The Flaming Lips' performance at Dfest will be the group's first show in Tulsa since the mid-'90s. The Willy Wonkas of alternative rock, the Flaming Lips, and Tulsa Sound legend Leon Russell will headline Diversafest this summer. Organizers of the emerging music festival hope to draw about 30,000 people to Tulsa. Dubbed "Dfest" for short, the festival is scheduled for July 27-28 in downtown's Blue Dome District. It will bring about 130 bands to the area near First Street and Elgin Avenue. Apart from two outdoor stages and at least 10 venues participating, the festival also will feature a music conference and tradeshow with members of the recording industry. Also performing are Limbeck, Edmond-product Kevin Welch, and Tulsa jazz act Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, with more acts to be named later. "We've never done it on this level before," said Dfest co-founder Angie DeVore, describing the festival's move to larger venues from its previous location in the 18th Street and Boston Avenue area. This is the festival's sixth year. Wristbands for admittance to the festival go on sale March 9 and are available through www.okctickets.com . Conference tickets also are available. "This is public and private industry working together and it's pretty exciting," said Mayor Kathy Taylor, who added that the city will help with security for the event and provide a parking lot across from the Tulsa Performing Arts Center for an outdoor stage.
Flaming Lips, Leon Russell to headline Dfest
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By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer
2/28/2007
The festival's impetus is on helping original bands make a living with their music no matter the genre. Bands from more than 20 genres will perform, festival co-founder Tom Green said.
The Flaming Lips, from Oklahoma City, have won three Grammys, including two at the awards show earlier this month for the band's most recent album, "At War with the Mystics." The album showed the band merging its quirky electronic experimentalism with funkier sounds.
The Dfest show will be the first the band has played in Tulsa in years and follows a spectacular show last September at Oklahoma City's Zoo Amphitheater.
"We haven't played Tulsa since like the mid-90s, which is really sad," said the band's multi-instrumentalist, Steven Drozd. "I think the last time we played was at Mohawk Park or something and that was '94, '95, or something."
The co-headliner, Leon Russell, recently performed at his October induction at the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in Muskogee. The singer and pianist released a new album of original material, "Angel in Disguise," last year.
He is in the midst of a tour that will take him all over the country this spring and summer.
Among other changes this year, organizers have staggered the starting times for groups of bands making it easier for attendees to catch different bands, DeVore said.
Admission to both days of the festival is $20 plus a service charge, DeVore said.
"Even if you just come one day . . . it's still a hell of a deal," she said.
www.dfest.com
www.flaminglips.com
www.leonrussellrecords.com
www.limbeck.net
www.kevinwelch.com
www.jfjo.com
Event
DFESTDiversafest, featuring about 130 bands including the Flaming Lips and Leon Russell
When:
July 27-28
Where:
Blue Dome District, Downtown Tulsa, near First Street and Elgin Avenue
Tickets:
$20 plus a service charge for both days, available through www.okctickets.com, starting March 9. For more information, go to www.dfest.com
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