Remember the name, cause you will be screaming it all weekend long!!!
Welcome to Camp Barefoot 4
Welcome to Camp Barefoot 4
Camp Barefoot 4 was held on the gorgeous grounds of Camp Hidden Meadows in the West Virginia mountains this past weekend, providing a wonderful backdrop for almost 2000 music loving hippies to dance, eat and smile to good music. Barefoot also made sure to feature many Virginia-based musicians, bringing a hometown feel to the weekend which I couldn’t ignore and fully appreciated.
Introducing Camp/Team Hardcore
I love that I hang out with Epic Professionals. I am not talking about professionals in the 9-5 sense of the word. I am not talking about professional musicians or production members. I am talking about professional festival goers. Where most of the people in our scene are obsessed with touring with Phish or Furthur or following any certain band, my running crew is addicted to raging music festivals all over the nation and then, during our down time, seeing individual shows in our respective hometowns.
West Virginia Mountains....pretty
Camp Barefoot 4 (CB4) was a new festival added to my radar this year. I had been looking forward to it all year but was also a tad bit unorganized. (Thank god for the professionals again.) This year, our campsite was dubbed Camp Hardcore, so I will refer to my crew as that from now on throughout the rest of the article.
I left New York City after work Wednesday night to catch my ride to a section of West Virginia that I hadn’t been in since I found out Jerry Garcia died while I was climbing Seneca Rocks. Meeting up with members of Camp Hardcore in Winchester, Virginia, we all caravaned to the festival grounds, arriving at Camp Hidden Meadows around 12:30pm on Thursday. Checking into VIP was cake. This was a first as most times there is always some kind of hold up for one reason or another at the entry gates. We reached VIP camping after only 15 minutes. Lovely!
I arrived with nothing more then a backpack on my back. Living in New York City without a car provided a challenge figuring out logistics of raging a West Virginia Mountain by way of public transportation. I had not yet replaced any of my traveling camping gear that was stolen last year nor do I really have room for all that gear in my Manhattan apartment. Reaching out to members of Camp Hardcore, my professional posse made sure to bring extra everything to set me up with a nice little home in the woods for the weekend.
The beginning stages of Camp Hardcore (There's my little red tent....)
Let the Barefooting Begin
No BS Brass band practicing...we think...
The music was not slated to start until 5pm on the Main Stage but there was rumor of the No BS Brass Band playing towards the Main entrance on The Courtyard Stage. This stage was quite literally made up of two Eazy-Up tent placed over a large plank of wood. I loved the simplicity of the production…a stage is a stage is a stage…folks don’t really need a lot of flare….sometimes that is the charm. Sadly, the horns never reached the stage. Instead, a three piece string band slowly began setting up as we discussed what to do next. The Barefoot Movement continued to play as Bo and I checked out the Camel Trailer located 100 yards from the makeshift stage….
The Camel Trailer on way to Main Entrance
The Camel Trailer
What the hell were we thinking? The Camel Trailer was actually quite bizarre and more then a little disturbing. We were told that there were options of free cigarettes once you went through the trailer. Liars. We entered the trailer, but not before being asked to extinguish Bo’s cigarette. Oh, the irony. Upon entering the trailer, you are greeted by a tiny cute female in a jean skirt and a button up plaid shirt. They would have been better reaching us through patchwork instead of hilly billy plaid. We are hippies, not rednecks. HAHA!!
Camel Snus
Our “guide” proceeded to talk to us about CAMEL SNUS, a smoke-free, spit free packet of tobacco that you stick in your lip. Immediately, Bo and I started pointing out the lack of music (“WHY do you not have music?”) and the stale cool air that was being spewed over us like in a hospital (“Oh man, this staleness is just creepy!”). There were TV screens with trippy blue waves surrounding us (“Whoa, we need to come back in here in a few hours!”).
Camel Snus - ewww
We were not the best people to be guiding as we really were not interested in what they were giving us and by the end, even more offended by their presentation. We were shuffled along and forced to give our information to a computer, then semi-forced to pick out a container of Snus. Bo kept telling them he didn’t want one and they couldn’t get that through their heads. I just wanted it for the cute tin it was wrapped in. Eventually, Bo had one in his hand. Finally, the last leg of the “tour” consisted of a “guide” opening up our SNUS tins and attempting to get us hooked on it right then and there by forcing it up up our lip before we went into a room with a presentation on a screen. Bo and I both argued that we didn’t want that crap up our lip and so they left us alone and we proceeded to watch the subliminal message being thrown at us in the video. It was a 4-D experience as our seats moved, air was blown in our face and we were thrown out of airplanes, skiing down slopes, biking down mountains and so much more. It took a minute for Bo to even turn his head and look at it as he thought he was being brained washed. He was right. As we left, we were blown away by what had just occurred. How insane, how forceful and addicting was that? Bo and I made a point to tell all our friends not to bother going in that trailer. It was crazy how they attempted to lock you into the product before you even leave the trailer. WOW!!! Personally, I think all these stupid trailers should be banned.
The Main Gate with the Courtyard Stage in white.
Please, my fellow ragers...
