Wanee Review

So that picture above is Tara Nevins from Donna the Buffalo, playing with the Bill Kreutzmann Trio at 2009 Wanee festival in Live Oak, Fl. In a weekend of stellar performances, this one was a standout. Tara sang lead on Grateful Dead classic "He's Gone," and she did a kick-ass job of it, the trio also did one of my fave DTB songs, "...Walking, Talking, too Far from the Light, Living, Breathing, in Colorless Black and White..."

Wanee was a mudfest, but none of the shows were cancelled by weather, amazingly. The crowd was super-giant compared to other Spirit of the Suwannee fests. There was also an abundance of what I call "Bowlegged Whiskey Walkers," some of them fixin' to fight. Mostly peaceful, though, and a hell of a lot of fantastic music! Here's a few show reviews for ya:

The Doobie Brothers - They did some classic old tunes, my favorites were Black Water, Listen to the Music, and Takin' it to the Streets. What struck me was really how great their playing is (and was) beyond just being catchy. Their 70's hair --completely unchanged! -- was hysterical.

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - This was my first time hearing Grace, and she ROCKED it! She's a super-sultry bad-ass with the attitude of Marcia Ball, and the sound of Bonnie Raitt and Nora Jones. Her band was impeccable.

The Wailers - Did the entire Exodus album at midnight on Saturday as the show closer.Their sound system was curiously low-fi, but it was awesome to hear those old tunes live.

The Allmans, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi -- This is what the crowd came for, and they delivered -- blistering guitar solos, soulful singing, nice long, fat sets.

Little Feat - Were a disappointment, and I'm a real fan. They seemed bored, and Lowell George's daughter, who had been wailing out lead vocals last year, wasn't with them. The set was predictable and forgettable.

The Radiators - LOVED that New Orleans sound! Ditto Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, I had to sit down after that funk-fest!

Col. Bruce Hampton and the Quark Alliance - Never disappoints! He laid it DOWN with fancy riffs and super soulful vocals. The thing about Bruce is, even though he's been performing for so long, he never seems stale to me. He's just got that funky thing going, deep inside. I had a HUGE smile on my face and a spring in my step!

Arc Angels - Lots of people were loving this band, I was not one of them. Sounded like boring Southern rock to me, I left.

Keller Williams - Was just precious and fascinating to watch his one-man band, plus his very ardent fans.

Umphrey's McGee - One of the best shows of the whole weekend. Their jazzy, jammy riffs were tighter than tight, and they just played the hell out of their afternoon set. Super standout in a weekend filled with Guitar Gods.

I've only got one real complaint -- there were very few sit-ins. With all that talent, I expected a little more cross-pollination among groups. Warren Haynes was stage-skippping for sure, but he was the rare one.

I'll be back next year!

Wanee and Full Moon Fest

BIG WEEKEND!!!!

First off is the amazing Wanee I can't say enough about the off-the-hook lineup for this festival. They've posted the schedule on the site. Thursday night kicks off with New Orleans' kick-ass band, The Radiators, along with a personal favorite of mine, Bobbie Lee Rodgers out of Georgia (of the Codetalkers). Then, my God, a parade of killer music ... Allman Brothers, Col. Bruce Hampton, Derek Trucks, Buddy Guy, Drive By Truckers, Gov't Mule, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Doobie Brothers, Little Feat, the Wailers, Jorma Kaukonen, Keller Williams, Bill Kruetzmann, the Wailers, Ivan Neville, Susan Tedeschi, Lord, that doesn't even tell HALF the story, so go to the link and get the rest of the info.

Wanee ends Saturday night, but there is a special benefit later that day at Spirit of the Suwannee for Zach Deputy, who is one hell of a nice guy and a great player. Somebody ripped off his equipment, so he's raising bucks to replace it. He's a looper like Keller Williams, though his music isn't like Keller's. I LOVED the Deputy show at Bear Creek last year, I couldn't believe how many things he was doing at once. He's funky, he's reggae, he's folky, he's really, really cool.

There are two Zach Deputy shows Sunday, one in late afternoon and another in the evening. The shows are brought to you by the folks at Bear Creek Music festival.

SO.....Get yer butt to Suwannee and rage it!

OK, so if you can't swing the ticket price at Wanee, the kind folks at Farm To Family are holding their Full Moon Fest outside Gainesville. Check the link for the lineup. See previous posts about this groovy little fest that costs $10 to $20, sliding scale.

The Economy Isn't Hurting Fests

Check out this article from Billboard, which reports that music festival ticket sales are strong. I would argue with a couple of the conclusions -- One, that the cancellation of Langerado in South Florida was a sign of the economic times. Langerado's failure had more to do with the fact that they moved the festival from the wilds of the Everglades into downtown Miami. Nobody wanted to fest in downtown Miami. Billboard also mentions that ticket sales for Rothbury in Michigan are down. I think that has to do with the hefty $250-plus ticket price. Festivals that have kept prices reasonable are thriving, because they are a good value, and that's what folks are looking for these days.

Bear Creek, Baby!

Important reminder, festivarians! Bear Creek Early Bird ticket prices end Sunday, May 31. Get your $99 price now... gate is $165.....

On the Road Again!

Heading out today to the Mossyheadz fest outside North Florida's DeFuniak Springs. I was disappointed to learn that Dread Clampitt won't be playing as usual, but I am going to tough it out in the wilds of Walton County anyway! Lots of bands I have never heard of, so that should be fun. Looking forward to the Burnin' Smyrnins, Ralph Roddenberry ( I just leanred he's Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry's nephew, who knew? All I know is he ROCKS it), Rebecca Jean Smith, Dubconscious, and the excellent band 3rd stone which I wrote about in my last post from the Farm to Family Full Moon fest last weekend. Promoter promises two surprise guests. Wonder who they are??

It's gonna be hot, but there's a spring a short drive away, aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh....

UPDATE: I went, the spring was closed. Boo hiss. The fest site was super super hot, camping was a quarter mile away from the stage. Why????????? I left and stayed at my friend's place on the beach, which was lovely. I later heard bands had to be cancelled on Sunday (which was best lineup) due to poor attendance.

A Lovely Time at Full Moon Fest

The weekend crowd at the Farm to Family Full Moon Fest was pretty small, but the bands were smokin' and the vibe was sweet. It was HOT out there, y'all. Thanks to Don and the organizers for the misters and the generous shade tent.

Standout performances came from 3rd Stone, with fat and funky reggae grooves and killer vocals; The Duppies, kick-ass ska band that that got the crowd up and moving under the glorious moon, and Boss Lady and The Company,whith Boss Lady's strong and heartfelt vocals. The Glass Camels and Crazy Fingers laid it down with two super solid Dead sets late night on Friday and Saturday. Festgrrl also has to prop her fave band, who raged it as usual, Dread Clampitt

I am also loving the little acoustic duo The Bandits!

This was an inaugural show for the Farm to Family folks OFF their usual location, and it was an expanded three-day fest. Since turnout was kind of low, they cut things short on Sunday and asked people for donations to help pay the bands.

I kind of missed the smaller venue, to be honest. Next month it's back to the old farmstead, I'll post the date when I get it.

Full Moon Fest!

Looking forward to joining the kind folks at Farm To Family Music under the full moon this weekend in Alachua, just outside Gainesville. Only $40!

They've put some care into the venue and into the lineup, judging from their very detailed website. Since there aren't many trees, bring shade with you. They are planning to have a mister tent to keep us all comfortable.

Shout out to Don who thankfully considers parents -- kids are free, and there's a camping area close to the tunes so parents can groove and little ones can snooze. Looks like it will be a blast! See details here