You Know the Saying “Go Hard or Go Home?” Hulaween Just Went HARD!
Back in June, Suwannee Hulaween announced Phase 1 on this year’s lineup. We thought it was pretty spectacular, and we’re certain you’ve looked at those names dozens of times (you can check our article here). We also provided you with 59 hours of music from the performers on Phase 1 — 741 songs! Listen to that here.
But now it’s time for Phase 2. Silver Wrapper and Purple Hat Productions have really done this up right. Recall that Hulaween actually has a pre-party on Thursday, October 26th, before the official three-day extravaganza (October 27-29).
So, about that pre-party. It was already madness right out of the gate, but they’ve managed to up the ante by going all in, Umphrey’s McGee-style. The Chicago band will rock two sets. Also added to the list are funk jammers Luthi from Nashville, Boulder dream-rockers Evanoff, and homegrown talent in the form of Yamadeo, bringing reggae rock from Tallahassee and Valdosta, and The Psychedelic Monks of New Smyrna Beach, who deliver what they advertise.
On to the main event. Another 25 bands and performers will join an already jam-packed lineup. Prepare yourself for this one reality: you won’t get to see everybody, and you won’t get to see everybody you want. With five (or more?) stages going, it’s not possible.
And one other very important point while we await the official schedule — do yourself a favor: be sure to spend some time checking out bands you’ve never heard of and genres you’re reasonably certain you don’t like. You will be very pleasantly surprised, and that’s a promise. Guaranteed.
Music is coming from around the world, around the country, and around the Sunshine State. Let’s start with reggae royalty: Kingston’s Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley. Burlington is sending Mike Gordon, one of those doughnut guys. The New Mastersounds and David Shaw (of The Revivalists) will represent New Orleans (and Leeds, in the case of NMS). There is post-rock electronica from Lotus and wicked prog-rock from Perpetual Groove, Athens’ (GA) entry into the mix.
The Roosevelt Collier Trio blisters everything they touch, and The Heavy Pets do likewise, both from South Florida. Steel pan fusion is the specialty of Johnathan Scales Fourchestra from Asheville, and Atlanta’s Voodoo Visionary rocks out every time they hit the stage.
Chicago is also represented by the hip hop of Noname featuring Arima Ederra and the future classic space rap from ProbCause. The organic house duo Goldfish claim both Capetown and San Diego as home. Coming from Oakland, Dimond Saints, another duo, specialize in future beats and bass, while SoDown’s bass music with soul hails from Boulder. Also from that city are the Jaden Carson Band, playing retro dance funk and rock.
Looking for feel-good party blues and boogie? That would be Andy Frasco and the U.N. from L.A. Maybe jam and prog rock from Ft. Wayne’s Earphorik, or Stokeswood’s alt-pop out of the ATL. Yellowhammer will be there as well.
There are five more great Florida entries as well, beginning with the powerful soul of The Parker Urban Band (Jacksonville), great funky hip hop from Universal Green (likewise Jacksonville), roots and dub reggae from Scholars Word (Jacksonville Beach this time), funk madness from Orlando’s Beebs and Her Money Makers, plus Frameworks from Gainesville.
We’ll work on putting together another ridiculous playlist of all these amazing artists. If you start now with the first playlist and then the one to come, that will probably take you right up until, you know, it’s time to pack up and head to the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak FL, the home of String Cheese Incident’s little party.
MusicFestNews will see you there! With bells on. Or something. Gotta figure out those theme nights!
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