With a great line up on each stage and all artists performing simultaneously, it was rather overwhelming to choose which stage to be present at. But I took my trusty schedule and hopped around the festival solo on Day 1. I was able to skip out of work early on Friday to head over to the festival and catch some late afternoon shows. I saw the Black Keys (one of Andrew’s favorite bands), then half of the Band of Heathens, and Amos Lee at sunset. Finally, I was able to meet up with a co-worker and her friends to see Sonic Youth, one of the original grunge bands. After the show, we decided to leave the festival early and skip out on seeing Phish and The Strokes. So we headed on a long hike back to our cars so we would be rested for the next days’ festivities!
On Day 2 of the festival, Andrew was able to join me as I scored him a last minute discounted ticket from a friend. We started off seeing The Very Best, an amazing reggae band from South Africa, and then we hung around the same stage to see Gaslight Anthem. We took a break to eat some Salt Lick BBQ sandwiches and then off we went to another stage to see Manchester Orchestra. We finally met up with my friends after the Temper Trap show, where I accidentally ran into them. We decided to split up again, and Andrew and I headed to see Gogol Bordello, the very energetic gypsy punk band. After watching everyone dance around, we headed over to see Deadmau5, a famous DJ with an incredible light show who had recently appeared on the VMA’s on MTV. The crowd was full of fist pumpers and a lot of energy. Towards the end of the show, we found a spot and waited for Muse. They sounded incredible live, but Andrew and I decided to skip out a little early in order to beat the traffic. We still had Day 3 to attend!
The final day of the festival was beautiful. In fact every day of the festival was sunny and in the high 80s, the opposite of last year’s rainy, mud fest. We were finally able to meet up with my friends and carpool to the festival. I learned it is very hard to go to a festival with a group because everyone wants to see different shows. We ended up splitting up a lot from the group but we had fun nonetheless. We started off seeing Portugal. The Man, a band based out of Alaska who was really great. Then we saw Gayngs, a reggae/DJ type band who threw joints in the crowd, and then we were off to see The Constellations and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. Andrew and I stopped and had another Salt Lick BBQ sandwich (sometimes you just can’t get enough) and we moved onward to catch the end of Yeasayer’s show. Afterwards, we went to see Rebelution (Andrew’s must see reggae band) and after we sawThe Flaming Lips, where the lead singer enclosed himself in a giant clear beach ball and floated over the crowd.
From there, we caught a little of the Norah Jones show and then it was EAGLES time. The Eagles were by far more amazing then I expected. I was really impressed with their musical talents and the fact that I knew every word to each song. We stayed until the bitter end and crept our way closer and closer to the stage. I totally recommend seeing them if you have the chance.
Now looking back, I would say I had a very eventful, musically jammed weekend, and a festival I’ll never forget. Who knew they would be so much fun and worth the hefty ticket price. You’re literally let loose on a few acres of land to dance, party, drink, eat, and be entertained from morning until night. Out of all the bands I saw (and as you can see, there were a lot) I could narrow my favorite down on each day.
Friday – Amos Lee by far. There is something so soothing about his voice and his sound. It just makes me melt.
Saturday – The Very Best. To be honest, there really wasn’t much to their show. It was basically a DJ, a lead vocalist singing over the tracks, and two dancers. But the energy was high, the sound was great, and I was having a good time.
Sunday – The Eagles. As I said before, there show was a blast. Between their incredible guitar skills and their soothing harmonious vocal blends, you couldn’t help but be sucked into the power of music!
I already can’t wait until next year! I already proposed that Andrew and I base our future vacations around music festivals all over the world. Needless to say, he didn’t put up a fight.
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