Legendary comedian Dave Chappelle recently announced his fall tour which includes four stops in NYC. Dave Chappelle Live gets underway on August 22, 23, 25, and 26 from the world famous Madison Square Garden.
Chappelle is widely regarded as one of the greatest comedians of all time. His work includes multiple stand-up specials, his own sketch show, appearances on Saturday Night Live, and acting. In 2019 Chappelle was awarded the illustrious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. All in all the comedian has racked up five Primetime Emmy Awards and four Grammys.
Attendees at the show will be prohibited from using cell phones, cameras, or other recording devices during the performances. Upon arrival, all phones and smart watches will be secured until the end of the show. Guests will still have possession of their phones however use is only permitted in designated areas. Anyone caught with a cellphone in the venue will be immediately ejected.
Dave Chappelle Live is presented by Pilot Boy Productions. Originally founded by Chappelle in 1992, Pilot Boy looks to deliver quality and thought-provoking concerts, films, television shows, and live events.
Pre-sale tickets start on July 26 with general on-sale tickets dropping on July 27. Here for tickets and more information.
Dave Chappelle Live Dates
Tue Aug 22 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Wed Aug 23 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Fri Aug 25 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden – NEWLY ADDED SHOW
Sat Aug 26 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden – NEWLY ADDED SHOW
The Great South Bay Music Festival came to a spectacular conclusion on its 4th and final day with the legendary Gov’t Mule headlining the event. The festival had been fantastic with three days of great music, but the final day was going to be extraordinary. Gov’t Mule was going to perform a special set called Dark Side of the Mule, promising a unique and unforgettable experience for the crowd.
As the sun began to set on the Great South Bay, the set by Gov’t Mule began, opening with two Mule classics, “Game Face” and “Time to Confess.” The roaring crowd welcomed the band led by the immensely talented Warren Haynes. After that they launched into the mesmerizing rendition of “Shine on You Crazy Diamond,” a classic Pink Floyd anthem that instantly captivated the audience. Haynes’ soulful vocals and extraordinary guitar skills set the tone for an unforgettable show.
The Dark Side of the Mule set continued with a thrilling rendition of “Have a Cigar,” followed by the ethereal and atmospheric “Breathe.” The crowd was taken on a journey through Pink Floyd’s iconic album, The Dark Side of the Moon, as Gov’t Mule flawlessly performed “On The Run,” “Time,” and “Money.”
The audience was treated to the expansive and transcendent “Echoes,” which created an almost otherworldly experience for those in attendance. Gov’t Mule closed their set with an epic performance of “Comfortably Numb.” The combination of Haynes’ emotive vocals and soul-stirring guitar solo left the crowd in a state of pure euphoria, making it a fitting conclusion to an unforgettable night of music.
Prior to Gov’t Mule’s headline set, the audience was treated to a mix of talented artists throughout the day. The lineup for the show featured Tauk, Brandon Taz Niederauer, Duane Betts and Palmetto Motel, Jason Bonhamâs Led Zeppelin Evening, and Gov’t Mule.
Duane Betts’ set showcased his own artistry and paid tribute to the legacy of the Allman Brothers with renditions of classics like “Blue Sky” and “Oh Well,” a Fleetwood Mac cover. The crowd embraced the familiar tunes and appreciate the chance to experience the magic of the Allman Brothers once again.
Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening took the audience on a nostalgic journey through the timeless classics of the iconic rock band. Hits like “Good Times Bad Times” and “Ramble On” had the crowd singing along and reminiscing about the golden era of rock music.
Young guitar prodigy Brandon Taz Niederauer wowed the audience with his virtuoso performance. The energy and skill he brought to the stage were beyond his years, leaving everyone in awe.
The festival had a great mix of different artists and music styles, showing how music can bring people together, no matter where they come from. It went beyond differences and made everyone feel happy and connected. The event truly celebrated the special feeling of experiencing live music that touches people deeply inside.
Check out more from Day 1 and Day 3 of Great South Bay Music Festival.
