The Musical Box

tortoise: jeff parker, john herndon, john mcentire, doug mccombs and dan bitney. photo by saverio truglia.

Time to hoist sail and head to Louisville. It’s Forecastle time again.

The three-day outdoor festival, which prides itself in blending music, arts and activism, is staying put - at least, for now. After numerous home bases in parks around Louisville, Forecastle is spending its second year at the downtown Belvedere.

There will be film screenings, symposiums, a keynote speech from environmental lawyer and activist Robert Kennedy, Jr. on Sunday and three days of deliriously diverse music.

Tonight’s headliner is GZA. The set by the Brooklyn-born hip-hop stylist, solo artist and founding member of Wu-Tang Clan replaces the initially announced Friday show by Method Man.

The all-instrumental Tortoise, a cornerstone of Chicago’s long-vital indie pop scene gets Saturday rolling with music that mixes punkish inspiration with ambient touches of electronica. Phoenix’s DJ Z-Trip and Philadelphia jam band Disco Biscuits will conclude the evening.

Then on Sunday, things really open up. Following Kennedy’s afternoon speech will be sets featuring the newly topical but very traditionally rooted bluegrass of The Del McCoury Band (check out its new Moneyland album for proof), indie pop fave Dr. Dog (which has become a Louisville regular after opening for Wilco last fall at Slugger Field), the contemporary British funk of The New Mastersounds and jam band mainstay Ekoostik Hookah.

For a complete run down of all performances, talks, screenings and exhibits at Forecastle, go to www.forecastlefest.com.

The Forecastle Festival will be held  July 25, 26 and 27 at the Riverfront Belvedere, 5^th and Main in Louisville. Tickets are $18 (today), $21 (Sunday), $23 (Saturday). Call (502) 574-3768.