BIG CYPRESS SEMINOLE RESERVATION, Fla. — Fantasy: Linnea spends three days hobnobbing with like-minded flower children and hanging out in the media tent at Langerado Music Festival in South Florida. .jpg "The Langerado sign 2008") The Langerado sign 2008. Photo by Linnea Brown/TheSequitur.com
But whatever.
Despite the forced bed rest (or should I say, air-mattress-and- sleeping-bag rest) on Saturday, I still managed to have an excellent time at the festival on Friday and Sunday. And rather than getting all tied up in music-writer pretentiousness — or dispelling a blow-by-blow of my experience — I figured I’d just share some of the more notable highlights…
Music.jpg "The Heavy Pets played on one of the side stages.") The Heavy Pets played on a side stage. Photo by Linnea Brown/ TheSequitur.com
A group of talented musicians in their mid-twenties, their music was funky, jazzy and smooth, effortlessly balancing chunking guitar rifts with snazzy horns and piano work.
I found out later that the keyboardist is Jim Wuest, king of last year’s legendary one-night funk project “The Wuest Infection.”
This was also the band’s first show with new drummer Jamie Newitt (following the band’s release of a debut double album last year) which made the group even more impressive. And to quote my buddy Adam, who drove from West Palm Beach just to bask in the band’s brilliance: “Who else puts out a double-disc first album? Guns and Roses. That’s all I’m saying.”
Thrilling to see live, just ‘cause I never have, though the group’s music seemed a bit of an awkward fit for the festival scene. Decked out in an “Obama” shirt, Michael Stipe proved that he can still hold thousands of fans captive for several hours (even if the temperatures did dip into the 40s that night, sending a lot of people scurrying back to their tents).
.jpg "Grace Potter and her band banging on the drums.") Grace Potter and her band. Photo by Linnea Brown/TheSequitur.com
- Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
I am truly embarrassed to admit I’d never heard of this Vermont-based band, because Potter is incredible. I was blown away. In her mid-20s, Potter has a voice like a goddess and seemingly endless energy, bouncing from one instrument to the next for a soulful, gospel-tinged brand of rock and roll. Truly, one hell of a foot-stomping show.
WTF? I walked up for the end of this set, and the performance was so weird that it was nearly electrifying. With all the band members in costume, the lead singer was covered head-to-toe in mounds of shaving cream, writhing across the stage on his stomach like a drowning man. At the end of the show, he climbed in a coffin and crew members wheeled him offstage.
But as obscure as the performance was, one song (“The Past Is a Grotesque Animal”) has been stuck in my head ever since. I love it. I’m not sure why, but the band’s infectious, humor-tinged pop has a way of getting under your skin.
.jpg "Ani DiFranco rocks out on the acoustic guitar.") Ani DiFranco rocks out on the acoustic guitar. Photo by Linnea Brown /TheSequitur.com
Always a favorite. I can’t really say anything objective about her, since I am a fiercely loyal fan. But I stood amidst the lesbians and sang along to all of her old songs and respected the new ones.
However, I must say: I saw her two nights later in Tampa, and she brought down the house. Literally, the most amazing Ani show I’ve ever seen — so anyone who thought they saw an excellent Ani show at Langerado really has no idea what she’s capable of.
Hmm. The sound system wasn’t that great. But they’re undeniable icons, and — despite the fact that they’re, like, in their 40s — they can still rock the mic. They did enough old school stuff to satisfy fans, but their newer, all-acoustic material was the truly impressive part.
Yep. That’s really the band’s name, pronounced by repeating any monosyllabic sound three times, such as chick-chick-chick or bang-bang-bang. And true to its name, this cross-country-based dance/funk/rock group is bursting with creativity. Truly danceable, original stuff — almost like ‘80s synth-pop with the heart-stopping rhythm and bass line of ‘70s disco. Something you’ve got to hear to believe.
