Catskill Chill (get your tickets here) is known for thinking outside the box and making things a bit interesting. One particular idea that has flourished over the last couple of years is bands not only playing a set of their own music, but playing an additional “Tribute” set. This year is no different, as several bands have signed on to play a full set of covers by some of rock and roll’s most legendary groups. Here is a rundown of a couple of sets that we are looking forward to rocking out to:

Twiddle Plays The Grateful Dead

Twiddle is a band making waves over the last 2-3 years. With some monumental sets at Gathering of the Vibes, and gaining recognition everywhere they go, this Vermont quartet is quickly gaining the respect of fans and peers alike. Their music, while catchy in the lyrical department, is a blend of reggae, funk, bluegrass, jazz, and more, with a concentration on improvisation. It’s not surprising that for their tribute set, they will be paying their respects to the Godfathers of Jam, the Grateful Dead.

 

Turkuaz Plays Sly & The Family Stone

Turkuaz is a band that has been on L4LM’s radar since we began. One of our favorite funk bands, with a high-energy live performance that rivals any other band out there, this 9-piece Brooklyn funk outfit (sometimes 10) is quickly establishing themselves as a band to be reckoned with. Bandleader and founder Dave Brandwein gave us a brief history about the band in a past interview, explaining the bands roots in the funk and dance scene, as well as he and co-founder/bassist Taylor Shell’s vision for their stage presence, “We basically pictured “Stop Making Sense” by Talking Heads meets Sly and the Family Stone for our live show.”

Turkuaz is a band that steps on stage and delivers a high-energy show from start to finish. This is a unit that is tight, cohesive, and just plain has a blast on stage together. We have a feeling their Sly & The Family Stone set is going to be a highlight of this year’s Chill. 

 

Alan Evans’ Playonbrother Plays Cream

We had a chance to interview Alan Evans recently about his new live EP with his band Playonbrother. The newly reformed trio, made up of Evans, guitarist Danny Mayer, and new bandmate (Mayer’s old bandmate), Kris Yunker, has a chemistry that is at an all-time high. With music that pays its respects to the glory days of Woodstock-era rock n’ roll, the fact that these guys are playing a set of solely Cream covers is something that gets us pretty excited. So, you’re going to play a set of covers by one of rock’s most legendary, yet enigmatic bands, that featured Eric Clapton on guitar, Jack Bruce on bass, and Ginger Baker on drums? YES PLEASE!!! We’ll be front and center for this one.

 

Pink Talking Fish Plays Phish, Pink Floyd & Talking Heads

We love Pink Floyd. We love the Talking Heads. And Phish? Yeah, they’re alright, we guess. Who are we kidding? Phish is one of our favorite bands at L4LM; there is no use in denying it. Founded by Eric Gould, founding bassist of Particle, this “Hybrid Tribute Fusion Act” can nail segue’s such as Phish’s “Sand” into the Talking Heads’ “Slippery People.” Or how about “Run Like Hell > Making Flippy Floppy > Piper > Run Like Hell or Mike’s Song > Have A Cigar > Once In A Lifetime > Weekapaug Groove”? Mmm hmmmmm….we thought the same thing. We’ll see you there as well.

 

 

Cabinet Plays The Grateful Dead

So, we get two uniquely different bands playing their own take on The Grateful Dead catalog? Yes, please, and thank you. Cabinet is about as local as you get for the Catskill Chill, hailing from nearby Scranton/Wilkes-Barre region, and steeped in the Appalachian tradition of Americana/Traditional/Bluegrass. This should make for an interesting set of Dead tunes.

 

Shwikus Plays Parliament Funkadelic

The members of FiKus and Shwizz are known for coming together to perform late-night cabin sets at the Chill, under the moniker Shwikus. This year, they are stepping out of the cabin and up on the stage for a full tribute set to funk visionaries Parliament Funkadelic. You want the funk? Do you gotta have that funk? Well, you’re getting it, so get limbered up and ready to dance ’til your feet hurt.

 

– Chris Meyer (@ChrisMeyerL4LM)

 

*** Weekend Passes are still available for Catskill Chill. This event will definitely sell out, and they will not release additional tickets, as to keep the intimate vibe that the Chill is known for. Dont’ wait too long! Get your tickets here. ***