“GMnext Plug In” is a celebration of a 100+ year relationship between cars and music. From AM to FM, 8-track to cassette, compact disc to mp3, music is almost always a part of the driving experience. Plug In offers a contemporary spin on that relationship by going behind the scenes at some of the biggest music events of the year in Europe, Asia and North America that will feature some of the hottest bands and artists in the world.
The host for Plug In is Kyle Gass from the band Tenacious D. Along with his partner Jack Black, Kyle has built Tenacious D into a rock superpower. Kyle also assumes the role of Southern rocker Klip Calhoun in his other band, Trainwreck, which serves up its own brand of “pure wreck and roll.” He has appeared in several movies, including “Elf” and “Jacob’s Ladder,” as well as TV shows such as “Friends.”
“I was approached by GM a little while back about working with them on Plug In, and it didn’t take long to see that this wasn’t just a good gig, it was a good fit,” Kyle explains. “I understand the connection between music and driving – whether that’s Motorhead for city cruising or Deep Purple for a wide‐open country road.”
Kyle and his video crew will provide regular updates from the festivals, including exclusive interviews and performances with some of the shows’ artists. In Europe, the fun kicks off May 30 at the Pinkpop Festival in Landgraaf, The Netherlands. Pinkpop is not only the oldest annual rock festival, it is also known for its commitment to environmentalism: It was awarded the “Clean and Green” award by Yourope, the European Festivals Organization. This year’s Pinkpop line-up includes Metallica, Incubus, Foo Fighters, Rage Against the Machine and The Verve.
In June, Kyle will be at Germany’s Southside Festival, located in Neuhausen ob Eck, between Munich and Stuttgart. Southside is the twin of the Hurricane Festival, which is held over the same three days in northern Germany, sharing many of the same performers. This year’s event promises to be very strong, with acts that include Radiohead, Panic at the Disco, Billy Talent, Rise Against and the Kooks.
“I have friends in some of the bands that will be playing these events,” Kyle adds. “I think you’ll enjoy seeing what they’re all about when they’re off‐stage. It should make for some interesting viewing.”
Kyle’s Plug In reports will be posted at PlugIn.GMnext.com, which also offers additional information on the festivals and other related stories. In addition, site visitors can post their own festival and band photos and videos on the site.-GM Europe
