By: Dennis Cook, JamBase Associate
Editor
Summer festival season kicks into high gear this coming weekend with dozens of festivals
around the United States. JamBase takes a look at five of the finest gatherings coming up
and makes a few helpful suggestions beyond the big names at the top of the bills for those
about to rock beneath the stars around this great country.
Summer Camp Festival | Chillicothe, IL
We begin with one of the jewels of the jam world, the
10th Annual Summer
Camp, taking place Friday, May 28 through Sunday, May 30, with a pre-festival
party on Thursday, May 27 in Chillicothe, IL, at the Three Sisters Park.
Anchored by three days of moe. and Umphrey’s McGee performances, the tenth edition of this festival
also includes headlining sets from The Avett Brothers, Gov’t Mule and
Yonder Mountain
String Band. Here’s a few acts well worth working into your schedule if you’re
heading to Summer Camp.
1. Backyard Tire
Fire :: Thursday :: 6:30-7:30 pm :: Starshine Stage
Ed Anderson is one of the few singer-songwriters out there to give Tom Petty and
Springsteen an honest run for their money in the meat ‘n’ taters rock game. With his
stalwart bandmates, Anderson makes music for the day-to-day slog and those sweet moments
away from the grind of it all. Foot stompin’ greatness is all but guaranteed at this set,
which could set your whole weekend at Summer Camp off on just the right foot. BTF also
plays on Saturday from 1:00-2:15 pm on the Sunshine Stage.
2. Split Lip
Rayfield :: Friday night :: 12:30 am-2:30 am :: Campfire Stage
A great number of top-flight musicians have been seen sporting Split Lip Rayfield t-shirts
over the years. That’s a positive sign right there, and if you dig into their rootsy,
irreverent music you’ll probably want to wear one, too. There’s something intrinsically
right and unpasteurized about Split Lip, a spirit punk rockers and bluegrass lovers can
both vibe on equally. Their Late Night Campfire Jam is likely to have a gravitational
pull to many of the musician fans at Summer Camp, so don’t be too surprised at the
surprises likely to ensue.
3. The New
Mastersounds :: Sunday :: 4:00-5:00 pm :: Sunshine Stage
Simply put, if you love soulful, funky music you’re missing out if you don’t check out
England’s New Mastersounds, who possess one of the sharpest, coolest approaches to the
genre going today. There’s just the right mix of rawness and polish to them, and the
quartet’s interplay borders on telepathic.
Continue reading for DelFest…
DelFest | Cumberland, MD
DelFest is a string band mecca
sporting three sets from hosts the Del McCoury Band. This year’s DelFest happens May 27-30 in
Cumberland, MD, and includes performances from Yonder and The Avett Brothers (they do
get around), Railroad Earth and many more. There’s tremendous overlap and bounteous
collaboration at this festival, which somehow takes the spirit of back porch jamming and
gives it flair and style without losing the essential hominess. Here’s some acts worth
putting on your dance card at DelFest this year.
1. Uncle Earl
:: Friday :: 6:15-7:30 pm :: Grandstand Stage
These crazy talented ladies haven’t been out live much lately, so one should enjoy them
whenever they can. What’s wonderful about Uncle Earl is how they stitch together so many
different threads from string music past and present. There’s a timeless vibe to their
originals and their interplay is pretty spectacular in general. Uncle Earl also performs
on Saturday at DelFest on the Potomac Stage from 12:45-1:45 pm. For more on Uncle Earl,
peep the JamBase feature centered around their last studio release.
2. Dave Rawlings
Machine :: Sunday :: 10:15-11:55 pm :: Grandstand Stage
Though he’s often the only one standing next to Gillian Welch,
Rawlings is often overshadowed by his longtime partner in crime. She is pretty compelling
but so is this hyper-gifted multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter. The longer the
Rawlings Machine trundles along in recent years, the more fascinating it becomes, both in
his own compositions and inspired cover choices.
3. Trampled By
Turtles :: Saturday :: 5:15-6:15 pm :: Potomac Stage
Singer-guitarist Dave Simonett writes some of the most enduring, resonant songs
coming out of any contemporary string band, and he and the rest of the Turtles breath fire
live, stirring up a ruckus that seems nigh impossible for guys seated onstage. They’ve
also got a tender side that’s genuinely stirring. Young and possessed with a real drive
to show the world what they’ve got, TBT has all the makings of a future headliner at fests
like Del’s and Northwest String Summit. See ‘em now so you can tell your kids about it
when they’re famous. TBT also plays a special Friday Late Night set at 12:15 am – 1:15 am in Delfest Music Hall.
Continue reading for Sasquatch! Festival…
Sasquatch Festival | George, WA
Sasquatch!
returns to The Gorge in
George, WA, May 29-31. If one wants a barometer of the next wave of artists to crest into
cult or even alternative mainstream success, this is the spot to take your readings. With
a finely tuned mixture of emerging and well established acts, Sasquatch! is a vibrant,
fascinating rock microcosm in a fab setting. Headliners My Morning Jacket, Pavement, Massive Attack
and Ween
will undoubtedly deliver the goods, but here’s three acts we’d also like to put on your
radar.
1. Dawes ::
Saturday :: 12:00-12:35 pm :: Bigfoot Stage
After releasing one of the finest rock debuts in ages in 2009, the stunningly resonant
North Hills (JamBase review), this Los Angeles band has pretty much stayed on the road
honing their craft and further fleshing out what were already wonderful songs. Anyone
with a love for The Band, vintage Crosby, Stills & Nash (or especially their respective
early ’70s solo work) or simply beautifully crafted, powerful, well-rooted rock will find
almost too much to adore in Dawes. They are the first band to hit the stage at Sasquatch!
this year but they will likely be one of the best anyone sees.
