Dead & Company: Make Your Own Opinions on John Mayer sitting in for Jerry

With Dead & Company finally wrapping up their shows for 2018, and the festival season starting to slow down we have seen and heard some amazing sets from Dead & Company and have been able to form some strong opinions of this new iteration of the Grateful Dead. I had the unique opportunity to work on the production side of LOCKN’ Music Festival, which featured the final sets of Dead & Company of 2018, which opened my eyes to a lot of what goes on behind the scenes of a Dead show. Two articles quoting John Mayer and Chris Robinson, make commentary on Mayer’s performance since he took on the massive roll of lead that Jerry Garcia left behind.

Chris Robinson, of the Black Crowes, makes it very clear that having Mayer be one of the front men for Dead & Co. was not a wise choice. Robinson brings this up in his interview with Howard Stern, saying. “Donald Trump is president, John Mayer’s in the Grateful Dead and my brother is a Black Crowes tribute band.” He goes on to talk about the misuse of the legacy that the Grateful Dead left behind, and how it has become a money grab for those who are putting on the shows. Later in the interview, Chris even says, “Everything that Jerry ever talked about or stood for – John Mayer is the antithesis.” There is not much love coming from Chris Robinson when it comes to John Mayer playing with Dead & Co., and it doesn’t seem like Mayer will be getting Chris’ stamp of approval any time soon.

John Mayer also comments on his time with the Dead &Co., and feeling the legacy that Jerry left behind over 20 years ago. Mayer shares how he wishes that he was going to a Grateful Dead show, and was going to be able to listen to Jerry Garcia and the rest of the band from the crowd. He also made a statement in the fall saying that he is, “only here as an interpreter of a master. This band has developed a soul all its own, but I play in constant emotional, psychological and musical deference to Jerry Garcia.” Mayer then closes with lyrics from “Terrapin Station”:   “The storyteller makes no choice/ Soon you will not hear his voice/ His job is to shed light/ And not to master.”

Based on these articles, and the time that I have spent watching and listening to both the Grateful Dead and Dead & Co., it is very clear that Jerry Garcia and John Mayer are two different but skilled guitar players, each unique with their own take on what they play. It is important to remember that Chris Robinson is not the judge of who is a good stand-in for Jerry. Make your own opinions about what you as a listener like about John. I would suggest that you give Dead & Company a listen, there is a lot of content that they have put out in the past few years of playing together, so take it all in. Also, go see a show! The Grateful Dead (Dead & Co. included), is and will always be about the live experience, it is what makes them unique, and in order to properly judge an artist, seeing them live should definitely be a priority. Most importantly, just enjoy the artistry that is coming out right now. While John Mayer is not Jerry, he is still a phenomenal guitar player and artist.

We don’t need the approval of Chris Robinson to like John Mayer having a role in the Dead, its ultimately up to the community that revolves around the band to accept him, which in recent tours, he has been widely accepted by new and old deadheads.

My name is Carter Page, I am currently a senior at NorthwesternUniversity, and a production assistant for G4D Productions. Over the past year, I have had the opportunity to work in a number of music festivals like LOCKN Music Festival and Willie Nelson's Outlaw Music Festival Tour, and have learned from some of the best people in production. The Grateful Dead is what brought me into the music industry, and will always be a very influential band and community in my life.

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The Role of the DJ: How to Break Boundaries in Electronic Dance Music

The popularization of electronic dance music and DJing in the past decade raises questions about music and culture. Today’s music scene is increasingly linked with technology in all facets of production, performance, and promotion. Technology and the internet create unprecedented challenges and opportunities for musicians. The role of the DJ is a controversial topic in online communities today. The role of the DJ is unique and constantly changing.

What is a DJ’s Role in Today’s Dance Music Festivals?
https://thump.vice.com/en_us/article/what-is-a-djs-role-in-todays-dance-music-festivals

Michelle Lhooq’s article about the the role of the DJ in festivals raises a number of important questions about electronic dance music performance. An increasing number of artists in the past decade have approached their careers as a persona rather than a musician. This is directly related to the commercialization of electronic dance music.