Setlists
Gov’t Mule: Game Face, Time To Confess, Shine On You Crazy Diamond (PartsI-V), Have A Cigar, Breathe, On The Run, Time, Breathe (Reprise), The Great Gig in the Sky, Money, Echos, Comfortably Numb
Duane Betts: Saints to Sinners, Evergreen, Shinin, Oh Well, Cold Dark World, Colors Fade, Waiting on a Song, Stare at the Sun, Blue Sky
Jason Bonham: Good Times, Bad Times, The Ocean, Ramble On, Over the Hills, Black Dog, Misty Mountain Hop, Immigrant Song, Whole Lotta Love, Rock and Roll
The Schenectady County Historical Society is bringing live music to the Capital Region all summer with the Howlin’ at the Moon Concert Series. Hosted at the Mabee Farm Historic Site in Rotterdam Junction, the series runs June 1 to October 5. Shows are on Thursdays at 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
The Howlin’ at the Moon concert series looks to deliver an “authentic musical experience” for visitors and performers alike. The event showcases local and regional artists from a diverse set of genres including bluegrass, Americana, folk, indie, and more. Organizers hope that the series can act as a platform for people to discover and share new ideas and music.
One of the main features of Howlin’ at the Moon is the historic venue in which it takes place. Mabee Farm was originally built in 1705 and is widely regarded as the oldest farm in the Mohawk Valley. The property is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The site includes a 17th century house, brick building, Dutch barn, English, barn, and a cemetery. The Dutch barn hosts all concerts, or, in case of rain, the pavilion behind the George E. Franchere Education Center serves as the alternative venue.
Everesy Rising
Local band Everest Rising acts as the musical host for each performance. Helping to curate the concert lineup, the group also serves as the opening act all summer long. Bill Flanagan, Pete Gernert-Dott, Dale Wade-Keszey, Trevor Wood, and Mark Baptiste make up bluegrass and Americana outfit.
All Howlin’ at the Moon shows are $10 at the door (cash only). For more details and information click here.
Sara Milonovich has been a professional musician for over 25 years. She has experience with everything from folk and bluegrass to celtic music and symphony orchestra. Milonovich has performed on Broadway, and even toured Eastern Europe as a State Department musical ambassador. She received the “Americana Artist of the Year” award at the Capital District Thomas Edison Music Awards in 2022.
Big Fez & the Surfmatics are a four-man group specializing in classic surf and beach music from the early 1960’s and beyond. Their repertoire includes songs by The Ventures, Dick Dale and the Del-Tones, The Trashmen, The Chantays, The Surfaris, and Duane Eddy. Big Fez also performs many of the great vocal hits of the surf era as well, highlighting classic tunes from The Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, The Challengers, The Rivieras, and many more.
The Moon Shells are made up of Maggie Shar, Brian Slattery, Laura Murawski, Molly Merrett, and Charlie Shaw. The group’s sound is a pleasurable concoction of traditional music from Appalachia, Louisiana, West Africa and elsewhere. Whether performing as an acoustic stringband, a stripped-down trio, or a contemporary five-piece band, the Moon Shells are sure to move hearts and feet.
On Sunday July 23rd, Fallsview Casino’s OLG Stage in Niagara Falls marked an unforgettable night for the attendees. Shinedown delivered a powerful and electrifying performance to conclude their recent tour supporting their latest album, Planet Zero. Preceding the headlining act, the crowd was treated to an impressive opening set by Sleep Theory, hailing from Memphis TN, who energized the audience with their raw and captivating sound.
As the lights dimmed and the anticipation reached its peak, Shinedown took the stage, igniting the atmosphere with their opening track, “Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom).” Lead vocalist Brent Smith’s commanding presence held the audience in thrall from the very beginning, setting the tone for an evening filled with rock anthems and heartfelt ballads. Many fans were excited to see the use of pyro and flash bangs inside. It wasn’t as big as an outdoor show, but was still spectacular.
The band’s well-curated setlist of 19 songs showcased their musical versatility, incorporating both fan-favorite classics and fresh tracks from their latest album. Hits like “Second Chance” and “Sound of Madness” had the crowd singing along passionately, while newer releases like “Devil” and the album’s title track, “Planet Zero,” demonstrated the band’s continued evolution and growth.
