Four Days Of Good Lovin’ At LOCKN’

By: Filip Zalewski

If ever there were a question, love is the answer. And love is found in abundance at LOCKN’.

On August 24th, thousands of music fanatics gathered at Infinity Down Farms in Arrington, Virginia. They shared space, smokes, lighters, drinks, cheeseburgers, french fries, blankets, hugs, kisses, high fives, stories, dream set lists, complaints, and general bullshit. All there for the same reason, looking for the same high in music.

When a force creates a wave of energy, it always brings out a response of equal magnitude, basic physics. LOCKN’ felt the wave of negativity and social instability radiating from the series of events which occurred recently in Charlottesville. These events did not go unnoticed and rather confronted them head on. As a giant family the festival went on to promoting love, peace, brotherhood, revolution, and collective consciousness.

Joe Russo with Jim James

This was prominent during Jim James’ set, which one may have expected to be largely for promotion of his newest album. Rather it was a majorly acoustic set advocating peace and revolution featuring songs such as the opener “Young at Heart” by Frank Sinatra and “Everything Must Change” mixed in with a handful of songs from Jim James’ album Eternally Even such as “Here in Spirit” and “State of The Art.” The finale featured a truly heart-touching collaboration with Brandi Carlile and Joe Russo on “Give Peace a Chance.”

Jim James
Brandi Carlile with Jim James

Rather than having a vibe of indulgence and carelessness, it felt as if the festival had a an obligation to love and love extra hard in lieu of the devastating events portrayed lately in the media. If there was an enormous gathering in the name of peace, love, music, and the Grateful Dead, the attendants were going to make sure to enjoy themselves to the absolute fullest.

And they did.

Umphrey’s McGee

THURSDAY

LOCKN’ kicked off with a welcoming ceremony from the Mount Zion African Baptist Choir, followed by Kendall Street Company right into a raging Umphrey’s McGee set, followed by The String Cheese Incident, back to Umphrey’s, back to Cheese, closing out the night with a raging Disco Biscuits set. Spirits were high; night one was a sonic success ending with a heavy jamtronica punch.

Antibalas

FRIDAY

Friday kicked off with impressive sets from Antibalas, TAUK, Blackberry Smoke, Gov’t Mule, Brandi Carlile, Keller Williams, and Jim James. The energy was steadily building to the climax which would be Terrapin Station.

The attendance size was easily visible around sunset during the Phil Lesh and The Terrapin Family set. Fans stretched across the field as far as the eye could see, a rolling hill covered in red, blue, tie-dye, dead. Stealies were all around. Excellent song choice by the band with “China Cat Sunflower,” “Help on the Way” and “Stella Blue,” and then Warren Haynes sitting in on “St. Stephen” and “New Minglewood Blues.” Energy was high, almost teasing the Bobby and Phil “Terrapin” that was to be played later that night. And then on stage came who else but Bob Weir! Bobby sat in for an outstanding “Jack Straw,” and the band finishes the set with “Uncle John’s Band.”

Right after that, Gov’t Mule performed with Ann Wilson of Heart, featuring Zeppelin classics such as “Immigrant Song” and “Black Dog,” and of course “Magic Man” by Heart. Wilson can still really nail those high notes, well enough to compete with Robert Plant’s voice back in the day. And what would a Gov’t Mule set be without a respectful tribute to the Allman Brothers with a classic, really plucking-at-the-heartstrings “Soulshine.”

Ann Wilson’s high-energy voice with the dynamics of Gov’t Mule gave way to what seemed to be the most anticipated set of the weekend: Phil Lesh and Bob Weir playing “Terrapin Station” with The Terrapin Family Band with Nicki Bluhm!

Bob Weir, Nicki Bluhm & Phil Lesh

The iconic set featured highlights such as the booming “Dancing in the Street,” “Samson and Delilah,” on which Bobby’s vocals really came through, and of course a much-awaited and awe-inspiring “Terrapin Station.”

Bob Weir, Phil Lesh,

The crowd was blown away, what do now? Oh wait, there’s more!?

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead wasted no time and started their set with an electrifying “Shakedown Street.” JRAD is a late-night LOCKN’ staple. Regardless of music preference (Phish, Dead, Biscuits, whatever), JRAD is guaranteed to sonically satisfy with a highly energetic performance.

