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Nostalgia vs. the Now: 25 Years with The String Cheese Incident April 30, 2019 10:44

Photo by Dylan Langille: ontheDL Photography

Interview by Brett Hutchins: BrettOnBands.com

Ten years ago, The String Cheese Incident took a chance on me.

As naive senior at Florida State, the dread and uncertainty of post-graduation was met with one sure thing - my absolute need to be involved in music. Resumes flew out to damn near every record label, booking agency, and publicity firm in the country.

One returned the email.

A day after graduation, I made the trek from Tallahassee, FL to Boulder, CO for an internship at SCI Fidelity Records. I was quickly rocketed into a world gloriously foreign to me, where all are welcome and the most different of people and styles are free to come together. The music of the String Cheese Incident did for me what it has done for people around the world and even the band members themselves. It forged seemingly impossible connections through the simple act of being open to adventure.

Bassist Keith Moseley chats here about the band’s 25 years, the communal spirit behind the band and its fans, and how the city of New Orleans inspires the band in front of this week’s JazzFest after-parties. It’s a conversation that points to the immense ways that music can transcend time and boundaries of all kinds.

Congrats on the 25th anniversary. Do you feel old?

Keith: Every day. It’s a serious milestone to reflect on and live with the fact that we’ve been a band for 25 years. We’re beating the odds and all staying healthy. I feel like we are making the best music ever together, too. It’s a special feeling.

I’ve read a lot of interviews where you speak about staying in the moment. How do you keep focused on that when there is so much nostalgia in the air this year?

Keith: The moment on stage? Part of being present with the band is how much new material we’ve written and recorded in the last few years. It feels like the band is going through a renewed sense of growth. To execute those songs onstage, you really have to be mindful and present. There’s no auto-pilot when you’re playing brand new songs. You have to remain super engaged up there in trying to play them the best you can.

Your music has created life-changing memories for thousands of folks. How does the band avoid the pressure of feeling like they need to replicate past experiences for some of their veteran fans?

Keith: There is definitely some expectation of the band every time we hit the stage. Some of that results in pressure to live up to the past, but we view it more as a responsibility to our fans and our past than pressure. This band, the music we make, and this scene we curate is big and important, more so than any one of us. It’s showing up and playing your role in this bigger thing. It’s all encompassing in that way. Sometimes you get that liftoff where the whole physical experience can take on importance for people.

When you guys were playing ski bars in the beginning, was there ever any thought into how big this could be?

Keith: It was hard to see how big it could go. 25 years and traveling worldwide with this music is a big deal. It’s hard to imagine, although the connection was very real on a smaller scale. We did get to those points of playing music quickly in those small bars. It got magical quickly. Getting that feeling and knowing we’re doing something emotional and powerful is a unique experience. Getting into those moments of absence is a special place I like to get to whenever I can.

I’ve chatted about Cheese with strangers in as faraway lands as Thailand. The community truly is worldwide. What makes your fans so special?

Keith: Our fans in general are an open-minded adventurous spirit as a group. They’re open to our wild palate of music and diverse ideas. That’s the type of people I want to hang out with.

Are there things the guys do, either musically or otherwise, that surprise you even after all this time?

Keith: Musically, we’re so familiar with each other, but surprises do still happen. I feel really fortunate to play with such amazing and spirited fellows. They’re a great group and it’s always an adventure. Personally, it’s fun, too. We’ve all been friends for a long time. Travis starting a family was a big surprise. We didn’t see that coming. But as an example, that’s been an amazing growth experience for him and it’s brought a lot of joy to his playing.

How organic is the current writing process? I’d imagine it helps a ton having your own studio space.

Keith: The Sound Lab has really gotten our focus and writing in place. We can come directly off the road and everything’s already set up to go. It’s been super inspiring. The process of writing is different for everyone. Lots of times we get together and band mates bring in songs that are complete or nearly complete. It’s just a matter of how we are going to put our group touch on it. Other times, it’s a group writing process where we’ve got a jam or a groove we’ve played before and want to revisit to build into an actual song.

It’s nice to have a studio space where we can come together and not be on the clock. It sure beats paying tons of money to be put on deadlines and have songs put together in x-amount of time. It helps us to be able to spread out the process between the writing and then shift into rehearsal head space.

Photo by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

How has family life and time passing in general affected the band’s songwriting?

Keith: Where you’re coming from in life is always going to have a big effect on your output when you’re writing. A lot of us are feeling mature in a lot of ways these days, with kids leaving home and moving on. Some of the guys have younger kids. Different chapters in your life affect songwriting in different ways. When there is a deeper well to draw from, it’s bound to yield positive results. That well gives you time to reflect and comment based on things you’ve seen. I’m excited about the material the band’s putting out. We’re still getting better and that alone is super exciting.

Are there any surprising lessons you’ve learned from music that you take into your everyday life?

Keith: Not many surprising, but lessons continue to reveal themselves, the most basic being that what you get out of it is a reflection of what you put into it. That remains true on so many levels.

What goes into preparations for shows these days with the weekend runs?

Keith: We’ll usually try to come up with a setlist before the run and pass that along via email to give everyone a chance to throw their input in. We’ll have a little time to prep on it and then we’ll rehearse and try to go over some of the stuff we haven’t hit in a long time or rehash the newer tunes. We have been rehearsing a lot though, which has been fun. There’s a lot of pre-planning, but there is always the chance we might ditch the setlist or call an audible here and there.

Does the time in between shows make it more difficult to build more momentum into the improve spaces?

Keith: That’s a continuing discussion with the band. Was it better when we were on the road playing five, six nights a week? The band certainly gets into a unique space when you’re doing intensive touring. Just by the virtue of all that time together, you get to a different space in the playing.

The flipside is that it can be a burnout being out for long stretches. Attacking things like we are right now gives us time to come in refreshed and looking forward to the gig, plus giving us rehearsal time at home. There are pros and cons of every way of doing these things.

