Category: Festival Recaps

Recaps of Past Festivals

Lockn’ 2016 Daily Lineups Featuring My Morning Jacket, Phish, Ween & More

Lockn' 2016

From Lockn’ 2016

“The fourth annual LOCKN’ Festival in Arrington, Virginia will take place Thursday, August 25 – Sunday, August 28. Located in Central Virginia, amidst the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Arrington is halfway between Charlottesville and Lynchburg and close to Washington, DC and Richmond.”

Lockn’ 2016 Lineup: Ween, Umphrey’s McGee, Phish, Joe Russo, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Galactic, Twiddle, Moon Taxi, The Wailers, Gary Clark Jr., Chris Robinson, Keller Williams, Donna the Buffalo, EOTO, Lettuce, Charles Bradley, and More.

Websites & Links: LocknFestival.com | Facebook | Twitter

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Suwannee Hulaween 2016 Presents String Cheese Incident, My Morning Jacket, Umphrey’s McGee & More

Suwannee Hulaween 2016

From Suwannee Hulaween 2016

“Silver Wrapper and Purple Hat Productions have announced the first round of artists for the fourth annual Suwannee Hulaween, hosted by one of America’s most independently successful and diverse jam bands, The String Cheese Incident, over the Halloween weekend, October 28 – 30, 2016 at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL.” Read More

Hulaween 2016 Lineup: Big Gigantic (feat. The Motet), Disclosure (DJ set), Future Rock, Gramatik, Greensky Bluegrass, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, The Claypool Lennon Delirium, Lettuce, Manic Focus, My Morning Jacket, Rebelution, Snarky Puppy, String Cheese Incident (3 Nights), STS9, The Motet, The Revivalists, Umphrey’s McGee & More


Websites & Links: SuwanneeHulaween.com | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube


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Video: Envision Festival 2016 Recap

From Envision Festival 2016

Photos by Eric Allen and video by Ari Fararooy
“Glistening beaches, resplendent jungles, and the “pura vida” mantra served as the backdrop for the sixth annual, sold-out Envision Festival as 4,700 international attendees descended upon Rancho La Merced in Uvita, Costa Rica this past February 25 – 28, 2016. Uniquely distinguished from any other festival on the planet, Envisionaries united to partake in the festival’s Utopian permaculture community, which inspires self-expression and conscious living through its regenerative infrastructure. World-class curation of music, art, live performance abound as yoga/movement classes and innovative workshops maintain an inclusive harmony within the sold-out event.

Hailed as one of the most fascinating festival experiences this planet has to offer, Envision exploded to life as nature collided with art in the form of incredible stages, driftwood sculptures, bamboo jungle gyms, and scores of smiling faces lounging in hammocks and tree pods. Sun-kissed days filled with mind-expanding workshops, philosophical discussions, yoga classes, short walks to the ocean, or a drive to a local waterfall transformed into celebratory tropical nights with an intoxicating musical lineup performing on one of four dazzling stages – Luna, Sol, Lapa, and The Village Stage.

2016 welcomed expansions to the festival including Casa de Yoga, a new zone that included two permanently installed bamboo yoga temples, the Gaia fresh juice bar, the Kula Lounge offering cacao ceremonies, and a substance-free campground. Internationally known movement and yoga teachers included author and founder of 109world.com Rachel Brathen, founder of the Goddess Yoga Project Sianna Sherman, celebrated 5Rhythms facilitator Amber Ryan, pioneer of the One Yoga movement in Trinidad and Tobago Troy Hadeed, co-founder of The Avahana School of Yoga Ashleigh Sergeant, and Mexico City’s Classic Hatha Yoga master Marcos Jassan. Kids activities were enjoyed in the Family Dream Oasis to entertain and educate Envision’s adventurous families. Envision also offered both pre and post festival educational retreats, under its new division ‘Envision Education’, which showcased everything from tours of Costa Rica to permaculture immersion, an herbal clinic intensive, and a post event yoga/detox/surfing Reboot Camp — more of these boutique-Envision experiences to come in 2017.

Festival expansions also included an upgraded medical tent employing both Western and Eastern medical practices with a free herbal clinic offering herbal remedies and tonics alongside conventional treatments. For those wanting an upgrade to their camping experience, the La Sombra VIP Camping zone offered decked out tree house suites and canvas-wrapped bungalows in addition to 24hr concierge service, a salon boutique, and private bathrooms/showers. The newly erected Templo de la Tierra offered sacred fire ceremonies at sunrise and sunset or a quiet area to sit in meditation within the temple dome.

