Just a short week after Summer Camp, Wakarusa gave Music Festival a new meaning, with four days of nonstop music including nationally renowned bands. Epic sets of fantastic songs filled every night, to keep the crowd in constant musical heaven. Masses of devoted fans from all around the country crowded the camping ground in the Arkansas Ozark National Forest.
Lawrence residents should know that Wakarusa originated just outside of town, at Clinton Lake. The festival was moved to Arkansas when the police started making it hard for anyone to have a good time in Lawrence. But, even though the festival is a lot farther from us now, it's still absolutely worth the trip, and when you get there you'll find that there is a veritable army of Lawrencians representing the origin of the festival.
Aside from fantastic music, there was one terrible flaw to Wakarusa this year that could make the experience an ordeal for anyone. The camp was so over-packed, that a "Satellite Parking and Camp ground" was set up 3 whole miles away. Campers screwed out of the convenience of the regular camping area had a long walk, all uphill, if they didn't want to wait in line for a bus for an hour or more. Thankfully there are a lot of good people at music festivals, willing to give a ride to a poor soul hitch-hiking back and forth. But the hardships of camping even 3 miles away are worth the effort to see the fantastic bands playing each day.
Rocket Science, a local act from Lawrence, opened at the Satellite Stage - not to be confused with the Satellite camping area 3 miles away - with heavy, intricate electronic beats. The duo was the first band to play that stage, and had to suffer the sound check issues. But the beats, rhythms warmed up the crowd for their first night of music.
Railroad Earth played hardcore bluegrass, rambling, rumbling, exciting tunes that took the crowd to a higher level of energy. The trick to Wakarusa is that every great act is followed by another band, already starting on another stage.
The end of the Disco Biscuits set was a wicked progressive rock jam of electronica that gathered a sea of glowstick weilding, glowing hula-hoop swinging festy kids. Then the massive crowd was split between the Pink Floyd Light Show, Lotus, and Dirtfoot.
The first night demonstrated how completely oversold the entire festival was. Pink Floyd was beyond over-crowded with waves of fans sitting and standing well outside the Revival Tent. Lotus' tent was also packed. Both shows were fun, if crowded.
Zoogma started rocking out with electronic jam rock early on Friday. The crowd really got into it when the band whipped out a funky cover of the Ghostbuster song.
JJ Grey and Mofro played traditional blues accented with funky, jazzy jams. The instruments were played by a well-practiced lineup of musicians, that complimented each other well, with a guitar, bass, drums, trumpet, saxophone and keys, but the vocals were a little weak, with lyrics that were too corny and cliche.
Trampled by Turtles uses a time machine to a place of exquisite, traditional folk bluegrass. If only the Backwoods Stage had not been a roiling dust storm with barely a view of the stage for the first few rows of people.
ALO played a competent jam, adequate to keep the crowd happy in the shade of the Revival Tent. But there's only so much music a person can listen to before one must retire to a campsite to hang out with friends, recharge your batteries, and have a few more drinks.
Finally Friday night arrived, with an extreme lineup of great electronic sets sure to make the crowd go crazy. Sound Tribe Sector 9 was the first big name this reviewer made it to, although Big Gigantic had played before them. STS9's set was tragically quiet, with the volume just turned down way too low. The band messed up parts of the song Shock Doctrine, turning down the best melody of the song. BUT the band made up for it with a good rendition of Aimlessly, followed by 3 of this reviewer's very favorite songs: Arigato, EHM, and Breathe In. All three songs were played fantastically well. STS9 threw down the bass lines, and got wild with the solos and jams. Breathe In's nostalgic, romantic ending was well used to give the crowd a long, relaxing, beautiful breather after what was, for a long while, the most epic moment in the festival. If only STS9 always used played their best songs so well.
Following STS9 were two more great electronic shows: Bassnectar and Eoto. Fans of both could easily catch part of one act and make the short walk to the next stage for the other. Bassnectar got heavy with the dancing, pumping beats, while Eoto used wild, extravagant electronic harmonies and melodies layered for a complex sound of techno joy. It might sound daunting to expect to dance all night, but these bands know how to keep a body moving, and the crowd never gave up.
Saturday started with some quirky, interesting bands taking the main stage. The Black Keys, a blues, alternative rock, jam duo played competently, just the two, one on drums, the other on guitar and singing, but there's only so much a drummer and guitarist can do alone. They really got going when a bassist and keys joined in, with groovy, dancing tunes. The Black Keys were a welcome addition to the festival, hopefully they will play more often at these kinds of events.
Dweezil Zappa came to the main stage next, playing a great tribute to Frank Zappa's many styles, sounds and he even sounds like his father too. If you can get into Zappa's off-beat, weird, but funky tunes, you will love Dweezil. The lyrics might all be weird and awkward, but the songs are hilarious and fun.
Widespread Panic was the last act on the main stage, and gathered a crowd unlike any other band at the festival. The experienced, undeniably talented rock band jammed with a funky bass that could put the Seinfeld bassist to shame, as well as almost inappropriately long drum solos. The band usually has a lot of country flavor to their rockin, but Saturday night's show was much more of an electronic-fused jam, that the entire Wakarusa mob got down to.
Easily the most obscure, but well-loved bands to perform at Wakarusa came on late Saturday night. Wookiefoot, the hermits from Minnesota, who hardly ever come out of their home state - but still have a cult-following of devoted fans from all around the country - started their set at 2:30 in the morning, to a thinned, but still strong crowd of loving festy folks. This was definitely the best set Saturday, for this reviewer at least.
Wookiefoot has a huge variety of songs, ranging from rap-influenced rock jams, to Irish punked-out drinking sing-alongs.
On stage with the band were a series of scantly-clad fire-dancing girls, ladies who looked like professional dancers expertly wielding fire poi, and glowing toys, as well as a bunch of bizarre characters dressed in costumes too wild, and exotic for even the best Halloween party.
Wookiefoot plays songs with the style and sound of so many different bands, one might thing they had an ipod set on shuffle and plugged into the speakers. A song might sound too familiar for you to believe it isn't some single from Rage Against the Machine, or Flogging Molly, but every tune is an original by this genius group. The band put out a great vibe of positive energy, while leading the crowd to dance and sing along to some of their best, most brilliant songs: Mushroom Jazz, Original Sin, Falling Down Trying...The band played on and on until 4 a.m.
It was a fantastic show, and makes every listener consider making the trip up to see Wookiefoot in their natural habitat, Minnesota. Hopefully they will come out and play more around the country!
Sunday promised lots more great music, but, like many other festival goers, this reviewer had to leave the momentary heaven set up in the woods, to return to real life Monday morning. Still, in all it was an unforgettable weekend in paradise. There are tons of folks from Lawrence, as well as cool, friendly, beautiful people from all around the country to meet. Everyone who was at Wakarusa will tell you how great it is, and everyone who knows what they've missed needs to save up and come along next year!
Showing posts with label Festivals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Festivals. Show all posts
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Summer Camp Music Festival rocks out for 15,000+ music lovers
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!!!
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 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.
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