VIP PERK #1: Only members with VIP passes were able to camp with their cars so the process to get general campers inside the venue was a fun one to watch. Basically, a “shuttle” would come to the pick-up location and scattered hippies cold be seen running from all sides just chucking their gear onto the trailer in the back before the next hippie could. No lines, not much organization but I never heard anyone complain, just laugh. More of that charm…. It was so nice to be back home, away from New York City, seeing these smiling faces and knowing that we were going to be having a safe and wonderful time with my mountain pals this weekend. Nothing better…
Cartwright Brandon – Drums
Drew De Porter – Guitar and Vocals
Taylor Hellhake – Bass
Theremin Charlie Nimitz – Guitar
Around 5pm, the music began. I walked back to camp, taking in the lovely festival grounds along the way….all while listening to Cinder Cat, an experimental/rock/electronica band out of North Carolina. They drew me to the stage. Their sound was trippy and spacey. Made me wish that they were playing later on in the evening when I would be prepared for them. However, I could wager that the members of this group would probably want to be raging to the later bands along side me instead of playing for me. There is potential for this group to be a raging late night band if they continue practicing and get tighter. Just a fun group that looked like they were enjoying themselves. There is nothing wrong with that.
Setlist: Intro>, Broke >,Sample >, Twlight >, Swamp, Temple (Part I and II), Saucer face >, A1, MJ
Encore: Antithesis
(Waiting on recording from band – definite)
Camp Hidden Meadow...lovely
Camp Hidden Meadow...lovely
VIP PERK #2: The beauty about the size of this festival and the location of the VIP section, we could hear every single note from the two main stages without ever leaving our camping chairs or in my case, the hammock. One thing I have to say I noticed, the bands that performed earlier on in the day had one underlying similarity that had me losing focus most mornings. Most would just change directions before truly hitting their jams on a given song. Just when things would start getting interesting, just when our ear would perks up, many times, the band would flip into a new style in the middle of the song or just not complete the rise into the rage that they were building up to. Styles in the song would change, directions just changed and it would deflate us completely.
Murphy’s Kids tunes were catchy and I found myself stopping in the middle of pitching a tent to ask who I was listening too. However, there was just too much going on to truly give their set listening justice. I hadn’t seen some of Camp Hardcore for over 8 years. There was quite the reunion this weekend for sure. I did make a mental note to check out Murphy’s Kids again if they had another set…alas, they did not.
Community Art Project
The Community Art Project
Eventually, it was a free for all...
Art and expression through mediums other then music is nurtured at every musical festival. Most times, there are giant sculptures created as a base for community art project that allows every member of the festival to be play a part in its final creation. This festival was no different. It was actually cute how the scale of the art project mirrored the scale of the festival. Mountain Jam, a 15,000+ person festie, had giant towering sculptures and mazes to paint. Camp Barefoot, what seemed to be no more than 1700 person festival, had various sized mustaches made out of wood, the tallest, coming level to my chest.
Why the mustaches you ask? Instant Mustache was a proud sponsor of Camp Barefoot. They provided oodles of entertainment for silly hippies late night by passing out mustaches on a stick that we could hold up under our nose. It provided hours of entertainment. Thank you Instant Mustache!
Directions for FUN: Print and cut out the ‘staches below and use some tape to stick them to your favorite face and take some pictures ‘cause I and the whole world wanna see, “How you sport your ’stache!”
Doug Fisher – Vocals,guitar
Holt Nicholas – Guitar,vocals
Stephen Tuzeneu – Saxophone, keys, and percussion
Casey Sanders – Bass
Miles Kimbrough – Drums
I stopped to listen to Caught In The Rift for a bit, having notice them covering Eric Clapton’s After Midnight. Reminded me of College…Frat Rock type music. Lots of guitar jams in the middle of catchy little tunes that were backed with lyrics. Similar to Vertical Horizon or something of that nature….I remember really liking the singer’s scratchy voice. But, I couldn’t stay there for too long and I hope to catch them again soon to really get a feel for their vibe.
(Waiting for recording and setlist from band~hopefully)
The Sound Board
Hippy Invention #1:
Handmade schedules made for easier planning....
We spent the rest of the early evening putting together our schedules for the weekend, cooking dinner for the group and just catching up. The fun hippy toys made their way out under our massive Tertris-like Tent City. One friend had welded two 5-gallon propane tanks together and cut teeth making a gorgeous sounding drum. This provided a gorgeous musical outlet for my friend Paul who gave it the best play since it’s creation. I am always amazed at sounds, no matter where they come from. There is beauty in each and every one.
David Ashby – Bass and Vocals
Matt Walton – Guitar and Vocals
Geoff Bakel – Drums, Cymbals, Percussion, and Vocals
Ben White – Keyboards, Vocals
There was a third stage, the SKU Stage proudly sponsored by Instant Mustache, located about half a mile away from VIP camping and up a large hill. We finally took the hike up there to see what was going down. Sadly, the entire time I was thinking that The Former Champions was this fusion Jazz group I had in my ITunes. I was wrong but not upset by this fact as Former Champions were hitting the stage hard when we arrived. (Got to love The Instant Mustache banner behind them.)
Former Champions got the party started right. The guitar was jammy, the spacey keys provided that synthy sound that got everyone dipping into their toes and getting their bodies moving. The drums raged it. It was a great group to start the night off. But, soon it was time to hit the main stages for the real rage of the night.