A pioneer in green festival design, Envision set forth environmentally sound initiatives throughout all aspects of the festival. Most Envision structure were built from bamboo and other locally-sourced materials (not a single metal framed vinyl tent could be found). A long-term lease on the property has allowed the festival to plant fresh banana, papaya, and other local ornamental flora to line pathways and provide natural fencing, unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Throughout the festival, all “single-use” cups and tableware were banned and replaced with reusable items and a festival-wide dish washing program, drastically reducing the amount of waste at the festival. Additionally, all generators were powered by bio-diesel, a virtually unprecedented practice in Costa Rica.

Bass-heavy artists such as Shpongle, The Human Experience, Dimond Saints, Spoonbill, and CloZee, performed on an imported Funktion1 soundsystem on the impressive Luna Stage.Designed by visionary artist Carey Thompson, Luna bellowed in the form of a towering mariposa (butterfly), incorporating 3D projection mapping by the famed Mexico City artist, Golem. Performances were viewable across the expansive field, where attendees could climb a massive, multi-level bamboo jungle gym or witness visionary live paintings by global muralists Ernest Doty, Hazul, Mario Belem,and Anderson Deberardi on the walkways leading to the Envision Art Gallery. Alongside the howler monkeys in the treetops, day-chasers welcomed the sun as they danced to Random Rab during his fabled, ethereal sunrise set.

The equally impressive Sol Stage featured complex psychedelic 3D mapping projected onto its sun centerpiece by Zebbler Studios. Sol hosted live music from California’s experimental, world-fusion band Beats Antique (Live), Saint Croix reggae legends Akae Beka (formerly Midnite), Costa Rica’s 80s synth-pop band Patterns (noted as a top band to see at SXSW 2016), Colorado-based folk musicians Elephant Revival, and Costa Rica’s stand out electro-fusion rock band (and surprise festival favorite) Santos y Zurdo offering one of the most unique sets of the weekend complete with electric sitar.House and techno music came alive on the more intimate Lapa stage, where legends such as Desert Hearts’ Lee Reynolds, tribal house leaders Bedouin, Berlin-based DJ and production duo, M.A.N.D.Y., progressive trance dub DJ Grouch, and Los Angeles-based deep house selector Tara Brooks, drew dancing revelers into its feathered domain.

In the heart of the festival grounds stood The Village, a bustling caravan of educational workshops, inspirational speakers, vendors, and the fresh produce Vida Market complete with the live music Village Stage, Tea House Lounge,and a women’s only Red Tent pavilion. The Village Stage hosted insightful and speakers such as nutritional expert David Wolfe, astrologer Kaypacha, City Repair Project’s Executive Director Marc Tobin, and sustainable living educator and Envision Co-Founder Stephen Brooks, plus live musical performances by Vir, Camilo, and Incus. The Witches Healing Sanctuary provided a unique communal healing and ceremony space for herbalists, body workers and educators to share therapeutic practices. Craft vendors boasted unconventional souvenirs with beautiful handcrafted jewelry, art, and clothing from across the Americas. Food vendors offered a selection of mouthwatering world cuisine and local dishes made from unprocessed, fresh food sourced from local farms.

Having successfully set itself apart from other music-driven festivals through its emphasis on soul empowerment and holistic living, Envision seeks to fulfill an inherent human desire to connect with like-minded individuals and feed the innate human need to be and live interconnected with nature. Don’t miss out on the chance to cross Envision Festival – Costa Rica off your bucket list. Tickets for the 2017 gathering taking place from Feb 23-26 are already on sale and are destined to sell out! Visit the Envision website to grab your Envision 2017 ticket and start planning the trip of a lifetime to experience the wonder of Envision on the tropical pacific coasts of Costa Rica.”

Websites & Links: EnvisionFestival.com | Facebook | Twitter


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Video: Disc Jam 2015 Recap

From Creative Element
“Entering year number five, Disc Jam still embraces the small festival vibe while drawing some of the biggest names from Boston, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont and beyond. This year has proven to be another unforgettable gathering of creators and celebrators of some of the best in the live music scene today.”

Websites & Links: DiscJamMusicFestival.com | Facebook | Twitter

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Video ~ Aura 2015 Official Aftermovie [3.5-8.15]

From Aura 2015

“Returning to their home at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) in Live Oak, Florida March 6 – 8, 2015, AURA is a much-loved celebratory weekend of music, art, yoga and workshops attracting fans from around the country. The grounds are also home to one of the most beautiful natural amphitheaters in the US made only more awe-inspiring by AURA’s strong attention to sound and lighting production.

