Review: Talleyrand Music and Arts Festival
Nearly 5,000 music enthusiasts poured into Jacksonville’s beautiful Metropolitan Park on Saturday November 10th to dig the music, scenery, weather, and vibe of the first ever Talleyrand Music Festival. The production was quasi-close to perfect. Young and old, hippies, ravers and indie kids all piled into the breathtaking downtown park to enjoy over 30 national and local acts on four stages. DJ’s in the dance pavilion spun tunes all day while the top level of the pavilion held an eclectic art show by local artists.
The venue was truly beautiful with over 27 acres of plush lawns and a riverfront view that at sunset, with music blaring in the background, was uncannily close to a religious experience. Acts included a little something for everyone from headliners Against Me, Spoon, The Bravery, Keller Williams and Pepper to lesser known acts such as The Expendables, Perpetual Groove and The Polyphonic Spree.
The highlight of my day was the wildly energetic comeback of Arrested Development. Not a soul in the crowd was still for their set and this soul danced like a damn maniac. The surprisingly great show of the day for me was Against Me. I was blown away by their stage presence and energy. I left their set a fan which I wasn’t before.
The last show of the day was one of my favorites but I may be partial because I love Keller Williams and I really love a good jam-band. Usually a solo artist, he played with the WMD’s and produced a wonderfully funky jam-band. Being the last show of the day many people had left but the hardcore fans danced it out until the last song.
For a one-day, first year festival, producer Jason Lewis did a great job. Festival guides with line-ups would have been useful but this veteran, festival go-er was prepared and printed out a line-up pre-festival. Some complained that there was a lack of vendors at the park but there were a handful of food vendors and a plethora of beer tents which was good enough for me. After all it’s about the music right? What’s the obsession with buying an $8 falafel or expensive hemp clothing? Talleyrand was solely about the music which is why I will be returning next year.