(Waiting for recording and setlist from band~hopefully)
Originally, Steve Kimock Crazy Engine and Ekoostik Hookah were slated to play Camp Barefoot 4. However, due to contractual issues both bands were pulled from the line-up. I feel as though the removal of these two bands sealed the deal for people on the fence on whether or not to attend. I imagine the turnout would have been much larger with the inclusion of Kimock and EH in the lineup. I have no complaints now but I was seriously bitching earlier in the summer.
The lineup change provided an opening for RAQ to play two nights instead of one. This was wonderful as RAQ was only making one South East music festival this summer.
Tim and Chris...<3
Right! So, I hadn’t seen RAQ since attending All Good Music Festival many moons ago. Or perhaps it was the Haymaker Music Festival. Either way, I CERTAINLY have been missing out on some major musical growth within this band. I absolutely couldn’t believe it. I never remembered them being so damn good. And I mean they were damn good!
This was the set that started a theme of rage throughout the weekend for sure. The energy of the mountain was radiating through every hippy standing around me. Their faces were lit up and everyone was in party mode. At one point, Tim Palmieri, of The Breakfast & Kung Fu, joined the stage. This would be the beginning of Chris Michetti and Tim Palmieri‘s love affair that would continue on throughout the weekend, providing some AMAZING guitar rages and battles. I mean, WOW!!
RAQ with Tim Palmieri
Todd Stoops on keys is what drew me to the stage at Gathering of the Vibes and what kept me in front of the stages most nights at Camp Barefoot 4. Just a man of so many talents and styles. Only negative, his voice. I am not a huge fan of that voice and would prefer he stick to playing the keys and leave the singing to another. Alas, this is not the case most times and luckily the singing doesn’t last for very long. (FYI – TODD – Make yourself a personal myspace page…we need it.)
(Waiting for recording and setlist from band~definite)
My camera doesn't do the beauty of the main stages ANY justice....so pretty
Did somebody say they were hungry? CAUSE WE GOT FED!!! Yes, I know the cheesy cliches are just that, cheesy…but man, they had me screaming out things I never would have said other wise. The Breakfast picked up right where RAQ‘s rocking performance left off. HOT DAMN!!
Tim Palmieri is a BEAST on that guitar. Just shredding his way through all the sets that night. By the end of the weekend I was screaming his name as MVP and I was not alone in this decision. They started their set off with a trippy 18 minute Metropolis and ended it with Tood Stoops joining in on Buquebus. Both Todd and Jordan each raging a keyboard and sounding on point. The singing during the set, again, turned me off. I don’t understand why people sing when they don’t sound good doing it. Their instrument play, however, was AWESOME SAUCE!!
By the second song, Tim Palmieri was just in a full throttle open rage. The rock vibe of the music was bumped up with Chris DeAngelis on bass. Adrian Tramontano seemed to be having a fun time with his beats which provided the guitarists a wonderful platform to rage against, and rage they did…..check out their set.
Setlist: Metropolis, Dougboy>, Psygn, Wake Up in a Coma>, Pygmy, Twylyte>, Jam>, May Fly Disarray, Buquebus
David Pransky – Electric Bass
Drew Heller – Electric Guitar, Soku
Justin Perkins – Kamel Ngoni, Kora, and Electric Guitar
Luke Quaranta – Percussion
Teal Brown – Drums
Toubab Krewe
There was just a fire on that stage at Barefoot that never went out once RAQ started it. At 1am Toubab Krewe hit the stage with a vengeance. With as much electronica as we would be hearing this weekend, I was looking for that sound that would stand out against the rest and Toubab Krewe was just that sound.
This was BY FAR THE BEST Toubab Krewe set I’d seen all year and I can’t find it recorded anywhere. I am so upset by this as I write this section out. Having seen them four times so far, starting with Jam Cruise, forward to me hanging out on their tour bus for Valentines Day and ending with a full rage with them in NYC, it goes without saying I am a HUGE fan. It’s just a phenomenal group with such an interesting sound.
Toubab Krewe
Toubab Krewe
The standout elements of within the group are their West African Influences. Justin Perkins commands the front stage with his various ethnic instruments, leading the jams. He is such an interesting character. You can almost NEVER get his eyes looking at a camera, he will always look away. Luke Quaranta might be one of the best percussion players I have ever seen live. His speed and facial expressions are off the charts. He literally looks possessed while playing then stands up and thanks us like nothing happened. Their sound is driven by the beats through a African vein and Drew Heller brings it back to America with his rock guitar.
(Waiting for recording and setlist from band~hopefully)
And it just kept getting better. Big Gigantic capped off the night with a raging dance party. Just two guys on stage who brought multiple layers of music to our ears. With dirty beats backed by live drums and a saxophone, I almost started to like this group better then Break Science…I said almost. But I am telling you, the addition of that saxophone…it just upped the level for me. Being a funk junky, that shouldn’t shock anyone of yall.
I was anxious to check this group out as they had earned a spot on Jam Cruise this year and I always love my late night dance parties on the boat in between Jam Room rages. Man, this group is going to fit on the boat PERFECTLY!! The horn is always a big plus, bringing the funk right up in your face. Big Gigantic dropped it full rage until 5am….I think they actually kicked it a little later because we just couldn’t stop dancing.
Chris Michetti of RAQ added a whole other dimension, coming out to join the group a few songs into the set. I mean seriously….see for yourself.
