The skies were a hand-painted blue as fans arrived for this year’s Miracle in Mundelein, a two-day festival on the grounds of Rise Dispensary in Mundelein, Illinois. DJ Papa G set the tone early with hopping tunes and a cheery welcome as vendors prepared for a wild weekend of music, cannabis, and celebration. This is an “all adult” gathering, with merchants dedicated to the culture and enjoyment of cannabis.
Right at the entrance, Rise and OCB hosted a rolling tent where fans could practice their rolling technique or show off their skills in contests like most rolled in a minute, blindfolded roll, and best roll of the day. With the MC hyping the crowd, the tent became part classroom, part spectacle, and all fun.
The first band to hit the stage was OMA from Manchester, UK. Their high-energy mix of punk rock, house, and dancehall—driven by Corben Lamb on keys, Chris Larcomb on guitar, Sam Heeley on drums, and James Harper on bass—quickly drew a crowd and filled the field with feel-good vibes.
Between sets, DJ Papa G kept the energy rolling with reggae greats and modern rock. His dancer and drummer joined in, turning the breaks into their own party.
Next up was De La Soul, the heavyweight New York hip-hop group of Kelvin “Posdnuos” Mercer and Vincent “Maeso” Mason. Maeso slipped onto the stage like a ninja just as the crowd was bouncing to Papa G’s beats, and then—boom—“Simon Says,” “Footsteps in the Dark,” “N.Y. State of Mind,” “C.R.E.A.M.,” “Regulate,” “Hypnotize,” “Juicy,” and “Big Poppa” rained down to wake us up. The sun was beating down, and De La Soul came to rock the house.
Posdnuos fired up hits old and new before launching into “Nuthin’ But a G Thang,” “Still D.R.E.,” and “Slim Shady,” which had the whole crowd bouncing. The momentum never stopped. By the time they dropped “Let Me Blow Your Mind,” “Doo Wop,” “Family Affair,” “Naughty Girls,” “Get Ya Freak On,” and “In Da Club,” the fans had cheered themselves hoarse.
Thankfully the sun began to set, giving us all a chance to cool down after that workout. Papa G brought some much-needed chill with laid-back reggae, though his dancer kept the energy flames alive.
Then, in the darkness at the back of the stage, the Damian and Stephen Marley band plugged in. The lights cut out and, with a thunderous bass note, the brothers burst onto the stage beneath a giant Haile Selassie flag waving overhead. Damian’s gravelly righteous rap lit a fire under the crowd with “10K Chariots,” “Trouble,” and “Hey Girl.” Stephen’s softer, lyrical delivery balanced the set with songs like “Traffic Jam,” “Hey Baby,” and “Ja Army.” The audience roared as Damian opened up about his passion on “Medication.”
Together, they blended their own music with Bob Marley classics. “Trenchtown Rock,” “Sun Is Shining,” and “Road to Zion” carried messages of hope, and when the brothers broke into “Is This Love,” the fans swayed in trance-like unity. The performance was almost overwhelming. It’s no wonder these two talents hold eleven Grammys between them—their music is powerful, wise, and full of light.
Day two opened with DJ Air Wolf laying down smooth jam-band grooves, setting a more relaxed vibe after the intensity of day one.
Next, prodigy bassist Karina Rykman stormed the stage like a perpetual motion machine—jumping, running, and playing her bass with unstoppable force. Her music is heavy but never overwhelming, with Adam November layering inventive guitar sounds and Chris Corsico locking in the rhythm with laser focus.
The band ripped through “Dirty South,” “Joyride,” “Plants,” and “Change My Flight” with such intensity that time seemed to stand still. Karina’s presence was so commanding that it almost felt impossible to keep up. “City Kids,” “Shoegaze Summer,” and “Reboot” kept the energy flowing, before the trio melted minds with hypnotic covers of the Butthole Surfers’ “Pepper,” Outkast’s “Atom Dance,” and Rush’s “Elevator.” This band is a must-see on any bill.
Dark Star Orchestra followed, casting their magic spell with beloved Grateful Dead covers. Rob Eaton (guitar, vocals), Jeff Mattson (lead guitar, vocals), and Rob Barraco (keys, vocals) opened with “Piece of My Heart” and “China Cat Sunflower,” then delivered a soulful tribute to Phil Lesh with “Box of Rain.”
Skip Vangelas (bass), Rob Koritz (drums), and Dino English (drums) kept the beat strong as the band rolled through classics like “Birdsong,” “Feel Like a Stranger,” “Slipknot!/Help on the Way,” and “Eyes of the World.” With Lisa Mackey joining in, the harmonies soared.
By mid-afternoon, DSO was in full stride. “Going Down the Road Feeling Bad” stirred memories of summer days and fall nights, and their stunning version of Joni’s “Woodstock” brought the crowd together in harmony.
With the sun sinking low, the food vendors beckoned. The variety was excellent, the staff friendly, and a cold grapefruit margarita from Señorita Margarita hit the spot.
Finally, the moment arrived: Umphrey’s McGee took the stage. They wasted no time, diving straight into “Wife Soup,” “Small Strides,” and “Mantis.” The band was locked in, feeding off the crowd’s energy, and tore through “Ja Junk,” “Women, Wine and Song,” and “Puppet on a String” to close their first set. The anticipation was high for their promised “Pink Floyd” set, with rumors buzzing across the grounds.
When Umphrey’s returned, the lights shifted and the music transformed. “In the Flesh,” “Another Brick in the Wall,” “Breathe,” and “On the Run” kicked off the set—not as simple covers, but as re-imagined masterpieces infused with UM’s style.
The journey continued with “Time,” “Great Gig in the Sky,” “Money,” and “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” each delivered with intensity and reverence. Fans were locked in, singing, shouting, and swaying as the band pushed deeper into the Floyd catalog. “Young Lust,” “Brain Damage,” and “Eclipse” rounded out the set with explosive energy.
The sun had disappeared, the moon took its place, and the crowd was at fever pitch. The encore sealed the weekend as “Wish You Were Here” melted seamlessly into “Comfortably Numb.” It was a set for the ages, a tribute that felt as fresh as the first time these songs rang out decades ago.
The Miracle in Mundelein has once again proven itself a trailblazer. This is an event made for adults—a place to gather, enjoy food, fun, music, and cannabis culture in one unforgettable celebration. Rise Dispensary has crafted something truly unique, ensuring that fans will carry fond memories of this festival long after the final notes fade.
