LIVE: LOCKN’ FESTIVAL – August 25-28, 2016 (Arrington, VA)
Venue: Oak Ridge Farm
City: Arrington, VA
Date: August 25-28, 2016
Review and Photographs by: Kevin Alfredo (TWITTER)
Weather reports for Southern Virginia this past weekend flirted with record temperatures as the 4th Annual Lockn’ Festival got under way…and within the festival grounds, the blockbuster lineup was adding to the heat. Year over year, Peter Shapiro has beefed up the lineup with big names, but Lockn’ 2016 was of epic proportions. With big names like Phish, My Morning Jacket, Phil Lesh and Ween, it was easy to overlook the plethora of ‘lesser known’ jam bands that had fans rocking for hours on end and across multiple stages. This festival truly had fans trying to figure out how to fit in concessions (which were, once again, top notch), and overall festival shenanigans for fear of missing a single note, especially due to Shapiro’s new turntable-style stage that allowed bands to transition in a matter of seconds.
But lets talk bands…and who really brought it. My Morning Jacket amazed as they fired through a rocking set that surprised even the most established fans, especially noting solid covers of Prince’s “Purple Rain” and David Bowie’s “Rebel Rebel”. Phish’s Sunday night performance held to the mantra “Never Miss a Sunday Show” with two sets that took fans through a musical journey that had die-hards and newbie’s alike reeling, only to encore with the Rolling Stones’ “Loving Cup” which had the entire venue partaking in a sing along that had strangers arm in arm for one last time as the weekend came to a close.
The afternoons had fans 100% engaged with acts such as Turkuaz, Vulfpeck, Hard Working Americans, Galactic, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, and The Wailers. I need to especially note Turkuaz, who’s high tempo funk had the crowd dancing from start to finish, and at the Friday noon time slot, taboot. Also of note were CRB and Hard Working Americans as they continue to establish themselves as some of the headiest rock and roll around these days.
Lockn’ 2016 had its fill of collaborations, too. Festivalgoers often found themselves in awe of the firepower on the stage at any single moment in time. Of special significance was Phil Lesh and Friends who had two nights of collaborations. The Saturday night lineup featured Phil Lesh, Page McConnell, Jon Fishman, Anders Osborne, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Joe Russo, and the members of the Infamous Stringdusters all on stage at once…it was definitely a jaw dropping experience.
Finally, both the morning and late night shows at the Blue Ridge Bowl were great final touches to an already packed lineup. Morning risers could find themselves amongst friends as they jammed to two versions of Keller Williams’ bands: Grateful Grass on Saturday and Grateful Gospel on Sunday, each adapting bluegrass and gospel sounds, respectively, to Keller’s fun loving Grateful Dead tributes. As far as late nights were concerned, JRAD and Lettuce each packed the Blue Ridge Bowl lawn to capacity and threw down solid performances…for those who could remember.
This was truly a festival weekend to remember. Here’s to 2017 being even better, if that is possible.
Festival Line-up:
Thursday: Ween – Umphrey’s McGee – Vulfpeck – Joe Russo’s Almost Dead – Eoto – Garcia’s Forest
Friday: Phish – Ween – Peter Wolf – Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires – White Denim – Vulfpeck – Turkuaz – Moogatu – Joe Russo’s Almost Dead – “Jazz & Woods” – Circles Around The Sun – Donna The Buffalo – Garcia’s Forest
Saturday: My Morning Jacket – Tedeschi Trucks Band – Phil Lesh & Friends – Brandi Carlile – Hard Working Americans – Galactic – Twiddle – Moon Taxi – DJ Williams Projekt – Lettuce – “Jazz & Woods” – Khruangbin – Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass – Garcia’s Forest
Sunday: Phish – Gary Clark, Jr. – Phil Lesh & Friends – Chris Robinson Brotherhood – The Wailers – Twiddle – Doobie Decibel System – The Dharma Initiative – Keller Williams’ Grateful Gospel – Garcia’s Forest
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Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries