Russians? Comey? Assange? Who Leaked the Wanee Lineup? Is It for Real?
Well, well, well. Was it the Russians? James Comey? Assange? An insider? A fake news site?
We’ll probably never know.
The alleged Wanee 2017 lineup appeared — briefly — Wednesday morning… and was promptly removed from the official website. The official date is next Monday, December 5th, for the formal announcement. And that’s much earlier than in the past, ever since everybody else started announcing months and months ahead of time.
But let’s look at the potentials here, most of which make sense.
When Gregg Allman, one of the daddies of the Wanee Music Festival, looked like he was improving physically, we almost wondered if he was going to suggest: “We’re getting the band back together.” He is not on the current list, which is truly sad. We certainly hope that his health improves and that he will in fact perform at Wanee 12. He only missed one, back in 2008, due to health issues.
Heading up the ABB contingent would be Les Brers, the brilliant band under the direction of Butch Trucks, with Jaimoe, Oteil, Bruce Katz, Marc Quiñones, Jack Pearson, Pat Bergeson, and Lamar Williams, Jr. They floored everyone last year with a stunning late-night set that approached three hours. That would mean Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band would also rock the joint with Junior Mack likely out front.
From there the speculation — it’s not December 5th yet, so you don’t know FOR SURE — is interesting, to say the least. Widespread Panic, who headlined the past two years and has played the fest several other times, would only be available on Friday, given that Easter forced the Wanee dates to April 20-22 (and the pre-party on the 19th), the same weekend as Atlanta’s 420 Festival; Panic headlines two nights there, presumably Friday and Saturday, although that fest runs through Sunday. Wanee has never used the main stage on Thursday, so it would have to be Friday for Panic. Saturday and Sunday at 420? Curiouser and curiouser.
TAB would also be playing both festivals, one night each. Trey Anastasio and band would certainly be greeted warmly again at Wanee (they played 2014). How about Bob Weir & the Campfire Boys? Bobby has been to Wanee previously with Ratdog (2008) and with Furthur (2012). And the Wanee faithful would certainly expect to see Gov’t Mule for the 13th year. There is nothing like it when Warren Haynes hog-calls “WA-NEEEEEEEEE!”
Dark Star Orchestra, also at 420, has never played Wanee before but certainly would be a welcome lineup addition. JJ Grey & Mofro ARE Florida; nobody but nobody speaks Florida like JJ. The thought of Leftover Salmon Performing The Music Of Neil Young is enough to make you giddy.
REMINDER: This is all speculation until we see it officially, but, man, this would certainly be sweet!
Karl Denson has been a Spirit of the Suwannee regular, and his Greyboy Allstars have played Wanee (2008 and 2013). Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass would be magic; they were stunning at Suwannee Springfest last March.
From there, it gets even more fun. The Bobby Lee Rodgers Trio should be a lock, and if Warren Haynes is coming, he is certainly going to bring the Marcus King Band along. That 19-year-old is incredible! The Yeti Trio features Vaylor Trucks, and their set at Wanee last year was mind-blowing.
Blackberry Smoke would make sense, as would Pink Talking Fish – Music of David Bowie & Prince. PTF knocked everybody over at their Wanee debut in 2014. The Brothers & Sisters Band is an “indie blues” band from Philly with a great name for this festival.
You would need some straight-up funk, which you would get in ample doses with Turkuaz, Kung Fu and DJ Logic. Add some trippy jamtronic goodness courtesy of Papadosio and flavors from Matisyahu (Thursday or daytime Friday), and you’ve got a great lineup. There is room for more additions to this putative lineup, and we haven’t even mentioned the Wednesday pre-party (and don’t EVER miss Wanee Wednesday).
Five days from now, we’ll find out if it was the Russkies. Or Comey. Or Wikileaks. Or a fake new site. Or just a mistake in releasing too soon.
There’s only one sure thing at this moment, and that’s:
