After a bit of a sophomore slump, the 2008 version of the I AM Festival is roaring back.
“Now we’ve got the system down,” co-organizer Rich Martin said.
This year’s free, day-long festival of independent arts and music takes place Sept. 13 at Custom House Pier on the Waterfront Park in New London and offers two stages of bigger acts as well as more vendors and demonstrations. The festival, which started in 2006, was an immediate hit, as close to 1,000 people jammed the waterfront to see bands such as Girl Talk and Rainer Maria.
Last year, due to some scheduling problems, the festival took a downward turn, with indie-rapper MC Chris headlining, and the festival suffered from a lack of buzz.
That’s all changed.
“Last year we had nothing as strong as we do this year,” Martin said.
At the top of the bill this year is Jay Reatard, a pugnacious garage-rocker from Memphis, who is getting a big push from the always hip Matador Records. But, it’s not just indie rock on the card, as folk chanteuse Martha Wainwright will be performing acoustic; Obama-loving rappers Kidz In The Hall will be on the mikes; and pre-teen sensations Tiny Masters of Today, who have recorded with Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, will top the second stage.
Also, New London will welcome back Brooklyn country-rockers Oakley Hall, who will be playing the city for the third time this year.
College radio vets Oneida will also take the main stage, as will Connecticut College’s skanking wonders, Great Skaught. Two Connecticut acts, Panda and Child from Manchester and MT Bearington from New Haven, will also grace the main stage.
Those looking to check out local acts can hang by the second stage where New London’s Fatal Film, who will next month be in-residence at the famous Lower East Side haunt Piano’s, and Suicide Dolls will hold court, as will Hand Grenade Serenade.
Montville’s Brava Spectre and Mystic’s Thick Thieves will play in the early afternoon, as will New Haven’s Aeroplane 1929.
This year’s I AM festival will see an increase in the “arts” aspect of the event, as there will be six interactive art demonstrations, including blacksmiths and a woodcarver.
Local restaurants will be serving up food among information booths offering pamphlets from organizations as diverse as Amnesty International and the Libertarian Party.
I AM also offers the opportunity for area teens to participate in promoting the event.
W-Cast, an affiliation of local teenagers and local bands who organizes all-ages shows, has been closely involved with the event.
“It’s things like I AM that brings people together in person,” said Michelle Moran, a senior at Norwich Free Academy. “Even in this age of the Internet and instant messaging, that’s important.”