Forecastle Festival 2014 kicked off Friday. (Here's a review.) The festival at Louisville's Waterfront Park has a full day of music planned–which means fest-goers have some decisions to make. WFPL arts reporter Erin Keane and Sean Cannon, a DJ from our sister station WFPK, have some advice on what bands to catch. We'll roll out daily picks for Forecastle's finale day tomorrow morning. Here are suggestions for Saturday: Soul Rebels (Mast Stage, 2:00 p.m. ) Start your afternoon with a New Orleans-style party. I caught a set by this high-energy brass band at Metallica’s Orion Fest (I know, right?) a couple of summers ago and the memory still makes me smile. A festival band should be … festive. These guys do it up right. – Erin Spanish Gold (Mast Stage, 3:30 p.m.) Spanish Gold isn’t just a safe bet because the band includes My Morning Jacket Patrick Hallahan. Nope. Spanish Gold is a safe bet because the band is tight, energetic and has a bunch of slightly-Southwestern-tinged alt-pop summer jams that are perfectly suited for an outdoor setting. – Sean Nope, I’m just here for the Hallahan. (kidding!) – Erin Sharon Jones (Mast Stage, 5:15 p.m.) Sharon Jones is hardly an unknown commodity, but no one should miss the soul diva’s performance. Recordings don’t do her voice justice. – Sean Mount Moriah (WFPK Port Stage, 5:30 p.m.) If you trust Merge Records (home to Arcade Fire, Mountain Goats, Magnetic Fields and too many others to mention), then the alt-folk stylings of Merge signee Mount Moriah are meant for you. – Sean Jason Isbell (Boom Stage, 6 p.m.) Once upon a time, he was one moving part of the 18-wheeling songwriter powerhouse Drive By Truckers. He’s been out on his own for years now, but last year’s album "Southeastern" was one of the best of the year, a fitting showcase for his melancholy voice and mature – but never too cynical – writing. – Erin Slint (Ocean Stage, 8:30 p.m.) You didn’t get in to see Slint’s super-exclusive reunion show at Nelligan Hall back in April. You’ve been waiting for this. Here it is. Even Dwight Yoakam would be there if he wasn’t playing on the Boom Stage at the same time. (Right?) – Erin You can find a full Forecastle schedule and more information here. Stay tuned tomorrow for photos and a review of Saturday's happenings—plus more suggestions for bands to catch. And follow WFPL and WFPK on Twitter ( here and here) for on-the-spot updates.
