When Dr. Robert Moog (pronounced “mogue”) began developing the Moog synthesizers in the early 1960s, there’s absolutely no way he could have known the impact the synth would have on the development of modern music. That being said, he probably didn’t think he’d have a three-day music festival named after him either.
Moogfest takes place annually in Asheville, N.C., Dr. Moog’s long time residence, with this year’s festival slated for October 28-30. The acts booked to the festival’s always eclectic lineup find common ground through their use of Moog’s invention in some form or another.
Whether it’s a progressive jam band like Umphrey’s McGee or glam-rock giants The Flaming Lips, the Moog synth’s signature beeps, blips and searing lead sounds cut through the mix just the same. Highlights of this year’s lineup include the aforementioned Flaming Lips, the ever popular Passion Pit, the smooth and soulful sounds of Mayer Hawthorne and the County, the tripping-balls-and-I’m-not-on-anything mindfuck that is STS9 and, last on the list but certainly not least, Columbia native Chaz Bundick’s chillwave juggernaut Toro y Moi.
You can check out the festival’s full initial lineup release on their website or watch the official lineup release video below. Tickets for Moogfest go on sale Saturday, June 4 at noon EST and start at $149.50 plus fees for a three-day festival pass. If you’ve got the time and the money, it would definitely be worth your while to nerd out and get down to some sweet synth for an entire weekend.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw6pkqoFQIw&feature=player_embedded
