Thunder Folk. That is how radio station WTMD described Mumford and Sons earlier this week.  After selling out in less than an hour, anticipation was high for what was, in their own words “by far the biggest gig we’ve ever had” the biggest show Mumford and Sons have headlined, at least here in the US.  Anticipation wasn’t the only thing high, since the temperature hung around a scorching 104 for most of the day.  Merriweather kicked off their very first gate crashers, giving those who came early some beer specials and games behind the lawn, as well as first rush to snag prime lawn seats.  Matthew and the Atlas got the crowd going with their set full of folk rock and instrument switching.  There were bursts of screams and clapping as a thunderstorm rolled in soaking everyone not under the pavilion, bringing new meaning to the term Thunder Folk.

Somewhere in the middle of The Low Anthem’s set, after a few more close thunder and lightning claps, the torrential downpour ended giving everyone a chance to focus on the music and shake off the rain.  Low Anthem’s set was mellow, bordering melancholy as they changed instruments and gears, kicking it into an energetic finale to get the crowd ready for Mumford and Sons to take the stage.

The stage was hung with big bulb lights swooping across the middle of the stage.  The quartet hit the stage with Sigh No More, and igniting an immediate crowd sing along. With added violin, the guys went into After The Storm, and then Winter Winds accompanied by trumpets and trombone.  The energy picked up, and the rest of the set was full of instrument changing, banjo pelvic thrusting and vocal harmonizing.  Even the new songs kept the crowd engaged and eager for the band to have some studio time to record a new record (they promise after this summer tour!).  By the time they played Little Lion Man, the band seemed not just humbled but overwhelmed at the energy and praise from the crowd, saying “this is by far the biggest gig we’ve ever had.”  And they had plenty of help with energy from the crowd, singing and dancing along.

Ending with The Cave as an encore and a slower tempo was certainly what the crowd was waiting for, as everyone sang and swayed along was certainly a perfect ending to a night of Thunder Folk, with a little added lightning.

As I pulled down the street to get to the parking garage, I was surprised to see Michael Franti on the street doing some stretches on the side of the tour bus.  I was glad to see he was wearing shoes, since these Baltimore city streets are no joke.  It’s the beginning of the club tour, as he takes a break from the summer festival circuit to promote his latest album, Sound of Sunshine.

Franti always brings some flavor with him when he tours, this time he brought Blue King Brown from Australia to get the crowd hyped, and they succeeded. They made a point to honor the indigenous people of Baltimore and the surrounding areas, and then they got started with a blend of dancehall and hip hop.  Lead singer Natalie Pa’apa’a brought a universal consciousness message touching on social and political issues while getting the energy and good vibes flowing for Franti and his band to hit the stage.  A highlight was “Say Peace”, the only single currently available on ITunes, until the release of their album Worldwize Part 1 in August.

During the set break, as I look around I was really surprised to see so many kids at the show.  Smart parents found places on the railings or where they could lift and place kids around the columns where there are bars for drinks, but apparently also big enough for little feet to stand on.  Spearhead started their set with Everyone Deserves Music, and continued the set with a mix of songs from their catalog.  “Sound of Sunshine” was about six songs in, accompanied by fans joining Franti on stage and large yellow balloons appeared from backstage to bounce around the venue.  He changed some lyrics around during “Sweet Little Lies” saying, “Baltimore has a lot of soul.”  For “Shake It” he brought up fans to “shake it” on stage with him, which is always fun to watch.

Then Spearhead held it down on stage during “Yell Fire” while Michael headed out into the crowd, starting on the upper balcony and working his was around the top and back down through the packed center stage area before making his way back onto the stage for the finale, which of course meant getting more people on stage, but this time he only wanted the little ones. He invited all the kids on stage, and a little girl gave Michael a letter that he read on stage saying that she wished he was her big brother so they could hang out all the time.  The kids helped in singing “Say Hey”, knowing all the words, some making hearts with their hands or just clapping and dancing along.  Watching kids dance, reminds me how easy and carefree being young is!  It was quite a way to end a night of amazing energy.

