Sunday morning brought clear skies and cool temperatures once again for the fourth and final day of LOCKN’ Festival at Infinity Downs Farm in Arrington, Virginia. It was a perfect day for “church” with Keller Williams to start the day on the Relix Stage. He showed up wearing his customary Sunday outfit with a dark maroon suit, black tie and bare feet. The set began with a punchy version of “Ripple” before free flowing into “St. Stephen.” The field was packed with fans waiting to begin their last day of the event with positive, feel good vibes.
Anthony Rosano & The Conqueroos, the final Rockn’ to LOCKN’ winner, picked up the vibes following Keller. Their set was crammed with railroading tracks rolled out by the harmonica and deep slaps on a cigar-box bass. Following their set, Eric Krasno Band took to the stage, flowing in and out of rocking soulful jams to bluesier ballads. They teased The Grateful Dead’s “Fire On The Mountain,” with touches of Cream tunes flowing in as well. Krasno told the audience, “spread love and music amongst all of your friends, and in making new friends.” Perfect ending for the perfect beginning of the day.
Switching musical flavors, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, who are celebrating 40 years of being together, knocked it out of the park with their swirling combination of funk, jazz beats, and touches of island tones. This band has a little something for everyone. A thick energy drum jam full of tasty beats that wouldn’t quit blanketed the venue in high energy. Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” was an inferno of spirited fire. They marched the audience down Bourbon Street as they paraded through a New Orleans-spiced up extended brass jam to close out their set.
Moonalice wasted no time hitting up the Grateful Dead tunes as they got underway. Barry Sless got lost in the notes as they rolled along before welcoming Jorma Kaukonen to the stage to release some ragtime blues to fans. “I Know You Rider” had a relaxed, low-key blues spin thrown on it. Easy flowing melodies took over the remainder of the set that included Hot Tuna’s “I See The Light” and The Byrds “Eight Mile High.”
Over on the Main Stage, The Record Company opened up that side of the venue with their hard rocking tunes, crammed with hefty harmonica. Guitarist Chris Vos busted out the lap steel guitar during “Rita Mae Young.” “Feels So Good” kept the bold beats flowing while a hardcore cover of The Beastie Boys “Sabotage” made it on to the set. This band had the venue pumped up and dancing under the golden sun. After their set finished, JJ Grey & Mofro rolled their southern style rock out to the audience showing up sharply dressed in suits. Classy looking men performed a class act all the way around. Mid-way through “Blackwater” the band strutted their stuff with quick drum, bass, and piano jams. A heartfelt and moving “Glory, Glory Hallelujah” began after singer JJ Grey spoke a few words about not sweating the small stuff. Several fans on the field sported shirts that said “Todd Smallie” in support of the bass player, who’s also a member of The Derek Trucks Band.
Margo Price and her beautiful voice rolled into place next. She wore a gorgeous red and blue dress with matching sunglasses and earrings, which complimented her golden locks and classic acoustic guitar. Her sultry voice carried the audience through her relaxed country tunes as the sun began to lower in the sky. “Weakness” picked up the energy after her first few tunes eased fans into her set. Kris Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee” revved up the crowd as they sang the tune right along with her. Her lively performance kept fans stimulated before The Revivalists took to the stage.
New Orleans-based septet The Revivalists came out to a packed house as the sun started to creep down low. “Stand Up” grabbed the crowd’s attention as they waved their arms in the air and showed heavy interaction with the band. Their set was jam packed with solid favorites, including “Fade Away,” “All In The Family,” and “Wish I Knew You.” Towards the end of the set, singer David Shaw told the crowd “we’ve got to come together!” and appropriately closed with The Beatles “With A Little Help From My Friends.”
With excitement in the air, moe. finally took to the stage alongside Phil Lesh and opened with “Box of Rain.” Grahame Lesh then joined the group as they went into moe.’s “Silver Sun” which flowed into The Grateful Dead’s “The Other One,” before easing back into “Silver Sun.” “Ophelia” brought out David Shaw, Rob Ingraham and Michael Giradot of The Revivalists to accompany the band as Grahame got off stage. They took off with “Four” before morphing into Jerry Garcia’s “Birdsong” and a reprise of “Four.” The audience exploded with shouts and applause as Bob Weir joined the band, and stayed for the remainder. Nicki Bluhm and Grahame Lesh also joined in for “The Music Never Stopped.” The collaborative set finished with “Sugar Magnolia,” “Scarlet Begonia’s” and “Sunshine Daydream.” You can listen to the show’s audio here.
As the nonstop and tireless set played on, Rob Derhak – bassist for moe. – who was not present due to undergoing cancer treatments, was able to join the fun in an unusual way. He was controlling a small robot fitted with a camera, appropriately nicknamed the “Rob.ot,” from the comfort of his own home. The robot had a picture of Rob taped to the top of it, which made it feel that Derhak was on stage, even if it was virtually. It was an emotionally charged set for both the band and fans alike.
The festival finished up with The Avett Brothers’ belting out one hell of a closing performance. Stacked with killer melodies, one after the other, it was hard to turn away from their show. Bob Weir joined the band for a slew of covers, including Jerry Garcia’s “Mission In The Rain,” Merle Haggard’s “Mama Tried,” and for the final song of the festival, Bob Dylan’s “When I Paint My Masterpiece.”
After four solid days of nonstop music, fans left exhilarated, smiling, and recharged. LOCKN’ festival is definitely an event that every music fan should attend at least once in their lifetime. With a serious mix of musical flavors from varying ends of the musical spectrum, along with unknown collaborations that could pop up during any set, it truly is an interlocking experience for sight, sound and mind.
For more information on LOCKN’ festival, please visit their official website.
Words by Sarah Bourque
Photos by Sam Shinault Photography
