Sunday Reliant Main Stage Preview
It’s tough to believe but we are a mere two days away from Via Colori 2011. I sure hope y’all are ready! Sundays at the festival are always special as attendees from all over the Houston area congregate at Sam Houston Park to take in the sights and sounds of the festival before it’s all just a memory. Because we like to go out on top, we have a seriously stellar Sunday lineup on our Reliant Main Stage. Get there early, take in the art, pop open a cold one and enjoy the shows we have lined up for you. Two words: Sunday Funday. You know you want to.
We’re thrilled to have The Literary Greats kicking off our last day of Via Colori 2011. Their set, which begins at 12:00 P.M. is sure to impress both fans and newcomers alike. Last year, The Literary Greats earned more Houston Press Music Award nominations than anyone in town and their newest album, Black Blizzard, finds the band exploring new territory with a bluesier, more rock-heavy sound. As if you need more convincing, the Houston Press’ Chris Gray said this of the Literary Greats: ‘With melodies as intense as the lyrics, the Greats' Wilco-like live shows are another reason these five unassuming guys have become a band worth paying attention to — call it roots-rock if you want, but these roots go down awful deep.’
Taking the stage next at 1:15 P.M. are longtime Houston indie rock favorites, Spain Colored Orange. The SCO crew won ‘Local Musican of the Year’ and ‘Best Album’ at the Houston Press Music Awards in 2006 and took ‘Best Indie Band’ honors in 2006, 2008 and 2009, among other accolades. Featuring Gilbert Alfaro’s keyboard work and Eric Jackson on the trumpet, there isn’t another band in town that sounds quite like Spain Colored Orange. According to Alfaro, they are also currently working on a new album to follow-up 2009’s Sneaky Like a Villain. I’ve got my fingers crossed that they’ll unveil some new tunes for us at Via Colori during their 45-minute long Sunday afternoon set.
Next up at 2:30 P.M. are Houston favorites the Sideshow Tramps, who are making their second Via Colori appearance this year. Sideshow Tramps picked up the ‘Best Americana’ honors at the Houston Press Music awards this past Tuesday night in addition to Geoffery Muller picking up yet another award for ‘Best Miscellaneous Instrument’. Although their throwback sound has been described as ‘old-timey’, their raucous live shows are anything but. Those of you who saw Sideshow Tramps pull members from the Wild Moccasins and the Riff Tiffs on stage with them at Via Colori in 2008 know that absolutely anything can happen at a Tramps show. Make sure you’re at the Reliant Main Stage for this and don’t miss out on what is sure to be one of the most entertaining sets of the weekend.
And last but most certainly not least, is headlining act Roky Moon and BOLT! at 4:00 P.M. Featuring monstrous guitar riffs and incredibly dynamic, theatrical stage presence, Roky Moon and BOLT! is one of the best, most sublimely entertaining acts in Houston. Their latest album, the epic high-energy glam rock opera, American Honey, has been on heavy rotation in my personal music collection since their album release at Fitzgerald’s over the summer. After seeing their headlining performance this Sunday at Via Colori, you’ll understand what all the well-deserved hype is about. So stick around with us until the end of the festival and make sure you don’t miss out on a larger-than-life festival-closing set from Roky Moon and BOLT!
That’s a wrap, folks. I hope these entertainment previews got you psyched for your favorite bands and helped you learn about some new talented local musicians who are playing at the festival. See you all at Via Colori this weekend!
Annie Barrera
Via Colori Entertainment Chair
Saturday Reliant Stage Preview