.jpg "311's \"SA\" Martinez and Nick Hexum interviewed.") 311's "SA" Martinez and Nick Hexum interviewed. Photo by Linnea Brown/TheSequitur.com
Amazing. One thing’s for sure: they are excellent performers and put on an incredibly high-energy show, even after all these years of relentless touring. They have the innate ability to make every song exhilarating — even the old hits like “Amber” and “Down“ that you know they’ve performed thousands upon thousands of times — making me wish I’d bought tickets to their legendary annual 3/11 show in New Orleans. The crowd went wild during “Applied Science,” when the band brought extra drums onstage, grabbed drum sticks and went to town with a five-person drum solo, drumline-style.
Phenomenal, as usual. Their down-tempo hip-hop was exactly what the festival needed, and they got a rousing crowd reaction from their signature cover of Bob Dylan’s “Masses Of War,” that is — in Black Thought’s words — “a nasty, middle finger salute to George W. Bush.”But as far as performances go, their performance at Bonnaroo 2007 was admittedly better. In fact, a lot of their previous shows I’ve seen have been better than this one, but I won’t hold it against them.
Besides, this was their first show with the newest addition: sousaphone player Tuba Gooding Jr., who replaced longtime bassist Leonard Hubbard in December. (*Editor's Note: we can neither confirm or refute this) So as far as I’m concerned, the show was still decent. - Matisyahu
.jpg "Matisyahu and his son at the press conference.") Matisyahu and his son at the press conference. Photo by Linnea Brown/TheSequitur.com
Here we have a musician who never fails to confuse and fascinate me. The Hassidic reggae superstar is such a spirited performer, and is just on fire when he’s on stage, beat-boxing and jumping around like a madman. And his blend of spirituality and rap-infused reggae is undeniably mind-blowing, particularly when he hopped onstage during the Disco Biscuits and Wailers’ shows at Langerado. But offstage, he’s a completely different person — reserved, quiet and serious. This time, he had his young son with him in the press tent. I guess he’s married and stuff…which made me realize how much I don’t know about Hassidic Judaism. I’ve started reading about it since then.
Other observations
First time I’ve ever seen it at a festival, but yeah. Ten bucks for ten minutes of putting plastic hospital tubes up your nostrils and breathing in “flavors” of oxygen such as passion fruit, .jpg "The oxygen bar at Langerado 2008.") The oxygen bar at Langerado 2008. Photo by Linnea Brown /TheSequitur.com
It was almost comical…but I understand they’re selling cans of oxygen at gas stations now for hangovers, so maybe I’m just behind the times.
(And for any of you who are wondering, yes, they pass out new, sterile nostril tubes each time, according to the guy working there.)
I was appalled. As someone who has patronized Bonnaroo for years, I am used to the amazing Earth-conscious vibe that permeates the festival. Everyone separates their trash from recycling, attempts to pick up after themselves, etc.
Like Bonnaroo, the promoters of this festival passed out clear blue bags for recycling, but I sure didn’t see many festival-goers (piggies?) using them. They trashed the place like a bunch of spoiled brats.
I’m not sure who should take the blame for this. I just felt sorry for the people who had to go around and pick all the trash up by hand afterward.
.jpg "The crowd for Ani DiFranco.") The crowd for Ani DiFranco. Photo by Linnea Brown/TheSequitur.com
However — while there was an oddly-placed, fenced-in alligator pit in the middle of the venue (to educate all the northerners about Florida, I guess) — there was virtually no education about the Seminole Indians or their culture, which I found strange. We’re trampling on their land, leaving our trash everywhere, yet learning nothing about the hundreds of people that live there. If they even allow the festival back next year, I think everyone could benefit from a little healthy Seminole education and respect for the locals.
- Note to self: psychedelics can suck
The night I got sick, I visited the medical tent and saw something I’ll never forget: two young kids, both tripping balls. Really. Shouting stuff, peeing on themselves, ripping their clothes off. Completely flipping out, and really not having a good time.So I’m glad my illness wasn’t self-induced. But it’s good to know the medical tent exists for that sort of thing. Click here for the Langerado 2008 Photo Gallery.
Linnea Brown, a TheSequitur.com contributor, is a journalist in the Tampa, Fla. area.
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