Busting the floor at the Trapdoor

Finding myself once again trekking along, I wound up hearing about the Grand Opening of the Trapdoor Tavern in celebration of today's Ministock concert. Now immediately one may be wary about potential death and entrapment just from the very look and name of the place, but I bucked up and decided to check it out! Located at 2 Highspire Street, Vetbrak neighborhood of Thorin's Hall Homesteads. The walk to get there is in the mountain, a bit dark and dismal, but only until you get inside!

Mirinaeth, Codella, and Chastine
Trapdoor Tavern Hostesses

You are immediately greeted by the lovely hostess Mirinaeth. Being the grand opening, the first 10 customers were awarded with door prizes, that included 100s, a housing decoration, and clothing dye! Who does that better, but the Trapdoor Tavern.

This isn't like any other tavern I have visited so far. She hands you their house menu and lets you choose from a over 100 different foods included non-alcoholic and food from many places through out Middle-Earth, as well as different seasonal selections. Tonight they included their special which was their Keg and Egg special. Two drinks of your choice comes with two servings of eggs and one serving of bacon for only 5s!

Not only was it a place to eat and sleep, but also to dance and hear great music. Tonight we heard various music from the open mic which included Anricwulf Anredson (Music Mead and Mischief), Griffin (Caveat Angmarim), Roselinde Fairholm (Concerning Hobbits), Fryerstad (FEET), Tourmalien Bracegiirdle (Concerning Hobbits) actually did play a bit of Lady Gaga! Oh my!, Fionah Fairskin and Fryerstad from the band TOE JAM, oh I mean FEET.

If you have any questions, wish to book your band for music, or schedule an event at the Trapdoor Tavern, you can contact Mirinaeth, Codella, or Chastine in-game or preferably, mirinaeth@gmail.com, or visit the Tavern on Facebook.

The House Band takes time away from their hostessing duties
and play "The Cantina Band" for the crowd

Grand Opening Fireworks

Rocking at Ministock V!

courtesy of Floradine Strongfoot - click image to enlarge

In preparation for all the funny business that goes into putting on Weatherstock V, the largest player gathering in all of The Lord of the Rings Online, the Lonely Mountain Band hosts of the event puts on a show apply named, Ministock. Today marked when the bands performing at Weatherstock get together and head to Weatherstock to run through "mic checks", rehearsals and other necessary preparations for the coming larger show.

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Before heading up to Weathertop, bands and spectators alike gathered at The Forsaken Inn for some needed rest and getting their minds prepared for the feat and trek ahead of them. Unfortunately, the staging area was raided by a whole next of snakes! It sent everyone running and screaming for the Bree hills! Alright...it was just one, no one went running and Lilikate said it was "supposedly" harmless.
But, it still freaked me out!

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With a grand welcoming ceremony, Harperella of the Lonley Mountain Band invited each of the performing bands up to be introduced to the crowd. Many were returning, and a few were coming to perform for the first time! Unfortunately, a few of the bands could not make it to Ministock, but they will be appearing at Weatherstock itself. 9 out of 11 bands at Ministock isn't such a bad turn out!

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Mounting up, nearly 100 band members, concert vendors, stagehands, staff and spectators made their trek to the peak of Weathertop looming over head. With bands forming up together and everyone taking the trek albeit a few people running who either got bucked off their horses, or lost them in a dice game, everyone headed along the distant ridge under the fading sun of the Lone Lands.


With a quick stop for a photo op, bands and concert crew alike
gathered to immortalize the moment.With the trek continuing and the sun dipping below the horizon, the mass of music lovers wound their way up the Weather pass beneath the bright moonlight as it cast its beautiful ambient light upon the riders.

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As the night began, and the festivities commenced, the Weatherstock theme was performed during the opening ceremonies. The bands began their concert with an ever growing delight! As this is to be a dress rehearsal for the coming Weatherstock, bands took the stage and performed. Mic checks (checking sound and distances) were underway as vendors passed out drink and tobacco for the onlookers to enjoy as the stars cast their sparkling shine upon everyone. With the magic of music aloft in the night sky, everyone danced, drank and listened to their favorite music performed by their favorite musicians!