A standout moment of the night was the acoustic rendition of Jimmy Eat World’s hit, “The Middle.” The stripped-down performance showcased Smith’s soulful vocals and resonated deeply with the audience, creating an intimate and emotional connection.
Throughout the concert, Shinedown engaged with their fans, with Smith delivering heartfelt speeches that emphasized themes of resilience, unity, and hope. This personal touch forged a strong bond between the band and their dedicated supporters, making the event feel like a shared and special experience.
As the night approached its climax, the band closed with an explosive performance of “Cut the Cord,” leaving the crowd in a state of euphoria. The overwhelming energy and passion on display demonstrated why Shinedown has remained a force to be reckoned with in the modern rock scene.
In the aftermath of the concert, attendees were left with lasting memories of an exceptional night of music and showmanship. Shinedown’s ability to connect with their audience, coupled with the stellar opening act by Sleep Theory, solidified the event as a remarkable and unforgettable experience. As the lights came up and the cheers subsided, it was evident that Shinedown’s music and live performances will continue to resonate with fans for years to come. They are not stopping anytime soon.
Sleep Theory
Shinedown
photos by Mike Millerphotos by Mike Millerphotos by Mike Millerphotos by Mike Millerphotos by Mike Miller
The show was opened by Dr. Jah and the Love Prophets. For over 30 years, Dr. Jah has been bringing peace, love, and positivity to the Capital Region. With the Love Prophets by his side, they performed for what may have been their second Alive at 5. The vibes were kept peaceful for the most part, but their set ended on a more political note. Guitarist Dave Geoghegan expressed his frustration with the recent decision to strike down Roe v. Wade. They finished the set with a song he said they hadn’t thought about being relevant again in over 30 years.
Dr. Jah was followed up by The Skatalites. Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, the band has a history that dates back to 1964. They were founded on the popular Jamaican genre, “Ska,” and have since grown and incorporated Reggae, Rocksteady, Ska-Jazz, and a few other sub-genres into their sound. Doreen Schaffer is the only original member of the band that still plays with them today. Though she was not there for the performance in Albany, she may make an appearance for the band’s 60th anniversary next year.
Ska music tends to generate a lot of dancing because of its rhythms and horns. There were few lyrics, as the crowd mostly vibed out for an hour and a half. They did bring out a singer to perform a cover of “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley. A group of high schoolers raising funds for a sports trip formed a conga line that helped those who were moving to get up a go. This was probably one of the most mellow Alive at 5’s for the year before things turn up to close out the series.
The Skatalites perform at The Music Room in West Yarmouth, MA on Aug. 12.
The Greater Newark Chamber of Commerce began its Music On the Erie Concert Series in Newark, NY this month. Throughout the summer, performances will take place weekly from a variety of artists in the Wayne County village.
Chamber of Commerce History
The New York government established a Chamber of Commerce before the United States went to war against Great Britain. In 1765, the New York Chamber of Commerce was established in opposition to the Stamp Act enacted by the British Parliament. Early Chambers promoted trades and markets, but eventually evolved into community organizations where businesses prospered.
The website of the Greater Newark Chamber of Commerce includes a mission statement, reading, “The purpose of the Greater Newark Chamber of Commerce is to do all the things necessary through the public services to encourage and support the healthy growth of business and industry in the Greater Newark Community.”
Music on the Erie Concert Series
Performances for the Music on the Erie Concert Series take place every Friday until Aug. 25, rain or shine. Featured artists include classic rock and blues band Roll the Dice, cover artist, and singer-songwriter Xarika Suffredini, and classic rock cover band The Marbletones.
As Rolling Loud Miami came and went, fans got to enjoy a host of performances by over 100 of hip hop’s best acts. Likewise, there were those unable to take part for various reasons. Notably, Lil Durk did not perform due to his recent hospitalization for dehydration. Likewise, Sheff G did not take part but due to his recent legal troubles. The troubled-but-talented Brooklyn native was to make his much-awaited return at Rolling Loud Miami after serving nearly two years behind bars for gun possession. However, the “We Getting Money” rapper got himself in hot water after he and close friend Sleepy Hallow were part of a large-scale gang indictment.
