Summer Camp Music Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary with an epic lineup of fantastic bands for 4 days of great music on 5 different stages. With a crowd almost half-again as large as ever before (15,000), the festival was a huge undertaking, with three big stages, as well as two smaller stages outdoors for the massive audience to gather in front of all day, every day.
The event was held at Three Sister's Park in Chillicothe, Illinois. The park was a perfect setting for the music, with lots of open space for two or three bands to play simultaneously without overwhelming each other. At the entrance, campers were put through a search, before being allowed to move their things from the parking lot to the campground. There, another stage was set up where bands could play to keep the line entertained. Although there was already a long line for the tickets, even the Will Call tickets, the line for the campers moving their stuff was much longer, something that could only be avoided if you were sleeping in your car, and had a press pass, but one could only carry what fitted in one's cargo pants then.
The crowd was a great mix of friendly folks from all around the country. License plates from Indiana, Michigan, New York and California demonstrated this coming-together of fun loving music enthusiasts. Every band's set was accompanied by talented jugglers, fire poi-swinging acrobats, and hula-hooping girls, as well as mobs of dancing, drinking party people. Strangers from every walk of life randomly greeted each other, making new friends all the time. But the reason for all this cheerful socializing was the music, which was the very best part of this temporary paradise.
The first great show was Thursday night, when Backyard Tire Fire got the crowd going with their country-laced rock 'n roll. The Bloomington based alt-country trio puts on a fun show with rockin' tunes that warmed up the fans for their first night of fun.
Next came Family Groove Company, who played groovy funk and jazz with a style inspired by Steely Dan as well as The Beatles. The audience really perked up for this set, which took the dancing and good vibes to a higher level.
The last of the act playing on the big stage Thursday night was Cornmeal, one of the greatest bluegrass/folk bands in the country. The fast tempo and intricate harmonies make this band's songs irresistibly dance-able. Everyone gets down and lets loose when Cornmeal takes the stage, and this show was one of the best this reviewer has ever seen. Thursday night was just the beginning but the campground was already alive with energy after the band finished at 11 p.m.
Summer Camp Music Festival has a red barn where the "Late Night Shows" were held each night. Unfortunately most of the nights these "Late Night Shows" cost an extra $25 or so and were sold separately from regular tickets to the festival. The nights were all sold out before the festival began. It doesn't really make sense to have to pay extra to see some of the music, after paying over a hundred dollars to see the vast majority of those bands already. Other music festivals, like Wakarusa, have music late at night, without asking their guests for another penny. But with a big, open room to hold specific shows in, it is easy for the Summer Camp staff to use this venue as a second show to sell. The silver lining to this part of Summer Camp was that Thursday nights' show was free.
The "Late Night Show" at the red barn Thursday night started with The Macpodz who played competent funky jazz, that leaned toward the electronic dance party to come.
Second in the red barn was Dumpstaphunk, getting into some electronic jams. As the second band's set progressed the crowd's energy rose, and the red barn got packed.
To finish the night, Future Rock got crazy with dancy tehcno. This last set was as wild and pulsing as a rave. The impressive electronica was so powerful it blew away the already raging crowd.
The second night of Summer Camp really got exciting when Sound Tribe Sector 9 started their set at the second-largest stage. After a good rendition of Puma, STS9 went on to mess up one of their songs, before playing a fantastic version of Aimlessly. They also did a good job with Beyond Right Now, and Shock Doctrine. The set started the night off right, but they've played better. Odds are STS9 saved their best bass-heavy dance beats for their set in the red barns' "Late Night Show."
After Sound Tribe, Yonder Mountain String Band had just started their set at the biggest stage, over a low hill. The already fantastic bluegrass act was joined by a second banjo player, Danny Barnes, who really rocked out with the band for a couple of songs.
