Act #13 The Incredible String Band Saturday, August 16, 1969... 6:30 p.m.

The Incredible String Band Woodstock Setlist Live

My Take:

Their Performance was not as impactful as expected due to Scheduling issues and Weather conditions. The Band's performance was a disaster as they failed to resonate with the Audience, who were likely expecting more conventional Rock sounds. Their Eclectic and Experimental style, characterized by complex Arrangements and a mix of Instruments, that did not align with the prevailing Musical tastes at the festival.

The Crowd Noise Factor was a 3.

The Incredible String Band Musical Bio

The Incredible String Band (ISB) was a British Psychedelic Folk Band formed in Edinburgh in 1966 by Clive Palmer, Robin Williamson, and Mike Heron. They became known for their innovative fusion of folk, rock, and world music influences, gaining a significant following within the British counterculture. The band is particularly noted for their albums The 5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion (1967), The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter (1968), and Wee Tam and the Big Huge (1968), which helped pioneer the psychedelic Folk Genre and contributed to the development of World music.

Initially formed as a trio, the band quickly gained attention and was signed by Elektra Records. Their debut album, The Incredible String Band, released in 1966, was well-received and even praised by Bob Dylan. After Clive Palmer left the band, Williamson and Heron continued as a duo, later joined by other musicians such as Licorice McKechnie and Rose Simpson.

The Band's Music was characterized by its Eclectic use of instruments, including sitars, ouds, and gimbri, and their lyrics often explored mystical and whimsical themes. Their 1968 album, The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter, reached the top ten on the British Charts and was their highest-charting album in the U.S..The Incredible String Band performed at notable events such as the Newport Folk Festival in 1967 and Woodstock in 1969.

The band disbanded in 1974 but briefly reformed from 1999 to 2006. Despite changes in Lineup and Musical direction over the years, their early work remains influential, having inspired Artists like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and David Bowie.