variety between headliners and artists for next year. Rock and folk can get boring all their own. I’d love to see a rap headliner again like Wu-Tang Clan or Kendrick Lamar, with a big name in alternative such as Weezer or Gorillaz, and an indie group like Vampire Weekend or Arcade Fire headline the festival in 2017.

     

    Check out the slideshow below for more highlights from Day 3 of Forecastle 2016.

    Cover Image: John Miller

    Slideshow: 

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