Before Yonder was even finished, another great act was on the stage STS9 had previously been on. Umphrey's McGee jammed loud and hard with funky bass and drums, accompanied by haunting psychedelic guitar riffs. However, this reviewer had to leave this set early to catch the next fantastic show.
Bassnectar finished off the electronic dancing for the night with a great set of hard, rhythmic bass beats. The songs Bassnectar has mixed together range in style from gangster rap, hip-hop to electric tribal techno, from nostalgic references to psychedelic hypnotic harmonics. This was the best show of the night, and possibly the entire festival.
Besides these expert performances there were dozens of other bands playing earlier, later, and at the same time as the above-mentioned sets. All music lovers should keep an eye out for these bands when they come around these parts, and be sure to save up some money to make it to Summer Camp next year!
Next Festival: Wakarusa!!!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Festy Fest is the best Saturday night
As the sun set on the second day of Festy Fest a fantastic lineup of bands came on both stages, providing continuous, rockin music all night. Lawrence's fourth annual Festy Fest music festival was the biggest yet, with great local bands and friends from other states came to play together for three days straight.
The open fields and forested path between stages were soft but comfortable after days of rain last week, with perfect weather all day Saturday for the outdoor festival. Despite the humidity a day earlier, there were no bugs, and a cool breeze to keep hot bodies from getting tired too early.
Mouth really got the crowd going on Stage 2 around 8:30 p.m. with funky, dance jams. The audience filled the tent with dancing bodies, and surrounded it with folks chillin on their blankets. The band had Evan Leitnaker adding extra percussion beats and rhythms to their own funky jam, making it a more intricate, exciting experience. The band finished a rockstar set just in time for the crowd to migrate back to Stage 1 for Mountain Sprout.
Unfortunately for Mountain Sprout, the sound technician working behind the scenes was messing up horribly. Despite the band's best efforts to put on a good show, playing many of their best songs with their signature wild energy, issues with the band's ability to hear themselves, and microphones cutting out made it difficult to get into the music. Fortunately it wasn't long before another awesome band would be playing on the second stage.
Sonic Sutra jammed with fierce passion on Stage 2, crowding the tent with pumped up music lovers getting groovy. The local minstrels played their hearts out to an audience that loves them, and made the night theirs for a while. Even so, the fans were eager to get back to Stage 1 in time for Split Lip Rayfield.
The punky bluegrass trio took the already-hyped crowd and blasted off with the energy. The band broke out some of their best hits, getting everyone cheering and dancing. Split Lip Rayfield always puts on a great show, and held the audience until the end of their set.
Soon after Split Lip was over, The Floozies got going on Stage 2. The Hill brothers rocked out, when their equipment was working, but once again sound guys were doing their worst. Right in the middle of great jams and funky dance tunes the synthesizer would suddenly go mute, as if the sound guy had simply unplugged the amps. Mark kept on with the drums for a time, to make up for the awkward silence, but there's nothing worse than an awesome song getting cut short.
Somasphere was up next with heavy, electronic drum and bass. The thumping, pumping beats make this band's shows a dance party. By this time of the night the audience was going full-throttle, and Somasphere rode with the energy, making the night feel endless.
Last, but not least Rocket Science came on, throwing down sick beats and rhythms for a dance party to get funky with. IDM, or Intelligent Dance Music is too clever and slick to resist getting down to. Everyone at the festival was still raging it throughout the set that started at 3:30 p.m.
Aside from the weak sound guys messing things up for some of the great bands' sets, Saturday night was an epic first taste of the festival season starting up.
Next week: Summer Camp Music Festival!
The open fields and forested path between stages were soft but comfortable after days of rain last week, with perfect weather all day Saturday for the outdoor festival. Despite the humidity a day earlier, there were no bugs, and a cool breeze to keep hot bodies from getting tired too early.
