It was like the circus… Filled with gypsies… And they all liked to dance… Alot.
photo by: Andrew Bruss, Jambase
It was overcast. I thought to myself, wow, I’m glad the sun is not out. It was a hot, sunny, sweltering few days and I was pleased for the clouds. We needed a break from the sun.
photo by: Andrew Bruss, Jambase
After dealing with “The Incident”, I took my last spigot shower of the festival, ate delicious blueberry pancakes from our new camp family and we all rolled in to hear the Nate Wilson Group from the Port City Music Hall. Um, wow. He shredded his guitar. There were five guys up there, and they just crushed it. It was great energy, great music, tight jams and it just went DOWN in that barn. I will see them again to relive the experience, because, truth be told, I think I needed another cup of coffee. It was Day 3, after all, and I was feeling very fuzzy by this point.
photo by: Phrazz
photo by: Phrazz
Moonalice was next, and had to leave Nate Wilson early to catch their set. (Music Schizophrenia Mode in full force.) By the time I got there, Barry Sless and Pete Sears were SHREDDING the heck out of Cold Rain & Snow. Oh wow, it was on. The main field wasn’t packed so I got myself up to the rail and had a great time. I watched the crowd around me, and everyone had such wide smiles, dancing along, havin’ just as much fun as I was. John Molo on drums was just sick, Barry Sless goes nuts on the pedal steel, and then Roger “Chubby Wombat Moonalice” McNamee tells us that they finished their encore early and we’re treated to more. Oh yeah, that was fun. Always a fun time with Moonalice. Afterwards, I got my free posters, Chubby and I chatted for a bit and he signed them for me. I love this band for their incredible music, the talent on stage and their friendliness.
Then Max Creek comes on the other stage. I haven’t seen these guys in about 100 years, I grew up with them playing all around Connecticut in the 80s. Fabulous time, fabulous music, love them.
photo by: Phrazz
But, as my music schizophrenia continues, I ran out and caught The Alchemystics.
And, holy hell. I have no words. I walked into the Port City Music Hall and it was going wild in there. The place was packed, jamming reggae jam crazy dance party was going on. I caught the last two songs and the encore. It was out of control, great beats, high high energy…. they literally blew my head off. I was dumbfounded. My friend asked me what I thought of them, and I had no words. I could not speak. I was processing the crazy hip-hop reggae rage that just went down and I couldn’t speak. Wow. The Alchemystics. Yeah, these guys are on my radar up near The New Mastersounds, who I saw at Mountain Jam. Phewwwwwww.
photo by: Andrew Bruss, Jambase
Finally, a chance to breathe. Zappa Plays Zappa comes on the stage and by this point I’m in need of a sit-down. I sit on my chair and think, “Ah, I can relax now, and listen to this band play finally.” I’ve never seen Zappa Plays Zappa, but I do know who Dweezil is and had a girl-crush on him years ago. Now here he is, shirtless, on stage, playing great great music. Unfortunately for me, I was pulled away from the music for the rest of the set by my buddy. So, I still haven’t truly heard them play. I will catch them when they come to NYC for sure.
photo by: Andrew Bruss, Jambase
photo by: Phrazz
Crowd: What I forgot to mention was how cool the vibe and the crowd were. We had Aliens, and crazy monsters dancing, fire twirler beauties, and fire lanterns launched into the evening sky. We had lobster rolls (which I never had but heard was amazing), and local beloved vendors like Wormtown Trading. There was a ferris wheel. There were children playing. There were smiling strangers. Click below for more with DTST and Furthur.