The crowd comes in fresh and excited, as well.

Keith: Yeah, people are pumped to come to New Orleans. We had a big weekend in St. Louis after not being there in forever. It’s been a great run of shows this Spring, and I think we’re on a great trajectory.

I’ll be shooting over for those New Orleans shows. How will the shows with guests be structured? Full shows? Full sets? Just a few songs?

Keith: Just a few songs most likely.

What’s the communication like with these guests beforehand?

Keith: We’ll have a point person in the band assigned to each guest. They’ll reach out and get an idea of the tunes they can do, and then we’ll have some rehearsal with them day of show.

You guys have a pretty cool history with New Orleans all the way back to the early days. What makes New Orleans so special for the band?

Keith: We’ve all just been attracted to the vibe of the city and the musical richness of the city for a really long time. Before I had ever been to New Orleans, I was fan of its music. The Meters, the Neville Brothers, Dr. John.

We did some early gigs at the Maple Leaf mid to late 90s. It’s such a small room, but it was awesome soaking up the vibe. We’d see as many shows as we could see as well. I have great memories of seeing a late night Gatemouth Brown show. CJ Chenier and Buckwheat Zydeco come to mind as well. So we get pumped just coming to New Orleans.

Stream SCI's 1997 Maple Leaf Show with 2019 featured guest Anders Osborne here:

One last question and it might be the big unanswerable, but what’s next for the band after this anniversary run?

Keith: More of the same in a way. We’re going to hit it hard this year. There’s still some unannounced shows on the horizon for the remainder of the calendar year we’ll bust out soon. We look forward to getting out some unreleased music we’ve been working on in the Lab and a few more tracks that are going to trickle out and perhaps package that as an album. We’re on a great path as far as recording and creating music, and playing some great destination venues. We’ll look forward to more of that.

Great. I appreciate the time, Keith. It’s impossible to overstate how important the band’s music has been for me. It truly changed the trajectory of my life.

Keith: Thanks so much. It’s happened that way for a lot of people. It’s been a huge influence on all of us, too. We’ve all met our best friends, wives, and all kinds of people through this community. Thanks for being a part of it. We appreciate you.


Here's Why We're Stoked For Hulaween This Weekend October 22, 2018 15:26

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Words by Craig Baird: Home Team Photography
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The Suwannee Hulaween celebration is fast becoming one of the premier music festivals in the country. October 25th-28th, The String Cheese Incident and Purple Hat Productions, along with The Spirit of Suwannee Music Park, are pulling out all the stops to make this year’s Hulaween festival the biggest Halloween party yet. This weekend is sure to be an unforgettable four days of music and experiences. What sets Hulaween apart from other festivals is the incomparable setting of Suwanee. Set in Live Oak, FL amongst 800-acres of Spanish moss draped oak and cypress, The Spirit of Suwannee Music Park is easily one of the most beautiful music venues in the country.

On top of the natural beauty of Suwannee, the Spirit Lake experience takes the multi-day music festival to a new level. Full of lighting, pyrotechnics, art installations, performance art, and music, this interactive space creates a community atmosphere that encourages festival goers to engage with the surroundings and each other. 

The Spirit of Suwannee Music Park has been host of many great music festivals such as Wanee, Aura, The Purple Hatter’s Ball, and Suwannee River Jam, but Hulaween is unlike any other to come to the park. Similar to other festivals hosted by The String Cheese Incident, Suwannee Hulaween is more than just a lot of bands in the same place. It’s an experience that will be hard to forget. The String Cheese Incident, will return to Spirit of Suwannee music park to headline all three nights of the festival. ODESZA, Jamiroquai and Janelle Monáe will be joining them as headliners and bringing their own unique flavor to the fest.

It's not just the headliners that makes this years festival so special. With artists such as Tipper, The Revivalists, STS9, Gramatik, Lettuce, Emancipator, Galactic, The Polish Ambassador, and Yonder Mountain String Band, there’s a little something for everyone at Hulaween. 

This years pre party is going to be something special as well. Hulaween veterans Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, STS9, and Lettuce all return for a night that could stand with most full festival lineups. Some of my personal favorites CBDB and Funk You will perform also to help kick off Hulaween in proper fashion. This years festival is one not to be missed, and we look forward to providing coverage throughout the weekend.

Watch the official Hulaween (2017) after movie here:


Waterloo Music Festival Just Confirmed A Massive Inaugural Lineup June 12, 2018 12:37

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Photo by Craig Baird: Home Team Photography
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Just over a month ago, organizers of Waterloo Music Festival made quite the splash with the initial lineup for their inaugural festival on September 7th - 9th. The three-day event, which will be held at Carson Creek Ranch in Austin, TX, would feature The String Cheese Incident (x3), as well as Joe Russo's Almost Dead, Railroad Earth, The Motet, Boombox, TAUK, Marco Benevento, and many more to be announced. Earlier this morning, the festival rolled out the complete lineup, and this looks to be one of the hottest jam festivals of the summer.
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The latest additions include the likes of Oteil & Friends (Oteil Burbridge, Jeff Chimenti, Scott Metzger, John Kadlecik, Jay Lane, and Alfreda Gerald), Leftover Salmon, Perpetual Groove, BIG Something, Everyone Orchestra, Tea Leaf Green, and many more. The complete lineup can be found on the graphic below. Waterloo is presented by Heard Presents, Havin’ A Ball Productions, and Unknown Entertainment. Various ticket and camping packages are available now via the festival's official website. Make sure to follow Waterloo on both Facebook and Instagram for all of the latest updates!
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Suwannee Hulaween Reveals Heavy Hitting 2018 Lineup May 23, 2018 10:15

