Headstash

Headstash's MOE.DOWN Review Guide

Festival Website: http://www.moedown.com/

moe.down saw sunshine, rain and everything in between. Friday and Saturday had perfect weather – it was sunny and warm during the day and got a bit cooler at night.

However, on Sunday this all changed. It started out muggy and hot, but by mid-afternoon the storm clouds rolled in. Before Levon Helm's set, some severe thunder and lightning forced the music to be postponed about an hour.

Even after the lightning and thunder stopped, the rain continued pouring down and rolled down the hill and created a giant mud pit in front of the stage. While some people complained, others embraced the mud and set up a giant Slip n’ Slide.

Five Highlights

Overall stage set-up. Overall stage set-up. This year's moe.down was definitely a step up from last year's as they get more comfortable in their new location with more convenient water spigots all around the grounds.

Photo Credit: Julia Rickert

But perhaps the biggest improvement was the lighting set-up. Instead of having a white, mesh screen behind the stage like last year, the back of the stage was open, which allowed for trees to be used as the backdrop. Lights were reflected off the trees making for a beautiful and mind-blowing sight behind the band as they were playing.

Friday Night. Festival organizers did an excellent job choosing the lineup for Friday Night. The New Mastersounds played two excellent, funky sets and were the perfect warm-up act for Ween's and moe.'s sets that evening.

With only a handful of acts opening up the festival, people could make sure to see all of the music Friday had to offer. Energy stayed high throughout the night as all the bands killed their sets.

Ween's highlights included the ever-popular "Bananas and Blow" and "Never Squeal."

moe. killed their opening "Captain America" and others like "Dr. Graffenburg," "32 Things" and the "Plane Crash" encore.

moe.'s Saturday night encore. In typical goofy moe. fashion, they shocked the crowd with their unique encore on Saturday night. After the set closer, "Buster," there was a lot of commotion going on with technicians running around frantically setting up some elaborate rig on-stage.

At first, it appeared like there would be a massive sit-in, but after about 10 to 15 minutes of setting up, moe. returned to the stage and stood in a line at the front. iPads were set up on stands and the group played "Crab Eyes" using the tablets and without touching instruments.

It was an interesting sight to watch the band focus so hard on pushing all the right buttons on the iPad, compared to watching them play their instruments in the typical effortless fashion. They debuted this method at Summer Camp earlier in the summer.

Photo Credit: Julia Rickert

When the song was over, they picked their instruments back up and dove straight into a rowdy "Bearsong." By this time, people were getting so rowdy it almost felt like a Primus show. Saturday nights set was also one of their best of the weekend.

Levon Helm with Bob Weir. After the thunder and lightning stopped, Levon Helm finally took the stage, although Bob Weir didn't join the band until a few songs in. It was great to hear both legends play each of their band's songs with each other. Some of the highlights included "Tennessee Jed" and "The Weight."

Also, during the set, they played "Mardi Gras Day" during which the musicians and people from back stage started a parade and marched in circles around the stage. It definitely made everyone forget about the rain for a little while.

Bobby and moe. It was kind of expected that Bob Weir would sit in with moe. on Sunday night, but I don't think anyone expected him to play as many songs as he did. He came on halfway through the first set for The Dead's "The Other One," which went into Howlin' Wolf's classic blues song "Smokestack Lightning" before going back into "The Other One."

Next up was "Memphis Blues" followed by set closer and return to the Grateful Dead roots "Feel Like A Stranger." Bobby's sit-in made for a soothing and unique moe. set that won't soon be forgotten.

Sunday afternoon weather. It's no fun when a bunch of umbrellas are blocking your view of Al ripping it.

Demand a recount. Rex Thompson not winning mayor of moe.ville was a surprise. Everyone who knows about the .down has seen his campaigns at every festival this summer. Rex has been running for mayor of moe.ville since moe.down for a long time. He wears a "Vote for Rex" sash and is a staple festival character that for sure should have won this year.

However, the combination of Bob Weir with Rob's hair (the bassist got a controversial new short haircut) won this year's election.

The old vanguard. While it makes total sense that Bob Weir would sit in with Bruce Hornsby during his Sunday afternoon set, it was still a pleasant surprise. The two played a beautiful "Cumberland Blues" right before the rain started pouring down.

moe.down is a very family friendly festival and you will see people of all ages attending. There are lots of activities for kids during the day and even a swing set on the main concert field. Every year during the day set, moe. features a parade of kids dressed in costumes marching across the stage. This year they came on during a gentle "Nebraska."

Also, there are no late-night acts, so the festival seems more mellow than many others. The family atmosphere makes for a peaceful moe.down.

Best Pictures

Photo Credit: Julia Rickert

Photo Credit: Julia Rickert

Photo Credit: Julia Rickert

Photo Credit: Julia Rickert

Photo Credit: Julia Rickert

Photo Credit: Julia Rickert

Photo Credit: Julia Rickert

Photo Credit: Julia Rickert

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Check out our coverage of all your favorite summer festivals in our 2011 Festival Guide.

What did you think of moe.down XII? Highlights, lowlights and surprises. Let us know in the comments below.