Suwannee Hulaween dazzles once again
To cover Suwannee Hulaween properly, we would need to assign four different writers. One would handle the bands, a second would cover DJs and EDM, the third would extol the virtues of all the art at Spirit Lake and environs, and the last one would busily compile fan reaction to this year’s event. (The official Suwannee Hulaween Facebook page has taken care of that with a survey for you to express yourself.)
I spent 95% of my time trying to absorb the astounding music I heard from the live bands over the four days. I caught 42 sets of live music; I am not capable of discussing most of the EDM artists presented all over the park. And I did not have time to view most of the incredible art installations at Hula. You cannot do everything. I’ve tried.
So we have established my guidelines and limitations. Jump aboard.
For reference, M = Meadow, HAL = Hallows, AMP = Amphitheater, SL = Spirit Lake, HOL= House of Lost, OFF = Def Off Limits
And NOBODY calls it THE AMPH.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30
The air temperature in Live Oak was much cooler than the past few years for Hulaween, but that had no affect on the blazing music pouring out all day long, and what a superb opening day it was!
Paul Levine delights in finding bands to open festivals. I would not have called him putting a straight-up country boy from Clinton County, Kentucky, to open Hulaween, but that is precisely what he did, and what a superb choice it was. Colton Bowlin (SL) is the real deal, an honest country songwriter with a great-sounding band veering far, far away from that homogenized garbage you can catch on the radio. The songs were great, harmonies soaring, and playing on point.
The Heavy Pets, busy celebrating their 20th year in the biz, rocked a fine set to open the Hallows stage. Jim Wuest sounded fabulous on keyboards and vocals, and Jamie Newitt always anchors their sets from the drum kit.
Anemoia (SL) are a deluxe jazz fusion trio from Miami, and they made the most of their first time at Hulaween. Their work uniforms and poofy wigs were a treat as they offered several excellent new songs mixed into their setlist. After the song that started it all for them (“The Leak”) and trippy “Ghost Town,” they invited Afrobeta to join them for a bouncy collab (the duo had their set Saturday).
Future Joy have been on an incredible roll of late, riding on their fine new album “Now,” and they packed the AMP early. Emily Cooper and Zach Simms displayed their famous enthusiastic stage performance and great music, although the booming bass often overtook the sound.
Every festival ought to have a legit brass band. Gainesville’s Sooza Brass Band (SL) were perfect in the role. The set included movie themes and other familiar tunes along with their competitions. Two trumpets, bari/tenor sax, trombone, Sousaphone, and drums sounded great!
The String Cheese Incident (M) had not played on Thursdays for some years, so this was certainly a change. They chose to split their three-hour time slot into two tight sets to get us warmed up with many favorites and a choice cover or two. Sound on the main stage was excellent. In the past, Kyle Hollingsworth’s band played the AMP on opening day; we got to hear him all weekend on piano, electric piano, Hammond B3, clavinet, synths, and more. BRILLIANT!
[SCI: ONE: Dudley’s Kitchen, Little Hands > Walls of Time, Carnival, Outside and Inside > Jessica, Rollover; TWO: Texas, Black Clouds, Solution, The Big Reveal, Bumpin’ Reel, Search > Colliding]
The Infamous Stringdusters had the pleasure of Sierra Hull’s company for their entire SL set, and it was pure bliss. In Andy Hall and Sierra Hull we had two of the best mandolin players in the business. And who needs a drummer when you’ve got Travis Book on the upright bass? What a beast! We heard “good ole” Virginia bluegrass, newgrass, and every sort of grass on the menu. The set ranged from band originals, Hull compositions to covers of John Hartford, The Cure, and The Stanley Brothers & The Clinch Mountain Boys!
One of them noted the EDM around the park. “We’ve got ADM. Acoustic dance music. All the treble you could ever want!” The vocal harmonies were divine, and Hull’s sweet voice was such a fine addition. They gave a shoutout to our String Cheese Incident hosts for making this event happen, and Bill Nershi of SCI joined them for a tune. PURE BLISS.
[ISD: Rise Sun, Just Like Heaven, Down from the Mountain, Say Won’t YouBe Mine, Boom, Once You’re Gone, Gravity, Steam Powered Aereo Plane, What Do You Say?, Black Muddy River, No More to Leave You Behind, Dead Man Walking, Sirens]
moe., on their 35th anniversary tour, blew out a spectacular two-set gem (SL). First set included a dandy “Waiting for the Punchline” and set closing “Four > Buster > Four,” and somewhere in their Chuck Garvey once again inserted his favorite Zappa “Inca Roads” quote. Nate Wilson’s keyboards continue to add amazing textures to the band’s sound.
The “Moth > Godzilla > Moth” was a monster. This is the first time I’d encountered “Godzilla” not as an encore, this was not the terse six-minute version; they really stretched it out! “Rec Chem” was mind-blowing, Al Schnier shredding and Jim Loughlin with magical percussion.
[moe. ONE: Mar-de-ma, Captain America > Waiting for the Punchline, Yellow Tigers, Four > Buster > Four; TWO: Moth > Godzilla > Moth, Recreational Chemistry, Brent Black]
High Fade (SL) brought their Scottish rock and roll to Hulaween, incredibly energetic and fun to watch.
Excellent Florida/Georgia hybrid Tire Fire had a set in House of Lost that I missed. I did make it back late night to see fiddle wizard Dani Jaye perform a wild set with socially conscious rappers Dea & Saint from St. Petersburg.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31—HALLOWEEN
This is Halloween, this is Halloween, and every stage is loaded with amazing music ready to unfold. Prizilla, now out of New York, opened SL. She is a vocalist and tenor saxophone player, and her band was joined by some of he former colleagues from Sooza Brass Band.
Burgundee (AMP) brought sultry Miami vibes to the early afternoon attendees.
Jacksonville rockers Gilberto 77 made the most of their set opening The Meadow with their blend of high-energy funk, fusion, and rock.
For me, there were eight brilliant sets in a row, beginning with Dizgo (HAL) from Indianapolis. Their jamtronic set made them many new followers with fine playing and great harmonies, especially in “It’s Alright,” when they altered the high-register chorus from “HALLELUJAH” to “HULALUJAH”!
[DIZGO: Outer Space, It’s Alright, In the House – In a Heartbeat, Orbital, Kids, Grand Ol’ Time, Exit 59]
A very different event was transpiring at the AMP, as multifaceted bassist Brad Miller led a fine jazz trio (keyboards and drums) through an uncompromising set of great songs. Vocalist x also joined them for several tunes.
Those Baltimorons Pigeons Playing Ping Pong (M) played the greatest set I’ve ever heard from them, highlighted by the non-stop shredding of one of the best guitarists on the scene, Jeremy Schon. He was simply unstoppable. The set included two tracks from new album Feed the Fire: “Calm Before the Storm” and “Right Track.” Most impressive, perhaps, was the massive jam that stacked up on top of Collective Soul’s “Shine.”
[PIGEONS: Calm Before the Storm, Ocean Flows, Right Track, Avalanche, Shine, Horizon]
SunSquabi (HAL) from Denver fit the vibe perfectly with their powerhouse livetronica set. The Halloween vibe was building as the sun was setting on the park during SunSquabi’s dance party.
The String Cheese Incident and The Disco Biscuits then played alternating sets. Our hosts once again delighted with a fine mix of tunes. Nershi was his dazzling pixie self every set, so proud of what he and his bandmates have achieved with Hulaween. “Colorado Bluebird Sky” was a fine cap to set one, and the second round exploded with an amazing version of “Jellyfish.” Hollingsworth and band turned this into a swing jazz tune! Michael Kang, meanwhile, was crushing on fiddle and lead guitar.
[SCI: ONE: Lend Me a Hand, Eventually, Roll Around the Sun, Eye Know Why, Bhangra Saanj, Shine > Colorado Bluebird Sky]
[SCI: TWO: Beautiful, Miss Brown’s Teahouse, Can’t Stop Now, Let’s Go Outside, Sunflower, Let’s Go Outside, Jellyfish, Hulaween Jam, Valley of the Jig]
In an era recently of bands changing drummers, The Disco Biscuits (HAL) followed suit, parting ways with 20-year veteran Allen Aucoin and enlisting the Marlon B. Lewis to anchor the kit. Lewis was fabulous in his debut as The Biscuits delivered two incredible sets of music. Set one featured a “Rock Candy” sandwich and a “Helicopters” one with “Orch Theme” blasting out.
Set two was even better, a monster “Caterpillar” that blew out “Neck Romancer,” “The Deal,” and a superb “Portal to an Empty Head.” Jon Gutwillig continues to be one the most underrated guitarists on our scene. And they were just getting warmed up, as they would shut down Spirit Lake late night as TRACTORBEAM!
[BISCO ONE: Rock Candy > Country Royale > Rock Candy, Helicopters > Dino Baby > Orchestra Theme > Helicopters; TWO: Caterpillar > Neck Romancer > The Deal > Portal to an Empty Head (inverted) > Caterpillar]
Unfortunately, Digable Planets (AMP) overlapped the Biscuits. The reports were great about their ’90s dance party filled with memories.