Mouth really got the crowd going on Stage 2 around 8:30 p.m. with funky, dance jams. The audience filled the tent with dancing bodies, and surrounded it with folks chillin on their blankets. The band had Evan Leitnaker adding extra percussion beats and rhythms to their own funky jam, making it a more intricate, exciting experience. The band finished a rockstar set just in time for the crowd to migrate back to Stage 1 for Mountain Sprout.
Unfortunately for Mountain Sprout, the sound technician working behind the scenes was messing up horribly. Despite the band's best efforts to put on a good show, playing many of their best songs with their signature wild energy, issues with the band's ability to hear themselves, and microphones cutting out made it difficult to get into the music. Fortunately it wasn't long before another awesome band would be playing on the second stage.
Sonic Sutra jammed with fierce passion on Stage 2, crowding the tent with pumped up music lovers getting groovy. The local minstrels played their hearts out to an audience that loves them, and made the night theirs for a while. Even so, the fans were eager to get back to Stage 1 in time for Split Lip Rayfield.
The punky bluegrass trio took the already-hyped crowd and blasted off with the energy. The band broke out some of their best hits, getting everyone cheering and dancing. Split Lip Rayfield always puts on a great show, and held the audience until the end of their set.
Soon after Split Lip was over, The Floozies got going on Stage 2. The Hill brothers rocked out, when their equipment was working, but once again sound guys were doing their worst. Right in the middle of great jams and funky dance tunes the synthesizer would suddenly go mute, as if the sound guy had simply unplugged the amps. Mark kept on with the drums for a time, to make up for the awkward silence, but there's nothing worse than an awesome song getting cut short.
Somasphere was up next with heavy, electronic drum and bass. The thumping, pumping beats make this band's shows a dance party. By this time of the night the audience was going full-throttle, and Somasphere rode with the energy, making the night feel endless.
Last, but not least Rocket Science came on, throwing down sick beats and rhythms for a dance party to get funky with. IDM, or Intelligent Dance Music is too clever and slick to resist getting down to. Everyone at the festival was still raging it throughout the set that started at 3:30 p.m.
Aside from the weak sound guys messing things up for some of the great bands' sets, Saturday night was an epic first taste of the festival season starting up.
Next week: Summer Camp Music Festival!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Summer Camp Music Festival's 10th Anniversary; four days of five stages playing great music
Festival season is starting off with a bang; the week after Festy Fest, Summer Camp Music Festival will rock your socks off at Chillicothe, Illinois. This epic music festival will start on Thursday, May 27th with the Pre-Party and go all the way through Sunday the 30th.
From five, yes, Five stages, a huge variety of fantastic bands will play simultaneously and in shifts, so there will constantly be one, two or three different shows going at the same time, with bands scheduled to start on one stage immediately as another band's set ends.
Even after the main stages are closed down, a late night show will be held, including a rave, as well as some big-name bands playing.
Among the countless bands due to play on the various stages, starting early on Thursday, there's a long list of bands this reviewer is thrilled to see. Many of the bands will be playing multiple sets, which will hopefully be different, for dedicated fans who come to both. Headliners moe. and Umphrey's McGee will play three days straight, for example. These are the shows that are at the top of a very long list:
Thursday night Cornmeal will play their first show at 9:30 p.m. and play until 11.
Late that night the Soulshine Vibe Tent will have "Rave to the Grave vs. 217 Mafia"
Friday at 1 p.m. one of the headliners; moe. will play their first set until 2:30 p.m.
Split Lip Rayfield will play their first set from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30.
Cornmeal will be up again from 5:00 p.m. to 6:15.
Immediately as Cornmeal is finished Sound Tribe Sector 9 comes on, playing until 7:15 p.m.
Just when STS9 finishes their set, Yonder Mountain String Band will be coming on at 7:00 p.m., and will play until 8:15 p.m.
Fifteen minutes before Yonder Mountain String Band is done, headliner Umphrey's McGee will begin their first set for the night.
But before Umphrey's McGee takes their break, BOTH Government Mule and Bassnectar will be coming on different stages at 9:00 p.m.