Fans gave mixed reviews, probably because old fans are not to keen on the new turn towards pop sounding songs from the new album.  Regardless, Franti always gives me the recharge of good energy I need, and I went away happy.

I have to admit, I am not an avid Phish follower. I don’t travel to see them, I haven’t bought an album since Farmhouse, and I hadn’t really enjoyed a live show since Greensboro ’03, but this show reminded me of all the things I had forgotten.  I love running into all kinds of people I haven’t seen in years in the parking lot. I love the range of music blasting from the cars parked early for tailgating, and the folks selling all kinds of stuff from food and beverages to art and jewelry.

I had to work my marketing tent this show, so I missed the beginning. And I was working with a bunch of young college kids who knew nothing about Phish.  As I sang along to Ha Ha Ha, one of them, who had also worked Saturday’s show, commented on the fact that the drummer was wearing that same weird dress again, and I realized there is a whole younger generation that know nothing about Phish and can’t understand why there are people that travel following this band.  This was a perfect weekend introduction; since they were exposed to what I think was a weekend of better sets I have heard in a while.  I had heard the set list from the night before, and was really bummed I had missed it, but mostly I was afraid I had missed the “good” night.  I had nothing to worry about.

I finally made it out to a lawn spot sometime during The Divided Sky, about five songs in and got some dancing in.  Boogie On Reggae Woman was one of my very first favorite songs, so I got to groove to that one on the lawn before I found my way into the pavilion to meet some friends just in time for Bathtub Gin.  It was here I realized what I had been missing the past few times I have seen Phish…being able to see!  Seeing the stage and the early attempt at a light show, even though there was still plenty of daylight streaming in was amazing. The closer you get to the stage, the more ecstatic energy courses through the crowd.  Which meant, I had to get even closer.

For the second set, I braved the general admission area in front of the stage, which during the first set was so packed; I had tried to wiggle in once and gave up.  Being this close was worth the wade through the sticky sweaty crowd.  Starting with Party Time, and seeing the guys so close made the night perfect.  Although I wasn’t as hooked into the songs in the beginning of the second set, I loved being so in the mix.  I lasted until somewhere during Alaska, until braving the crowd again to hit the bathroom.  Realizing that the music would probably be over around 11 because of the neighborhood codes, I figured I might get a head start on the traffic since I had been there all day working and I was a little beat.

Little did I know, Phish didn’t care about the fine they would have to pay for going over the limit.  I missed a few good ones, and learned some valuable lessons.  It’s worth spending the money on getting closer to the stage, and you have to stay until the end because you’ll miss something you wish you had stuck around for, in my case Loving Cup. And next time that is exactly what I will do!

For a first year festival, Orlando Calling really had it all, proving the organizers are not strangers to what makes a great weekend of music.  This was the first of hopefully many Orlando Callings to come, with headliners on Saturday featuring The Killers, The Raconteurs and The Pixies.  Sunday featured Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band, and Kid Rock.

The Citrus Bowl in Orlando is no stranger to big events, with Bowl Games, Monster Jam and WJRR’s Earthday Birthday concerts each year, but all the locals were eager to see how Orlando Calling could pull off such a huge music festival.  Even though the organizer, Melvin Benn of Festival Republic reports losing more money than expected on the festival over all, the festival fans hopefully still felt it was a success and will encourage Benn to give it another go.

The first year of festivals can be a crapshoot, for the organizers and the fans.  Festival Republic was able to take into consideration the genre that central Florida residents would snatch up tickets to, but they may have overlooked the fact that was a holiday weekend, with Veterans Day falling the Friday before, as well the rescheduled Come Out With Pride Parade which usually draws crowds of 100,000 people and other events that were happening in conjunction with the festival.

I was one of the many trying to fly into Orlando during this heavy travel weekend, and was so glad to make it into town.  The organization was amazing, with entrance lines well labeled and five stages spread out in and around the Citrus Bowl grounds.  Saturday had a wide variety of genres to catch with punk, indie and southern rock, even a taste of hip hop with Kid Cudi.  The Avett Brothers got into their usual rhythm after some sound adjustments were made.  Their energy was what I am used to seeing, but they played and sang and the crowd sung along.

