New American Music Union Explained

Music Festival Name:New American Music Union
Location:SouthSide Works, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Years Active:2008
Dates:August 8–9, 2008
Genre:Pop, Rock music, and more
Website:Official Site

New American Music Union was a two-day summer music festival scheduled on August 8 and 9, 2008, at the SouthSide Works in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[1] [2] Lineups on two different stages were curated by Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.[3] It featured established music acts along with college bands vying for a recording contract. The show was presented by American Eagle Outfitters and co-produced by Live Nation. It was designed to be a Pittsburgh version of Milwaukee's Summerfest and Seattle's Bumbershoot.[4]

Scott Mervis of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reviewed the Gnarls Barkley performance favorably, while criticizing Bob Dylan's set list choices.[5] Mervis' review resulted in several contrary letters to the editor.[6]

The festival, which had been planned as an annual event, did not return for a second year because American Eagle Outfitters had moved away from using music as a marketing tool.[7]

College band competition

The college bands on the second stage were judged by a panel including industry and media professionals as well as other musicians. The winner received a full-day recording session in a recording studio in Los Angeles and promotion by American Eagle. The Black Fortys from Southern Illinois University were announced the winners of the best college band by Anthony Kiedis on Saturday August 9.[8] [9]

Main Stage Performers

College Stage Performers

Notes and References

  1. News: McCaffrey . Kate . Music festival draws crowd to South Side . . August 9, 2008 .
  2. News: Mervis . Scott . Cast of American Eagle's New American Music Union festival set to soar on the South Side . . August 7, 2008 .
  3. News: Mervis . Scott . NAMU: The Chili Pepper's hot bill . . August 7, 2008 .
  4. News: Mervis . Scott . New summer music festival to host Dylan on South Side . . May 15, 2008 .
  5. News: Mervis . Scott . Gnarls Barkley hits groove at festival; Dylan puts on an anticlimactic finish . . August 11, 2008 .
  6. News: Weekend Feedback: About Bob Dylan . . August 14, 2008 .
  7. News: Mervis . Scott . The year in (local) rock . . December 31, 2009 .
  8. Web site: American Eagle Outfitters Announces Summer Music Festival Hosted by Anthony Kiedis of Red Hot Chili Peppers . 2010-07-04 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081014120411/http://www.ae.com/web/77e/music/festival-info/index.html . 2008-10-14 .
  9. News: Mervis . Scott . Local Scene: The NAMU winner . . August 14, 2008 .
  10. News: Mervis . Scott . Gnarls Barkley hits groove at festival; Dylan puts on an anticlimactic finish . . August 11, 2008 .
  11. News: Jacobs . Justin . NAMU: The Black Keys get a gnarly makeover . . August 7, 2008 .
  12. News: NAMU: Down 'n' dirty Duke Spirit . . August 7, 2008 .
  13. Web site: Math the Band - Live from NAMU. February 4, 2022. YouTube.