Photo by Keith Griner: Phierce Photo

The String Cheese Incident, Jamiroquai, ODESZA, Janelle Monáe, Tipper, The Revivalists, Vulfpeck, STS9, REZZ, Tory Lanez, Gramatik, NGHTMRE, Action Bronson, Lettuce, Trampled By Turtles, Stephen Marley, Bishop Briggs, Dr. Dog, TroyBoi, Medeski Martin & Wood, Lizzo, Mavis Staples, Emancipator Ensemble, Snakehips, The Wood Brothers, Galactic, The Polish Ambassador & The Diplomatic Scandal, Manic Focus & The MF’n Band, OPIUO, Yonder Mountain String Band, Turkuaz, Trevor Hall, SunSquabi, Soulection, Justin Martin, Fisher, Bustle In Your Hedgerow, and MORE

Tickets On Sale Now at www.suwanneehulaween.com

Today Suwannee Hulaween, one of North America’s premiere multi-faceted boutique festival experiences, has revealed the complete musical lineup for its 2018 event. This all-encompassing collection of some of live and electronic music’s most revered talent will offer fans an essential soundtrack for another fully immersive creative journey at The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak Florida October 26-28.

Hulaween prides itself on assembling a who’s who billing of scene leading talent with a focus on defying genre boundaries and attracting all tastes. The 2018 festival will feature headlining sets from the likes of longtime host band of the festival The String Cheese Incident, plus a top billing of Grammy award winners and nominees featuring live-electronic front runners ODESZA, a South-East exclusive and one of just five 2018 North American performances by modern funk icons Jamiroquai, and very special showing by singer-songwriter Janelle Monae on the wake of her blowout Dirty Computer record. The star-studded billing continues with the reigning king of west coast bass Tipper, five piece American funk band Vulfpeck, multiple sets by leaders of the post-rock dance movement STS9, the alternative radio chart topping wonder of The Revivalists, dark-electro wunderkind Rezz, plus the unique electronic stylings of Gramatik, NGHTMRE, Troyboi, Snakehips, Emancipator Ensemble, Manic Focus & the MF’n Band, Justin Martin, Kill Frenzy,  and many more.

In Suwannee Hulaween Talent Buyer & Partner Michael Berg’s own words, “Our entire team obsesses over the lineup from top to bottom. Within our means, we strive to make sure it's exactly what the #HulaCrew is looking for musically when they come visit us in FL for the weekend at Suwannee. While there are many acts procured and/or lost throughout the difficult booking process, the 2018 lineup came together magically and feels like in year 6, it's our strongest to date."

 

"One special artist addition for us all this year was landing 1 of only 5 total US Jamiroquai performances for their first time stateside in 13+ years. This will be the South East exclusive performance for the Grammy award winning pioneers of future funk from the UK. It's a full circle moment for us as fans, and a dream come true as independent promoters to work with a living legend who's music and career has had such a profound effect on our path to where & who we are."

The Hulaween experience is spawned through the unique blend of peak musical experiences with a never-ending assemblage of immersive environments and activities to explore. Hula fans may find themselves getting lost in the awe-inspiring artistic portal of Spirit Lake, starting their day with a rejuvenating yoga class, or seeking inspiration at a speaker session or workshop. Surprises hide beyond every turn at Hulaween with utmost care going into the curation of art-installations and live performers plus, of course, the unbound creativity and embracing ethos of its loyal attendees.

It is through this unique sense of community, creativity, and connection that Suwannee Hulaween has grown from a friends and family campout to one of the alternative festival scene’s most joyous reunions.

About Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park

Set in the midst of 800-acres of Spanish moss-draped oak and cypress along the black Suwannee River and complete with the largest bat house in the southeast U.S, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is one of the most beautiful live music venues in the country. The park also offers guest comforts including a general store, full-service restaurant, free showers, indoor bathrooms and water stations.

For More Information, Tickets, and VIP Packages for Suwannee Hulaween 2018, please visit:

WWW.SUWANNEEHULAWEEN.COM

 


SweetWater 420 Festival: A Weekend We Will Never Forget April 26, 2018 18:01

Words by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

Photos by Craig Baird: [Home Team Photography] & Ryan Lewis [Rylewphoto]

Growing up in the southeast, I became accustomed to traveling to Atlanta to see my favorite bands at an early age. Weekend excursions to The Tabernacle became a regular occurrence by the time I was in high school, with plenty of trips to The Fox Theatre and Variety Playhouse mixed in as well. Just last year, I finally made plans to attend SweetWater 420 Festival, which was clearly becoming one of the premier festivals in the country. Following that weekend, it was clear that this would become my latest annual tradition. No excuses.

After a lineup which featured two nights of Widespread Panic, Trey Anastasio Band, moe., Ween, and Dark Star Orchestra (just to name a few), festival organizers had their work cut out for them. When the initial lineup dropped in mid-October, it almost felt like they were reading my mind. Umphrey’s McGee, Sturgill Simpson, and Tedeschi Trucks Band sat atop this lineup, along with Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Vulfpeck, Papadosio, Anders Osborne, Spafford, and many more. The second wave would ultimately include The String Cheese Incident, Greensky Bluegrass, Ghostland Observatory, The Infamous Stringdusters, and the young phenom Brandon “Taz” Niederauer.

Once the schedule was released, plans were made to arrive early on Friday afternoon. Southern Avenue was rocking the Planet 420 Stage in full force, and The Record Company was getting started on the main stage shortly after. We made a point to catch a nice segment of both sets and couldn’t have asked for a better way to start the weekend. This was my first opportunity to see either of these bands live, and I’ll definitely be making a point to see both again.

