Headstash

Headstash on the Road: Wakarusa Day 3

Photo Credit: Patrick McGettigan

The third day of Wakarusa started off hot but ended with an ominous and not-so-welcome bang. While dancing around at the Main Stage during Big Gigantic and looking out over to the colorful Ferris wheel, lightning could be seen in the distance. 

MarchFourth Marching Band gave us in the media tent a short preview of what was to happen later in the afternoon at their show – pole dancing by one of their acrobatic members on a pole held by another on stilts.

With a sound similar to Mumford and Sons but a bit more progressive and edgy, Denver’s The Lumineers had an impressive crowd. Many Coloradans were present that afternoon and a feeling of home was felt by the band. An emotionally charged “Ho Hey” provoked the band to finish their set with a tune about home popular with many jam bands out there today, The Talking Heads’ ‘This Must Be the Place.”

The Travelin’ McCourys brought Keller Williams on stage for their ground-pounding bluegrass set.  This show had the Outpost Tent packed with a rowdy crowd and jars of moonshine. 

Photo Credit: Patrick McGettigan

Midway through, they pulled out a cover of Jessie J’s “Price Tag” sending energy to get those laying down in the back up and dancing. The string band really hit their high when they started strumming The Band’s “Up On Cripple Creek.”

Slightly Stoopid hit the big stage fluidly despite being transported halfway across the country overnight.

“Yesterday, we were in San Diego with our kids and today we’re out here with you fancy motherfuckers,” Miles Doughty said.

Their reggae stylings were prominent throughout the set, though there was a dash of punk here and there. After they brought G. Love on stage, things started heating up.

“Baby I Like It Raw > Fox > We Don’t Want to Go > 2 A.M.” was quite the memorable string of songs.

Pretty Lights Music’s Gramatik launched into his funkletric opening with his Led Zeppelin introduction right into “Hit That Jive,” a retro tune mixed with a big beat to move the body. His style is unique but you can see semblances of Pretty Lights’ style within his music.

Umphrey’s McGee lit up the Main Stage for their second set of the festival.  This gave lighting designer Jeff Waful an opportunity to use his talents on the massive and mind-blowing light rig. 

At one point, bassist Ryan Stasik got on the mic and said, “I’m in a sandwich of awesome with the full moon to our left and the Ferris wheel to the right.”

Brendan Bayliss replied, “I thought you were going to say between Jake and myself.”

Umphrey’s played a more rocking, progressive set on this night, playing “Cemetery Walk II” with Bayliss joining Joel Cummins on the keys. They also raced through “Girlfriend is Better,” “Puppet Strings” and “40’s Theme.” 

The Werks had an intimate set in the Backwoods Stage, and it seemed like a fitting environment for this Ohio group. Throwing in a tease of Peter Frampton’s “Do You Feel Like We Do” as well as a “2001” cover towards the end of their set, the energy exchanging between the band and fans was palpable.

Photo Credit: Patrick McGettigan

Dominic Lalli and Jeremy Salken of Big Gigantic brought in a huge crowd with lit-up clothing and creative rage sticks that not only flashed but served as a short Pac-Man game during “Sky High.” 

The duo changed up their remix of “I Need A Dollar,” crushing it while playing a special mix of Waka Flaka Flame’s “Go Hard in the Paint.” Despite the thunder and lightning, Big G kept on dropping bass and had fans dancing up a storm of their own.

Beats Antique’s belly dancing goddess Zoe Jakes, got the crowd hollering when she came out in her gypsy inspired outfit and moved with grace to the beats of David Satori and Tommy Cappel. 

Jakes spun like a tornado, an act that foreshadowed the root cause for why the trio’s performance was halted no more than three songs into the set. A tornado warning for the neighboring county disappointed all in attendance.

 

Photo Credit: Patrick McGettigan

Photo Credit: Patrick McGettigan

Photo Credit: Patrick McGettigan

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.

The final day of Wakarusa will feature Toubab Krewe, EOTO, Slightly Stoopid, Matisyahu and more.

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