While it's hard to overlook the intrinsic cheesiness surrounding Hippiefest — the Hippie Marketplace (where you can buy beads!) opens at 5 p.m. — the event has some very worthy acts on the bill. Jack Bruce is best known as the bassist/vocalist for Cream, but he's had an extremely esoteric career since, working with arty and avant-garde musicians for decades. A fair presumption for his show at Hippiefest is that he'll concentrate on Cream and blues songs, showcasing his brilliant bass work and keening tenor voice. Several other acts are taking part in this be-in. The Turtles with Flo & Eddie: Although the pair has its goofball side, The Turtles made some of the most estimable pop music of the 1960s ("Happy Together," "Elenore"). Badfinger put out four of the best post-Beatles power-pop songs of the early '70s ("No Matter What," "Day After Day," "Baby Blue" and "Come and Get It"). The bill is rounded out by Eric Burdon & the Animals ("House of the Rising Sun"); Melanie ("Brand New Key"), who lived in Clearwater for quite some time but now calls Nashville home; and folkie Jonathan Edwards ("Sunshine").
Hippiefest w/Jack Bruce/The Turtles feat. Flo & Eddie/Badfinger/Eric Burdon & the Animals/Melanie/Jonathan Edwards, 7 p.m. Sat, Aug. 9, (marketplace at 5), $85, $68.50, $58.50, $48.50, rutheckerdhall.com. —Eric Snider