Bradley’s Almanac

Live from the 2010 Life Is Good Festival

Posted on September 11, 2010 at 12:34 pm | No Comments

Greetings from Prowse Farm in Canton, Massachusetts, located just south of Boston off interstate 93 in the beautiful Blue Hills (and literally in the shadow of one of ’em). This is the site for the super-sized 2010 Life Is Good Festival, which has taken place for the past few years in smaller form on the Boston Common. By teaming up with Superfly Presents (the team behind Bonnaroo and Outside Lands), LiG’s Jacobs brothers have given the event a serious upgrade, with 3 stages of music, tons of kid-friendly activities, socially-conscious organizations on site, and general good vibes galore. In fact, this wide open field, blue skies above, and the sounds of Eli “Paperboy” Reed and his band have forced my cynical side to take the day off. How can it not when the whole shindig is a one big fundraiser for children?

Speaking of Mr. Reed, his set just started, and I want to get over to the main stage to check it out, so I’ll rattle off some info, tips, and photos for those of you planning to come on down…

  • While 3,000 or so all-weekend passes have sold out, the approved capacity of Prowse Farm is a healthy 15,000, and there are plenty of single-day passes available for today. Word is that Sunday is much closer to selling out, so I’d recommend grabbing a ticket online or getting here early tomorrow.
  • The staggered music schedule starts each day at 11:30am on the “Good Kids” stage (located under a large tent, to keep the little ones from too much sun), with the next performer starting just 15 minutes later on the “Good Vibes” stage. The first performer of the day on the main (“Life Is Good”) stage gets going as soon as the “Good Vibes” band finishes up, so the outside sounds won’t compete with each other.
  • While public transportation is recommended, if you’re driving from Boston, take 93 south to exit 2B, then stay to the left to get to the public parking area (currently near the Reebok headquarters). A short walk will get you to the yellow school buses that will shuttle you across Route 138 to the festival ground gates.
  • The place is pretty well covered with wireless internet access, although you’ll need a password. If you know me, ask me, otherwise hit up one of the many friendly fest volunteers.
  • If you’ve got a Chase credit card, bring it. It’ll get you into a tent called the Chase Freedom Lounge that you might want to take advantage of (marketing schwag, laptops to use, Nintendo Wii, a recording booth, a temporary tattoo artist, etc). In fact, I’m in there right now. This afternoon the Lounge is hosting a private acoustic performance from Grace Potter, and tomorrow there will be one from Brett Dennen. Ah, sweet corporate synergy.
  • A bottled water will run you $3.00, a cup of beer is $6 or $7. Other prices are in a photo below. Surprisingly, not only is there beer, but a total lack of a drink tent – you can carry your plastic cup anywhere on the grounds. Obviously, make sure you bring your ID.
  • In addition to your standard garbage receptacles, there are, of course, ones for recyclables, but a first for me is seeing a third type: for composting. Something else I’m also surprised to see here? Breakdancing demonstrations. And Jim Rice! But no, not a breakdancing Jim Rice. He’ll be here signing stuff later on today.
  • If you can’t make it down here, the festival is being webcast on Facebook. And if you want to donate long-distance, you can simply text “LIG” to 20222 and you’ll make a one-time $10 contribution to the cause.
  • Photos from the day so far…

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  • BOSTON-AREA LIVE SHOW ACTION
    Thursday, January 8th
    Ms. Ezra Furman
    doing what she wants
    with Ryan Walsh
    (of Hallelujah the Hills)
    opening with a solo set
    @ the Rockwell

    Friday, January 9th
    Black Helicopter (LP release!)
    Spiller
    Daughter of the Vine
    @ Deep Cuts

    Saturday, January 10th
    Strange Pains (single release!)
    Sinnet
    Good June
    @ Deep Cuts

    Saturday, January 10th
    Detroit Angels
    Headband
    Melvern Taylor
    @ Medford Brewing Co.

    Wednesday, January 14th
    Bishop Allen
    Mates of State
    @ the Sinclair

    Thursday, January 15th
    Cate Le Bon
    @ the Sinclair

    Thursday, January 15th
    Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
    "Piano & Voice" performance
    @ the MFA Boston

    Friday, January 16th
    Bus Crush (LP release show)
    Doss
    Megan From Work
    @ the Lilypad

    Saturday, January 17th
    Silver Screams
    Static Friction
    Screw Cart
    Fear is a Mind Killer
    @ the Midway Cafe

    Monday, January 19th
    Shame
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Thursday, January 22nd
    Bill Murray and His Blood Brothers
    @ the House of Blues

    Thursday, January 27th
    The Residents
    Eskimo Live! Tour
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Thursday, January 29th
    Bad Bad Hats
    performing "Psychic Reader"
    Smut
    @ the Crystal Ballroom

