New American Music Union

New American Music Union
GenrePop, Rock music, and more
DatesAugust 8–9, 2008
Location(s)SouthSide Works, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Years active2008
WebsiteOfficial 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

A view of the crowd

College Stage Performers

References

  1. ^ McCaffrey, Kate (August 9, 2008). "Music festival draws crowd to South Side". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  2. ^ Mervis, Scott (August 7, 2008). "Cast of American Eagle's New American Music Union festival set to soar on the South Side". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  3. ^ Mervis, Scott (August 7, 2008). "NAMU: The Chili Pepper's hot bill". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  4. ^ Mervis, Scott (May 15, 2008). "New summer music festival to host Dylan on South Side". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  5. ^ Mervis, Scott (August 11, 2008). "Gnarls Barkley hits groove at festival; Dylan puts on an anticlimactic finish". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  6. ^ "Weekend Feedback: About Bob Dylan". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. August 14, 2008.
  7. ^ Mervis, Scott (December 31, 2009). "The year in (local) rock". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  8. ^ "American Eagle Outfitters Announces Summer Music Festival Hosted by Anthony Kiedis of Red Hot Chili Peppers". Archived from the original on 2008-10-14. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
  9. ^ Mervis, Scott (August 14, 2008). "Local Scene: The NAMU winner". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  10. ^ Mervis, Scott (August 11, 2008). "Gnarls Barkley hits groove at festival; Dylan puts on an anticlimactic finish". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  11. ^ Jacobs, Justin (August 7, 2008). "NAMU: The Black Keys get a gnarly makeover". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  12. ^ "NAMU: Down 'n' dirty Duke Spirit". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. August 7, 2008.
  13. ^ "Math the Band - Live from NAMU". Retrieved February 4, 2022 – via YouTube.