Festival Files Summer Camp Summer Camp 2012 Playlist and Testimonials
Summer Camp 2012 Playlist and Testimonials
- By Nick Rhodes
- Published on May 22, 2012
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| moe. at Summer Camp 2011 - Photo Credit: Nick Rhodes |
Summer Camp Music Festival is a special event that harbors a communal feel with perennial headliners moe. and Umphrey's McGee leading the way.
This year’s festival, taking place May 25 to 27 in Chillicothe, Illinois, has an incredibly diverse lineup with Jane’s Addiction, Pretty Lights, Primus, Lotus, Common and Gogol Bordello sharing the bill with SC mainstays like Cornmeal, Keller Williams, Greensky Bluegrass and many more.
[BUY tickets and find more information on Summer Camp 2012 on the festival's website.]
We're just a few days away from the event, so read our interview with a festival organizer or our interview with Cornmeal bassist Chris Gangi to get excited about the event.
Check out some stories from attendees of past Summer Camps and listen to a playlist featuring many of the artists on the bill.
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"Positive Vibes" – Nick Rhodes
In 2010, I went to Summer Camp for the first time with one friend, one tent and a few small bags of supplies. Though there were numerous musical highlights – more than I can even recount – the best moment of the weekend might have been just sitting in the forest one morning soaking in the positive vibes.
That phrase gets tossed around often when it comes to festivals, but at this Midwestern event, the people come back year after year, offering water to strangers to stay hydrated, making interesting and engaging idle conversation and generally spreading a good feeling throughout the grounds.
With mainstream, commercial festivals popping up every weekend without even a semblance of the communal nature that makes the jam scene so special, Summer Camp is a genuine breath of fresh air and has been for more than a decade.
Summer Camp is a genuine breath of fresh air and has been for more than a decade.
So in 2011, word traveled amongst our group and we kicked it up a notch, adding a half-dozen more friends to our crew and renting a large RV. While we weren’t roughing it like we had in the past, the festival experience was even more rewarding.
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Reflective of Umphrey’s McGee’s and moe.’s dichotomous attitudes on stage and off, Summer Camp is a perfect blend of whimsical fun and virtuosic playing. Sometimes, they’re goofy jammers playing ridiculous covers and sometimes they hone in on a groove and take you to that next level. In the end, it’s always a musical experience not soon to be forgotten.
Yet again, the highlight of Summer Camp 2011 was more than just STS9’s raging side-stage set or moe.’s afternoon delight in the hot, Chillicothe sun. It was Friday afternoon when we were finally settled in and sitting around the small grill with friends from all across the country and all walks of life.
Many festivals advertise being a family affair, but only few live up to it. Summer Camp is one such event.
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| Summer Camp 2011 - Photo Credit: Mike Cavanagh |
"Embracing The Mud" – Ryan Nelson
Looking back on Summer Camp 2011 an entire year later has its inherent difficulties. As with any festival, picking apart a profound story from a hazy weekend full of killer sets, rare sit-ins and other surprises is a tough task.
However, thinking back on the experience there is one memory I recall very vividly that I'm sure plenty of Summer Campers shared with me – kicking off those shoes and embracing the mud.
During 90s Grateful Dead pianist Bruce Hornsby's set on Saturday, I finally decided I had enough. I grabbed a chair, a six-pack of Bell's and a pair of sunglasses and my freshly naked feet and I camped out 50 feet in front of the soundboard in a foot of muck.
That experience – coupled with the beers, the sun, and a great set including a Bela Fleck and Jimmy Herring sit-in stands as my fondest Summer Camp 2011 memory.
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"Back and Forth" – Dale B.
Last year was my first Summer Camp and I have to say my favorite part is the moe. and Umphrey’s Saturday night onslaught.
Going back and forth between the Moonshine and Starshine stages for moe. > Umphrey’s > moe. > Umphrey’s made my head spin. . . . in a good way.
[FIND complete lineups, ticketing information and analysis of all your favorite festivals via our 2012 Festival Guide.]
Do I stay to hear moe. close out their set and risk missing a raging Umphrey's opener or leave moe. for the UM opener and risk the same fate? Either way is both rewarding and depressing at the same time.
Then there's always the fear of being caught in limbo. You decide to leave, start walking and then hear screams and a “Seat of my Pants” or “Partyin’ Peeps” and you just have to run back. Even if you make the right decision after the first show, there are still two more agonizing set changes to come.
I can't wait to experience the chaos all over again.
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| Summer Camp - Photo Credit: Sean Downey |
"Laughing With The Moose" – Will Duff
After a marathon day of music in the sweltering heat in 2008, those lucky enough to obtain a ticket stumbled into the Red Barn for a rare performance from moe. side-project Ha Ha the Moose.
Those in attendance were undoubtedly ready to get weird, but I don't think anyone could guess how weird things would get.
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Everything about this show, which went into the wee hours of the morning, was not only downright strange, but incredibly memorable.
Aside from the hilariousness, the Moose managed to put together a great set that would eventually be turned into a live album. This show personified Summer Camp for me: getting weird with some of your best friends, laughing and dancing 'til the sun comes up and rocking to some great music.
Ha Ha The Moose is back this year at the Red Barn and it is sure to be as ridiculous as ever.
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Summer Camp takes place May 25 to 27 in Chillicothe, Illinois and features moe., Umphrey’s McGee, Primus, Pretty Lights, Jane’s Addiction, Common and many more. For more information about the festival, check out the event's official website or head over to our 2012 Festival Guide.