Winners Circle Entertainment/ Sleepy Hallow – Rolling Loud Miami 2021 (Show Recap)/Youtube
As for Sheff G in particular, the indictment accuses him of offering up money and expensive jewelry in exchange for the commission of violent acts. In one alleged incident, Sheff G organized a crew of three shooters, drove them to a crime scene, and then acted as the getaway driver.
“Sheff G became a prominent member of this gang and became central to our investigation,” said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. “Sheff G used a lot of the money that he earned to facilitate further gang activity. He encouraged gang members to participate in violent crimes.”
Sleepy Hallow Puts Sheff G on The Phone
While Sleepy Hallow was able to bail out and make his Rolling Loud dates, the latest charges were a major setback for Sheff G who was initially scheduled to be released sometime in June and had teased his return to the stage at Rolling Loud. In light of his close friend’s circumstances, Sleepy Hallow bridged the gap between Sheff G and the fans by putting the incarcerated rapper on the phone, to much fanfare from the crowd.
In the short clip, Sheff G gets the Rolling Loud crowd amped by telling them to “turn the f**ck up.” With the drill scene’s recent stagnation Sheff G’s presence woud’ve been a major boost for New York hip hop. The Brooklynite is one of the most talented young rappers from the new-age and is one of the key figures that helped spark the drill scene in New York.
Legendary hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan has announced they are headlining “For the Love,” a collaboration between SiriusXM and Pandora that celebrates Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary.
“For The Love” includes an unforgettable day of events on Aug. 10 in Queens at the Knockdown Center, by the Wu-Tang Clan, considered by many to be the greatest hip-hop group of all time. Founded in Staten Island in the early 1990s, the group is comprised of members RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, U-God, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, Cappadonna, and the deceased Ol Dirty Bastard (ODB).
They have been touring as a unit since their debut record Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) came out in 1993. The now triple-platinum release vaulted the group with songs like “C.R.E.A.M.” (Cash Rules Everything Around Me) and “Protect Ya Neck.” Their live sets are a family affair, with every member of the crew representing their lyrical contributions to their eight studio albums, as well as notable cuts from the Wu-Tang solo discography. Every Wu-Tang Clan show is a celebration of prolific careers as individuals and especially as the most storied group in hip-hop history.
Earlier in the day, For the Love: Community Giveback Sponsored by Cricket invites fans to the Knockdown Center to celebrate hip-hop’s next 50 years with local students, families, and businesses in support of the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens. Throughout the afternoon, the event will feature a wide range of festivities from breakdancing performances and double-dutch to live, interactive broadcasts of SiriusXM Hip-Hop Nation’s Gray Rizzy and The Heat’s DJ Steel. SiriusXM personalities Mina SayWhat, Torae, Coach PR, D-Stroy, Bugsy, DJ Superstar Jay, DJ Wallah, and DJ Taj will also be on hand during the event to host, DJ, and more. Food will be provided by a host of local, BIPOC-owned and operated food trucks.
Hip-hop is not just music, it’s a culture which has defined and redefined our society through the years. Wu-Tang Clan has contributed so immensely to the hip-hop community, making a lasting impact on so many people’s lives, and we are honored to share this momentous occasion with these music pioneers and have them take the SiriusXM stage to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of hip-hop.
Joshua “J1” Raiford, Vice President, Music Programming, SiriusXM/Pandora
SiriusXM and Pandora will also have a multitude of special hip-hop programs, including countdowns, female only rap, underground cuts, and more. The Wu-Tang Clan headline show will be open to SiriusXM subscribers and Pandora listeners, 21+. RSVP is required for an opportunity to attend the in-person show here.
Phish returned to Syracuse for the first time in over seven years last Sunday night. Not just a return to Syracuse, also their first show in the entire Central/Western New York region since that show at the same venue, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Amphitheater at Lakeview in 2016 and their first time in the area since Curveball, a planned three-day festival in Watkins Glen, was cancelled. So to say Cuse area fans were hungry for some Phish would be an understatement. Fortunately the band delivered a smorgasbord on which the crowd could feast.
The band culled selections spanning their entire catalog from the earliest compositions to their latest, from their silliest to their most serious, touching on the expansive multitudes of genres and influences that give Phish the sound that is unmistakably Phish.
