Headstash

Headstash On The Road: Gathering of the Vibes 2012 Day 4

Photo Credit: Hannah Schott

It was Sunday Funday at Gathering of the Vibes, and even before 10:00 a.m., people were playing Frisbee, kayaking, fishing and (not surprisingly) hooping. If one hasn’t slept their late-night Saturday hangover off, simply emerging from your tent will perk you up.

Watching people pack up is definitely a sobering event, yet people were determined to make the best of their last day on the grounds. Sunday's performances were a great mix of Americana folk, acoustic, reggae and world music.

Keller Williams

After interviewing him for my web show, “Bands on the Bubble” in Amsterdam for Jam in the ‘Dam, I was anxious to see him on an outdoor festival stage. He started his set with a mellow and beautiful acoustic song that quietly brought people to their feet. But it wouldn’t be long before people were ready to dance.

Photo Credit: Hannah Schott

K-Dub was having a fun time on stage, dancing around on his beautiful oriental rug. When I asked him about it later he said, “I’m borrowing it from The Avett Brothers. I like to have a rug on stage because I perform barefoot and with festival stages like this, I can get splinters easily."

As the Sunday sun elevated into the sky, so did his music. His unique beat boxing skills were in full force, as he created computer-like sounds organically through his creative oration.

Keller then broke into, "I Am Elvis," which is about living inside your imagination. "My imagination stays on vacation/And I like to there/when I have the time/which is all the time"

I asked him where his imagination soars best he said and he said Red Rocks in Colorado.

“But I have to be careful not to come up with too many thoughts because then I wont remember all the lyrics and it's never good to forget lyrics when on stage."

At the end of his set, he freestyled his goodbye by thanking everyone at Vibes, including his stage manager and sound guy, Lou. This set the tone to the rest of the day, because it was time for fond and heartfelt farewells. But not just yet . . .

Toubab Krewe

Seeing this band from Asheville, North Carolina play amazing, African inspired world music using the most eccentric instrumentation of the weekend at the Green Vibes stage was certainly a huge highlight. The music was unusual to me at first – so it took a couple songs to really get it – but once I did, I made my way front and center to get a better.

Photo Credit: Hannah Schott

The kora (21-string harp lute) is a traditional instrument from West Africa and was the first one that caught my attention. The way it was being played was so modern and fun. People were dancing like the rays of light bouncing off the Long Island Sound.

What I found most striking about this band was their round robin approach to making music. There was never a dull moment on stage, as players were shifting the focus and rotating instruments constantly.

After they brought out The Primate Fiasco on stage to join them with a huge tuba, the vibe switched to a type of "psychedelic Dixieland.” Toubab Krewe recharged my battery and inspired me to immerse myself more into world music – a genre that gives you appreciation and perspective on music as a collective experience.

The Avett Brothers

When The Avett Brothers, a folk rock band from North Carolina, hit the Main Stage, I was at the highest point on the festival’s Ferris wheel. The birds-eye view of Seaside Park was the best way to cap off the festival.

There were thousands of vibrant people all gathered to enjoy the last band of the weekend and it was absolutely incredible. Afterward, I hit the ground running to join in with the group and even though I had never seen The Avett Brothers before, their music made me feel like I had known them for years. They were playing bluegrass pop that had me bouncing up and down with the audience.

Watching the fraternal magic between Scott and Seth Avett was as heartwarming and rich as their harmonies. For one of their songs, Joe Kwon was shredding on his cello like Jimmy Page.

But it was their encore that will sick with me forever. The two brothers came out and sang a beautiful lullaby to the audience. At this point, the crowd was completely taken and I think we all felt like the front row of girls hanging off the barricade gazing up at the band with stars in our eyes.

They capped off their set with the most appropriate bluegrass song ever, "Talk On Indolence," which repeats the line, "Because we had to," which was a sentiment felt by all with respect to having to leave the grounds.

Photo Credit: Hannah Schott

Photo Credit: Hannah Schott

Photo Credit: Hannah Schott

Photo Credit: Hannah Schott

Photo Credit: Hannah Schott

Photo Credit: Hannah Schott

Photo Credit: Hannah Schott

Photo Credit: Hannah Schott

 

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Stay tuned for more coverage of Gathering of the Vibes 2012 coming this week and be sure to check out our live Instagram pictures. Check out Gathering of the Vibes’ official website for more information.