My main objective for this trip was to get to see The Pixies, who were on my “wish I had seen” list.  They played Doolittle in its entirety and then closed out with Nimrod’s Son, Isla De Encanta, U Mass and Gigantic.  This monkey had gone to heaven- it was a goose bump full experience for me. Kim Deal seemed to be having the most fun, giggling and goofing.  I am so glad to be able to cross this band off my “wish I had seen” list!  The Raconteurs rocked all their hits form their two albums, not revealing any hint of new songs or a new album on the way.  Brendan Benson and Jack White harmonies are haunting in person.  Saturday ended with spectacular set by The Killers complete with fireworks and pyrotechnics.

Sunday was geared more toward the older crowd, and was way more packed with people than Saturday.  The beer lines were longer, as well as the bathroom ones and the stands were full of three times as many people as Saturday.  We caught most of The Doobie Brothers set, which started with new ones the blasted into everyone’s old favorites. We caught some of Buddy Guy, who entranced us with his blues guitar.  I wish I had not missed local favorite Big 10-4, but with so much music on so many stages something has got to give and Buddy Guy won because of his seniority.  The group I was with got really excited for Kid Rock, and I was just going along for the ride but man, did Kid bring it.  He played all the hits, and then some.   I was shocked to see him play each instrument on the stage at some time during his set, which finished with a gospel choir finale. My personal favorite was his DJ moves.  Sadly, after two full days of music, we were worn out and did not stick around for Bob Seger, but I heard it would have been worth sticking around for.

So, should Orlando Calling give it another go? I say yes, but check the other events in the area before, maybe bump it up to the first weekend in November or even December.  Festival Republic really knows what they are doing, that was obvious from the beginning.  The festival created so much revenue for the area in hotels, food, and even created much needed jobs, even if the organizers did not.  I spoke with one of the VIP bathroom attendants and thanked her for her work, apparently not something she was used to.  She said, it had been tough and long days, but at least she knows she can pay her mortgage this month.

If that’s not enough of a reason, then consider the music draw.  Festival Republic brought such big names, and it was only the first year.  It can only go up from here, with a better date and more publicity and marketing in and outside of the Orlando area, not just on Pollstar.  Melvin Benn, if you read this, I have hope for Orlando Calling, and I am for hire!

Year number three of The Hangout Festival was bigger and better than before.  It seems promoters really listened to feedback from 2011 and were able to cut down on the insane entrance lines by mailing out the wristbands two weeks before the show, and increasing the availability of transportation in shuttles and “Catch a Chevy” to help get people safely around Gulf Shores. Keeping the attendance capped at 35,000 while spreading out the festival stages and increasing the grounds and water stations made for an amazing festival experience.  Not to mention the pristine white sand beach and crystal clear gulf water as the perfect backdrop for an epic weekend.

My group traveled from Maryland, and we met people from all over as far as Chicago and Colorado, and closer like Tennessee and Texas.  Gulf Shores is used to a little summer tourism, but this weekend festival rivals spring break for the businesses in the area.

The Hangout has become a personal favorite of mine, with the same great acts doing a lot of the larger festivals in what seems like a more intimate setting.  Like in years past, there were three outdoor stages, one dance tent stage and a kid’s area with stage.  The difference this year was the dance tent and The Letting Go stage were further out from the main Hangout Stage and Chevrolet Stage.  This was a good move, for many reasons like sound overlap, and crowd overflow.  My favorite change was moving the Letting Go stage from a blacktop parking lot last year to a grassy area across the road this year.  This made for a way more comfortable concert setting, and less people passing out from dehydration.

This year’s lineup meant general admission tickets were sold out by the end of February, leaving only VIP options up for grabs.  Having had such a blast last year for my birthday weekend, I grabbed my early bird ticket right away before I even knew who was playing.  Fortunately there were not a lot of schedule conflicts, and only a few things I felt I could not miss, so I was able to do the Hangout the way it is meant to be, laid back, going with the flow and “just beachy”.  My later afternoon travel plans, meant I missed the Thursday kickoff which included a New Orleans flavor with Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

Friday we tried to cram some beach time, before heading in to catch Alabama Shakes.  This is a band that has blown up even before they had an official album out, and although it took the crowd a minute to get into the groove, “Hold On” had everyone singing along.  I even caught Brittany Howard chatting up some fans after the set while we held down a place for M. Ward’s upcoming set.

