Hey, Hep Cats & Hip Hoppers, the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra closes its 31st season with a battle of generations —1990s vs 2020s The event center at the Newport Car Barn is the venue for the region’s (likely the nation’s) first Neo/Electro Swing mixer— 7:30 p.m., May 13th.
Swing Revival or Neo-Swing was a musical phenomenon of the 1990s as west coast bands rooted in the Swing era of the 1930-40s began seasoning their sound with rock-a-billy, boogie woogie, jump blues and ska. Groups like Royal Crown Revue and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy even made on-screen cameos in the films like The Mask (1994) and Swingers (1996), and brought this high energy swing into the mainstream and dance clubs across the nation. Brian Setzer covered Louis Prima’s original “Jump Jive and Wail,” which became a swing dance commercial for The Gap’s khakis line (1998).
The KSO launched its original 10-pc subsidiary group the Devou-Doo Daddies in 2015 to cover tunes by the groups above and others. Remaining relevant and current in all music means continually investigating the new music scenes world-wide. Electro Swing combines vintage and neo-swing influences with hip-hop, drum’n’ bass, and electronic dance music. Its popularity today is huge in Europe with arists like Caro Emerald, DJ Parov Stelar, Swingrowers, Atom Smith, Cut Capers and others, bringing (a feet don’t fail me now) swing to yet another generation. Whether you are a Millennial or Gen Z-er you won’t be sitting or standing still as the KSO throws down your swing music live and in person (See the full playlist and band roster attached).
The Newport Car Barn is an 1890s block-long building with a high ceiling in southwest Newport, and is evolving into a unique historic event center. The former trolley and bus depot features bars, and patron drop off on Brighton Street.
Don your retro look, grab your dance partner (or simply hang and finger wag) with the KSO’s Devou-Doo Daddies at the Newport Car Barn — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13. Tickets are $35. The KSO continues to live stream its concerts for at- home access for the price of a single ticket. For tickets and info go to kyso.org, or call (859) 431-6216.
