Headstash

Headstash on the Road: Wakarusa Day 1

Pretty Lights - Photo Credit: Patrick McGettigan

Wakarusa 2012 kicked into high gear on Thursday with a full slate of amazing acts as more attendees trickled in.

Keys N Krates provided the first dance party of the day, featuring one of their favorite live remixes, “Bittersweet Symphony.” They ran into some technical difficulties and some of the crowd dispersed, but once they continued their set heads began to turn and hips began to shake their way back under the Revival Tent, a clear favorite venue for getting down.

New Monsoon - Photo Credit: Patrick McGettigan

SunSquabi was the unheard act that surprised the masses with a familiar sound that possessed a fast-paced, heart-beating energy. They called their instantly hip-gyrating sound dubdubtronic and it was reminiscent of Lotus' "If you're not moving, then you're dead" vibe to it.

Lyrics Born bought his lyrical mastery to the Revival Tent and spit more words in an hour than one could hope to say in a day while his back-up beats and lady MC got the crowd energized.

"If you didn't come here to party, then goodbye," he said. The energy in the crowd made it clear that he won over those who stayed.

PhuturePrimitive was announced to a small, early afternoon crowd. This 2010 Burning Man veteran just finished up a 30-show club tour and took the gamble to come out during the daylight. He created a sensual dance floor of the woodchip laded Satellite Stage that became jam-packed with listeners and dancers before the set was even halfway through.

Railroad Earth brought an instrumental set to the Main Stage then raced into “Hunting Song,” “Hard Livin'” and “Long Way To Go” to ease the fans of new and old with their beautifully woven lyrics.

Andy utilized the double sax, John set the mandolin on fire, Tim and Andrew both touted their electric punch and Todd well, he showed up with a smile as always.

New Monsoon - Photo Credit: Patrick McGettigan

Their Revival performance is sure to be an intimate roots show on Friday's Bluegrass night.

The Weir, Robinson and Greene Acoustic Trio played the part of the calm before the storm on opening night. The sun had just begun to set as the crowd tuned into the folky sounds of this all-star trio. Everyone clearly enjoyed the relaxing music before the night exploded like the sporadic fireworks that capped off this set.

Those whom sacrificed a night with Weir, Robinson and Greene for The Motet's Revival performance ran into a funky get-down. The Motet, who are humbled to be chosen to come to the humidity of Arkansas, brought their infectious dance vibe to the masses.

Their energy on stage rose as the night grew colder and thus, the crowd got down and dirty with their funkiness that left everyone smiling wide.

Perpetual Groove pulled out the crunchy jams for their night set in the Revival Tent. After a brief sound debacle (especially on the keys) the crowd found out why they journeyed to P. Groove over Pretty Lights, whose highlight show could still be caught in the horizon.

The frustration and anger over the delay caused by technical difficulties could be felt in the band's energy over their first two songs, which led up to “Three Weeks.”

Photo Credit: Patrick McGettigan

Their classic hit from “Sweet Oblivious Antidote” was easily the turning point of the show and featured a solid 10-minute jam throwdown that fueled the crowd to rage deeper into the night more than any energy drink or illicit substance could.

Pretty Lights put on his classic rocking performance and was glad to start night one off for us. His perfectly produced hip-hop/electronic beats had everyone bobbing their heads and raging like they should on the first night of a fest.

Quixotic is tough to describe or explain. It's not a circus, it's not a band, it's not a performance – it can only be considered an experience that blows your mind every step of the way due to a culmination of artist prowess joining their forces in a cohesive and beautiful way.

 

Photo Credit: Patrick McGettigan

Photo Credit: Patrick McGettigan

Photo Credit: Patrick McGettigan

Photo Credit: Patrick McGettigan

New Monsoon - Photo Credit: Patrick McGettigan

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Stay tuned to Headstash for more coverage from the grounds of Wakarusa 2012. We’ll have constant Instagram and Twitter updates on our homepage and more daily recaps in the next few days.

Friday has a huge slate of artists including The Avett Brothers, Umphrey’s McGee, Railroad Earth, Girl Talk, Ghostland Observatory and many more.

For more information on Wakarusa, check out the festival’s official website.