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St. Louis musicians pick favorite LouFest performers

Earlier this year, iLLPHONiCS released a new album titled "Gone With the Trends."
Provided by iLLPHONICS
iLLPHONICS performs this weekend at LouFest

Updated Sept. 7 with additional information about producing entities. Updated Sept. 9 with audio from St. Louis on the Air.

The seventh annual LouFest will bring hip-hop, rock, and jazz acts to Forest Park this weekend.

LouFest has grown steadily since its debut in 2010 and the last three years have seen a marked increase in attendance.

Last year, festival founder Brian Cohen left to form the inaugural Murmuration Festival with Cortex CEO Dennis Lower. That left LouFest in the hands of primary producing partner Listen Live Entertainment with Austin-based company C3 Productions, which has worked on the festival since 2012, in an advisory role. This year’s performers include notable acts like Lauryn Hill, LCD Soundsystem and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Local acts open each day of the concert and play on three of the festival’s four stages.

St. Louis Public Radio asked some local musicians who they most wanted to see on stage. Here are their picks:

Ali Ruby, guitarist and vocalist for The Sleepy Rubies, which performs at 11:30 a.m. Saturday on the Shade Stage:

1. Ms. Lauryn Hill: We grew up listening to the Fugees and The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill album was a life changer. It's a bummer that she get's a bad rap. She's a legend. She is going to put on a hell of a show.

2. Band of Horses: We stumbled upon the Acoustic at the Ryman album and it lived in our CD players through the summer of 2014. That summer was a transitioning one so it has some personal ties. It's great front porch music and we look forward to seeing those guys grace the stage.

3. John Henry: John married one of our best friends from high school and in turn has become one of our best friends as well. He is super talented and in a way we've been on this journey together in St. Louis. It will be great to grab his new album at the show. We will get to high five afterwards and say, "Oh man! We just did that!"

Various members ofiLLPHONICS, which performs at 1:30 p.m. Saturday on the Shade Stage:

Larry (Fallout) Morris, emcee and frontman:

1. Lauryn Hill: I saw her last year in Atlanta and she wasn't very late and actually gave a phenomenal performance. Don't go in expecting her to do a run of the mill album set. She flips it up and keeps it fun! That's why it will be great to see her again.

2. Preservation Hall Jazz Band: I love Jazz. In fact, these days I listen to more Jazz than any other genre. It's always good to go to festivals and see live Jazz acts. It's even better when you can get some of that New Orleans flavor from a pillar tied to one of the most legendary venues in the music's history.

Simon "Spank" Chervitz, bassist:

Buddy Guy: A long time personal hero and one of the few legitimate blues men left going, a living link to Jimi, Stevie Ray, and Muddy Waters. I also do enjoy polka dots.

Kevin Koehler, guitarist:

1.  Anderson .Paak: I work in a record store, so I've been hearing about this guy since his album came out. He's that dude right now. Plain and simple.

2. LCD Soundsystem: I haven't heard a ton of James Murphy's recorded output, but a dance party in the park under the stars sure sounds like a good time to me.

Credit Provided by John Henry
John Henry

 Singer John Henry, who performs at 11:30 a.m. Sunday on the Shade Stage:

1. Shakey Graves: [I] got on the Shakey Graves train when my aunt bought me his records (she’s hip). Incredible live show, high energy and great songs. I cannot miss this one!

2. Chris Stapleton: Chris Stapleton was the guy in Nashville all my friends down there were saying was the biggest thing no one had really heard of a while back. Now, people have heard of him and he is the biggest thing. It’s great. He is one of the chosen few who can write, sing and play and I am excited to see all three sides.

3. Diarrhea Planet: Incredible energy and such snappy songs. My brother would never stop talking about this band, and it makes sense. Tons of guitars, tons of hooks and so much excitement. And they are nice, deal of the century!

Tim McAvin, bassist and vocalist for Karate Bikini, which performs at 1:30 p.m. Sunday on the  Shade Stage:

1. LCD Soundsytem: I’m most excited about LCD Soundsystem. James Murphy is the coolest. "I Can Change" off This is Happening has been stuck in my head for days. They remind of the Talking Heads.

2. Diarrhea Planet: Diarrhea Planet is fist pumping, face melting fun. Their four guitars make a huge sound. They could easily be two or three bands, but I’m glad they're not.

3. Buddy Guy: Buddy Guy is a living legend. Losing B.B. King makes it clear that we are nearing the end of an era. There were some big losses in the last year, so cherishing what we have is important. I'll be there!

Follow Willis Ryder Arnold on Twitter @WillisRArnold

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