Pretty Lights
Until Tomorrow Barefoot…
I never made it to the SKU stage for Silo Effect. For those of you hoping that I had, here is a video for your viewing pleasure as to not disappoint.
And I can’t say goodnight, because I never went to bed. All but one of my friends had passed out so Paul and I roamed the small festival grounds hanging out with people we found who were also awake. I met so many wonderful people that night, talked about so many great musicians with some great southern hippies, my vein of people. And I mean REAL HIPPIES…not these New York hippy-wanna-be’s. Man, I missed this so much. The whole charm of being in the mountains. The whole Southern vibe was reeling in me hardcore. My eyes grew heavy until a friend came by and took care of that situation for me. Pretty soon I heard the word “KICKBAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL” being shouted through the camp grounds. I hadn’t been to a Southern area festival since All G0od 2006 and my yearning to move back home got very strong during these down times. But my yearning for dawn kickball was even stronger. The sun would be coming up shortly and my boy Gator had just given me my second wind!!!
I must immediately say THANK YOU GATHERING OF THE VIBES!!! WHAT A GREAT, WONDERFUL, CLEAN, HAPPY MUSIC FESTIVAL!!!! I don’t even know where to begin this weekend. So much happened!
My lil VibeTribe
It was a weekend of firsts for sure! I would be camping for the first time this year and we were taking the train with all our gear from Manhattan. HAHA!! I was stoked to see how we would make that happen. I was co-chaperoning a 15 year old rager this weekend so now I was responsible for another life other then my own for the first time. This was my first time with a VIP ticket and being able to utilize VIP amenities at a festival. First time seeing numerous bands like Primus and The Rhythm Devils…and so much more.
This was, however, my SECOND Gathering of the Vibes. My first one was a little bit of a train wreck. This go-round, it was heaven on earth and down as one of my top five festival experiences.
The people who we spend these magical weekends with are called our Tribe and effect our experiences considerably. I got off work around 5pm Thursday afternoon and immediately met up with my mini-Vibe Tribe at the 125th street Metro Station to catch the train to Seaside Park, Bridgeport, Ct..
The Lead Heads w/ Issac on the right!
Let me tell you a little something about our teenage charge for the weekend. Issac Slone. One of the most smart, well-mannered, self-aware, gorgeous young human beings you will ever meet. From a musical standpoint, he is the bass player for The Lead Heads, the Nation’s only teen-age Grateful Dead cover band. And they are no joke. Issac also writes his own blog and I will be sure to post his GOTV entries once they are posted……
I would be chaperoning our little rager with my favorite person on earth, Jay. The dear man had carted all the gear to the station by himself. God Bless him. I smiled as I saw Issac’s mother had come to see him off . I immediately felt an immense warmth and sense of maternal instinct kick in. I was not one to babysit when I was a kid, never one to seek children out. I was always the person who said they would adopt or just not have children.
Wook stop!
Recently, in the past year that has all changed. This was going to create an entirely different festival going experience for me. I was looking forward to finding that balance between raging and responsibility. I knew I would take the best care of her precious treasure. I would kill for that kid. And at the end of the day, Issac is possibly more mature and grown up at 15 then some of my friends in their 40’s. He’s simply a pure ray of wholesome sunshine.
Shuttle to Vibes
With two tents, bedding, bags and chairs, we did remarkable lugging the gear around. It’s also nice Jay is 6’2 and strong. Upon arriving in Bridgeport, we joined some wooks who were waiting for the shuttle bus and as we boarded it, we all got giddy. Everyone was fully charged. Issac’s excitement only fueled my own. I spent the 10 minute shuttle ride thinking back on my first music festival and how excited I was.
The Festival Grounds @ Seaside Park, Bridgeport, Ct. (Similar Set up this year)
Welcome To VIBES!
The festival was held on the University of Bridgeport‘s campus grounds. It was lovely but terribly run down with dilapidated buildings and trash that the earth had eaten over time of neglect. From the drop off point, we took a fun little ride on a golf cart through the camp grounds and past the stage to the VIP check-in. You can hear New Rider’s of the Purple Sage playing in the background as we pass the stage in the video below.
Pretty Lamanant!
VIP. Another first for me and absolutely worth every penny. One barely needs to spend a penny outside the ticket price. I will go into the amenities as they arise along our path but in the mean time The Vibes 2010 VIP Pass Includes:
•VIP Entrance
• VIP Camping Area conveniently located near the concert field
• Admittance to the park on Thursday, July 29th at no extra charge
• Hospitality Tent with plenty of room to spread out, relax and chill
• Your choice of water, soda, juices and snacks throughout the weekend
• Catered lunch on Friday and Saturday, with brunch served on Sunday
• VIP bathroom facilities and showers
• Commemorative 15th Annual Gathering of the Vibes Laminate
• Gathering of the Vibes 2010 Event Poster
• Gathering of the Vibes 2010 Event T-Shirt
VIP Check-in
Settin' up camp...
First thing we did was establish our camp. I am a Virginian tomboy who spent her summer youth in the mountains camping, spelunking, climbing, and hiking among other things. Then I moved to The Blue Ridge Mountains for college for 6 years. I may be a spoiled city girl now but I know how to get dirty, boi!! So, here I was with two New Yorkers from the Upper West/East who live in door man buildings and have relied on a superintendent when things needed fixing. Needless to say, it was amusing to say the least. Inside my head, I was dying hysterical. It was at this point we made friends with all our neighbors as many got involved when our “Hit-a-button-and-it’s-magically-a-tent” tent didn’t work. Whole damn thing was smack-you-in-the-head fantastic. I will just hope that Issac writes about his experience putting up the tents in his blog and you can read it there! It was hilarious and fun and in the end we all helped to get the two tents up in time for Dark Star Orchestra (DSO) to begin.