Lonely Mountain Band performs the Weatherstock theme song

"The Shades" from the Laurelin take the stage

"Animal House" from the Laurelin return again this year.
Yes, as seen through foggy drunken eyes! Thanks Anthemisa!

"Die Meisterbarden von Bree" performs Ghost Riders of the Sky

The Great Smoke Out

"Mornie Alantie" from Belegaer play a tune from "Faun Andro"

The one and only "Flock of Smeogols"

A bear even tries to eat the "Lonely Mountain Band!" SECURITY!
What a concert this is turning out to be!

"Runic Knights Orchestra" rock the Top!

"Between a Rock and a Hard Place" from Darrowdelf takes the stage,
just as a storm begins rolling in.

"Chosen Few" perform during Ministock's Battle of the Bands practice

Let us not forget security doing what they do best. Protecting the concert attendees.

Weatherstock is the largest player ran event in LOTRO history ranking up to 500+ players listening to 11 bands for 4+ hours on Landrovol. Find out everything you want about it at the Weatherstock website.

A Night at the Dolwood

To liven up this Friday night, I found myself on the doorstep of the Dolwood Tavern owned by the illustrious Prindle Greenfeet on 9 Chestnut Street of the Dolwood Neighborhood of the Bree-land Homesteads on the Landroval server. They are open from 9-Midnight EST.

You are welcomed by the beautiful hostesses Berianreth & Lilmelody, you are immediately offered food and drink! Mmm, both were delicious! Enjoying a bit of bread and butter, with salmon and a tankard in front of the fire was like..well was like...eating good food at a great place! If you were there, then you will know, we had a ROARING good time :)

There was a wide range of music, from the 14th to the 20th, from the Fantasy to the Fancy!

Music was performed through out the night by the musical stylings of Chastine BaneJones (Don't Tempt Me Frodo), Eddenwulf (Eored of the Eastmark), Everdir, Tourmalien Bracegiirdle (Concerning Hobbits), Merlinor and Cellindis Melui, Prindle Greenfeet (Dolwood Tavern) and yours truly! We were also graced with the voice of Dolwood Tavern's very own Berianreth.

First Post, Sound Bug, Weatherstock, Oh my!

Hey ho! Everybody!

I wanted to start off the first post by welcoming you! Forte visits many of the musical events throughout Middle-Earth on the Elendilmir and Landroval servers, that it was a perfect idea to write about it! These chronicles will document those events, the concerts, and all things happening in regards to it!

The Devious Bug!

For nearly a month, many areas around Middle-Earth were silent when hearing string instruments. While there is no verification how much it had effected the wind and precussion instruments, strings were hit and miss. Most areas effected were Bree, and other major areas after they implmented updated 11. This weighed on many people as the unique Music system in LOTRO is what helps keep the excitement going. Many people were also worried about the coming Weatherstock, and what toll it would have on it. Many of the weekly music nights were either cancelled or delayed due to this issue already. It was not until June 12th did update 11.1 get pushed out and the bug was fixed

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Celebration ran through out the streets when many people on different servers played music from patch til into the late evenings. On Landroval the Prancing Pony was packed with musicians and dancers, and spilled out into the grassy knoll. It was a fine day to see the music return!

Weatherstock V!

While I have been out and about for quite sometime, I have never had the opportunity to attend Weatherstock. What is Weatherstock you ask? Imagine Woodstock, but for Lord of the Rings Online! Every year musicians and lovers of music gather on top of Weathertop on the Landroval server for a 4 hour music concert! This is the largest player run event of any kind in LOTRO! Imagine 500 players gathering in once place! Mega video card frying!

This year will feature 11 bands: The Shades, Andúnië, RKO (Runic Knights Orchestra), Mornie Alantie, The Breakfast Club, Die Meisterbarden von Bree, Flock of Smeagols/Don’t Tempt Me Frodo, The Chosen Few, Songburrow Strollers, Animal House and A Rock and a Hard Place.

This year Weatherstock will take place on July 20th, from 1-5pm EST. Yes that is still a ways away. But no worries!

This Saturday, June 15th will be Ministock. A 4 hour Concert and Sound Check to test that everything will be going smoothly for the coming main show. So you can still stop by and listen to some grand music.