When both of them are done, Umphrey's McGee will be on again at 10:30 p.m. and play until midnight.
At 12:30 a.m. Split Lip Rayfield will come on again for a late night campfire jam, and play until 2:30 a.m.
If you buy an additional ticket to "Late Night in the Red Barn," you can catch The New Mastersounds play from midnight to 12:45 a.m., followed by moe. from 1:15 a.m. to 3:00.
Saturday Slightly Stoopid will start at 5:00 p.m. and play until 6:15.
From 6:00 p.m. Lawrence local rock stars Sonic Sutra will be playing at the same time as Keller Williams, both finish at 7:00. This is a tough call, but it's probably worthwhile to go to either one, or try and see some of both, if the stages aren't too far apart.
Umphrey's McGee will be playing from 7:00 p.m. to 8:15, but this time may be better spent seeing Big Gigantic, if the electric dance jam is more your cup of tea.
Next moe. will be on again, playing at the same time as Pretty Lights, from 8:00 p.m. to 9. This time is better spent at Pretty Lights, since moe. is playing three days, and this will only be their first set of the night.
Umphrey's McGee is up again from 9:00 p.m. to 10:15.
Then it's moe. again from 10:15 p.m. to midnight.
Then, once again if you buy an additional ticket to "Late Night in the Red Barn," you can catch some more fantastic bands. Tonight, Pretty Lights will be playing their second set here from 12:30 a.m. to 1:30. Then STS9 will play from 2:00 a.m. to 3:30.
Sunday the great music starts earlier, with That 1 Guy playing at noon.
Umphrey's McGee is plays 2:00 p.m. to 3:15.
Railroad Earth will start at 2:30 p.m. and finish at 3:45.
The New Mastersounds will play from 4:00 p.m. to 5.
The Avett Brothers are on from 4:30 p.m. to 5:45.
Later that night Eoto will start playing at 7:00 p.m., moe. will start at 6:30. Both will finish at 8.
moe. will come back for at a second set from 9:30 p.m. to 11.
For anyone with money to spare, who hasn't had enough Umphrey's McGee or Eoto, they will play the "Late Night in the Red Barn" show.
Unfortunately this entire adventure will cost $170, plus a camping permit. It's a high price for any music festival, but this is one of the best lineups of artists to be found in the Midwest, and may very well give this year's Wakarusa a run for it's money.
From five, yes, Five stages, a huge variety of fantastic bands will play simultaneously and in shifts, so there will constantly be one, two or three different shows going at the same time, with bands scheduled to start on one stage immediately as another band's set ends.
Even after the main stages are closed down, a late night show will be held, including a rave, as well as some big-name bands playing.
Among the countless bands due to play on the various stages, starting early on Thursday, there's a long list of bands this reviewer is thrilled to see. Many of the bands will be playing multiple sets, which will hopefully be different, for dedicated fans who come to both. Headliners moe. and Umphrey's McGee will play three days straight, for example. These are the shows that are at the top of a very long list:
Thursday night Cornmeal will play their first show at 9:30 p.m. and play until 11.
Late that night the Soulshine Vibe Tent will have "Rave to the Grave vs. 217 Mafia"
Friday at 1 p.m. one of the headliners; moe. will play their first set until 2:30 p.m.
Split Lip Rayfield will play their first set from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30.
Cornmeal will be up again from 5:00 p.m. to 6:15.
Immediately as Cornmeal is finished Sound Tribe Sector 9 comes on, playing until 7:15 p.m.
Just when STS9 finishes their set, Yonder Mountain String Band will be coming on at 7:00 p.m., and will play until 8:15 p.m.
Fifteen minutes before Yonder Mountain String Band is done, headliner Umphrey's McGee will begin their first set for the night.
But before Umphrey's McGee takes their break, BOTH Government Mule and Bassnectar will be coming on different stages at 9:00 p.m.
