The Schwag are a full-blown Grateful Dead experience Deadheads travel from all around to see. With Jimmy Tebeau, Grateful Dead bassist led the band in two sets of vigorous jams at the Granada last night, including a number of popular Dead songs that the audience asked for as the concert rocked on. After each long, radiant jam, the crowd roared in approval, overjoyed by the band's energetic spirit.
Any other time of year the Granada may not have been big enough to contain the audience for a show of this prominence. A lot of students are still out of town for Winter Break, however, which left a little extra breathing room in the venue for the hardcore Deadheads, young and old, who came out in their tie-dyes and patchy pants. Still, it was a crowded night and friends and strangers alike came together in happy harmony for what they all knew would be one of the best shows of the year.
The night started without any openers. The Schwag came out full of energy, starting strong with hard-hitting blues rock, rambling into psychedelic jams, the band treated the crowd to heavy doses of professional music-craft. Barely any other active band can compare with The Schwag in terms of sheer talent and experience. Last night they lived up to their established reputation.
With hundreds of songs to choose from, the band never needs a set list and to add to the crowd's pleasure, they took requests, playing some fan favorites to the delight of the full dance-floor. For later songs, the harmonica savant Brody Buster, from Lawrence's own Brody Buster Band, joined The Schwag, humbly joining the veteran blues experts for some smooth, funky jams.
The two sets combined made a full night of Grateful Dead bliss. It cannot be determined which set might have been better, because they were both completely satisfying. The Schwag will be back in their home-base of St. Louis several times over the month, but the best show will be on January 29th. The band is playing a benefit show for Camp Zoe, the scenic campground outside Salem, Missouri, where The Schwag used to host fantastic music festivals multiple times a year. It was recently shut down, and the bands and fans who all love that place are trying to win it back.
Now for an exciting announcement!
The Wakarusa Music Festival's lineup for 2011 was just released this week, and contains a massive collection of great artists, many of whom Lawrence music lovers know and love.
If you've read this column before, you've probably heard of many of the great bands playing this June:
Ben Harper and the Relentless 7
Thievery Corporation
STS9
Bassnectar
Umphrey's McGee
Toots & the Maytals
Ghostland Observatory
Shpongle
Galactic
Lotus
Dark Star Orchestra
North Mississippi Allstars
Perpetual Groove
Wookiefoot
Split Lip Rayfield
Cornmeal
EOTO
Big Gigantic
VibesquaD
Peelander-Z
Jay Nash
Dirtfoot
Mountain Sprout
Papadosio
Zoogma
Family Groove Company
The Floozies
Somasphere
The Ben Miller Band
Just to name a few.
Wakarusa used to be held outside of Lawrence, but has moved to Mulberry Mountain, Arkansas, where there is more room, and a flat area where the stages and main campground are, making it easier for most campers to reach the shows. Last year was a blast for all who attended.
Granted, the new set-up includes a "satellite" campground, which is a long LONG hike from everything, but if you are smart and come early, you can secure a good camping spot and enjoy a comfortable, fun weekend of music this June. Expect a full preview in the coming months.
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