Rob Barraco- keyboards, vocals
Rob Eaton – rhythm guitar, vocals
Dino English – drums, percussion
Rob Koritz – drums, percussion
Lisa Mackey – vocals
Jeff Mattson – lead guitar, vocals
Kevin Rosen – bass, vocals
Oh man, Oh man!! Right off the bat the music started with a fury. I have skipped over seeing DSO at every festival this year and I got smacked dead in the face by them tonight. They were on fire.
Celebrating Jerry Garcia’s Birthday week, I actually didn’t want to see anything but Dark Star at that moment. This week was all about Jerry and his music, his legacy. The thing I love about Dark Star, aside from my personal favorite Fake Jerry: Jeff Mattson, is how they present their shows. Picking a Grateful Dead show from their many decades of touring, DSO recreates the show song for song. They bring their own vibe, interpretation and sound to the sets and it’s truly the greatest cover band of all time IMO.
Dark Star Orchestra @ GOTV 2010
We made it to the field while Candyman was playing. Issac was hungry so we grubbed down some fries and pancakes. Dinner of festival champions. And the fries were miracled, haha. After the food, we made our way over to the Karma Wash to establish our base-camp for the rest of the weekend. The Karma Wash crew were our close friends and this was always our spot to meet between sets with whoever wanted to find us. Having Issac this weekend made this an even more crucial location then normal.
Full Moon 4 DSO!
A really special thing happened during this set, during this time of setting up at the Karma Wash. First, a little back story….
During Mountain Jam, a lost soul had made his way to the Karma Wash and had been touched in a positive way through the entire vibe of the set up. He thought I was the one who “washed him” and finding me through facebook, we became friends. Over time I noticed that his status’s were dark, deeply sad and made me straight up nervous for his safety. Not really knowing him or what he was going through, I reached out to him anyway.
Dark Star Orchestra @ GOTV 2010
We began communication and over time I learned that he was suicidal, hurt, lonely, broken…all for the same reasons I had been in 2009. I knew all too well how he felt and I just hoped he would see light. Through our communications, I shared things with him I wouldn’t share with anyone and he thanked me for helping him see hope when even those closest to him were not able to reach him. We casually spoke about meeting up at Gathering of the Vibes but I didn’t know if I would really see him. And, so now, here we were.
Walking right up to the Karma Wash, I sw a few familiar faces and hugged it out and right off the bat, this person turns around and there was his face. Smiling SO bright. I wanted to cry but I kept it together. I was so happy to see him standing there…SMILING!!! There were no words, we just walked directly into each other’s arms and hugged for a long time. It was awkward and wonderful at the same time. How does one react in these moments? This entire fantasy world was surrounding me and here was this super intense, real moment…at least for me. There are no words for these kinds of moments. Later, he would tell me that “Your hug released my soul.” What a way to start off a weekend fueled by the power of music and kindness. You can’t make this stuff up…nor can you do it justice in words…not when emotion is such a huge player in the equation.
Dark Star Orchestra @ GOTV 2010
DSO really got the festival started off right. The dance party was bouncing and I knew it would seamlessly roll right into Big Sam’s arms, ready to RAGE late night…
Set One: Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo > Franklin’s Tower > New Minglewood Blues, Candyman,Me And My Uncle > Mexicali Blues, Althea, Man Smart (Woman Smarter, Ramble On Rose, Let It Grow > Deal
Set Two: Shakedown Street > Samson And Delilah, Never Trust A Woman, Estimated Prophet > He’s Gone > Drums > Space > Throwing Stones > Goin’ Down The Road Feeling Bad > The Wheel > The Other One > Wharf Rat > Good Lovin’
Big Sam…The King of the Party! This performance was our underlying reason to coming to Vibes Thursday night instead of Friday. I had told Jay about BSFN a while ago and prepared him for total late night domination by way of some contemporary, funky-ass, bass-filled, horn rage. Having seen Big Sam earlier in the year, I expected the same assortment of choices in set list and was eagerly awaiting to break my legs dancing.
Big Sam's Funky Nation @ GOTV 2010
Milk Williams @ GOTV 2010
Formerly the trombonist for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Big Sam Williams, put on an indisputably raging dance party and I dare anyone to tell me they didn’t move during this performance. This New Orleans-based group is modern funk at it’s best combining today’s popular pop songs with an MC attitude and some nasty NOLA swagger. If you need more reason to go see them, in 2009, BSFN was awarded Best Funk Group at the Big Easy Music Awards. Look! An award…ohhh…ahhhh. Just go see them.
Danny Abel is one HELL of a guitar player, bringing a sense of rock to the group, shredding his guitar in between Big Sam and Baham‘s horn heavy funk plays. And Eric Vogel on bass is sharp and bumpy, standing out on his own throughout many of the songs during his solos. A few songs in particular had me transfixed on him completely. At times, the horns would leave the stage and allow the other three to jam out. Drummer Boy Milk Williams raging a vibrant drum solo, flanked by the guitars.