When both of them are done, Umphrey's McGee will be on again at 10:30 p.m. and play until midnight.
At 12:30 a.m. Split Lip Rayfield will come on again for a late night campfire jam, and play until 2:30 a.m.
If you buy an additional ticket to "Late Night in the Red Barn," you can catch The New Mastersounds play from midnight to 12:45 a.m., followed by moe. from 1:15 a.m. to 3:00.
Saturday Slightly Stoopid will start at 5:00 p.m. and play until 6:15.
From 6:00 p.m. Lawrence local rock stars Sonic Sutra will be playing at the same time as Keller Williams, both finish at 7:00. This is a tough call, but it's probably worthwhile to go to either one, or try and see some of both, if the stages aren't too far apart.
Umphrey's McGee will be playing from 7:00 p.m. to 8:15, but this time may be better spent seeing Big Gigantic, if the electric dance jam is more your cup of tea.
Next moe. will be on again, playing at the same time as Pretty Lights, from 8:00 p.m. to 9. This time is better spent at Pretty Lights, since moe. is playing three days, and this will only be their first set of the night.
Umphrey's McGee is up again from 9:00 p.m. to 10:15.
Then it's moe. again from 10:15 p.m. to midnight.
Then, once again if you buy an additional ticket to "Late Night in the Red Barn," you can catch some more fantastic bands. Tonight, Pretty Lights will be playing their second set here from 12:30 a.m. to 1:30. Then STS9 will play from 2:00 a.m. to 3:30.
Sunday the great music starts earlier, with That 1 Guy playing at noon.
Umphrey's McGee is plays 2:00 p.m. to 3:15.
Railroad Earth will start at 2:30 p.m. and finish at 3:45.
The New Mastersounds will play from 4:00 p.m. to 5.
The Avett Brothers are on from 4:30 p.m. to 5:45.
Later that night Eoto will start playing at 7:00 p.m., moe. will start at 6:30. Both will finish at 8.
moe. will come back for at a second set from 9:30 p.m. to 11.
For anyone with money to spare, who hasn't had enough Umphrey's McGee or Eoto, they will play the "Late Night in the Red Barn" show.
Unfortunately this entire adventure will cost $170, plus a camping permit. It's a high price for any music festival, but this is one of the best lineups of artists to be found in the Midwest, and may very well give this year's Wakarusa a run for it's money.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
New "Venture" premieres at Fatso's + previews
Thursday night Fatso's usually has a DJ to entertain the drinkers crowding around the bar for $1.50 drinks, but last night was special; the bar got to host the first-ever performance of a conglomeration of excellent local musicians. Imagine a combination of brilliant talent on a variety of instruments to make a new, fierce, formidable jam band.
First there's the powerful beats of Mark Hill (of The Floozies) on drums. Then there's the bold funk of Garrett McKinzie (of G.E.M.) on bass guitar. These two have already played together in G.E.M., and took their familiarity and joined the others to make a strong, intricate, flowing jam. Leading with wicked solos and jam styling was Billy Wassung (lead guitarist and singer for Sonic Sutra) on guitar. Martin Farrell added to the jam's collective harmony with his keyboard. Meanwhile a saxophonist who drives to Lawrence from Osage to play shows with The Floozies and other bands joined in with a jazzy voice to complete this genius ensemble.
Starting around 10:30 p.m. the improv performance quickly drew listeners to fill up the dance floor with catchy, dance-able layers of exciting beats and clever melodies. The collection of musicians had a natural synchronized harmony that could only work with great jam artists.
The only downside to this whole show was the venue. Fatso's isn't normally the place for a hip, funky jam band to make it's first appearance. Although it was certainly crowded for the $1.50 drinks, the majority of the crowd didn't seem to be there for the music. You could practically draw a line in the floor separating the bar area, crammed full of polo-shirts and bleach-blond split ends, and the folks on the dance floor and smoking outside the wide-open entrance to the back patio, who knew the band members or just knew there was good live music at Fatso's that night. "Venture" would be far better off at any of the usual funk, jam hangouts like The Bottleneck or Jazzhaus.
