Getting there -
Being over 7 hours away from the festival grounds, this is the farthest drive I would be making all year. After my enduring experience last year driving from midnight-7am, I decided it would be better this year to leave a day early and book a hotel. This enabled me to drive during the daylight and take my time. The good night of sleep was also a great refresher to help overtake the first day of the fest well.
I had an RV pass this year so that I could take my car into the festival grounds. It was very helpful not to have to haul all of my gear from the parking lot and allowed me to charge my camera batteries, phone, etc.
I was able to get in early and secure a good spot in the woods for the rest of my festival family before most people were let into the grounds. Overall my experience getting to the festival and getting into the grounds was way better than last year.
The Festival -
This year was almost complete opposite from the year prior. Last year we had rain and clouds all weekend. It was a mud party. This year was almost unbearable hot temperatures and the dust from the dry weather really made it hard to enjoy certain aspects of the festival. I found myself trying to leave the shade for just minutes to do something only to be running back. I tend to sweat long before most people and I could drench a dry shirt in minutes the heat was so hot. This led to a great weekend of water balloon and squirt gun fights though :)
The line-up was stacked this year and with the heat, it was almost impossible to check out every band you wanted to. Luckily my crew was camped right next to the camping stage and to my surprise almost every act that played throughout the weekend was GREAT MUSIC. I have to go back and listen to some of those under-cards!
The Umphrey's stage was moved to a much better location this year not far from it's original just on higher ground and at the edge of the festival grounds. The Jagermeister stage was also moved and the set up this year seemed to work out better all around. The main Moe. stage seemed to be pushed further back at the top of the hill to accommodate a few more people this year. Camping was extended a little further beyond the main stage as well. This year seemed to be the biggest turnout yet, but the attendance in my opinion was close to last year so it was hard to tell.
The Music -
I was the more excited about the lineup at Summercamp than I was for any other festival I planned on attending. Three nights of Moe. and Upmphrey's alone made the ticket price worth my money, but with by far the strongest undercard I have ever seen! Having camped next to the camping stage allowed me to sit and thoroughly enjoy music even while hiding under my shade tents. Our camping spot really couldn't have been much better on that regard. Here are my personal highlights.
Victor Wooten -
I was seriously excited to see who I regard as the best bass player on the planet. He put on a workshop about nature and his camp he runs. I think it was just an excuse to play some of his new music. Here is one video I shot. Keep in mind there are no drums and when the band actually played their scheduled set it was more rounded out. I was ecstatic to be this close to Victor.
The Music -
I was the more excited about the lineup at Summercamp than I was for any other festival I planned on attending. Three nights of Moe. and Upmphrey's alone made the ticket price worth my money, but with by far the strongest undercard I have ever seen! Having camped next to the camping stage allowed me to sit and thoroughly enjoy music even while hiding under my shade tents. Our camping spot really couldn't have been much better on that regard. Here are my personal highlights.
Victor Wooten -
I was seriously excited to see who I regard as the best bass player on the planet. He put on a workshop about nature and his camp he runs. I think it was just an excuse to play some of his new music. Here is one video I shot. Keep in mind there are no drums and when the band actually played their scheduled set it was more rounded out. I was ecstatic to be this close to Victor.
The Lumineers -
My good friend Lyndall showed me this band a few months before the festival. I was immediately hooked and drawn into their sound. They are from Colorado and their newest single "Ho, Hey" is gaining popularity quickly. I wouldn't be suprised if this band is playing on much larger stages in future years. I hope for their sake that they do well. Here are a few videos I shot.
Michael Franti & Spearhead -
This was my 3rd time seeing Franti. I must say after a few shows they may feel a little stale, but he never dissapoints on the good vibes. I love Franti shows so much that I don't even care if he tells the same stories and does pretty much the same things at every show. It doesn't take innovation to LOVE! I am so happy to finally show my readers some of why I love this human so much!
Digital Tape Machine -
This was the only band I shot all weekend with my good camera. The dust was just too scary. I really enjoyed their set and will definitely be checking out this group again.
Moe. and Umphrey's Mcgee -
The two groups who are responsible for the whole festival. If you go to Summercamp, you will see these bands!
Pun Synopsis -
Overall scamp this year was a great festival. The heat made it impossible for the vibe to get to extreme levels, but the different format of this festival always leaves me loving every minute of it. I would of taken the mud from last year over the heat this year. Both Summercamps I have attended have proven to be enduring festivals. I hope next year it finds a nice median.
Here is my highlight reel I put together with my footage... Until next time ~ Pun
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