Marco Benevento & Tom Hamilton with JRAD

The set featured Nicole Atkins sitting in on “Little Red Rooster” and “Cassidy” as well as the second “Terrapin Station” of the night.

The sit-in surprises were not over yet, as out came Jim James to play “Been Caught Stealing” and “Brown Eyed Women,” and JRAD finished up their Friday night set with Jim James and Nicole Atkins playing “Brokedown Palace.” Wowzers!

Off to the Garcia Forest to decompress before another day tight-packed with outstanding music.

John Butler
John Butler

SATURDAY

Saturday kicked off strong featuring impressive sets by Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Keller Williams, and Greensky Bluegrass. The John Butler Trio put on an impressive and elecrtrifying set followed by John Fogerty, whose set included classics like “Bad Moon Rising,” “Proud Mary,” and “Born on the Bayou,” delivered in a tastefully rocking fashion.

John Fogarty
John Fogarty

Widespread Panic closed off the main stage on Saturday with a jam-packed, mind-melting shredding set featuring an appropriate “For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield.

Widespread Panic

Ok, time for another JRAD set; what could they possibly have up their sleeves? How could they possibly top last night!?

Right on cue, out came Bob Weir!

JRAD’s Tom Hamilton with Bob Weir

Bobby sat in on “Black-Throated Wind,” “Good Lovin’,” “Jack Straw,” “Playing in the Band” and “Samson and Delilah”, and they closed up the night with an immensely electrifying “One More Saturday Night.” The crowd cant even! Faces stolen.

Dirty Dozen Brass Band

Back to the Garcia Forest before everyone’s brains explode from that set! This time Dirty Dozen Brass Band play some late-night funk to ease the attendees toward dawn.

Moonalice with Jorma Kaukonen

SUNDAY

Sunday is the Lord’s day: wake up with Keller Williams Grateful Gospel! The last day featured strong sets from Eric Krasno Band, Moonalice with Jorma Kaukonen, JJ Grey & Mofro, and The Revivalists.

moe. with Phil Lesh

It was incredible to see Phil Lesh play with moe. following Rob Derhak‘s indefinite hiatus due to a recent cancer diagnosis. The band was thrilled to play with the legend and were greatly honored that he not only played with them but learned their songs as well. Rob watched the set from a tiny “Rob”ot-operated livestream.

Who would’ve guessed, even Bobby got in on the action, sitting in on “The Music Never Stopped,” “Sugar Magnolia” and “Scarlet Begonias.” Phil, Bobby, and moe. closed up the set with a heartfelt “Sunshine Daydream.”

moe. with Phil Lesh & Bob Weir

All eyes on The Avett Brothers, who played an impressively intricate and precise set featuring Bob Weir. Highlights included Dead classics such as “Mission in The Rain,” “Mama Tried,” “Going Down the Road Feelin Bad” and “When I Paint My Masterpiece.”

Again the crowd was left absolutely speechless, unable to move. Able only to yell and express their gratitude for the musicians. The band came back on with an encore of “I Know You Rider” and closed up the festival with “I Shall Be Released.”

The Avett Brothers

And just like that it’s over. The anitcipation, wait, preparation, and emotions are now all but a memory. Now one can only look back and ponder what really happened that weekend.

LOCKN’ features a world-class, top-level selection of musicians. It also has a vibe that is filled with love, camaraderie, brotherhood, and a collective consciousness of positivity. Apart from this, what makes LOCKN’ truly special are the sit-ins, especially the unexpected ones. This year Jim James’ and Bob Weir’s unexpected sit-ins were truly remarkable, as well as Ann Wilson with Gov’t Mule. Bobby even came out to join Phil with moe.!

Another LOCKN’ in the books. The music surpassed expectations, minds were blown, faces were stolen, love was shared, sit-ins were a-plenty, TWO “Terrapin Stations” in ONE night! Jokingly, of course, Bob Weir stayed up past his bed time to rock with JRAD.

What else can be said?

Newton’s third law is: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. The statement means that in every interaction, there is a pair of forces acting on the two interacting objects. The size of the forces on the first object equals the size of the force on the second object.

When there is an action of hate and negativity there is always an equal reaction of love and positivity.

 

This reaction was manifested over four days, LOCKN’.

Thank you… for a real good time.

All words and images by Filip Zalewski of Essence Photography.

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