If you follow the festival scene at all, you’ve surely seen the hype surrounding Spafford. This band has taken the jam world by storm, selling out just about every venue on the schedule. This would be my first live experience with them as well, and I was totally floored. The band came out swinging the “Backdoor Funk” and “The Remedy” and continued with killer takes on “Windmill,” “Lovesick Melody,” and “Minds Unchained.” They closed out the set with Tom Petty’s “You Don’t Know How It Feels,” and I think everyone was wishing we had a second set. I was fortunate enough to attend to Spafford’s late night show at Variety Playhouse, which seemed to be the hottest ticket in town. This set included some amazing takes on “Electric Taco Stand,” “All My Friends,” “Salamander Song,” “All In,” and a cover of Men at Work’s “Down Under.”

Watch Spafford perform "You Don't Know How It Feels" here:

Sturgill Simpson was up next on the main stage. This would be he and his band’s first performance since October 14th, and it was clear that these guys were ready to rock. Highlights from this set included originals such as “Turtles All The Way Down” and “Keep It Between The Lines,” while the cover of Freddie King’s “Going Down” really got the crowd moving. While Sturgill has one of the most unique, powerful voices I’ve ever heard, his guitar playing is equally impressive. He’s one of the most talented performers I’ve ever watched, and it’s exciting to think about what the future holds.

The String Cheese Incident has been very kind to Atlanta in recent years. The past two summers have featured some amazing two-night runs at Chastain Park Amphitheatre, and expectations were high for Friday night’s headlining spot. The band got off to a hot start with “Sirens,” “Let’s Go Outside, and “Song In My Head.” The Motet’s Lyle Divinsky and Dave Watts, along with local Atlanta vocalist Rhonda Thomas, joined in on “Get To You,” before a cover of Jamiroquai’s “Space Cowboy” and “Believe” closed out the set.

Cheese returned to the stage with young star Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, who traded licks with Michael Kang and Bill Nershi throughout “Close Your Eyes.” Second set highlights also included “Beautiful,” “Joyful Sound,” “Rollover,” and “Restless Wind.” The crowd had a chance to sing “Happy Birthday” to drummer Michael Travis during the encore, and Taz + Rhonda Thomas would return for the closer, “I Saw The Light.”

Saturday may have been my favorite day of the weekend, and there are a number of reasons why. One of my favorite regional bands, Funk You, kicked things off with an amazing set on the main stage. The band welcomed The Brotherhorns for the entirety of the set, and the Augusta natives brought out an impressive crowd for the early set. Funk You delivered a number of killer originals before closing things out with The Village People's "Kung Fu Fighting" with a little help from three dancers dressed as Gumby. Why not?

Watch Funk You perform "Kung Fu Fighting" here:

Anders Osborne was up next on the main stage, and I could listen to this guy for days. Anders has one of the most soothing voices you will find, and his songwriting is tough to beat. As is the case at most festivals, you're forced to cut several sets earlier than you'd like, and I knew I couldn't miss a minute of Marco Benevento. As a longtime fan of the Benevento Russo Duo, it's been remarkable to watch Marco's career flourish. This was my first chance to see his solo band, and it was easily one of the weekend highlights. This set was jam packed with energy from start to finish, and I was floored by bassist Karina Rykman. They gave us an amazing cover of Butthole Surfers' "Pepper" and had the entire crowd going wild as they closed out with "At The Show."

Brandon "Taz" Niederauer was arguably the star of the weekend. While he made guest appearances with all three headliners, he and his band provided an incredible set on Saturday afternoon. The last time I'd seen Taz in Atlanta, he was tearing through a guitar solo as his mentor Col. Bruce Hampton tragically passed away on stage. Watching him perform "I'm So Glad" in Bruce's honor was a truly special moment. While his guitar playing is essentially indescribable, this "kid" can really sing too. 

While this weekend had many peak moments, Joe Russo's Almost Dead was my personal main event. Thankfully, the second wave of artist announcements included a second set for JRAD, which set us up for an unforgettable evening. A lengthy jam led into "Cats Down Under The Stars," while "Feel Like A Stranger" would follow. A beautiful take on "The Wheel" led into a rockin' "Estimated Prophet," which segued perfectly into "He's Gone" to close the set. The second set was as strong as anything I've seen from these guys. "Shakedown Street" set the tone right off the bat and moved straight into "I Need A Miracle." The set continued with "Ramble On Rose," and "China Cat Sunflower" > "I Know You Rider," before "Not Fade Away" and "One More Saturday Night" closed out the set on the highest of notes. I could go on for days about this band. Here's to hoping that they become regular performers at this festival.

While I hated to miss The Infamous Stringdusters and Ghostland Observatory, we solidified our spot front and center for Tedeschi Trucks Band. This was the most intriguing storyline of the weekend for me, as I knew this JRAD > TTB sequence would be outrageous. To no one's surprise, TTB came out firing with a downright spiritual set which included classics such as "Made Up Mind," "Part of Me," and "Midnight in Harlem." Susan Tedeschi led a beautiful combo of "Angel From Montgomery" > "Sugaree," and young Taz made his way onto the stage for a monster cover of "Statesboro Blues." Watching he and Derek Trucks trade licks on the Allman Brothers' classic was a moment I'll never forget. Taz would also join the band for the encore which featured Sly & The Family Stone's "Sing a Simple Song" > "I Want To Take You Higher."

Sunday's weather looked questionable all week, and the rainy forecast became a reality early on. This was a familiar situation for those who attended the festival last year, and a little dancing in the rain is good for the soul. Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds kicked things off with a super soulful performance. Greensky Bluegrass would follow with their wildly entertaining serving of jamgrass. This would give us yet another cameo from Taz, who took the lead on the Allman Brothers' "Midnight Rider." We then made our way to the Planet 420 Stage to catch the tail end of TAUK. This band is one of the most talented, dynamic bands on the scene, and we caught them just in time for an incredible cover of Rush's "Tom Sawyer." 

