Pops Edgy Once Again

We were starting to worry that the day's music news would contain little but the downright nasty word that Keith Richards cut his father's ashes with cocaine and actually snorted the concoction up his million-years-old nose. Thank you, Boston Globe, for allowing us to turn to a different Keith.

A local Keith. A younger Keith. A Keith who, as far as we know, hasn't snorted anyone up his nose.

Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops are set to offer audiences the relatively new EdgeFest series in June, an endeavor in which conductor and ensemble "push the envelope of symphonic music," according to the BSO website. The Globe reported today that the third EdgeFest will include performances from alt-country's Cowboy Junkies and indie fave M Ward. The work of next-generation composers Nico Muhly and Felix Brenner will be showcased, and DJ Paul Oakenfold is slated to spend a couple of nights presenting what is now being described as a "symphonic remix" of Brenner material.

The Pops have been working hard to get some younger folks into the seats at Symphony Hall, with Ben Folds' upcoming Opening Night slot and past collaborations including Aimee Mann, Guster and My Morning Jacket. We wonder if the crowds at these shows are going to arrive in traditional garb or trade in their fur coats for jeans -- we'll keep you posted.

Photo of Cowboy Junkies working a stage from flickr user Kurisu.