2. Vetiver ::
Sunday :: 6:25-7:10 pm :: Yeti Stage
Talk about a band that has ALL the fundamentals locked down – strong songcraft,
empathetic, intelligent playing, potent heart and soul – Vetiver pretty much nails the
core things that make a band interesting and worth allowing into one’s life. Bandleader
Andy Cabic pens tunes that hum and skip on the order of folk’s like Nick Drake, Kris
Kristofferson and other prime root sources, and then he and the band take them to places
both rocky and patiently lovely.
3. The Mountain
Goats :: Monday :: 5:40-6:25 pm :: Bigfoot Stage
If you mixed up Jonathan Richman, Woody Guthrie, Syd Barrett and a traveling holy roller
preacher into one person you might get head Goat John Darnielle.
There’s something strangely moving and off-kilter funny about the Goats’ music, and yet
one has no problem imagining any of the named touchstones pulling up a chair and drinking
in what Darnielle is dishing out.
Continue reading for Furthur Festival…
Furthur Festival | Angels Camp,
CA
There’s likely only one prime destination for lovers of Grateful Dead music over Memorial
Day Weekend, and that’s the Furthur
Festivalin the Sierra Foothills at the Calaveras County Fairgrounds, May 28-30.
Centered around a series of full album presentations (see full details here) by Furthur featuring Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, there’s
more than just Dead to enjoy at this new fest.
1. Mark Karan &
Jemimah Puddleduck :: Saturday :: Furthur Stage
One of the joys of Puddleduck is it lets Karan’s MANY gifts shine. Largely known for his
ever-tasty guitar work with RatDog, Karan is also a dead good singer-songwriter with a
real knack for picking really satisfying cover material with his own band, including Randy
Newman, Little Feat and other kindred spirits. Puddleduck is a good time starter to the
main stage well worth getting out of your tent in time to catch.
2. The Mother
Hips :: Sunday :: Further Stage
It’s kind of dangerous to call any band “perfect” but there’s a lot of mounting evidence
over the decades that Northern California’s roots-rock-pop stalwarts The Mother Hips are
just that – freakin’ perfect. For charged, wonderfully executed, guitar heavy rock ‘n’
roll WITH a truly breathtaking catalog and one of the tighest, coolest rhythm sections
ever, well, one would be very hard pressed to find better. Seeing the Hips for the first
time is a conversion experience for most. Don’t be surprised if you go scrambling to hear
every note you can after you experience this set.
3. Dark Hollow Stage :: All Weekend
The small acoustic showcase stage will be curated by Larry Campbell and Teresa
Williams and will likely be ground zero for some stunning troubadour action. Folks
will be treated to an array of “friends” dropping by, and even if it’s just Campbell and
his missus wooing you with song you won’t go wrong!
Those wanting an additional day in festival bliss can check out Furthurmore on Monday, May 31, at River Ranch
Campground in Tuolumne, CA. This fine epilogue to the first Furthur Fest features 7 Walkers
featuring Bill Kreutzmann and Papa Mali, Everyone Orchestra
featuring Steve Kimock, Melvin Seals, George Porter Jr, Dan Lebowitz, Aaron Redner, Dave
Brogan, Nat Keefe, Jans Ingber and more, plus the triumphant return of Holy Kimoto with
Steve Kimock, Kyle Hollingsworth, Michael Travis, and Jason Hann.
Continue reading for Desert Rocks…
Desert Rocks | Moab, UT
With crowd pleasers like Melvin Seals & JGB, Groundation and The Mother Hips topping the bill and a
unique, stunning setting in the Moab Desert in Utah, this smaller fest is shaping up to be
one of the best annual gatherings of truly talented working bands in the U.S. Without
relying on safe, name brand festival anchor bands, Desert Rocks – taking place this year May 27-30
- has grown each year by the merits of its spirit and good taste in lineups. Here’s three
worthies attendees should check out this year.
1. Lubriphonic
:: Thursday :: 8:00-9:15 pm :: Uncanny Stage
This Chicago-based self-describe “rock & soul stew” has the sophistication and sharp edges
of vintage Steely Dan but a blues soul that’s dusty and rugged as one could want.
Lubriphonic has killer tunes and is a reliable powerhouse live. If you’re headed to
Desert Rocks looking to come home with a new favorite, this band is likely to be a strong
contender for that position.
2. Wisebird ::
Friday :: 7:30-8:45 pm :: Desert Rocks Stage
If you love crankin’ good ol’ rock & roll with the windows down and the white lines flying
past at an alarming pace, then Wisebird is gonna hit your sweet spot like an Everlasting
Gobstopper. There’s a ton of abundant boogie soul to these boys and a little of the
battered denim je ne sais quoi one finds in The Black Crowes and Drive-By Truckers. Pour
some whiskey down your gullet and just dance like your body wants to as Wisebird plays and
things are gonna loosen up for you in a real nice way. Added bonus: the Bow &
Sparrow Aerial Ballet will join them for this set. Wisebird also performs on Saturday
night, 12:20-1:50 am.
3. David Gans ::
Saturday :: 5:00-6:00 pm :: Desert Rocks Stage
While known for his work around the Grateful Dead both in print and on the radio for
decades, Gans is a damn fine songwriter and performer in his own right. Yes, his
interpretations of Dead numbers are great, but it’s his nose for primo work from other
contemporaries like Railroad Earth and his own songs that increasingly knock one out. And
you gotta have respect for anyone who can hold an audience rapt or make them skip standing
alone with just a guitar on stage, something Gans accomplishes and makes look so natural
it doesn’t seem like work.
For a full list and links to other festivals happening this Memorial Day Weekend,
sure to visit the JamBase Festival
Guide
What are you doing this musical weekend? Add your comments to the Forum linked below.