Watch Greensky Bluegrass perform "Midnight Rider" with Taz here:

The bouncing between stages continued as we prepared for Vulfpeck on the main stage. Frequent collaborators Antwuan Stanley, Joey Dosik, and Corey Wong were each on hand for the funky occasion. The set was highlighted by classics such as "Animal Spirits," "1612," "Funky Duck," "Back Pocket," "Christmas in LA," and even a cover of Stevie Wonder's "Boogie On Reggae Woman." Bassist Joe Dart would lead the way through "Dean Town" to close out a high-energy occasion with Vulfpeck. Meanwhile, Papadosio was closing out the Planet 420 stage in powerful fashion. We walked up just in time to catch a sequence which included "Cue," "Garden," and "We Are Water." The energy was palpable as the rain picked up, and the Papadosio dance party was a sight to see. 

The final performance of the weekend belonged to Umphrey's McGee, and they closed out a magical weekend in fine form. They kicked off the set with "Half Delayed" and "Remind Me," before "Booth Love" really got the party moving. "Preamble" would follow before what would become a massive "Mantis" sandwich. The sequence of "Mantis" > "Wife Soup", "Lenny" w/ Taz, "Draconian" > "Mantis" would definitely need to be on any list of weekend highlights. "Wappy Sprayberry" and "Ringo" would put an exclamation point on a wild, rainy set from Umphrey's. The encore began with a very fitting cover of Led Zeppelin's "Fool In The Rain," which was followed by "Ocean Billy" and "The Silent Type." While there were quite a few heavy hitters on this lineup, Umphrey's most certainly justified their spot in closing out the festivities.

As you would expect, there was wide variety of afterparties around Atlanta each night. While many made their way to Variety Playhouse for TAUKing McGee on Sunday night, our crew headed over to one of my favorite venues, Aisle 5. Local favorites Bird Dog Jubilee were set to perform 'A Picture of Hoist' which consisted of songs from the two Phish albums ('A Picture of Nectar' and 'Hoist'). From start to finish, these guys absolutely killed it and provided a perfect ending to our 420 Fest experience. It's always a pleasure catching a show at Aisle 5, and Sunday night was no different.

I've said more than enough at this point, but I'll conclude by saying that I truly believe this was my favorite festival experience to date. You couldn't ask for a better lineup, and Centennial Olympic Park is perfectly structured for a festival of this magnitude. There were a handful of sets that I really wish I could've seen, but it's impossible to catch them all. Festival organizers and the entire staff did an absolutely phenomenal job, and things couldn't have run any smoother. I'm not sure how they will top this year's experience, but I have no doubt that they will. 


String Cheese Incident's Bill Nershi Confirms Status For LOCKN' August 23, 2017 00:13

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Photo by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen
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Bill Nershi of The String Cheese Incident has confirmed that he is in good health and ready for this weekend's LOCKN Festival. Nershi was forced to miss Sunday's show at Oregon Eclipse Festival while battling a case of benign positional vertigo (BPV). The band's frontman took to his personal Facebook page on Tuesday afternoon to clear the air and express his excitement to return to Oak Ridge Farm for the SCI's rotating sets with Umphrey's McGee on Thursday night. See below for Nershi's official statement.
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  • Hi everyone,
    Okay, here's the skinny. I had benign positional vertigo (BPV). Crystals in a cavity in my inner ear had dislodged themselves somehow, causing the sensation that things were moving when they weren't. I went to a hearing specialist that used a technique of having me lay back and move my head from side to side and use this vibrating thing against my head to get the crystals to gravitate back into the proper cavity. He said there is now absolutely no danger in flying. I am good to go!!!! See ya at Lockn' this weekend!

    Thanks everyone for your concern and good vibes,
    Billy

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Watch footage from SCI's recent Red Rocks run here:
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Kyle Hollingsworth Band Announces Fall Southeast Run August 18, 2017 14:02

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Photo by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen
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Kyle Hollingsworth Band has announced a four-show run through several of the Southeast's top venues. The String Cheese Incident keyboardist will see his solo project through The Charleston Pour House (Oct. 12th), Atlanta's Terminal West (Oct. 13th), Asheville Music Hall (Oct. 14th) and Raleigh's Pour House Music Hall (Oct. 15th). Direct support will come from CBDBBroccoli Samurai, and City Dirt Duo. See below for further show details, and stay tuned for future updates!
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Oct. 12th: Charleston Pour House - Charleston SC *
Oct. 13th: Terminal West - Atlanta, GA +
Oct. 14th: Asheville Music Hall - Asheville, NC *
Oct. 15th: The Pour House Music Hall - Raleigh, NC *#
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* w/ CBDB
+ w/ Broccoli Samurai
# w/ City Dirt Duo
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Watch Kyle Hollingsworth Band's music video "The Way It Goes": 
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The String Cheese Incident Announces Thanksgiving & NYE Plans July 25, 2017 14:32

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Photo by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen
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The String Cheese Incident continues to make plenty of noise this summer, just having completed another wildly entertaining three-night stand at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. On Sunday night, the band issued a 'Save The Date' note which includes a two-night run at the Chicago Theatre (Nov. 24th-25th) as well as a three-night New Year's run at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY (Dec. 29th-31st). Each of the band’s past NYE Runs dating back to 2012 have been held at the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield, Colorado. Cheese last played the Northeast for New Year’s in 2004, when they performed at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Ticketing options for both runs are expected to be released soon. Stay tuned for further details!
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Watch SCI perform "Sweet Spot" on 12/31/14 here:
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The String Cheese Incident Announces Summer Tour Schedule February 27, 2017 14:25