But first, there had to be acknowledgement of their return to Syracuse, the hometown of their namesake drummer Jon Fishman. “Welcome Syracuse fans of Jon Fishman!” declared guitarist Trey Anastatio. Fish walked onstage in a new dress in the city-defining Syracuse University orange and blue, which was made for him by local Lisa Simpson, who also just happened to be celebrating her birthday. After a quick run through “Happy Birthday” to celebrate, the show was ready to get rolling.
The following set sated the fans from a song perspective, with highlights from nearly every stage in the band’s history. Mid-90’s staples like “Free” and “Theme from the Bottom,” a foray into the early years with Gamehenge masterpiece “McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters,” 3.0 mainstays “Steam,” and “Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan,” to the new-ish but rare “Evolve” from Anastatio’s pandemic releaseLonely Trip. The song selection was excellent, the playing was solid, but it felt somewhat unsteady in it’s variety, quickly flitting from place to place.
Bluesy rocker “Kill Devil Falls,” finally set down an anchor, launching immediately into the depths. But like what had preceded, it flitted from theme to theme so quickly that it struggled to find traction. The lights skittered and spun, flipping colors and cadences along with the music, overwhelming the senses. Then it happened. Anastatio grabbed onto a repeating theme, Page McConnell jumped in on piano, pushing the sound up and up until it jumped the tracks. Mike Gordon hit a resounding note that registered on the Richter Scale, thundering the shores of Onondaga Lake. With Fish holding it together, the whole band was locked in for a delicious final few minutes before they closed out the set, allowing the hungry crowd and delivering band to take a much-needed break.
The first set provided the wanting crowd with a tasters menu of what they’d been living without for all these years. But they were still licking their lips for some the type of memorable jams that only Phish could deliver. As the first notes of “Tweezer” rung out early into the set, the crowd salivated in anticipation. The band wasted no time gelling from the get-go, picking up where they left off with “Kill Devil Falls.” McConnell once again emerged as a power player, pushing the band with the Rhodes and piano. After a good long high-energy rocket launch, they entered the cosmos, drifting and ominous. The foursome floated around in the ether, letting natural gravity pull the sound from place to place effortlessly.
The creativity was bountiful, ideas emerging from nowhere and everywhere, endlessly engaging. Themes were at once familiar and brand new. Genesis’ “That’s All” seemed to take hold, but it wasn’t quite what it seemed. A deep cosmic groove contained an essence of The Who’s “Eminence Front” yet it was entirely original. In fact, other ther than a run through of Joe Walsh’s “Walk Away,” the entire night was pure Phish. Cover songs are always fun, and of course Phish centered a much-copied Halloween tradition around other people’s material. But after 40 years, has the band rendered covers unnecessary? The catalog runs deep, as displayed perfectly at this show. And beyond that, the uncomposed brilliance conjured in the moment is as original and interesting as ever.
And they’re still writing, adding ever still to that catalog. After 27 minutes of exploration, the “Tweezer” was blasted into oblivion. No wait, that should be capital-O “Oblivion,” another brand-new Anastatio title debuted with his new trio in June and with Phish just a little over a week prior. And a great entry into the catalog it is, lauching right back into more exploration that felt like it advanced right along the same lines the preceding jam was headed. Deep drones tightened around Fishman’s forward-marching beat that McConnell once again pushed to new heights behind bold and brilliant hammering on the ivories. From there it was all peaks and no valleys. All told, when the band finally landed, the crowd was taken on a near 50 minute journey. Syracuse’s patience was finally paying off.
A poignant “Miss You” grounded the amphitheater, while a fun and always funky “Wolfman’s Brother” and a nostalgia-fueled “Possum” brought the set to an end.
The encore played like a microcosm of the whole show. Anastatio opened with some more Fish Syracuse references, recounting his high school days at Jamesville-DeWitt. They headed back to some of their earliest years with the silly jazzy barbershop-inflected “I Didn’t Know,” featuring a rare go on the vacuum from Fishman himself, before which Anastatio quipped, “Jon Fishman is about to suck, as predicted by all his teachers.” Then they genre-jumped into the soaring and weightless instrumental “What’s the Use,” before tying a fist-pumping earth-shaking bow on the whole affair with the predictable but always welcome “Tweezer Reprise” closer.