Big Sam's Funky Nation @ GOTV 2010
During the encore, Big Sam reiterated the importance of “family” and then he open the flood gates:
“Normally, we just want the ladies up here. But tonight…it’s family, right? We are family! So, let’s have the guys up here too. Bring it up here.”
Bum rushin' the stage...
I was probably the first girl on stage as I was directly up front on the railing for the show anyway. But by the time I even turned around it was full of dudes. Now, where some women are still crazy scrambling fanatics to get to the stage, knocking people over, they are still dainty right? Most times? Try telling a group of male ragers they should join the stage? When I turned around, after being helped on stage by security…it was as if a heard of spider monkeys were coming at me. By the time they cut off the surge, it was almost all men.
We raged the stage for the entire song. After the song I got off the stage and most people stayed on. I was now alone in the pit and danced around in circles until the end of the performance in front of the stage in my own little world.
We concluded the evening/early morning by hitting up the Casbah, a dope set up our friends had in Family camping. I immediately collapsed down on the mats in the middle of a group of my friends. The cuddle puddle had commenced and I was utterly raged. You wanna know how hard tonight raged??? I passed out before almost all my friends. That NEVER EVER happens.
I remember fighting and arguing and causing major melt downs in my house when my parents refused to let me go see The Grateful Dead shows when Jerry Garcia was alive. I never understood my obsessive draw to The Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia, nor did I understand why my parents refused to let me see them Live. I specifically recall my father asking me one day, “Why do you like all these musicians who died of some kind of overdose?” I just stared at him blankly as framed pictures of Janis and Jerry and Bonham stared back at me from my bedroom walls.
I don’t have to describe the feelings we all get when we listen to Jerry…his music, his lyrics, his sound. The shine we feel when we see his smiling picture. Such a tragic loss who had a giant impact on human nature and music. A worldly symbol of peace and love. Strike me down with lightening and hellfire but personally, Jerry has been my religion since I was 12 years old and discovered American Beauty. To this day Ripple and Attics of My Life are in my top five favorite GD tunes. Music = God.
I Love you Jerry!
I remember exactly where I was when I found out he had passed away. I was 15, climbing Seneca Rocks in West Virginia and remember being devastated. This was the only guitar player I had ever wanted to see Live. Even now, I don’t itch for a musician the way I itched to see him before he died. He’s always held that place in my heart as my favorite guitar player and Derek Trucks follows right behind. To this day, I equate the fact that I am fully addicted to Live music and seeing my favorite musicians religiously because one day these talented guys will be gone. Some girls have Daddy issues, I have Jerry issues.
Nokia Times Square sign 🙂
So anyway, Futhur to me is not The Grateful Dead. Once Jerry died, I lost interest in really seeing The Dead. It’s not the same. It never will be. Fake Jerry is the most dedicated Jerry clone ever but still…he ain’t no Jerry. And so, I only saw my first Futhur show at Coney Island a few weeks ago and here I was at Nokia Theatre in Times Square to see them for the second time. It wasn’t a bad show but it wasn’t great either.
The chaotic scene before the show!
As we approached the blocks surrounding the theater, the sidewalks became thick with Deadheads and other hippe folk…and all hunting for tickets. Oddly, I never saw anyone selling a single ticket. Just lots of fingers up in the air. I didn’t have a ticket till earlier that day. Might I suggest ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS checking Craigslist for your ticket. They are almost always offered at face value or under face. Certainly not in this case, as people were willing to pay HUNDREDS for tonight’s tickets. I was miracled again so that was nice.
The scene out front of Nokia was rather gross. Wooks were everywhere, many with their dogs. To me this just seemed ridiculous. Dreaded wookies and their pit-bulls. WTF? This was Times Square and it was just awkward and menacing. I know they are nice dogs, but in masses smashed into Times Square, you never know if one of them is going to snap or feel uncomfortable. I was feeling uncomfortable under the cramped, stinky, wooked-out circumstances and I wanted to bite people….shoot.
Eagerly waiting to be played...
For the first set, I had spectacular views of Bobby and Phil. So yummy. I had maneuvered my way up to the railing on the raised platform directly to the right of the stage. Perfect view. The only negative being that I couldn’t see anyone to Bobby’s right. I couldn’t see Fake Jerry, the backup singers, and I could barely see Joe. I’d deal with this later, I just wanted to dance right now. I got terribly excited right before the show. I again questioned myself as to why I had waited this long to come hear my favorite music and songs played live. I should have been more loyal to Jerry’s legacy with the passion I had for his music. Alas….
They started the first set with Shakedown Street and Bown Eyed Woman. It sounded good overall but still kind of like they were warming up. I didn’t think anything of it. I was setteling into my show groove as well. John Kadlecik immediately brought it out on the guitar. Bobby was alert and throwing signals all over the stage. Singing was on point and the audience joined in on every word. Bob started forgetting the lyrics during Brown Eyed Woman.
Phil and Bobby @ Nokia
So, we are three songs in and I am dancing with my eyes closed to the beginning of El Paso. It’s clear something is going on on stage, as Bobby disappeared from my ears all together. As I look on stage, his strumming had softly slowed, his swaying slowly stopped and it was as if he was passing out while standing up for just a few seconds. Pure black out stance. And IMMEDIATELY he would come back to us and get back into the song. It was weird and I was standing in a position to take in every single moment. I turned to my friends screaming, “Do you see this?” But they had been talking.