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Photo by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen
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Veteran jam band The String Cheese Incident has revealed its schedule for the summer of 2017, which include a handful of festival appearances as well as multi-night runs.  After performing at Mountain Jam (Hunter, NY) and both weekends of Electric Forest, the band will return to Chastain Park Amphitheatre in Atlanta, GA for a two-night run on July 7th-8th.  This will be the second consecutive summer that SCI has played the unique, outdoor Atlanta venue.  The band returns to Red Rocks Amphitheatre for a three-night run on July 21st-23rd,  Additional summer performances include Element Music Festival (Princeton, BC), Summer Meltdown Festival (Darrington, WA), Oregon Eclipse 2017 (Crook Country, OR), and a highly anticipated return to LOCKN' Festival (Arrington, VA) to close out the summer.  
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According to the band: “Tickets for Red Rocks, Atlanta, and Element Music Festival will go on sale on Wednesday, March 1st at 11am MST through SCI Ticketing, followed by public on sales on Friday, March 3rd through venue outlets. A limited amount of Oregon Eclipse tickets will go on sale Tuesday 2/28 at 11:11 AM PST.”  See below for a complete list of tour dates, and make sure to head over to the band's official website for further details.  
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Watch SCI perform "Sympathy for the Devil" at Chastain Park Amphitheatre on 07.03.16 here:
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The String Cheese Incident Summer Tour

June 16-18 – Mountain Jam – Hunter, NY
June 22-25 – Electric Forest – Rothbury, MI
June 29-July 2 – Electric Forest – Rothbury, MI
July 7 & 8 – Chastain Park – Atlanta, GA
July 21-23 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO
August 3-6 – Element Music Festival – Princeton, BC
August 10-13 – Summer Meltdown Festival – Darrington, WA
August 17-23 – Oregon Eclipse 2017 – Crook County, OR
August 24-27 – LOCKN’ Festival – Arrington, VA


The String Cheese Incident Confirms Seven "Spring Cheese" Dates January 24, 2017 15:23

The String Cheese Incident has confirmed a total of seven "Spring Cheese" tour dates which will span from the midwest to Texas during early to mid April.  First up is a two-night stand at The Palace Theatre in St. Paul, Minnesota on April 5th and 6th.  The band then heads over to Wisconsin for a two-night run at The Orpheum Theater in Madison, Wisconsin on April 7th and 8th. Following the four midwest shows, SCI will head down to Texas for three nights at Stubb’s in Austin, Texas on April 13th – 15th.  Tickets to these shows go on sale through SCI Ticketing beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, January 25th at 11 a.m. MT. Special travel packages for the Texas run of shows is available via CID Entertainment.

Click Here: Official SCI Tour Page


The String Cheese Incident & Members Of Grateful Dead Announce 'Los Muertos Con Queso' September 26, 2016 14:50

The String Cheese Incident and members of the Grateful Dead have revealed plans for a brand new destination weekend dubbed "Los Muertos Con Queso."  This event will feature three nights of SCI, along with three nights of Los Muertos, a newly formed supergroup featuring Bill Kreutzmann & Bob Weir with Dave Schools, Jeff Chimenti & Tom Hamilton.  Official details on the destination event can be found below via LosMuertosConQueso.com.  Stay tuned for future updates on this exciting event!

Los Muertos con Queso is an all-inclusive concert vacation in one of the most beautiful parts of the world. You’ll be whisked from the airport in special Los Muertos con Quesoshuttles and taken to your tropical resort, where your all-inclusive vacation will begin. You’ll experience four unforgettable nights of music on the beach: Bill Kreutzmann & Bob Weir with Dave Schools, Jeff Chimenti and Tom Hamilton (3 nights), The String Cheese Incident (3 nights), The Chris Robinson Brotherhood (1 night), an intimate, acoustic performance by Chris Robinson and Neal Casal, and much more. The Caribbean Sea provides a gorgeous backdrop for these beachfront concerts, with the state-of-the art stage just feet away from the clear blue waters.

The Barceló Maya Beach, an incredible all-inclusive resort, will play host to the concerts. The resort sits on a mile-long stretch of white sandy beach and stunning landscapes, with eight glittering pools across the property. You may reserve a room at the Barceló, or choose to stay at another one of our other carefully selected hotels. With the exception of the Rosewood, which is not considered all-inclusive, each resort features a variety of restaurants, multiple bars and daily activities, all included in your package price. Spend your days lounging by the pool and beach, or explore the nearby towns of Tulum or Playa del Carmen. Partake in exciting off-site adventures, or sleep off the night before and soak up some sun.

Each night, guests staying at the Barceló Maya will walk out of their rooms and take a short stroll to the beach to see the show. If you are staying at one of our other properties, a shuttle will deliver you within feet of the main stage.

For futher details on this event, head over to LosMuertosConQueso.com.


Watch Members of The Allman Brothers Band Join The String Cheese Incident at Peach Fest August 14, 2016 03:34

Photo by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

After learning that Gregg Allman would be taking time off from the road to due "serious health issues," The Peach Festival was unfortunately forced to cancel the highly anticipated Gregg Allman Incident scheduled for this weekend.  Fortunately, adjustments were quickly made to arrange The Allman Brothers Family Incident, which occurred during the first of two sets from The String Cheese Incident on Friday night.  Throughout the set, the band welcomed former Allman Brothers' drummers Butch Trucks and Jaimoe, bassist Oteil Burbridge, percussionist Marc Quiñones, and guitarist Jack Pearson.

The set kicked off with "Statesboro Blues," and was followed by ABB hits such as "Midnight Rider," "Melissa," "Ain't Wastin' Time No More," Bob Dylan's "Quinn The Eskimo," and an lengthy jam on "Jessica" > "Drums" > "Jessica."  Video footage from "Jessica," Trouble No More," and "Ain't Wastin' Time No More" can be watched below, and a complete setlist from Friday nights show can also be found. 

