The four day excursion of Dominican Holidaze closed on a high note, as the fans assembled in Punta Cana, DR were treated to sets from Manic Focus, Umphrey’s McGee, The Disco Biscuits, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead and Michal Menert in succession. The final performances came to close the ultimate four-night experience that saw additional performances from STS9, Lotus, Lettuce, Shpongle (Simon Posford DJ Set), The Floozies, Goldroom, and Deitch (DJ Set).
To open up the last day, Manic Focus provided the perfect pool party to cool off after three days of non-stop adventure. Sunshine, chill vibes, and good company was all that was needed to start off another perfect day.
Umphrey’s McGee took the main stage for the sunset show, with Ryan Stasik playing a portion of the set with an actual parrot on his shoulder. Opening with old favorite “2nd Self”, the band really kicked into gear with a high-energy “Puppet String”. More old material followed, as “Push the Pig” led into a wild jam that eventually landed on “Dear Prudence” by The Beatles. Funky dance tune “Day Nurse” came next, and that kicked off a long segment of non-stop music, eventually segueing into “Resolution”, which contained teases of “You Are My Sunshine” and more Beatles with “Norwegian Wood”. The electronic rocker “Blue Echo” came next, eventually transitioning into John Lennon’s magnum opus, “Tomorrow Never Knows”, which contained a jam centered around Miles Davis’s “It’s About That Time”. The emotional high point of the night came during “Upward”, before “Partyin’ Peeps” delivered the ultimate beach vibes with it’s reggae-tinged verses. Finally, Umphrey’s brought things to a close with a newer song in “Attachments”.
Setlist: Umphrey’s McGee | Dominican Holidaze | Punta Cana, DR | 12/4/16
One Set: 2nd Self, Puppet String, Push the Pig > Dear Prudence, Day Nurse > Resolution[1] > Blue Echo[2] > Tomorrow Never Knows[3], Upward, Partyin’ Peeps, Attachments
[1] with You Are My Sunshine (Davis/Mitchell) tease and Norwegian Wood (The Beatles) jam
[2] unfinished
[3] with It’s About That Time (Miles Davis) jam
After a brief break for dinner, The Disco Biscuits arose to their Sunday night throwdown with no restraints for two full, jam-heavy sets and an “On Time” encore. The night seemed to be moving at perfect speed, with tDB showing up their impressive skills with a four-song second set that included fan-favorites “Crickets” to start and “Munchkin Invasion” to close.
Setlist: The Disco Biscuits | Dominican Holidaze | Punta Cana, DR | 12/4/16
Set I: Morph Dusseldorf, Rock Candy (Marc Brownstein song), Pimp Blue Rikkis, Gangster, Story of the World
Set II: Crickets, The Champions, Spaga, Munchkin Invasion
E: On Time
By midnight, it was time for everyone’s new favorite Grateful Dead act to get acquainted with their fans in a new location. Marking their first offshore performance, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead opened the late night with an unidentified jam that turned into a rendition of Neil Young’s “Vampire Blues” before continuing in their typical Dead-fashion.
Setlist: Joe Russo’s Almost Dead | Dominican Holidaze | Punta Cana, DR | 12/4/16
Public Soundcheck: Jam %% ->Vampire Blues (JR) ->King Solomon’s Marbles ->Jam ->New Speedway, Boogie @ (TH) ->Music Never Stopped @ (SM), Uncle John’s Band (All)
Set I: Scarlet Begonias # (TH) ->Cassidy $ (SM) ->Fire on the Mountain % (TH) ->St Stephen (All) ->Alligator ^ (SM) ->St Stephen Reprise (All) ->The Eleven (TH & JR) ->Deal (TH) ->Scarlet Begonias Reprise &
Set II: Dancing In The Streets *(SM) ->Eyes Of The World (TH) ->Throwing Stones (SM) ->Cumberland Blues + (All) ->Throwing Stones Reprise (SM) ->Ramble On Rose (TH), Truckin (SM) ->Born Cross Eyed Jam
E: Shakedown Street ** (TH)
%% – This was probably an actual song, but nobody knows the title yet – Dave might. Will update when I hear back
@ – Both unfinished. NSB was just 2 verses & MNS lacked the jam at the end
# – With Cassidy Teases (TH)
$ – With Rubin & Cherise Teases (MB)
% – With Rubin & Cherise Teases and Cassidy Teases (TH & band)
^ – Unfinished
& – First Time Played by Almost Dead
* – With an unknown tease (MB)
+ – With a “Duo Jam”
** – With “Serpentine Fire” (Earth Wind & Fire) teases (MB & TH)
All photos courtesy of Josh Timmermans // Noble Visions.
