Last weekend marked the 44th anniversary of Woodstock, in a sense foreshadowing that the second annual Peach Music Festival was going to be a weekend to remember. Housed on the majestic Montage Mountain, Scranton PA, the Peach Music Festival invited guests from all over the country and the world to witness and partake in the coming together of the East and West coast tribes of the Allman Brothers Band and The Grateful Dead. Stepping onto festival grounds meant you were going to have an amazing time.
The lineup for the festival included a whole bunch of all stars as well as local talent. Bands included The Allman Brothers Band, Galactic, Bob Weir and Ratdog, Miz, Tauk, Grace Potter and The Nocturnals, Cabinet, Dopapod, Lotus, Floodwood, and The Black Crowes to name a few. The styles of music ranged from blues and rock to electronic jam and bluegrass. All the music came with a deeper sense of feeling and soul, and of course that sense of community. People were checking out different sets making sure it the stages never felt empty, especially during Ratdog and The Allman Brother's sets. Both bands played one before the other for both Friday night and Saturday night as well.
For me personally, seeing them perform blew me away. The sets were so heartfelt there were times which I couldn't contain tears from coming down my face. I wasn't sure if it was the soulful music they were playing, or the words resonating inside of me. Whatever it was, the overall feeling was that in that moment, right in front of me were some of the most legendary musicians of this time performing the music of their time not only for myself and the crowd, but for all of their friends they made along the way. It made me realize that The Grateful Dead and Allman Brother's Band are two examples of music that will never be forgotten. Already it has resonated and found a home inside of me, and it's only been one show.
I was also privileged to be able to sit down with a very talented group of young musicians native to my hometown area of Long Island, New York. The band Tauk opened up the main stage on Friday afternoon with an explosive set. Playing tracks off their newest album Homunculus, they had members of the audience out of their seats and dancing with their awesome mix of styles. Their sound ranges from jazz to rock to jamming out, it is an electronic fusion that stands on it's own. They started the set a little earlier than the set time, which actually allowed them to squeeze in a very memorable version of the Beatles, "I Want You". The interview with the NY quartet will be up within the week.
The music was definitely the main attraction, but by no means the only one. Montage Mountain is home to a small water park that is part of the ticket price for the weekend. The park included water slides, a lazy river and a wave pool. The lazy river and wave pool are right next to the Mushroom Stage, adding an extra element of fun while catching awesome tunes. There was also a ski lift operating taking people up to the top of the mountain where you could go zip-lining. There were also many craft vendors and food vendors, minus too many of the over commercialized ones. There were only a few 'carnival' food vendors and mostly original food vendors as well as original craft vendors. It's always a pleasure to wake up with a solar blast smoothie and a dozen freshly made donuts. There was even the option at Peach Fest to buy fresh produce, that was something new!
In order for a festival to be truly wonderful, it needs to attract the right people. I've never felt more comfortable and right with everyone there. From the moment we arrived on festival grounds, there were so many good vibes in the air it felt like you could float in them. Anyone that looked like they needed a hand with their luggage got one, thirsty people were getting water bottles, folks without tickets were getting gifted in, and there wasn't a single person not wearing a smile. The grounds were family friendly, with families camped out all over the slopes and not exclusively in family camping (a camping area with a quite time). And best of all was that there were people of all ages and generations sharing this experience together. While there, I connected with people young enough to be my nieces and nephews, old enough to be my parents and kids the same age as me. A majority of these people were accepting, loving and wanted nothing more than to spend time with someone that would like to spend time with them. It felt like home.
The only thing that anyone complained about was the sleeping on slopes with rocks, as well as the security checkpoint both in and out of the main stage, the Toyota Pavilion. It was their job to insure that all patrons not only had their wristbands (paid entry), but also to insure that all alcoholic beverages were fully consumed before entering the grounds. This is pretty standard procedure at any major venue, but the weird part was they made people finish their drinks or toss them on the way out as well. Although a minor nuisance, it was something that people didn't really want to deal with. All in all, security was very professional and nice, and only wanted to have a good time with everyone there.
This weekend officially turned me onto my hippie side. I don't think I'd be able to follow these guys (Ratdog, Further, Allman Brothers, etc) around on a full tour, but I would never pass up the opportunity to sit down with them again. With the second year of the Peach Music Festival being so successful, I cannot wait to see what next year will bring. This festival has a very very special place in my heart.
PHOTO ALBUMS:
Electric Ghost Punk: Thursday / Friday / Saturday / Sunday
The Peach Music Festival: Kick Off / Friday / Peach and Love
Jam Base: Photos & Review
The Morning Call: Photos
The Herald Dispatch: Photos
Psychedelic Chemistry: Photos
L4LM: Photos & Review
Dancin With The Musicians: Full Set
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