Headstash

Headstash On The Road: Wanee Day 2

Friday at Wanee brought warm, beautiful weather and a stellar full day of music. My first show of the day was the Tedeschi Trucks Band. Anxiously waiting for the show to start at the Peach Stage, the sun was scorching and the open field offered little refuge from its wrath. Pint-sized Susan Tedeschi took the stage and opened with a song off of their latest album, “Don’t Let Me Slide” to a packed crowd.

The married couple and recent Grammy winners played one of the tightest sets I’ve seen from them and were on fire from start to finish. Susan’s voice carried the length of the field with the weight of 10,000 Sirens and Derek’s guitar sang equally as powerful.

Derek offered an extended guitar solo during “Midnight In Harlem.” Smiles stretched the length of the stage and into the crowd as seemingly every patron sang along. Love and admiration protrudes from the stage when Derek is shredding and Susan is looking on adoringly.

During a teased out version of the song “Bound For Glory,” Susan came out of left field with a nasty guitar solo. Playing with the same tenacity her husband is so well known for, she seemed to be vying for her own spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Towards the end of the set the band busted out a killer rendition of The Beatles’ “Why Don’t We Do It In The Road” back into “Bound For Glory,” showcasing Susan’s out-of-this-world pipes. Paired with a polished horn section and Oteil Burbridge on bass, The Tedeschi Trucks Band somehow finds a way to touch a place in listener’s hearts that they may not have known even existed.

After the set, I rushed over to catch the end of Zach Deputy at the Amphitheater Stage. It wouldn’t be a festival at the Suwanee without the teddy bear himself gracing our ears. The usually one-man jam band is currently touring with a full group of musicians, and it’s a great look for him.

Playing with a full band gives Deputy more of a chance to showcase his exceptional vocals. Always in great spirits and light hearted, the band closed with a new song about a sandwich that Deputy announced was dedicated to Jimmy John’s.

Next up was Wanee headliner, Furthur, set to play a relaxed, afternoon show. The guys played a great mix of classic Dead songs and jams including “Scarlet Begonias” and “Fire On The Mountain.” Music enthusiasts both young and old sang along to every word and the vibe at this show was immeasurable.

After Furthur, I ventured out to catch Suwanee regulars Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk on the Amphitheater Stage. The funky Neville clan played two hours of straight Parliament Funkadelic covers including “Mothership Connection” and “Wants To Get Funked Up.”

Tony Hall, donning a captain’s hat, offered his usual playful banter to the crowd and the entire band seemed to be having a great time. Set highlights included a unique interpretation on Dr. Dre’s “Let Me Ride.”

After a funked-out great time at the amphitheater, I geared up to catch festival hosts, The Allman Brothers Band. Friday was their first of two sets and to no surprise the longtime musicians crushed it.

Fans grew worried when two songs in Gregg Allman had to briefly leave the stage. A recent bout of illness forced the musician to cancel a slew of shows and concertgoers were sending positive vibes and love that the legendary keyboardist would pull through.

Thankfully a revolving door of musicians stepped in to lend a hand including Susan Tedeschi and Bob Weir. Weir was present in for a fantastic cover of The Band’s “The Weight” (in tribute to Levon Helm no doubt) and “Midnight Rider” was of course a crowd favorite.

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The last day of Wanee features The Allman Brothers Band, Furthur, EOTO, Gov't Mule, Leftover Salmon, North Mississippi Allstars and more. Stay tuned for more coverage from Wanee 2012.

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For more information including the complete schedule check out Wanee's official website.