Inside A Music Festival w/ Craig Finn [Some Sunday Context]
Summary
Host Jody Avergan interviews Craig Finn of The Hold Steady to discuss the legacy of Woodstock from a musician’s perspective. They explore the festival’s chaotic logistics, the iconic status of Jimi Hendrix’s performance, and the impact of bands that declined to play. Finn also shares his views on modern music festivals and reveals how he reworked a Hold Steady song to address the ICE protests in Minneapolis.
Topics discussed
Introduction and guest Craig Finn
Hypothetical Woodstock invite for The Hold Steady
Evolution of festival logistics and technology
First encounters with Woodstock via TV and Hendrix
Perception of Woodstock: Music vs. Politics
Family connections and lesser-known lineup artists
Hendrix's performance timing and iconic status
Artists who declined or were excluded from Woodstock
Led Zeppelin's refusal and festival branding
The experience of performing at music festivals
Audience dynamics and magical festival moments
Memorable festival sets: Broken Social Scene and Jack White
City festivals vs. remote camping experiences
Sponsor break: Masterplan podcast
The resurgence of festivals and eclectic tastes
Visiting the Woodstock site and local legacy
Commercialization and nostalgia of the Woodstock brand
Music, politics, and the power of protest songs
Billy Bragg on changing minds vs. changing the world
Reworking a song in response to ICE in Minneapolis
Closing remarks and show credits
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