It's been said that the band had jammed and practiced together before, but this was the first live performance of "Venture". Hopefully it is the first of many shows to come!
Now for previews:
Tonight, May 14th, Mouth and Calamity Cubes will be playing their Festy Fest Preview Party at Jazzhaus for $4. The doors open at 9 p.m., but the show probably won't get going until about 10. Anyone who likes funk and/or Americana should be there. It's also Stephen Gunn's birthday tonight, so come out and celebrate with the drummer from Mouth!
Also tonight; Labretta Suede and the Motel 6 will be playing with The Spook Lights. According to Lawrence.com Labretta Suede and the Motel 6 is a New Zealand rock group with a '50s influence. They will be playing with the best Lawrence has to offer of that style in The Spook Lights and their intricate, psychedelic rockabilly and surf rock. The Spook Lights always put on an amazing, energetic show that everyone needs to see. Doors open at 8 p.m. and it will cost between $6-8.
But if anyone is just not in a music mood, there are other fun things to do out on the town on a Friday night. This Friday, Liberty Hall is playing the film "Dazed and Confused" starting at 11:30 p.m. Watching this classic party-lovers' movie at the antique theater will cost $5. Fans of Free State Brewery can get a cup of delicious beer from Free State at the movie theater!
Tomorrow, Saturday, May 15th, Checkered Beat will be playing reggae and ska back at Jazzhaus. Same deal as tonight at Jazzhaus: the show starts at 10 p.m., $4 for a night of great music at a great venue.
Sunday, May 16th, Mo Marma, Rocket Science, and Jason Phoenix will be rocking out at the Jackpot, reminding everyone that school is over, and Sunday nights are just another night to party! Rocket Science - the brilliance that is the combination of Ian Dumpert's bass and Evan Leitnaker's beats - is a fantastic show on its own, but there's even more! Mo Marma is featuring great musicians - and this writer's good friends - Mark Hill, Trevor Stout, Garrett McKinzie and Kyle Aller. With Jason Phoenix opening with his DJ, techno styling, this show will make everyone rock out Sunday like it's still Friday. Show starts at 10 p.m. and it will cost $3 for people 21 and older, and $5 for the young 'uns. This show is 110% worth it! Be there!
First there's the powerful beats of Mark Hill (of The Floozies) on drums. Then there's the bold funk of Garrett McKinzie (of G.E.M.) on bass guitar. These two have already played together in G.E.M., and took their familiarity and joined the others to make a strong, intricate, flowing jam. Leading with wicked solos and jam styling was Billy Wassung (lead guitarist and singer for Sonic Sutra) on guitar. Martin Farrell added to the jam's collective harmony with his keyboard. Meanwhile a saxophonist who drives to Lawrence from Osage to play shows with The Floozies and other bands joined in with a jazzy voice to complete this genius ensemble.
Starting around 10:30 p.m. the improv performance quickly drew listeners to fill up the dance floor with catchy, dance-able layers of exciting beats and clever melodies. The collection of musicians had a natural synchronized harmony that could only work with great jam artists.
The only downside to this whole show was the venue. Fatso's isn't normally the place for a hip, funky jam band to make it's first appearance. Although it was certainly crowded for the $1.50 drinks, the majority of the crowd didn't seem to be there for the music. You could practically draw a line in the floor separating the bar area, crammed full of polo-shirts and bleach-blond split ends, and the folks on the dance floor and smoking outside the wide-open entrance to the back patio, who knew the band members or just knew there was good live music at Fatso's that night. "Venture" would be far better off at any of the usual funk, jam hangouts like The Bottleneck or Jazzhaus.
It's been said that the band had jammed and practiced together before, but this was the first live performance of "Venture". Hopefully it is the first of many shows to come!