Illenium (M) was a huge draw for the EDM crowd. We had NO problem hearing everything back at our campsite.
Same goes for Anderson .paak’s turn as DJ Pee.Wee (AMP), who drew a slammed and enthusiastic crowd.
And then there was the first real late-night set from TRACTORBEAM (SL), those Disco Biscuits doing their untzy set. It began with a tune possibly titled “I Think I See the Future,” and they never let up. Aron Magner had a superb three sets on his vast keyboard array.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1
Lovely, dreamy music wafted through the air, which turned out to be Lightcode by LSDream on the Hallows stage. From there, the intensity and depth of the lineup would simply explode.
The avant-dance duo Afrobeta (SL) from Miami had a wonderful set, she in spectacular alien regalia and vocals and he on keyboards and production.
Parlor Greens (M) almost blew us over. Organ player Adam Scone has been making music for a long time, including with Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings back in the day. He and drummer Tim Carman were excellent, but time and again this set was a feature for the stunning guitarist Jimmy James. Those at Suwannee Rising with the pods might remember him with the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio. So many influences poured off the stage, including Hendrix and Eddie Hazel. Superb set!
And that shot us directly into the Khruangbin-adjacent portion of the program. No fewer than three bands tried that stripped-down approach, all with great success.
The first of these were Balthvs (HAL), an incredible quartet from Colombia. They funked and rocked the entire set. Vocals were solid, and drummer Santiago Lizcano powered the outstanding set, with lots of variations on the theme.
The Snozzberries from Asheville were throwing down their psychedelic rock, funk, and some really nasty metal prog (SL).
There was big buzz before Grace Bowers & the Hodge Podge took the Meadow stage. Bowers was a solid guitarist throughout the set. Vocals were good, and the band behind her provided great support.
More Khruangbin-like vibes poured from the Hallows when Arc de Soleil showed their wares. Two guitars, bass, and drums combined for an energetic and enthusiastic set with some fine vocal harmonies, this time from Sweden (and Sri Lankan roots).
Captain Midnight Band were making sure everyone had a good time at Spirit Lake. The interspersed originals and covers for an engaging show.
The String Cheese Incident got warmed up for the Shebang with a wide-ranging set featuring dance (“All We Got”), jazz (“Birdland”), rock (“Tinder Box”), space funk (“Sirens”), and bluegrass (“BollyMunster”). The rhythm section of Keith Moseley (bass), Michael Travis (drums), and Jason Hann (percussion) is second to none.
SCI: ONE: All We Got, Close Your Eyes, Birdland > Flying East Coast Jam > One Step Closer, BollyMunster, Sirens > Tinder Box]
The last time we’d seen Franc Moody, the sound engineers muddled their performance. The quartet were heard this time to perfection (kudos to the crew running the Meadow and the Hallows), and they produced a brilliant dance party of a set, the perfect setup for the Shebang to follow. The performance with tracks from new album Chewing the Fat, opening with “Space Between Us” and closing with the title cut.
The conceit for the night’s main event, The String Cheese Incident’s Shebang themed set, was that the vampires and ghoulies were going to visit a disco in search of souls. There was a brief nod to The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Brad and Janet happening upon Club Transylvania.
What unfolded was a fabulous bouncing dance party, further lit up by the Queen Kanika Moore owning songs such as “I’m Coming Out” and “I Will Survive.” It was a visual masterpiece, highlighted at the end by the glitter-ball aerialist! They hit so many great songs during the event.
Quick shoutout to whomever included the Santa Esmeralda disco version of Nina Simone’s 1964 smash “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.”
How about no rage flags during the Shebang?
[SCI: SHEBANG: Le Freak, Stayin’ Alive, Murder on the Dancefloor, I’m Coming Out, Dracula’s Wedding, I Will Survive, Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, Sympathy for the Devil, People Are Strange, Hungry Like the Wolf > Dragula > Hungry Like the Wolf, Zombieboy, Celebration; E: Hi Ho No Show]
Glass Beams had the unenviable job of following that monster set, but they more than rose to the occasion. Indian-Australian multi-instrumentalist and producer Rajan Silva leads the trio, another on the Khruangbin-adjacent day. They shredded, hit jamtronica, had choral vocals, effectively incorporated production, often reaching Eastern sensibilities. YES!
There was big buzz for the Australian electropop quartet Parcels. Many people really enjoyed their set. For some reason, they played a non-descript video for 16 minutes before they appeared on stage, and their boy-band harmonies and solid musicianship just didn’t fit that time slot for me.