Set in the midst of 800 acres of Spanish moss-draped oak and cypress trees along the Suwannee River, the venue is a playground for endless activities such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, disc golf and biking. The park also offers guest comforts including a general store, full-service restaurant, free showers, indoor bathrooms and water stations.”

Websites & Links: AuraMusicFestival.com | Facebook | TwitterMusicLivesHere.com

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Video ~ Arise Music Festival 2015 Official Recap

Arise Music Festival 2015 took place August 7th-9th at the Sunrise Ranch in Loveland, CO. The 2015 lineup featured: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Joe Russo, Larry Keel, Lukas Nelson, Rising Appalachia, Sister Sparrow, Trevor Hall, and many more.

Websites & Links: AriseFestival.com | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest

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Video ~ Shambhala Music Festival 2015 – Official Aftermovie

From ShambhalaMusicFestival.com
“With the success of the 2015 gathering just barely sinking below the horizon, take a trip back to the love, the music, and the endless dance of the Shambhala Music Festival in our Official 2015 Aftermovie. Shot by Sweetgrass Productions and featuring music from 2015 Shambhala artists Coyote Kisses and Tantrum Desire with Solah, feel the beauty and diversity, where smiles flourish in pristine forest, and the vibe is just so good. Featuring appearances from 2015 festival favorites Skrillex, Ill.Gates, Justin Martin, and J. Phlip, join us as we dance to the delight, movement and bass drops of 2015’s sold out event.

To celebrate the launch of the video, Shambhala has announced its return to British Columbia’s Salmo River Ranch homestead for its 19th year, August 5th – 8th, 2016. Early bird tickets are available as of November 2, 2015. Secure a ticket before they sell out! Visit ShambhalaMusicFestival.com for more.”

Websites & Links: ShambhalaMusicFestival.com | Facebook | YouTube

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Aura 2016 Dates and Phase 1 Lineup Announced: The Disco Biscuits, ALO, The Main Squeeze & More [3.3-5.16]

Aura 2016

From AuraMusicFestival.com
“AURA Music Group and Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park have announced the phase one line-up for the seventh annual AURA Music & Arts Festival taking place March 3 – 5, 2016 at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) in Live Oak, Florida. Performing at AURA are live electronica pioneers The Disco Biscuits, Bay area feel-good rock band ALO, high-energy funk quintet The Main Squeeze, The Heavy Pets with a special tribute to the ‘80s featuring Jennifer Hartswick and Natalie Cressman, hybrid tribute fusion masters Pink Talking Fish, nine-piece power funk army Turkuaz, Tom Hamilton’s American Babies, the southern psychedelia of Bright Light Social Hour and many others. Additional headliners and artists will be announced in the coming weeks.
AURA is more than just a music festival. It is a much-loved celebratory weekend of music, art and community attracting fans from around the country. The ever-expanding Yoga & Healing Arts Program will offer more than 20 classes and workshops throughout the week and fans can dance in the Silent Disco into the morning hours. The grounds are also home to one of the most beautiful natural amphitheaters in the US made only more awe-inspiring by AURA’s strong attention to sound and lighting production.

Set in the midst of 800 acres of Spanish moss-draped oak and cypress trees along the Suwannee River, the venue is a playground for endless activities such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, disc golf and biking. The park also offers guest comforts including a general store, full-service restaurant, free showers, indoor bathrooms and water stations.

A very limited number of Early Bird tickets go on sale Monday, October 5 at 10am EST. Early Bird tickets are $129 for a 3-day GA Weekend Pass and $275 for VIP (all taxes, fees and camping included).”

AURA Music & Arts Festival 2015 Phase 1 Line-Up:
The Disco Biscuits
ALO
The Main Squeeze
The Heavy Pets Tribute to the ‘80s feature Jennifer Hartswick and Natalie Cressman
Turkuaz
Pink Talking Fish
American Babies
Bright Light Social Hour
Greenhouse Lounge
Displace
Aqueous
Dank
The Resolvers
Crazy Fingers
Backup Planet
Broccoli Samurai
Fat Mannequin
Fusik
Lather Up!
Ben Sparaco Band
Holly Bowling

Websites & Links: AuraMusicFestival.com | Facebook | TwitterMusicLivesHere.com

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Lockn’ Festival 2015 featuring String Cheese Incident, The Doobie Brothers, Robert Plant & More

Lockn' 2015

Lockn’ Festival 2015 Announces String Cheese Incident, The Doobie Brothers, Robert Plant, Carlos Santana, Soulive, Phil Lesh, Warren Haynes & many more! The festival runs September 10th-13th, 2015 at the Oak Ridge Farm in Arlington, VA

Websites & Links: LocknFestival.com | Facebook | Twitter

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