M. Ward is was one of my favorite sets, playing songs from a variety of his albums, including the newer peppier album “A Wasteland Companion”, as well as from She & Him, and even doing one of his Monsters of Folk songs.  I could not stop taking pictures during this set; it was so exciting to be so close.  Wilco was up next and great as always, playing a little something from their assortment of albums as the sun was setting over The Hangout.  The palm trees light up bright blue, and the Ferris Wheel lights make patterns over the crowds.

Jack White was the big finale for Friday, and he did not disappoint.  The only thing I regret is that I didn’t weasel my way closer to the stage for some pictures, but at least I had some dancing room back near the soundboard!  He started with an all male band of musicians, playing songs from Dead Weather, White Stripes as well as his “Blunderbuss” album.  I was thrilled to hear “Two Against One” from Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi’s 2011 album “Rome.”  About halfway in or so, the stage went dark and when the lights came back on; White’s and was all female.  The final song, Seven Nation Army accompanied by fireworks sent everyone home with a smile, and plenty of time to get rested for the next two music packed days.

Saturday was a less “have to see” day for me, and more of a see what we get to.  We started by catching part of Julian Marley, and getting his inspiring reggae vibe to get us dancing.  Next was the Heartless Bastards, who’s 2012 album Arrow is already on my “Best of 2012” list.  I am used to seeing them in much smaller venues, so this was a welcome change.  We then bounced back to the Hangout Stage to catch Gary Clark, Jr., who’s single “Don’t Owe You A Thang” has gotten him a lot of radio play.  Man, he has an amazing way with the guitar. He even popped back up on Sunday to play the BP Kid’s Stage.

Dr. Dog played the Letting Go stage, and the field was packed all the way to the street and beyond. I was relieved to see that guitarist Frank McElroy was not wearing his classic red white a blue beanie in the 85 degree heat.  The crowd sang and danced along to favorites like Shadow People, I Only Wear Blue, and Do The Trick.  A surprise favorite for me was Flogging Molly, they had the perfect energy to get the crowd amped up for Red Hot Chili Peppers.  There was even a gentle vibe to the mosh pit!

With no competing music on other stages, everyone tried to stake out a spot at the main stage for Red Hot Chili Peppers Saturday night.  The beach was packed way beyond the Sky Bar halfway mark.  I was glad to hear all the old Chili Pepper favorites, and less from the new album.  There are no words to describe what a 35,000 person sign along is like, but that happened for crowd favorites like Under the Bridge, and Californication.  They closed it out with Give It Away, and Flea preaching to the crowd about continuing to support live music followed by the nightly dose of fireworks.

Sunday Funday had only a few highlights since we needed so more beach time our last day on the Gulf, as did many other festival goers.  The beach was pretty packed until about 5:00 in the afternoon when we all started to rally for returning to the festival.  Before the beach, we got up and out early enough to catch the noonish Delta Spirit set.  It was the earliest we had made it into the festival all weekend, and although the lines to get in weren’t long, the Letting Go Stage area filled up quick.  The energy on stage made this a favorite set to my friends who were not familiar with the band.  Vasquez’s energetic leadership around the stage and getting audience participation is a welcome improvement to times I have seen them in the past. Put this band on your “must see this summer list” for sure!

We missed Michael Franti’s third Hangout appearance, as well as Cage the Elephant but managed to wander back into the festival about the time Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros were cranking out “Home.”  We got up close to catch the Flaming Lips, who opened with a few of their classics including “Yoshimi” and “Do You Realize.”  The rest of their set was playing Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” which also coincided with the solar eclipse.  Dave Mathews Band closed out the Hangout with a three hour set, of popular songs and jam sessions.

The Hangout 2012 seemed to go off without any major catastrophes or issues.  The mood was mellow and relaxed, and as I recount my memories from the weekend, I am ready to get my early bird ticket and do it all over again next year!

Check out more photos from The Hangout | 2012.