Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Primus headlining on Friday? Only two days of shows? The long-awaited Moogfest 2012 lineup announcement that finally arrived today has been met with approval and disappointment alike.
Are you excited or underwhelmed with this year’s lineup? Is Moogfest missing out by removing heavy hitters like in previous years (Jonsi, Big Boi, the Flaming Lips), or is it pleasing fans with a smaller, “strategic” lineup of bands with experience, ability, musicianship and appeal to electronic music lovers?
Some selections from the hundreds of fan comments from the Moogfest lineup announcement on Facebook:
Sparse (relative to previous yrs) but effective! Like a habenero (sp?) pepper for your soul! MOOGFEST YOU’VE DONE IT AGAIN BY GOLLY!
ORBITAL!!! ORBITAL!!! 😀
Those are fairly underwhelming headliners. I hope ticket prices are reduced to reflect this.
Listen, this lineup is DEEP (to use a sports analogy) No David Beckhams per se but a LOT of experience and ability in the midfield. Good Job Moogfest! Now just the pricing structure…
don’t know what you all are whining about. line-up is great. All sorts of innovators here from their own respected styles. Orbital, squarepusher, carl craig, plastikman….you couldn’t ask for more if you are a fan of electronic musique.
best moogfest lineup i’ve ever seen
Replace Primus with a headliner that will actually make me dance. Then we’ll talk.
I think this is a very VERY WEAK line up.. Seriously? I really hope you announce more.. Glad I already reserved a room for this. Yikes. What happened?
this isn’t $100 worth of music.
Explains the late announcement.
So disappointed!! Been waiting two years for THIS? Primus and Shpongle?? You guys have taken away what people love about this festival the most, and that announcement got everyone real hype for a big letdown. 🙁
It’s so ridiculous how elitist and snobby most ‘electronic’ music fans are. Nobody cares. Lineup is OK, just not close to the last 2.
Year 1: Jonsi, Big Boi, MGMT, Van Dyke Parks, Panda Bear
Year 2: TV on the Radio, Crystal Castles, Umphrey’s McGee, Suicide
Year 3: Primus…just Primus
Haterade by the case around these parts. I for one think it’s a solid lineup. There is no use in expecting an annual event to be like it was last year or the year before that, it takes balls to put it on year after year as it is. Moogfest, kudos to you. You literally made me jump up and down squealing like a 5 year old girl when I saw “GZA presents ‘liquid swords'”. Thank you.
You guys have some solid artists like Squarepusher, BMSR, Killer Mike and others, but mostly this feels like a downgrade from the amazing lineup last year. Did you guys lose money last year maybe?
Man, I’m just happy that Moogfest is happening every year in Asheville. I’m glad Moog is continuing to mix it up. Who wants the same thing year after year after year? If it doesn’t push all my musical buttons this year, well, it’s probably hitting on all cylinders for somebody else, and next year might be the lineup that blows my mind. It’s all good! Stop acting like it’s the end of the world (or the end of Moogfest) if this bunch doesn’t do it for you! Sheesh! You are not the center of the universe, and the whole world doesn’t bow down to your individual tastes. Love, yer mom.
Moogfest lineup by day here.
Some electronic music fans will love every single band, some will not love any. The point of a festival is to have lots of options, covering everyones tastes. This lineup is too concentrated.
Very underwhelmed by this year’s lineup. I have friends who work for AC Entertainment and know for a fact that Moogfest LOST money last year. As a result, they have downsized the festival in order to actually turn a profit – the festival is 2 days instead of 3, and there are very few big name headliners. In year’s past we’ve had Big Boi, MGMT, Hot Chip, Flaming Lips, TV on the Radio, and this year we have… Primus. My fear is that they have gone too far and managed only to create a really weak festival. By focusing so much on saving money and cutting corners, they’re probably actually going to lose money. I went to Moogfest in its 1st year and loved it, but am really worried about its ability to be sustainable and continue to draw quality acts. I wish them all the success I can, even though they’ve completely shot themselves in the foot on this one.
Moogfest is going to suffer big time this year with a lineup as crappy as this. Terrible terrible terrible. Not worth the money at all.
I enjoyed the first year quite a bit (went on Saturday), but will not be attending this year. Maybe it’s time to pass the baton to my kids.
A reunited Man or Astroman is coming soon after at the Grey Eagle!
The choice is made and off to Raleigh and HOPSCOTCH it is this year. It’s only $110 for a 3 day pass with 3 times as many great bands. MOOGfest is weak this year and sadly after much anticipation I think I will have to pass. There are lots of great bands touring this Summer (Jesus and Mary Chain, Built to Spill, New Order, Black Keys etc.) but apparently MOOG decided to take the cheap route. I give it 2 more years tops.
ERMAHGERD MERG FERST! http://i3.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/333/069/a4c.gif
Yeah, it’s out of my price range, but a girl can dream…