Lotus & Chris Robinson Brotherhood Rock The Great South Bay Music Festival Patchogue, NY 7-18-15

The sun was hot on this nearly perfect Summer day at Shorefront Park in Patchogue, New York. Saturday July 18th marked the third day of 2015’s highly successful Great South Bay Music Festival. This year, the festival was expanded to include Thursday, which featured Christina Perri and Colbie Caillat. Friday broke attendance records when The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and 311 treated fans to a great night of music. Saturday saw a new feature added to the festival as children tumbled and bounced at the “Kidzone” which featured top quality educational and fun children’s entertainment all day Saturday through Sunday.  Brightly colored, flowery skirts were the attire of the day while shorts, hats, sunglasses, and beards adorned other festival goers. Beach chairs, blankets, and strollers littered the grounds, children ran around, adults danced and hula hooped, all contributing to the flower child, bohemian atmosphere. On top of that, local brewers Blue Point Brewery provided many flavors of beer on tap, and local food vendors provided a large variety of food with many healthy, as well as fun choices for everyone.

An impressive twenty-two bands in total performed on the three stages set up across the grounds. Local, Independent musicians and acts played to groups of fans providing something for everyone. On the main stage, called the Blue Point Brews Stage, Long Island’s own Butchers Blind from Bellrose, New York started the day off strong with good old American Rock and Roll. Pete Mancini (guitar, vocals), Paul Anthony (drums, vocals), Brian Reilly (bass), and Christopher Smith (piano) entertained the gathering crowd with a great set of original music, including the single “Thursday Girl.” Check out their latest record Destination Blues to learn more about this talented band.

Next up to the main stage was Frogg Cafe. A New York based band with a unique style which combines many elements of music including, among others, Progressive, Experimental, Jazz Fusion, and Latin. Members William Ayasse (vocals, electric violin, mandolin), James Guarnieri (drums), John Lieto (vocals, trombone), Nicholas Lieto (vocals, keyboards, trumpet, flugelhorn), and Andrew Sussman (vocals, bass, cello) are a tight knit group flowing between their many styles seamlessly and, at times, switching to full on Jam band mode. Frogg Cafe was a real treat for fans of eclectic, Progressive Rock, and are well worth checking out as when they play shows around the area.

Soundswell brought some very unique elements to their stage show in the form of Yoga. The Patchogue Jam outfit included with them onstage, two Yoginis and one Yogi portraying various poses during their set. The band is made up of nine talented musicians including sisters Corey and Sydney Swinson (vocals), Ann Mcinerney (flute, saxophone, percussion, vocals), Fred Diekmann (keys, vocals, percussion), Steve Mall (guitar, vocals, percussion), Mike O’Rourke (drums), Brady Wilkins (congas, bongos, bells, whistles, shakers, vocals), Evan Hammer (guitar, percussion), and Keenan Boyle (bass, percussion). A hugely interesting show both visually and sonically, Soundswell proved to be very popular at this years festival.

Next was Twiddle from Castleton, VT. They are Brook Jordan on drums, Zdenek Gubb on bass, Ryan Dempsey on keyboards, and Mihali Savoulidis on guitar. Twiddle created a huge buzz on the festival grounds. Their complex arrangements coupled with superior musicianship along with catchy style has earned them a sizable following. The band performed to an enthusiastic crowd, while more gathered perhaps as yet unaware of the band. “Wildfire” began the set, with “Daydream Farmer” following. The crowd liked what they heard and showed their approval, urging the band on as they went into “White Light,” “Amydst the Myst” then”Earth Mama,” “Syncopated Healing,” and “Latin Tang.” The audience, clearly larger than before, Twiddle put on a strong performance of tight catchy original songs that raised the bar for the day.