    Friday, January 30th
    Greg Freeman
    Golomb
    @ the Red Room at Cafe 939

    Saturday & Sunday
    January 31st & February 1st
    Something In The Way Fest 2026
    with Explosions In The Sky,
    Sunny Day Real Estate, Citizen,
    Tigers Jaw, The Hotelier, Momma,
    Angel Dust, February, First Day Back,
    Glitterer, Glixen, Gollylagging, Guv,
    Graham Hunt, Horse Jumper of Love,
    How Much Art, No Warning, Pelican,
    Park National, Pool Kids, Sheer Mag,
    Wicca Phase Springs Eternal,
    and Teen Suicide
    @ Roadrunner

    Saturday, February 7th
    Twen
    @ the Rockwell

    Thursday, February 12th
    Brandi Carlile
    The Head and the Heart
    @ TD Garden

    Friday, February 13th
    Nine Inch Nails
    @ TD Garden

    Friday, February 20th
    Marissa Nadler
    @ the Somerville Armory

    Saturday, February 21st
    Margo Price
    @ the Royale

    February 28th
    Ratboys
    Florry
    @ the Sinclair

    Tuesday, March 3rd
    Spiritual Cramp
    @ the Sinclair

    Wednesday, March 4th
    Cat Power
    "The Greatest 2026" tour
    @ Roadrunner

    Friday, March 6th
    Michael Shannon,
    Jason Narducy,
    & friends play REM's
    "Life's Rich Pageant"
    with opener
    Eugene Mirman
    @ the Royale

    Friday, March 13th
    Quarters
    Paper Lady
    @ the Royale

    Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
    March 13th, 14th, & 15th
    Dropkick Murphys
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Tuesday, March 17th
    Dropkick Murphys
    @ House of Blues

    Thursday, March 19th
    Julianna Barwick
    & Mary Lattimore
    @ the Somerville Armory

    Friday, March 20th
    The Hives
    The Chats
    @ House of Blues

    Saturday, March 21st
    Cass McCombs
    Chris Cohen
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Saturday, March 21st
    Joyce Manor
    Militarie Gun
    Teen Mortgage
    Combat
    @ House of Blues

    Sunday, March 22nd
    Maria Somerville
    @ the ICA Boston

    Monday, March 23rd
    Westerman
    @ the Sinclair

    Thursday, March 26th
    The Format
    Piebald
    Adult Mom
    @ Roadrunner

    Sunday, March 29th
    Ladysmith Black Mambazo
    @ Sanders Theatre

    Wednesday, April 1st
    Wednesday (the band)
    @ Roadrunner

    Thursday, April 2nd
    On Cinema Live! with
    Tim Heidecker
    & Gregg Turkington
    @ the Wilbur

    Friday, April 3rd
    Patrick Watson
    @ Somerville Theatre

    Friday & Saturday
    April 3rd & 4th
    Hayley Williams
    Water From Your Eyes
    @ House of Blues

    Saturday, April 4th
    The Dirty Three
    @ the Sinclair

    Saturday, April 4th
    Puscifer
    Dave Hill
    @ the Wang Theatre

    Wednesday, April 8th
    Mclusky
    Pile
    @ the Paradise

    Thursday, April 9th
    Circle Jerks
    Gorilla Biscuits
    @ the Paradise

    Thursday, April 16th
    Rhiannon Giddens
    @ the Orpheum

    Saturday, April 18th
    The Last Dinner Party
    Florence Road
    @ Roadrunner

    Sunday, April 19th
    Heavenly
    Swansea Sound
    Jeanines
    @ the Sinclair

    Thursday, April 30th
    Oklou
    @ the Royale

    Monday, May 4th
    Yumi Zouma
    Ducks Ltd.
    @ the Sinclair

    Thursday, May 14th
    Melody's Echo Chamber
    @ the Royale

    Tuesday & Wednesday
    May 19th & 20th
    Belle and Sebastian
    play "Tigermilk" (19th) and
    "If You're Feeling Sinister" (20th)
    @ the Orpheum

    Thursday, June 11th
    Echo & the Bunnymen
    @ Roadrunner

    Tuesday, June 23rd
    Wolfmother
    @ House of Blues

    Wednesday, June 24th
    The Church
    The Singles Tour
    (rescheduled from 8/1/25)
    @ Somerville Theatre

    Tuesday, July 14th
    Joe Jackson
    @ the Chevalier

    Friday, September 4th
    Peter Hook & the Light
    play New Order's "Get Ready"
    @ House of Blues

    Saturday, September 12th
    Rush
    @ TD Garden