Watch the band's 17-minute "Jessica" here:
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Watch a clip from "Trouble No More" here:

Watch a clip from "Ain't Wastin' Time No More" here:

The String Cheese IncidentPeach Music Festival; Scranton, PA

Set I: Statesboro Blues, Midnight Rider, Trouble No More, Melissa, Outside & Inside, Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More, Quinn The Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn), Jessica > Drums > Jessica

Set II: Can’t Wait Another Day, Believe > Dudley’s Kitchen, Song In My Head > Sirens > BollyMunster, Close Your Eyes, It Is What It Is > Colorado Bluebird Sky

Source: friendsofcheese.com


The String Cheese Incident Delivers Epic July 4th Celebration in Atlanta July 5, 2016 14:50

Words and Photos by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

It is always a special occasion when The String Cheese Incident embarks on a lengthy tour, especially when said tour includes a handful of dates in the southeast.  As soon as the band announced it's two-night July 4th run in Atlanta, there was no doubt as to what I would be doing on this Independence Day weekend.  Following an unforgettable performance on Sunday night, Cheese returned to the stage at Chastain Park on Monday night for a July 4th celebration that we will be talking about for years to come.  

Click Here: Recap + Photo Gallery + Video from Sunday Night (07/03) at Chastain Park

The first set got started with "Valley of the Jig," a melodic bluegrass instrumental which featured some amazing back-and-forth moments from Michael Kang on fiddle and Bill Nershi on guitar, before transitioning into a somewhat techno jam.  No band can pull off that concept quite like Cheese. "Got What He Wanted" was next; giving the lively Atlanta crowd a well-known sing-along early on.  Another vintage bluegrass instrumental then came in the form of "Dudley's Kitchen," one which simply demands you to dance.  Keith Moseley (bass/vocals) then took the lead on "Sometime's a River," another heartwarming sing-along.  

The energy in Chastain Park went to another level with the jam-focused "Turn This Around," a tune that allows Kang to absolutely wail on the electric guitar.  A seamless transition led into "Smile," and if that song doesn't make you feel all warm and fuzzy, you may have some issues worth addressing.  The band then introduced Ms. Rhonda Thomas, who would be making her first of many appearances on stage.  They wasted no time busting into a cover of Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" that will never be forgotten to close the first set.  Fortunately, Moseley assured the crowd that we would be seeing more of Ms. Thomas in the second set.

After a brief intermission, Cheese returned to the stage and called upon Ms. Thomas for her vocal assistance once again.  Kyle Hollingsworth led us into the super funky "Believe," and the second set was off to a blazing start.  Moseley stepped up once again for "Sweet Spot," easily one of the catchiest, feel-good tunes in the Cheese catalog.  That seems to be a bit of a pattern anytime Moseley handles lead vocals.  

Rhonda Thomas stayed on stage for one more tune, and nobody saw it coming.  The band busted into a cover of Vulfpeck's "Funky Duck," and it could not have been a better decision.  If you haven't yet jumped on the Vulfpeck funk bandwagon, I recommend making it a priority.  Nershi calmed things down a bit with "Farther," just before Kang led a raging "Howard" that pumped a new life into Chastain Park.  I'd be shocked if there was a single attendant not singing along as the band worked through "Outside and Inside," the title track from the band's 2001 studio release (Outside Inside).  The decision to cover the Allman Brother's "Hot 'Lanta" couldn't have been any more appropriate, and the ultimate buildup into "Let's Go Outside" was simply perfect.  Hollingsworth left it all on the stage as he led the crowd through one of Cheese's newer, high-energy funk tunes.

Unfortunately, this "weekend" had to end somewhere, but not before an overwhelming encore.  "Black Clouds," one of my all-time favorites from the Born on the Wrong Planet album, gave us one more chance to get down to the classic Cheese bluegrass vibe.  Our old friend Rhonda Thomas then took the stage for one final appearance, which Moseley described as "the most patriotic song we could possibly play on July 4th."  This version of "America, The Beautiful" was on another level, prompting a whole lot of hugs and high fives throughout Chastain Park

I simply can't say enough about The String Cheese Incident and their ability to resonate such a warm energy with every song.  After nearly 15 years of listening attentively to this band, this was only the fifth and sixth opportunity I have had to see them live.  This weekend will serve as a constant reminder of why I fell in love with this band at such an early age, and why I plan on going out of my way to see them again whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Click Here: Recap + Photo Gallery + Video from Sunday Night (07/03) at Chastain Park

Watch The String Cheese Incident and Ms. Rhonda Thomas perform Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" here:

Setlist: The String Cheese Incident - Atlanta, GA - 07.04.16
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Set 1: Valley of the Jig, Got What He Wanted > Dudley's Kitchen, Sometimes A River, Turn This Around > Smile, Signed Sealed Delivered (I'm Yours)* %
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Set 2: Believe*, Sweet Spot*, Funky Duck*^, Farther, Howard, Outside and Inside > Hot 'Lanta # > Let's Go Outside
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Encore: Black Clouds, America The Beautiful*
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Notes: * w/ Rhonda Thomas on vocals
^ Vulfpeck cover 
# Allman Brothers Band cover
% Stevie Wonder cover
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The String Cheese Incident Lights Up Atlanta's Chastain Park July 4, 2016 12:49

Words and Photos by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

The String Cheese Incident returned to Atlanta for the first time in over five years (Fox Theatre: 11/26/11 - 11/27/11) on Sunday night, and they did so in fine form.  This would serve as the third show of the band's summer tour, and the first of a two-night run at the prestigious Chastain Park Amphitheatre.  After a thirty minute rain delay, the crowd filtered back into the stands just before 8:00 PM EST, ready for the party that would follow.

The band came out swinging as they opened with "Close Your Eyes," before moving into "Doin' My Time."  "Betray The Dark" and "Xai Xai" would come next, only to be followed by the rousing classic "Rhythm of the Road."  Kyle Hollingsworth (keys/vocals) then took full control and led the rowdy Atlanta crowd through one of the bands newer dance party tunes "Stop, Drop, Roll" to close out the first set.