Now for previews:
Tonight, May 14th, Mouth and Calamity Cubes will be playing their Festy Fest Preview Party at Jazzhaus for $4. The doors open at 9 p.m., but the show probably won't get going until about 10. Anyone who likes funk and/or Americana should be there. It's also Stephen Gunn's birthday tonight, so come out and celebrate with the drummer from Mouth!
Also tonight; Labretta Suede and the Motel 6 will be playing with The Spook Lights. According to Lawrence.com Labretta Suede and the Motel 6 is a New Zealand rock group with a '50s influence. They will be playing with the best Lawrence has to offer of that style in The Spook Lights and their intricate, psychedelic rockabilly and surf rock. The Spook Lights always put on an amazing, energetic show that everyone needs to see. Doors open at 8 p.m. and it will cost between $6-8.
But if anyone is just not in a music mood, there are other fun things to do out on the town on a Friday night. This Friday, Liberty Hall is playing the film "Dazed and Confused" starting at 11:30 p.m. Watching this classic party-lovers' movie at the antique theater will cost $5. Fans of Free State Brewery can get a cup of delicious beer from Free State at the movie theater!
Tomorrow, Saturday, May 15th, Checkered Beat will be playing reggae and ska back at Jazzhaus. Same deal as tonight at Jazzhaus: the show starts at 10 p.m., $4 for a night of great music at a great venue.
Sunday, May 16th, Mo Marma, Rocket Science, and Jason Phoenix will be rocking out at the Jackpot, reminding everyone that school is over, and Sunday nights are just another night to party! Rocket Science - the brilliance that is the combination of Ian Dumpert's bass and Evan Leitnaker's beats - is a fantastic show on its own, but there's even more! Mo Marma is featuring great musicians - and this writer's good friends - Mark Hill, Trevor Stout, Garrett McKinzie and Kyle Aller. With Jason Phoenix opening with his DJ, techno styling, this show will make everyone rock out Sunday like it's still Friday. Show starts at 10 p.m. and it will cost $3 for people 21 and older, and $5 for the young 'uns. This show is 110% worth it! Be there!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Top 10 reasons you have to go to Festy Fest
Friday, May 21st through Sunday, the 23rd, Lawrence will be having the biggest, best music festival since Wakarusa packed up and moved to Arkansas. (1.) While still a small, intimate gathering, Festy Fest is sure to be bigger than any of it's first three years. The land outside of town where this two-stage event is being held is big enough to comfortably fit the 1200 music-lovers. (2.) The festival will be held in a beautiful stretch of land, less than twenty minutes away from town, where music lovers can camp out, or easily drive home - but no drinking and driving! According to the festival's website, GTI Taxicab service is available out there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It's easy to find a nice, flat spot of land to park and pitch your tent, but if you'd rather enjoy the comforts of home between day-long music events, it's not a long or complicated drive to make.
(3.) The line up for this years festival is far epic in size and strength. There are 16 bands playing at Festy Fest that always put on fantastic shows. This writer's favorites are as follows in the order they will play at Festy Fest:
Deadman Flats
Calamity Cubes
The Ben Miller Band
Irietions
Great American Taxi
Cosmopolitics
Brody Buster
Mouth
Mountain Sprout
Sonic Sutra
Split Lip Rayfield
The Floozies
Somasphere
Rocket Science
Tyler Gregory & the Blues Shuffle
Carrie Nation & the Speakeasy
(4.) These bands, with about 23 other bands will play simultaneously or in shifts, on Stage 1 and Stage 2, guaranteeing good music at all times. Most every band listed to play is well-known, this writer just hasn't had the opportunity to see them all, and can't speak from personal experience. Festy Fest's website has links to all of the bands' websites. (5.) The music ranges from bluegrass to electronic, from jazzy, funky jams to punk, psychedelic rock and more. There's something for everyone. (6.) Festy Fest supports local bands, all the bands playing are either Lawrence-originals or friends who are playing to support music for life.