Phil and Bobby @ Nokia Theater
Attempting to start El Paso again, it happens again. Bobby zones completely out. Fazing back in, Phil is looking at Bobby with a very confused look. That look in particular made me nervous and I turned around, shouting at my friends again, “DO YOU SEE THIS?” Still talking, they hadn’t. Later, it registered with them why I was in such a weird freak out mood with a worried look on my face. In the moment, they were so confused. A few minutes in & Bobby approaches the mic saying “I am going to try this again.” And he did try it again. They got through the song but without any lyrics. It didn’t suck, it wasn’t particularly great and almost completely instrumental. That is the thing about live music, you never know what your going to get 🙂
Crazy Hippies 🙂
Apparently, there was a ton of fighting was occurring outside. As I went to the ladies room there were numerous security guards discussing the occurrences that were taking place outside. I just heard them say there were tons of fights and kept walking. The scene inside was just as hectic but in a more fun way. There were colorful characters walking the hall ways and dancing in the isles. The over ragers had found spots along the walls to gather themselves. Security was everywhere. It was much more intense then I am used to for other shows.
Furthur @ Nokia Theater
By the time we were given Bertha, Bobby was back on his toes. How strange that he fazed out for such a short time. If he was dosed, as it was rumored, it would have lasted much longer then just those few minutes, right? The Ambian theory is good too but he would have passed completely out, right? Even though he didn’t appear drunk, that will be the theory I am sticking with. They ended the set with a HYPED UP Good Lovin’, bringing the heat and gaining a huge cheer from the audience at the end. Phil was clearly upset as he walked off stage. All I could think about was what was about to take place behind the scenes during set break! Oh, to be a fly on the wall back there.
Furthur @ Nokia Theater
Seeing Joe Russo up there behind the drums was unreal. How wonderful for him. How wonderful for us. I am a big Joe Russo fan. He is a New Yorker and one half of the Benevento-Russo Duo. He is obscure and off the handle when he plays and plays around here often. He is an innovator with energy and I thoroughly enjoyed his sound behind Bobby and Phil.
(Check out a Free rare performance of A BIG YES and a small no (A Joe Russo Project) @ Lakeside Lounge on August 19th.)
Furthur @ Nokia Theater
Because of my lacking view from my pretty great location, I chose to move for the second set. Some friends of ours had gotten some great seats in the middle behind the soundboard so for the second set, that is where I spent most of my time, taking off to the stairs from time to time to catch closer shoots of the stage.
View from the stairs - mid floor
The second set started off much better with Music Never Stopped. Bobby had apparently gotten over what was bothering him and he was extremely coherent. Phil was in good spirits and they got the dance party started immediately. Overall the second set was very good. Some great jams.
Furthur @ Nokia Theater
They covered Ryan Adam’s “Bartering Lines” half way through the set. Phil really let us have it with his bass on this one. Great song. The back up singers were soulful and when I finally recognized them in my head, I wondered why they didn’t pick up the slack on El Paso? Hmmmm? LOL……
Closing the second set with I Know You Rider, everyone sang along and danced. The lyrics: Gonna miss me when I’m gone resonated with me as I stared at the stage and missed Jerry. As I type this, I feel it must look and sound rather strange. There is such a deep emotional and nostalgic pull to that man, that even though I have never met him, never seen him live, it’s as if I have known him forever through his music. So, I miss this ghost of a man who left his soul on earth through his music.
Furthur @ Nokia Theater
I was actually pretty nervous that they might not come out for an encore considering what had transpired with Bobby earlier in the show. But, I was worried for nothing. They played Phil’s Donor Rap and capped off the night with Uncle John’s Band. Always a crowd pleaser.
Furthur @ Nokia Theatre
At the end of the show, Phil went up to Bobby and gave him a huge hug. The audience went crazy for a good long while. How wonderful. Love in Jerry’s spirit. There must have been some kind of explanation that had been realized behind the scene during set break.
As the venue empties....
They pulled off a good show. I remember being happy and confused at the same time as I left the venue, overhearing all the buzz about what had occurred in the first set. We hung outside for some time and meet up with tour buddies who spent the concert looking for tickets. Everyone wanted to know what we saw. The dogs and wooks were still behaving and I saw no evidence of fights. Again, I thought that I had worried for nothing. It was a splendid night but I still knew it was nothing without Jerry. I look forward to meeting him in the afterlife. We are going to RAGE HEAVEN and HELL into the ground!!!
Furthur
Wed. July 28, 2010
Nokia Theatre Times Square
New York, NY
Set 1: Shakedown Street >, Brown Eyed Women, El Paso (2x 1st verse, instrumental)>, Dire Wolf, Row Jimmy, I Need a Miracle >, Bertha >, Good Lovin’
Set II: Music Never Stopped, Colors of the Rain>, Cassidy, Cold Rain and Snow, Bartering Lines, Space, Born Cross-eyed, Stella Blue, I Know You Rider
(If there is ANYTHING that I have missed, please point it out.)
Thursday, July 1st, 2010:
($unknown) Gent Treadly @ The Frying Pan
($5-$7) Biz Markie (DJ Set) @ Brooklyn Bowl
($15) Reggie Watts @ Le Poisson Rouge
Friday, July 2nd, 2010:
Nothing?? Hmmm…….