Following was the band Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds who quickly took over the main stage. Fresh off the release of their latest record released May 18th, The Weather Below, Sister Sparrow combines Funk, Soul, Blues, and Rock and Roll to captivate audiences. Vocalist Arleigh Kincheloe is power and beauty as she commands the stage, drawing fans ever closer. Dan Boyden on drums and Bassist Josh Myers were a solid team creating the grooves while Guitarist Sasha Brown added the chunk and bite. Jackson Kincheloe on harmonica, Phil Rodriguez on trumpet, and Brian Graham on saxophones were responsible for the funk, and the seven piece delivered a soulful, bluesy, funky set with an edge. Included with originals “Don’t Be Jealous,” “We Need A Love,” and “Sugar,” was a slick cover of Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel,” mashed up with Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir.” The crowd was digging the vibe being laid down by the Dirty Birds as they continued delivering original tunes like “Prison Cells,” “Mama Knows,” and “Borderline,” followed by a Bluesy “Dr Feelgood,” which featured a soulful vocal performance by Arleigh Kincheloe and a ripping lead guitar break performed by Brown. Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds have announced a huge Fall tour, so watch for that, they will not disappoint.

One of the biggest attractions of the day, Chris Robinson Brotherhood was ready to go on the main stage. For those who are not up to speed yet, Chris Robinson Brotherhood was formed when Chris Robinson’s other band, The Black Crowes, went on hiatus in 2011. Fellow Crowes member, Keyboardist Adam MacDougall joined Robinson on this new project and with the help of Guitarist Neal Cassel, Bassist Mark Dutton, and Drummer George Sluppick, released three records. This year, after Sluppick was replaced by Tony Leone, Chris Robinson Brotherhood hit the road for the Summer and made a stop at the Great South Bay Music Festival to give Long Island a taste of their Blues infused brand of Psychedelic, Rock and Roll Jam style. Supporting their latest release from 2014, Phosphorescent Harvest, they began with “Jump the Turnstiles,” and “Roane County Banjo,” evoking a Grateful Dead vibe. The band was tight and the mood loose as the crowd swayed gently back and forth to Robinson’s soulful vocals and the sweet harmonies he shared with Cassel, MacDougall, and Dutton.

Jamming right along, “Reflections on a Broken Mirror” featured some tasty guitar licks from Cassel, while “Meanwhile in the Gods…” and “Shore Power” gave listeners a bit more of the new record, which was well received. The band also played a cover of Slim Harpo’s “The Music’s Hot.” Simply put, the Chris Robinson Brotherhood is a great band to see live, and they put on a brilliant Rock show at the festival. Those who missed Chris Robinson Brotherhood will have another chance to see them when they perform at Central Park Summerstage September 16th, as well as countless other dates now through October 17th.

Headlining this years festival on the main stage was the band which call themselves Lotus. Originally from Indiana, Lotus combines Rock, Jazz, and Jam with Dance and Electronica to create a truly unique experience. An instrumental band by nature, Lotus lit up the festival with an elaborate light show that really enhanced the electronic nature of their sound. “Inspector Norse” and “Age of Inexperience” started things off  by creating a giant Dance party involving the entire audience. Next was “Basin to Benin” with a Latin feel, while “Nematode,” “128” and “Expired Slang” had a decidedly Jazzier feel to them with Guitarist Mike Rempel and Guitarist/Keyboardist Luke Miller providing tasty licks over the grooves created by Bassist Jesse Miller, Drummer Mike Greenfield, and Percussionist Chuck Morris.

Keeping the energy flowing, the audience swelled for the Funky at times quirky, but always danceable sounds provided by this interesting group of musicians. Among the songs they performed, “Sunrain” was a fan favorite, seemingly because its up tempo, fun feel. “Arupa” featured beautiful musical interaction between Luke Miller on keyboards and Rempel on guitar, while “Jump Off” showed a more percussive side of the band as Morris took a step forward to great effect. Lotus is a highly skilled band of musicians and had the crowd dancing, hands over head, at times spinning, for the entire show. A great way to close a day of Jam.

The Great South Bay Music Festival Day Three proved to be very different from days One and Two. Besides a full day of great music all over, the food, drink, sights, along with the great staff, vendors, artisans, and volunteers were all top notch. The festival goers brought their families and helped create a day of pure enjoyment for all involved. It is no wonder that this event continues to be hugely successful and attendees come for multiple days to catch the diverse mix of music.

 

 

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