Suwannee Amp Jams #2 Hits a Home Run with Its Sophomore Lineup
Suwannee Amp Jams returns to the mystical Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL February 26–28 with a sophomore lineup that fulfills its promise of a communal experience rivaling its critically acclaimed inaugural festival which debuted last March. Suwannee Amp Jams #2 will feature first-time headliner Grahame Lesh, son of late Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh, who will be honoring his father’s legacy with extended Dead family collaborators legendary guitarist and band leader Warren Haynes (Gov’t Mule), guitarist Nels Cline (Wilco), keyboardist Rob Barraco (Phil Lesh and Friends, The Dead, Dark Star Orchestra), and drummer John Molo (Phil Lesh and Friends, Bruce Hornsby and The Range).
They’ll be joined by frequent SOSMP alumni and headliners Umphrey’s McGee, who will be busting out two sets including a fan-driven second-night performance featuring songs from their diverse catalog of covers and originals that the band rarely plays. Night two’s “All Night Wrong” ensemble will be enlisting the talents of trumpeter/vocalist Jennifer Hartswick, saxophonist Skerik, trombonist Alex Wasily, pedal steel player Roosevelt Collier and more.
Warren Haynes will stay busy over the fest’s two nights with his own project The Warren Haynes Band. Also returning for a second go-round after stand-out performances at Amp Jams #1 will be funk/fusion cosmic juggernauts Lettuce for two sets and New Orleans’ premier funk denizens Dumpstaphunk, who will be paying homage to Sly and the Family Stone.
Supergroup The Heavy Weights, made up of jam and funk superstars Eric Krasno, Cory Henry, and Robert “Sput” Searight, will be making their Amp Jam debut while SOSMP favorites The Nth Power will reconstitute as The Family Company featuring Jennifer Hartswick, Cory Henry, and Sput for two sets of “Family Company,” whose park debut is sure to make waves.
Rounding out the lineup will be beloved SOSMP stalwarts and Florida natives The Roosevelt Collier Band along with the New Dawn Starkestra, made up of heavyweights from Western North Carolina’s thriving music scene: vocalist and songwriter Rebekah Todd, guitarist Isaac Hadden, bassist Quinn Sternberg, and drummer Jeff Sipe. Louisiana native and positive vibe technician Brock Butler will also appear with the Brock Butler Band, and Charleston’s Gullah Collective will be making their first appearance serving up their unique take on R&B, gospel, jazz, and roots music.
The glue that binds Suwannee Amp Jams musicians and fans together is its spontaneity and collaborative spirit that breath life into the loosely defined world of jam music. Inspired by SOSMP’s legendary festivals Bear Creek and Wanee Festival and the park’s mythical Amphitheater Stage where Amp Jams takes place, the second installment of the event continues to embody its mantra “One Legendary Stage, Many Funky Decisions.”
“The plan for Amp Jams is to facilitate a reconnection with the Suwannee musical family, congregate the faithful to the park, and distill the peerless SOSMP experience into its most potent form,” noted festival producer Paul Levine.
General Admission and VIP Tickets are on sale now and available at www.AmpJams.com. For upgraded camping, RV hookups, and cabin and golf cart rentals, contact Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park directly via the park’s website at https://www.musicliveshere.com or call (386) 364-1683. For more information click on the links below.
Suwannee Amp Jams
Website
TICKETS