Saturday, July 3rd, 2010:
(Free) ISTANBULIVE II: The Sounds & Colors of Turkey featuring Kenan Dogulu, mor ve otesi, Ilhan Ersahin’s Istanbul Sessions, Burhan Ocal Tulug Tirpan, Sukriye Tutkun, & DJ Salih Saka @ Summerstage
(Free) West African Band @ St. Nicks, Harlem
Sunday, July4th, 2010:
Nothing?? Hmmm…….
Monday, July 5th, 2010:
($8-$15 + 1 drink min.) Jim Campilongo Electric Trio (w/ Stephan Crump and Tony Mason) @ The Living Room
($25) Mingus Big Band @ The Jazz Standard
Tuesday, July 6th, 2010:
(Free) Dred Scott Trio @ Rockwood Music Hall
($55) B-52’s @ The Highline Ballroom
($15) Wilco’s Nels Cline @ (Le) Poisson Rouge for two sets with his band The Nels Cline Singers.
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
(Free) The Farewell Drifters @ Madison Square Park
($10) Dumpstaphunk @ The Brooklyn Bowl (Funk Live)
($25) Bonobo Dj Set w/ BreakScience @ Rocks Off Cruise (The Temptress)
($17) Garage A Trois & Dead Kenny G’s @ The Bowery Ballroom
($12) Chico Mann @ Mercury Lounge
Thursday, July 8th, 2010:
($5-$7) ?uestlove (DJ Set) @ Brooklyn Bowl
($8) Assembly of Dust (Feat. Jason Crosby) @ Brooklyn Bowl
($17) Garage A Trois & Dead Kenny G’s @ Maxwell’s, NJ
($45-$65) Steve Earle & Allison Moorer @ City Winery
Friday, July 9th, 2010:
(Free) Ozomatli / Fidel Nadal / Toy Selectah @ Prospect Park
(Free) Apollo Run @ Rockwood Music Hall
($8) Assembly of Dust (Feat. The Statesmen: Jonah Smith, Josh Dion, Scott Metzger & Ben Rubin) @ Brooklyn Bowl
($18) – Soul Rebels Brass Band @ Sullivan Hall (Funk Live)
($25-$40) James Hunter & Jesse Dee @ City Winery
($ ) Henry Butler @ Terra Blues
SOLD OUT!! ($40) God Street Wine @ Gramercy Theater
($100) Rusted Root for the Flood Sisters Kidney Foundation of America “Love.Give.Life.” Event @ Broad Street Ballroom
Saturday, July 10th, 2010:
SOLD OUT!!! ($40) God Street Wine @ Gramercy Theater
(Free) West African Band @ St. Nicks, Harlem
($30-$100+) The Doobie Brothers & Chicago @ Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
Sunday, July 11th. 2010:
(Free-$3) Okay Africa show with the Roots/Talib Kweli at Prospect Park (Funk Live)
(FREE) Naomi Shelton & Gospel Queens @ Stuy Town Oval
(FREE) Funky Fritters @ Waterside Plaza Music Fest (Funk Live)
($35-$45) Blind Boys of Alabama @ Alice Tully Hall, Starr Theater
“The Unbroken Circle” Featuring Ralph Stanley, Yonder Mountain String Band, Sara Watkins, Ray Benson and Jason Roberts of Asleep at the Wheel, and Allison Moorer
($70) Jack Johnson: To The Sea Tour 2010 (w/ G. Love & Special Sauce) @ Madison Square Garden
($75) Sting @ The Metropolitan Opera House
Thursday, July 15th, 2010:
(FREE) Brother Joscephus and the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra @ BID Music Outdoor Concert Series
($5) Langhorn Slim @ The Brooklyn Bowl
($5-$7) ?uestlove (DJ Set) @ Brooklyn Bowl
($15) Animal Liberation Orchestra @ Santos House Party
($20) Orchard Lounge @ Club Love
($25) Beats Antique @ Le Poisson Rouge
($25-$30) Eric Krasno & Chapter 2 @ Rocks Off Cruise (Funk Live)
($25-$30) Turbine @ Rocks Off Cruise
The Brew maybe? Jambase confirms but not on Rocks Off schedule
($45-$65) Steve Earle & Allison Moorer @ City Winery
($52.50 – $60) Natalie Merchant @ Town Hall
Friday, July 16th, 2010:
($20-$25) Pre-party Cruise to Dave Matthews Band Show @ Citi Field on Rocks Off Cruises
($10) NYC SHAKEDOWN: ATNARKO w/ Brooklyn Sound Lab & Nutritious @ The Bell House (Prior Review)
($5) Greensky Bluegrass @ Brooklyn Bowl
($20) Hollis Brown @ Rocks off Cruise
($35-$45) Blind Boys of Alabama @ Alice Tully Hall, Starr Theater
“Blind Boys of Alabama Family Revival” Featuring Aaron Neville, Joan Osborne, Dan Zanes, New Orleans’ Own Hot 8 Brass Band, Charlie Musselwhite, and John Hammond
($40) God Street Wine @ The Fillmore at Irving Plaza
($54) Weezer @ East River State Park
($52.50 – $60) Natalie Merchant @ Town Hall
($90) Dave Matthews Band @ Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Musical Musings of a Tiny Rager 