A one-off Sunday night show amongst a tour of multi-night runs felt like a bit like a consolation prize, but the “never miss a Sunday show” aphorism delivered once again, and Syracuse was treated to a stellar evening of music. But after feasting on that, they might not be so patient in waiting for another taste.
Phish – St. Joseph’s Lakeview Amphitheatre, Syracuse, NY – Sunday, July 23, 2023
Set 1: Happy Birthday, Free, Steam, McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters, Evolve, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, Meat, Walk Away, Theme From the Bottom, Kill Devil Falls
Set 2: Suzy Greenberg, Tweezer > Oblivion, Miss You, Wolfman’s Brother, Possum
Encore: I Didn’t Know, What’s the Use?, Tweezer Reprise
Rothbury, MI’s iconic four-day music festival Electric Forest brought 50,000 people together in celebration of music, art, and life. From June 22 to June 25, 2023 individuals embraced the secrets of the forest and ran around the 400-acre secluded land. The marriage of all flavors of music from electronic music to jam and adjacent bands leaves a little something for everyone to enjoy.
Photo credit: Maddie McCafferty
Electric Forest is a music festival with its own demographic. Yes, there are stages to enjoy both your favorite artists and new alike, but there are also hidden gems found all around. For starters, most of the seven stages are located inside the forest, meaning oftentimes, these can be harder to locate. It is nearly impossible to experience everything this music festival has to offer. From beatbox battles to intention-setting workshops to art installations to games, to the dream emporium, it has it all. One central theme though found throughout this weekend getaway is the sense of community and love. People are eager to bond with one another and strike up conversations. No one is ever truly alone in the forest.
DAY 1 – ODESZA DAY
Gearing up for the first day of the festival had a lot of people up early and exploring the market vendors before entering the festival at 3 p.m. Early in the day, the Brainery Center held active workshops for various groups of people to come together and unite with their niche. Some people set intentions for their festival experience while others got together for the Reddit lover meet-up.
You could feel all the love and positive energy when entering the festival on the first day. People are eager to delve into the numerous events taking place throughout. This day was a chill more laid-back day for music. Artists like Dixon’s Violin and Eazybaked kicked off the first live shows inside the festival grounds. And for others who wanted to create art spent time “spirit painting.”
Photo credit: Maddie McCafferty
Many people found themselves seeing the new features the 2023 forest had to offer. This included new entrance statues and the enclosed Dream Emporium which took influence from the immersive Meow Wolf museum.
As nighttime began to set in the forest house music dominated the scene. Satin Jackets, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, and Sofi Tukker all geared up the crowd for the first headliner of the festival who nobody planned on missing out on ODESZA.
ODESZA at Electric Forest. Photo credit: Maddie McCafferty
The electronic duo ODESZA is known for their extravagant live shows, to say the least. Through their insane drum line, pyro, introspective visuals, and fireworks this electronic group creates a euphoric experience that can’t be compared. This show has been referred to as a cinematic experience. Regardless of your taste in music, this show the crew puts on can attract fans from all genres.
ODESZA at Electric Forest. Photo credit: Maddie McCafferty
They pay homage to the human experience in terms of individuality and as a collective whole. Their latest analyzes the version of each person that gets to be expressed in this lifetime. One thing Electric Forest and ODESZA bring out of crowds is love. The hyper analyzation of self-expression and the rarity to experience this life at the same time as each other reminds everyone of the gratitude we need to constantly look towards. Their set left no one disappointed and as the next days of Electric Forest continued no one could stop talking about this performance.
ODESZA at Electric Forest. Photo credit: Maddie McCafferty
DAY 2 – GET YOUR BASS FACE ON
One element that was consistent throughout Day 2 was the heat. The weather was hot and sticky but that just meant more water for more time to dance. Early wakers started their days with sound baths, guided meditation, and yoga. Those who are more competitive attended the beatbox competition, dance battle, or bingo at the Carousel Club.