(7.) The creators of Festy Fest are in the process of launching a new website called bandorbar.com, which will help bands and bars/venues line up gigs together. The idea is to make it easier for bands to find bars they want to perform in, that are looking for bands to play there (and vice versa). According to the Festy Fest website, membership is free to any band or bar/venue that signs up before the site's launch. Every band member or bar employee reading this should take a look!
(8.) Supporting this festival means supporting local music, Lawrence, and the music scene at its roots. (9.) Festy Fest may be more expensive this year than ever before, but that's because the lineup is so star-studded, the set-up is ideal, in terms of space, stages, and location, and this is all still MUCH cheaper, closer to home, and jam-packed with good music than any other music festival in the Midwest. According to the Festy Fest website, a full-event pass costs between $75-85, a Friday pass costs $30, Saturday costs $45, and Sunday costs $35. Anyone most interested in the bands playing on one particular day, or with limited funds, can still come out for one day of awesome music, for hours on end, and have a grand time. But the 3 day pass is definitely the best value, with the ridiculous lineup of fantastic bands set to play non-stop, each day, all weekend. You can buy your tickets online through pipelineticketing or at the Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire Street in Lawrence.
(10.) School is over. It's summer now. Time to start celebrating! And what else are you going to do that weekend? There are virtually no other good shows going on that weekend, because everyone will be at Festy Fest. You should be there too!
(3.) The line up for this years festival is far epic in size and strength. There are 16 bands playing at Festy Fest that always put on fantastic shows. This writer's favorites are as follows in the order they will play at Festy Fest:
Deadman Flats
Calamity Cubes
The Ben Miller Band
Irietions
Great American Taxi
Cosmopolitics
Brody Buster
Mouth
Mountain Sprout
Sonic Sutra
Split Lip Rayfield
The Floozies
Somasphere
Rocket Science
Tyler Gregory & the Blues Shuffle
Carrie Nation & the Speakeasy
(4.) These bands, with about 23 other bands will play simultaneously or in shifts, on Stage 1 and Stage 2, guaranteeing good music at all times. Most every band listed to play is well-known, this writer just hasn't had the opportunity to see them all, and can't speak from personal experience. Festy Fest's website has links to all of the bands' websites. (5.) The music ranges from bluegrass to electronic, from jazzy, funky jams to punk, psychedelic rock and more. There's something for everyone. (6.) Festy Fest supports local bands, all the bands playing are either Lawrence-originals or friends who are playing to support music for life.
(7.) The creators of Festy Fest are in the process of launching a new website called bandorbar.com, which will help bands and bars/venues line up gigs together. The idea is to make it easier for bands to find bars they want to perform in, that are looking for bands to play there (and vice versa). According to the Festy Fest website, membership is free to any band or bar/venue that signs up before the site's launch. Every band member or bar employee reading this should take a look!
(8.) Supporting this festival means supporting local music, Lawrence, and the music scene at its roots. (9.) Festy Fest may be more expensive this year than ever before, but that's because the lineup is so star-studded, the set-up is ideal, in terms of space, stages, and location, and this is all still MUCH cheaper, closer to home, and jam-packed with good music than any other music festival in the Midwest. According to the Festy Fest website, a full-event pass costs between $75-85, a Friday pass costs $30, Saturday costs $45, and Sunday costs $35. Anyone most interested in the bands playing on one particular day, or with limited funds, can still come out for one day of awesome music, for hours on end, and have a grand time. But the 3 day pass is definitely the best value, with the ridiculous lineup of fantastic bands set to play non-stop, each day, all weekend. You can buy your tickets online through pipelineticketing or at the Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire Street in Lawrence.
(10.) School is over. It's summer now. Time to start celebrating! And what else are you going to do that weekend? There are virtually no other good shows going on that weekend, because everyone will be at Festy Fest. You should be there too!
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