Mountain Jam Festival X: Music, Sun, & Smiles on the Slopes

Mountain Jam Festival was graced with the luck of beautiful weather for its 10th anniversary, as well as outstanding performances from every artist on who stepped foot onstage.  Perched atop Hunter Mountain in Hunter, NY, this annual music festival in the Catskills provided the perfect way to start the summer and festival seasons in the tri-state area. This was my first year at Mountain Jam, so I’m happy to say proudly that the festival was as amazing as I imagined it would be. The general atmosphere and vibe was warm and welcoming for the entirety of the weekend, and this sentiment rings true for the mood of the music, as well.

 

The festival began on Thursday, June 8, and although a couple of other bands played during the day, Dark Star Orchestra got the evening started in their classic, feel-good fashion.  They are always a fun fan favorite at any festival. Umphrey’s McGee played the late-night set that evening.  This was my first time seeing Umphrey’s live, and they definitely blew me away. Their sound switches so efforlessly from funky and groovy to completely rockin’ and heavy alternative/prog rock (Ryan Stasik is a boss on the bass).    Umph performed their song, “Thin Air” with Warren Haynes to close out the first set, and ended their second set with, “Driven to Tears”, a cover of The Police. 

 

On Friday, funk-arobeat horn/percussion ensemble, Antibalas, played an afternoon set on the East (Main) Stage. They also had a late-night set in Healey Hall, the indoor stage, at the same time as Beats Antique, although Beats was on the Main Stage for the Friday late-night spot.  Some noteable afternoon performances from Friday include Mountain Jam staple, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, as well as a rookie band, The Weeks, who the crowd definitely seemed to enjoy. Other highlights from Friday include Trampled by Turtles and The Avett Brothers, featuring a cameo by Bob Weir. Bob and Ratdog will be playing a 90-minute set to open for The Avett Brothers at Red Rocks Ampitheatre July 11. 

 

Bob Weir with The Avett Brothers @ Mountain Jam X – “The Race is On”

 

Friday evening, indie band Moon Taxi opened up for Ratdog on this same smaller (West) stage. Their ethereal sound echoed in the mountains and perfectly set the mood for Ratdog. Definitely check out Moon Taxi! I’ve heard some of their songs before, so I was super stoked to see them get the opening slot for Bob.  Bob Weir & Ratdog were back on the mountain for the first time since 2008 (Moutain Jam IV), and put on one of the best Ratdog shows I’ve personally ever seen. Songs that featured cameos from other artists include “West L.A. Fadeaway” & “Don’t Let Go” ft. Jonathan Wilson, and “Dark Star”, “Playin’ in the Band”, and the encore “Johnny B. Goode” ft. Warren Haynes. Bobby and the boys also treated the crowd to an epic rendition of “Terrapin Station”, which featured a hilarious impromptu interlude by the drummer, Jay Lane (“On your cell phone vi-deee-oooo!”) when Bob took a discreet, yet short break. Bob really stays true to the classic improv style of jam made ever-so-popular by The Dead. You can catch Bob Weir & Ratdog with The Chris Robinson Brotherhood (who had a set on Sunday at Mtn Jam) at L4LM’s event at Pier 97 Monday, August 18th. 

Beats Antique played the late-night set on Friday, performing many of their popular tracks, including, “Roadworthy”,  featuring Antibalas’ horn section, as well as, “Beelzebub” ft. Les Claypool.  It was somewhat of a sentimental performance for Beats Antique, as it was their stage manager, Matt’s, last show after 10 years of working with the band. Dave Santori also mentioned that he and the lovely Zoe Jakes have been married for that same length of time.  Zoe brought all her props, costumes, and drums, as she creatively blended the art of belly dance and traditional Indian folk dance/storytelling.

 

Saturday’s lineup featured two sets by Sister Sparrow, an early set on the main stage, and an afternoon Led Zeppelin tribute set on the indoor stage. Damian Marley and co. radiated Jamaican pride during his reggaelicious set; I was really excited to hear “Make it Bun Dem” and “Welcome to Jamrock” performed live, as well as some original Bob Marley tunes mixed in. Tedeschi Trucks Band performed in the early evening, and they are always a pleasure to see. Such talent and love in that band, and they have also recently announced dates for a tour this Fall. Gov’t Mule headlined Saturday night, playing a bevy of their original tracks, in addition to some stellar covers. I heard a tease of The Beatles‘ “Norweigian Wood” at one point, as well as a mini “St. Stephen”.  They most definitely covered Tom Petty‘s “Breakdown”, which was marvelous considering right around this time last year I saw Tom Petty at Bonnaroo. Gov’t Mule a fantastic cover of The Dead‘s “Sugaree”, and even brought Eric Krasno and the uber-talented Susan Tedeschi onstage for their rendition of “Tell Me Something Good”.  Mule ended their set on an epic note, covering several classic tracks by The Doors: “People Are Strange”; “Five to One”; and “Break on Through”. 

 

In between Mule’s two sets was a magical fireworks show at the top of the mountain, although I enjoyed it from a distance. Late night Saturday night was an act many, many people were extremely excited for: Pretty Lights‘ debut on Hunter Mountain. The festival even released special $35 late-night tickets for those individuals who strictly wanted to enjoy the electrofunkmixmaster from Colorado. He played a wide range of tracks, old and new, including some he very rarely drops or hasn’t for some time. The lasers were mesmerizing as they flickered into the mountains, especially through the fog machines. Props to the sound, light, and stage crew for working hard to set up all of that awesome equipment. I was upset I had to miss Jackie Greene‘s set for Pretty Lights, but I had recently seen him at the Brooklyn Academy of Music with Phil Lesh & Friends and Warren Haynes, so I opted for PL. From what I hear Greene played some Dead covers during his set.

 

Snippet of Pretty Lights‘ illuminating set:

 

On Sunday, another fellow who has toured with Phil Lesh & Friends recently, Anders Osborne, played an early, yet still rockin’ set, followed by performances by London-natives The Treetop Flyers, as well as The Chris Robinson Brotherhood, who are currently on tour and will appear with Bob Weir in Manhattan at Pier 97 this August  (as mentioned before). 

 

The highlight of Sunday, as well as the closer of the festival, was The Allman Brothers Band. This performance marks once of their last nine performances ever together as a band, as Trucks and Haynes will be leaving in 2014 to focus on their own respective projects. Allman Brothers treated the insanely packed crowd to their two first albums, Idlewild South and The Allman Brothers Band. Fans at Mountain Jam got to hear the original  “Midnight Rider”, after hearing Pretty Lights’ rework of it the night prior. The Allman Brothers played through the sunset, a perfect end to a truly enjoyable festival. 

 

 

I must note that I really appreciated the addition of ASL interpreters for select musical acts, notably Ratdog, Gov’t Mule, and The Allman Brothers. Next time you’re close up front to the stage at a show or festival, take a look and see if they have ASL interpreters for that artist. It’s a really thoughtful way to allow fans to enjoy music they may not be able to hear as clearly as they once did. Another cool thing to investigate is the charity created by  Michael Franti & Spearhead. I know they always bring a special fan onstage, and this Mountain Jam was no different. They discussed their charity, Do It For The Love Foundation, which is “a nonprofit wish granting foundation, that brings people in advanced stages of life-threatening illness, children with severe challenges, and wounded veterans to live concerts”. In addition to having someone’s wish granted onstage through this charity, a man also was brought onstage to propose to his fiancee, followed by the song “Say Hey (I love You)”, which was also a notably magical moment. This whole festival felt like one big musical hug. I can’t wait to see what next year has in store !