Photo credit: Maddie McCafferty
Bass lovers though spent their entire day at the Tripolee stage because that lineup was stacked from dusk til dawn. Kicking us off early was Tape B who may have a smaller following but whose fans are more dedicated than most. He brought the heat to an already hot day and even dropped a new mix that he made on the drive over to Michigan.
Following the young DJ was rapidly growing artist Zingara who has really started gaining an immense amount of traction on TikTok. She blends her love of spirituality and astrology into her music. Popular songs like, “WWYB3” and “Mind & Body” were obvious fan favorites that do just that. Her music is able to deeply connect with fans while simultaneously keeping the high intensity that bass lovers enjoy.
Zingara at Electric Forest. Photo credit: Maddie McCafferty
The night at Tripolee just kept getting better and better. Artists that left zero crumbs on that stage included Champagne Drip, Jantsen, Rusko b2b Dirt Monkey, PEEKABOO, and DIESEL. DIESEL (aka Shaq) brings not only intense energy to his set but also laughter. The number of times DIESEL says “mosh pit” into the mic can’t be counted. He constantly is looking to liven the crowd up. And when he’s not yelling at the pit to open up he is shooting basketballs into a plastic net a fan is holding.
Some people ventured deeper into the forest to watch EDM legend Illenium perform. This timeless Denver native wooed the crowd as easily as ever with his astounding production quality and catchy tunes.
Photo credit: Maddie McCafferty
The bass stage was full of excitement that day all leading up to headliner Ganga White Night. Someone once described Ganja as the Taylor Swift of the EDM community and nothing has more accurately depicted their presence in the scene. The Belgian bass duo have created their own universe and developed characters that people even buy plush toys of. The Easter eggs they hide in music videos, posts, and more make fans so heavily invested. They change the way artists release their music and make being a part of their fandom an adventure that extends beyond any set one watches.
Photo credit: Maddie McCafferty
Each set that Ganja White Night performs can be viewed as scenes from a movie. Their visuals take influence from anime cartoons as they also warp in new characters from other EDM artists they collaborate with. This includes Boogie T, Subtronics, and plenty more. As they took over the stage screams were heard throughout as they asked everyone, “Who is ready to wobble?” Those that couldn’t get enough of Ganja headed over to afters in the campgrounds where PEEKABOO and Ganja had a b2b set.
DAY 3 – ALL GROOVES AND MOVES
The heat continued to strike down on the forest family all of Day 3. As people did their best to find shade or take it easy in their chillbos, others chose to utilize another one of the forest’s perks: the waterpark. With only a short bus ride to an indoor waterpark, it gave a nice break from the intense weather conditions.
As silly and fun as this music festival can get it also opens up a serious room for inclusion. There are sober groups that have meetups in order to maintain sobriety during an occasion that often includes a lot of partying. Other special events held include an area of remembrance where individuals can honor loved ones lost and there’s also a chapel where actual wedding ceremonies were held.
Kasbo at Electric Forest. Photo credit: Maddie McCafferty
Another element of the forest that makes it so special is the various genres that exist across all the stages. If you aren’t feeling a certain set it’s so easy to find yourself somewhere new that brings completely different vibes. Saturday was the perfect day to experience numerous genres of music.
House icon Dr. Fresh took over Tripolee while trance artist ford. had soothing melodies filling the castle-like stage The Observatory. Headbangers moved over to Sheerwood as Kai Wachi filled the air with heavy bass. For anyone trying to find new artists to groove to could attend the silent disco where DJs were constantly rotating. One set that no one wanted to miss was The String Cheese Incident who had their annual “Shebang” as the honor festival holders.