I would like to respond by opening a discussion about ways to be the best DJ, performer, and musician that you can be. There is a wide spectrum of DJs and different philosophies about DJing. I’ve spent time at Northwestern University studying music and learning from DJs in the Chicago area. I am still trying to wrap my head around this constantly evolving art. 

Everyone has their own definition of a DJ and their own priorities as a performer. DJs have unprecedented material at their disposal. And they have unprecedented flexibility as a performer. The one thing that really stands out and draws me to DJing is the fact that you have so much flexibility. You can play any music you want. This has not been possible to the same extent prior to the internet. 

When I started DJing, my mentors emphasized mixing different material and formats. Ryan Keesling (Searchl1te) and Madrid Perry (DJ Madrid) taught me that it is our duty as a DJ to bring together unexpected and otherwise unrelated styles of music. This advice resonated with me over the years. 

I hope that budding DJs, big name artists, and music enthusiasts alike think more critically about music. And the social and cultural implications of music. Recognize different priorities of performers, audiences, and venues. Find new ways to explore space and time. And experiment with the unfamiliar. At the end of the day, your music is your craft. It really shows when you stay true to yourself. 

Lucas Messore is a music producer, guitarist, and DJ from Miami. He is currently a senior at the Northwestern University Bienen School of Music. Lucas is involved in Street Beat - the electronic and hip/hop radio show on 89.3 FM WNUR. 
www.soundcloud.com/anelu
www.wnurstreetbeat.org

Festival Producers: 3 Things to Remember About Social Media

Electronic dance music has seen a sharp rise in popularity and now, festivals look to social media to stay innovative and relevant to festival-goers. I am an undergraduate economics student at Northwestern University with a certificate in integrated marketing, and I have found two articles that stress how important social media is for festival producers to stay ahead of the game.

The Atlantic recently published an article titled How Fashion Co-Opted Coachella by Alexandra Cheney detailing how fashion houses are attracting followers away from the festival grounds and to private parties. The 16-year-old music festival has developed a cult following of sorts. In the days leading up to this festival, fans document their journey to Coachella Valley all over social media, tweeting about who they can’t wait to see to what outfits they plan on wearing. Looks are becoming more important then the actual music being played. Luxury and commercial brands aggressively spend to attract influencers, consumers and “fashionistas” to invite-only pool parties and tented fashion shows. A new trend in festivals is the creation of external parties like these designer house pool parties that add an air of exclusivity that everyone wants a piece of. In fact, many festival-goers go to established events outside of the festival grounds. “No-Chella” has taken over Coachella – being seen and getting that exclusive party-invite can be more important than what is happening on the festival grounds.

http://electronicmidwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/coach.jpg

Electronic dance music has been dubbed the music of the millennial generation. We thrive on connectivity. Phil Hudson’s article in the Atlanta Business Chronicle titled TomorrowWorld parent studies EDM fans examines how EDM is becoming a culture and lifestyle for fans. Electronic music thrives on connectivity and fans enhance their experience by sharing their experiences all over social media. Chatter about EDM, music festivals and fan preferences take place on the Internet. With so many festivals emerging across the country, the only way festivals can differentiate themselves is either by bringing in an impressive lineup or by doing something no festival has done before. Electronic music is here to stay and the challenge is in figuring out how to capitalize on the music festival industry.

There are three action points any festival producer should consider.

1. Go Social – The most successful festivals have highly active social accounts with a combination of user-generated content, popular hashtags and festival announcements.

2. Listen Online – With the majority of festival goers online, social listening helps you stay in touch with your fans and hear what they like and dislike.

3. Music First – There’s a reason why they’re called “music festivals” and not “fashion festivals”. Don’t sacrifice your sound for the extra fashion show!

Electronic dance music and the festival culture have taken over the millennial generation. To succeed in the festival industry, producers need to think of ways to stay innovative and relevant in the music scene but without compromising the music. Social listening and paying heavy attention to social media has become a necessity rather than an after-thought for any serious festival producer.

About the Author

I am a Northwestern senior majoring in Economics, minoring in Asian American Studies and completing my certificate in the Integrated Marketing Communications program. I am currently still seeking a post-graduate job in the marketing industry, ideally looking to work in the music festival scene. Feel free to reach out to me via Twitter or drop me a message at katherinekim2015@u.northwestern.edu. I would love to talk more about the changing music scene!