Written by: Tommy Waters
To say that Summer Serenade was a show to attend would be the understatement of the year. Being a person who generally keeps lofty expectations, I was completely floored regardless. Coming in the front door, I could hear the music already echoing through the venue from the tent situated outside. Raspberry Jackson threw down a groove-heavy jam as I perused around to the different vendors and artists; checking out organites, wire wraps, and art ranging from stylized realism to wildly abstract. Everywhere I looked I saw a familiar face, and smiles all around as The Outpost started to fill up.
By the time The JiMiller Band took the stage the party was in full swing as they projected a wave of happiness and good times on the crowd with Grateful Dead covers as well as originals. It wasn’t until I got to see JiMiller band a few years ago that I started to have a real appreciation for the Dead, and that night was no exception.
The sun was just setting as After Funk prepared to go on. Starting with their hit single “Freak” the tent immediately transformed into a raging dance party, with no one in the vicinity able to remain still. Dueling guitar and key-tar solos, heavy and melodic bass lines, and a beat sick enough to start anyone’s engines. Later in the set I got my wish to hear “Love Letdown” before they finished up with the slow, smooth, and highly emotional “The Mess We’ve Become.” Afterward, my partner in crime Yan and I caught up with bassist Jackson Steinwall and got to learn more about his disciplined but deeply natural feeling style.
We made it back up to the deck just in time for Mungion to start. This was only my second time seeing them, and while I don’t know their music well, I was keenly aware that I was in for a hell of a set from them. Their ability to weave in and out of genres will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions. Gritty, distortion-laden jams that circled back to bluegrass, and vibes of funk and just straight out rock filled the space, sending dancing bodies flowing about the tent.
Moving to the indoor stage for Electric Orange Peel, my legs had essentially become dead weight after the previous set and I opted to grab a seat at the bar. EOP has always been a band to catch so even fatigued as I was, I refused to miss them. Melting off the faces of those who dared to get too close. Their sonic inferno threatened to start a fire, but luckily tragedy was avoided as they finished up their set.
By this point, the homies were making ready to leave, so I hopped on the After Funk Magic School Bus and helped them get back to my friend’s apartment where they were staying to grab some rest. As we all lounged around watching TV until everyone eventually dozed off, I reflected on the day and all the fun that was had. To say the least, I was excited for what day two would hold.
I woke up Saturday afternoon and slowly prepared for the day. Once I got some food in me, it was go time. We made it to the venue in time to catch part of Subterranean’s set. Having never seen them previously, I was immediately surprised by their sound. A jammy mixture of funk and jazz, they fit perfectly in the lineup of acts for the night.
The Magic Beans are far and away one of the hottest jam bands in the festival circuit today. Bringing the experience to full tilt, they kicked off their set with “What in the World” from their album Casino Cabaret, causing a swirling of bodies inside the tent moving to the music. Even Princess Leia was caught head banging backstage. During the set, my good friend Max was kind enough to lend me the use of his DSLR camera so I could snap some decent pics of the goings on. Excitedly, I did my best to capture as many golden moments as I could, and there were plenty to be had. The crowd, much larger on the second night, was filled with ecstatic faces from corner to corner as The Beans closed out a juicy new jam and went on to finish up with “Beast” and “Off Leash.”
Finally, it was time to go back to the indoor stage for Bypass Circuit and Exmag. Two of my absolute favorite bands in the world, they’re known to bring the heat in a way no other artists can. Exmag’s “Low Tide” off of their new EP The Walls That Divide Us, lit the fire. The room was converted into a sauna of emotion made electric. I found myself dancing around the room surrounded by my Jamily, unable to stop my movements for more than a few seconds. But once they dug “The Embryo” out of the vault, I lost it. The dark, edgy tones with simplistic, yet tear inducing hip-hop inspired beats speak to my soul in a way that grips the heart. Eventually the Exmag-piloted flying saucer came in for a landing and I was released from the musical undertow.
Land of Panda was the last band I was able to catch of the weekend, but what a set it was. In-your-face rock that kept the party raging into the wee hours. As my energy once again waned, I walked around chatting with staff and fans getting their perspective on the weekend. I didn’t meet a single person who didn’t have an absolutely amazing time. I’d like to extend an enormous thank you to Hartstem Productions, the staff, bartenders, and organizers of Summer Serenade. You crushed it. So, while I’m sad that the weekend is over, I’m incredibly grateful to have been there to witness it. Here’s to hoping for another one next year! Cheers.
Summer Serenade Delivers Dance Party of the Season