Kai Wachi at Electric Forest. Photo credit: Maddie McCafferty
Later into the night, popular DJs across an array of genres took over leaving many people running around the forest to catch a bit of each of their performances. A heavy-hitting production from VOYD stood out especially due to his often rare appearance as his SVDDEN DEATH’s side alias. The VOYD project is significantly darker and more metal-influenced. His stage presence is definitely not for the easily scared but those who can get past the uneasiness of him wearing a deer skull mask on stage are in for a treat. His set at Electric Forest showed just that with minimal words spoken to the audience, jarring visuals, and constant red lasers. A VOYD set may seem questionable to some but one thing stands true: his sets are an experience intended to evoke specific emotions out of people. He does this effortlessly and gives his audience a true show.
ford at Electric Forest. Photo credit: Maddie McCafferty
Finishing up Day 3 included deep house producers Zeds Dead and jam band group STS9. STS9 brought many new fans to their stage with their mix of heavy instrumental rock matched with colorful visuals. The real closer of the night was popular British DJ Chris Lake. He is most known for his range from progressive house to vocal-driven EDM making him the perfect artist for new EDM listeners to branch into. His set included many new ID tracks that fans are hungry for to be released. However, he of course played his popular hits including “I Want You,” and “In The Yuma.”
DAY 4 – NO MONSOON WILL RUIN THESE TUNES
Despite the intense heat from the first few days the last one proved to be an exception. Grey skies covered the campgrounds in the morning. And what most people had celebrated as a break from the hotness had others packing their cars early to leave.
In the afternoon Rothbury was under a severe thunderstorm watch that saw winds approaching 60 mph. Those that went into the festival early found themselves told to evacuate the venue and seek protective shelter as an intense rain storm took over. Canopies were seen flying across the fields, tents were flooded with water, and many had to wait it out in their cars.
Photo credit: Maddie McCafferty
This unfortunately disrupted many artists’ set times as everyone wasn’t allowed to enter until hours later. Despite this slight disruption, it didn’t prevent anyone from turning the vibes back on once word was announced that people could re-enter the forest.
For the first time of the weekend, the line to get into the festival was the longest to date stretching down the entire row of vendors due to the anticipation. Now that stage times were slightly mixed up it caused many people to catch sets of artists they normally wouldn’t attend. A slight blessing to the rise of the storm. Many even found themselves at the Pride Party being celebrated inside the magical trees of Michigan.
Photo credit: Maddie McCafferty
Up and coming east coast jam band Dogs in a Pile helped kick off this last day with their captivating guitar riffs and lively tunes. Electro-soul and hip-hop producer Daily Bread also had a stellar performance with catchy new remixes and hilarious visuals from Futurama.
Additionally, alternative band flipturn gave an energetic performance at the Carousal Club. It’s nearly impossible for this group to give a bad show. Even their slower indie songs they rock out to by adding eccentric drum solos and knowing how to be one with the crowd.
flipturn at Electric Forest. Photo credit: Maddie McCafferty
Madeon also completely blew the crowd away. His visual performance is unmatched. He brought out a massive podium that he utilized to create trippy graphics that had jaws dropped. Lovers of everything jam got to the Ranch Arena stage early for Goose. This indie-groove band has brought something new to the jam band scene. They have perfectly balanced their love for numerous genres to create a sound unique to them and one people can’t seem to stray away from.
Goose at Electric Forest. Photo credit: Maddie McCafferty
The final headliner for Electric Forest couldn’t have finished this festival in a more perfect way. Mid-tempo bass techno artist Rezz had a top performance for the weekend. This producer heavily focuses on her live shows as ways to take listeners on a trip through her discography. She wears hypnotic spinning goggles throughout the set and utilizes graphics to evoke emotion. She takes the extra steps to make her performance that much more impactful by use of fireworks and a spiderweb that got placed on top of everyone at the barricade as it got spread all the way to the back. What made Rezz’s set that much more unforgettable was the rain shower that occurred. The rain only added to the visual experience as it made her infinite number of lasers sparkly.
Goose at Electric Forest. Photo credit: Maddie McCafferty
After, people filed inside the forest to take it in one last time for the year 2023. The only music that could be heard was from a smaller DJ Kloud Forest who was playing on the Honey Comb stage. He was throwing down heavy beats blended with popular rap artists. This 360 stage allowed everyone to gather on this brilliant artist and dance together one last time.
As all the music lovers walked out of the magical forest for another year it became eerily quiet. Some hugged each other, others were crying, and many were yelling,” Where’s Carl?” as an age-old tradition. One thing stands true though, this place in seemingly the middle of nowhere brings people together. For the love of music and love of genuine connection, Electric Forest is home to so many. A home that many already can’t wait to return to. And until then forest family, see you in 2024!