Following a brief set break, the band returned to the stage with overwhelming energy as they worked through the trancey, electronic "Bumpin' Reel."  The heavy funk vibe continued with "Dirk," before Billy Nershi (guitar/vocals) calmed things down a bit with the always beautiful "Windy Mountain."  Keith Moseley (bass) got everyone moving again with the heavy, slap bass driven "Freedom Jazz Dance," as Chastain Park became an official dance party.  From here, Michael Kang took the lead with the peaceful, melodic opening notes of "Shine," which always builds into such a powerful tune.  

Michael Travis (drums) and Jason Hann (percussion) would then lead the band into The Rolling Stones' "Sympathy For The Devil," a move that sent the entire amphitheater into an all out frenzy.  And just when you thought the energy had reached it's peak, Hollingsworth kicked the jam straight into a raging "Rosie" that would close out the second set.  After a brief exit from the stage, the band returned with special guest Tony Furtado (mandolin) for a mesmerizing performance of the classic "Restless Wind."  Cheese returns to the stage at Chastain Park on Monday night for what is sure to be an epic celebration of America's freedom.

Check out our favorite photos from night one at Chastain Park below, as well as video clips from "Shine" and "Sympathy for the Devil." Stay tuned for coverage of the band's Fourth of July celebration on Monday night in Atlanta!

Setlist: The String Cheese Incident - Atlanta, GA - 07.03.16

SET 1: Close Your Eyes > Doin' My Time, Betray The Dark, Xai Xai, Rhythm of the Road > Stop, Drop, Roll

SET 2: Bumpin' Reel, Dirk, Windy Mountain > Freedom Jazz Dance, Shine > Sympathy For The Devil > Rosie

ENCORE: Restless Wind1

NOTES: 1 with Tony Furtado

Watch a clip of The String Cheese Incident performing "Shine" here:
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Watch a clip of The String Cheese Incident performing "Sympathy for the Devil" here:

 


Watch String Cheese Incident & Karl Denson's Prince/Bowie Tribute at Electric Forest June 29, 2016 17:58

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This past weekend marked the sixth annual Electric Forest, the annual music festival headlined by The String Cheese Incident in Rothbury, Michigan.  The festival also served as the first three shows of The String Cheese Incident's 2016 summer tour.  It's no secret that 2016 has been a tough year for the music industries, losing many icons including both Prince and David Bowie.   Bands have been paying tribute to both artists throughout the year, and Cheese did so in fine fashion on Saturday night.  Early in the second set, the band called on none other than Karl Denson (saxophone) for a killer sequence of Prince's "Kiss," Bowie's "Let's Dance," Prince's "Let's Go Crazy," and Bowie's "Space Oddity."  Thankfully, some fan-shot footage of the tribute has surfaced on YouTube.
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Electric Forest Festival is a four-day multi-genre event, with a focus on electronic and jam band genres, held in Rothbury, Michigan, at the Double JJ Resort. The original event was called Rothbury Festival, debuted in 2008, and focused on jam bands and rock bands. The event was not held in 2010. Electric Forest, which debuted in 2011, is co-produced by Insomniac Events and Madison House. The 2015 event drew an estimated 45,000 attendees.
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Watch String Cheese Incident & Karl Denson cover Prince's "Kiss" & David Bowie's "Let's Dance" here:
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Watch String Cheese Incident & Karl Denson cover David Bowie's "Let's Dance" here":
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Watch String Cheese Incident & Karl Denson cover Prince's "Let's Go Crazy" here":
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Setlist: The String Cheese Incident at Electric Forest, Rothbury, MI - 6/25/16

Set 1:  BollyMunster, Song In My Head > Dudley's Kitchen, Sweet Spot, Falling Through the Cracks, Turn This Around > Can't Wait Another Day, Beautiful

Set 2: Believe, Stop Drop Roll, Kiss* (Prince) > Let’s Dance* (Bowie) > Let’s Go Crazy* (Prince) > Space Oddity* (Bowie), Search, Valley of the Jig > Kinky Reggae, Colliding, Jellyfish > Just One Story

* w/ Karl Denson


The String Cheese Incident Announces 20+ Summer Tour Dates March 8, 2016 12:43

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The String Cheese Incident has revealed its full 2016 summer tour schedule, featuring 20+ Incidents coast to coast. After headlining Electric Forest, SCI will celebrate 4th of July weekend with "Independence Incidents" in Asheville, NC and Atlanta, GA, followed by dates in Cooperstown, NY (w/ Twiddle), Columbia, MD and Portsmouth, VA (w/ Yonder Mountain String Band.
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SCI will then return to Red Rocks for 3 nights before heading to the Northwest w/ stops in Missoula, MT, Redmond, WA, and Eugene, OR. The band will then return to the East Coast for an appearance at The Peach Music Festival in Scranton, PA before closing the tour with two nights at the newly reopened Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, NY. 
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Tickets to Red Rocks and Peach Festival are currently on sale. All other tickets (except Merriweather) will go on sale Weds. March 9th at 11AM MST. 
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SCI SUMMER TOUR 2016

June 24-26 – Electric Forest – Rothbury, MI

July 1-2 – ExploreAsheville.com Arena – Asheville, NC

July 3-4 – Chastain Park – Atlanta, GA

July 8 – Brewery Ommegang – Cooperstown, NY w/ Twiddle

July 9 – Merriweather Post Pavillon – Columbia, MD

July 10 – Portsmouth Pavilion – Portsmouth, VA w/ Yonder Mountain String Band

July 15 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO w/ TAUK

July 16 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO w/ Kamasi Washington

July 17 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO w/ Hot Rize

July 20-21 – Big Sky Brewing Company – Missoula, MT

July 22 – Marymoor Amphitheatre – Redmond, WA

July 23-24 – Cuthbert Amphitheatre – Eugene, OR

Aug 12 – Peach Music Festival – Scranton, PA

Aug 13-14 – Kings Theatre – Brooklyn, NY

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