The KSO continues its 30th Summer Series of free concerts in the parks with a battle of generations —1990s Swing Revival takes on 2020s hip-hop infused Electro Swing.
Swing Revival or Neo-Swing was a musical phenomenon of the 1990s as West Coast bands rooted in the Swing era of the 1930s-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 requires continually investigating new music scenes world-wide. Electro Swing combines vintage and neo-swing influences with hip-hop, and electronic dance music. Its popularity today is huge across Europe with artists like Caro Emerald, Swingrowers, Atom Smith, Swing’it, Cut Capers and others, bringing 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. You won’t hear this music anywhere else in the region
Join the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 3 in Devou Park in Covington, and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, August 4 at Tower Park in Fort Thomas. The TANK park & ride shuttle from Covington Catholic departs on the half hour starting at 6 p.m. (1$ each way). Concessions are available in Devou Park. Food trucks will be on-site in Tower Park. Bring blankets, picnics, or lawn chairs. For more information, registration (for weather updates), and directions, visit the KSO at www.kyso.org or call (859) 431-6216. The concert and parking are free, though a $5 (per person) donation to the KSO is suggested.