Dogs in a Pile got the late-night nod and immediately broke off the leash, romping into a magnificent set. Everything was working for this bunch of relative youngsters who have benefitted from numerous tours with established bands. Brian Murray and Jimmy Law are outstanding together on guitars. Jeremy Kaplan stands out every time with his amazing keyboard work, especially on piano. Harmonies were delicious.
[DIAP: Look Johnny II, Stadium Rave, Nicolette > Tillie, Dangers of Rah Rah, Voodoo Lady > Little Lies > Rabbit > Spun > Chop Shop > EDM Song]
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2
The bluegrass portion of Bluegrass Sunday began with a superb set from Shadowgrass, Blue Ridge Mountain-style. This was simply outstanding, the perfect way to begin. They made the very most of the opportunity on the Meadow stage, with banjo, guitar, bass, mandolin, and fiddle flying!
Susto String Band from Asheville brought the same instrument configuration to the Hallows for a fine, introspective set. The cover of John Prine’s “Bear Creek Blues” was notable for a variety of reasons. Florida pedal steel player Landon Gay joined them for several songs, including “Seminole Wind.” We were on a roll!
And then five evil characters appeared on the Meadow stage: Poison Ivy (fiddle), Doctor Doom (electric guitar), Harley Quinn (acoustic guitar), Mystique (drums), and Cat Woman (bass). Molly Tuttle was the aforementioned Miss Quinn, and her superlative band of ladies blew through a magnificent set of music. Amidst the great originals, their cover of The Rolling Stones’ “She’s a Rainbow” was dynamite.
After a great run through “That’s Gonna Leave A Mark,” Quinn/Tuttle reminisced about their brilliant Hula set in 2023 as characters from Alice in Wonderland, prompting “Alice in the Bluegrass.” Two wonderful highlights: her incredible “Crooked Tree” and “Old Me (New Wig).”
At the end of the second stanza:
Now I’m stepping off the curb in my brand-new kicks
Leaving you in the dirt with your dirty tricks
I bought a new queen bed that I don’t have to share
I got a new wig to get you out of my hair
she ripped off the wig and tossed it to the crowd!
[MOLLY: Everything Burns, The Highway Knows, She’s a Rainbow, That’s Gonna Leave A Mark, Alice in the Bluegrass, Where Did All the Wild Things Go?, Thriller, Dooley’s Farm, Old Me (New Wig), Crooked Tree; E: Take the Journey]
I’ve seen Joe Russo’s Almost Dead a number of times and always enjoyed their shows. Perhaps I hadn’t paid attention closely enough. For my money, this was stunning, as great as set as any Dead show I ever attended. The setlist itself was tremendous, but the real brilliance was contained in the jaw-dropping deep space transitions between tunes.
They opened with that lovely disco take on “Dancing in the Street,” and during the transition they teased out “New Speedway Boogie,” which eventually emerged in all its glory. And so it went… for an hour and 35 minutes. The “Loose Lucy” was a pure delight, and that portion also featured Link Wray’s “Fire and Brimstone.”
They paused for a moment to breathe, then ripped off a truly mind-blowing “Hot ’Lanta”! “Cumberland Blues” provided a nice respite before the “Throwing Stones,” so very appropriate right now. What a spectacular band!
[JRAD: Dancing in the Street > New Speedway Boogie > Estimated Prophet > Playing in the Band > Loose Lucy > Fire and Brimstone > Help on the Way > Slipknot!, Hot ’Lanta > Cumberland Blues > Throwing Stones]
Goose kept the crowd dancing in the Meadow during set one. I split for dinner, enjoying the cover of “Somebody’s Watching Me” to close set one. Set two was much more compelling. They offered up a wonderful “Don’t Leave Me This Way” to end set two.
[GOOSE: ONE: Arrow, My Mind Has Been Consumed by Media, Big Modern!, Silver Rising, Dustin Hoffman, Somebody’s Watching Me; TWO: Hot Tea, Tumble, Mad World, Slow Ready, fast:slow, Don’t Leave Me This Way; E: Salt]
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country had the premier finale, two and a half hours of killer jams and tunes to send the Hula faithful home. He is a monster Strat player, and he and the band wrung every last drop from us!
[DONATO: Lose Your Mind > Waymore’s Blues > Mystery Train, Down Bedford, At the Ball, Ain’t Living Long Like This > Double Exposure, Long Lonesome Road, Broadside Ballad > Hangman’s Reel, Luck of the Draw > Sugar Leg Rag, Sugar Shack > Dance in the Desert]
So there you have it: Suwannee Hulaween 2025. Other outlets will provide accurate accounting of all of the EDM and DJ sets. We’re already looking forward to 2026! Thank you, String Cheese Incident and all of the incredible people who work so hard to put on this amazing event year after year year.
