After extreme weather conditions forced Lockn’ to cancel their opening day, the festival finally returned to form yesterday, September 11th. A freak storm downed trees, collapsed tents, damaged stage equipment and created slick ground conditions that needed twenty-four hours to dry, in order to avoid an excessively muddy venue. With the cancellation, traffic problems became a nightmare for attendees trying to get on site, with some waiting over ten hours to even reach the security check point. Tensions ran high and patience was extremely thin. However, despite all of these issues, Friday’s performances more than made up for the madness.
Friday turned out to be a beautiful day. Music was originally scheduled to start at 11, but, with over 28,000 people trying to get on site, opening set was pushed up to 1 PM. John Popper started things off by playing the National Anthem on harmonica. A huge American flag was lifted and emergency personnel were honored with the touching tribute in remembrance of 9/11.
The Doobie Incident immediately got things underway by opening with “Rocking Down the Highway”. The field of attendees were ready to get all of that pent up energy from the traffic mess out of their systems. Their set included both Doobie Brothers and String Cheese Incident songs, closing a jamming set with “Listen to the Music”. The festival was off to a high energy start and the audience was salivating for more.
The music seamlessly continued over on the Ridge stage as Seth Stainback and Roosterfoot brought solid jams packed with a raw bluesy feel. Deep crunchy guitar riffs and a blazing organ brought the energy of the house to an intense high. The day was just getting started.
Other highlights of the day included North Mississippi Allstars bringing a psychedelic washboard jam during their set, as well as having the bass drum brought down onto the field as it banged away throughout the crowd. Jason Crosby joined Moonalice on fiddle, followed by John Kadlecik joining Anders Osborne onstage. The high energy vibes kept going.
Steve Earle and the Dukes relaxed the crowd as they laid out their country/folk/bluegrass tunes, which created a calm over the crowd. The String Cheese Incident made their way back to the stage and turned it up as the sun went down and busted out fan favorites that included “Rosie” and “Colorado Bluebird Sky”.
Phil Lesh was the first of the Grateful Dead “Core Four” to make his way on stage, with Phil and Friends joined by Chris Robinson. The set included such favorites as “Shakedown Street”, “Brown Eyed Women” and “Morning Dew”.
Jefferson Airplane had a nice surprise in store as Bill Kreutzmann joined on drums and GE Smith on guitar. This set was mindblowing, to say the least. Rachael Price and Teresa Williams belted out their pipes as the venue danced their asses off.
The main stage closed with an explosive performance by Mad Dogs and the Englishmen celebrating the music of Joe Cocker. The line-up featured Tedeschi Trucks Band, along with Leon Russell, Dave Mason, Rita Coolidge, Chris Robinson, and Doyle Bramhall ll and friends. The stage was packed with performers!
Before the set started, a touching video tribute of Joe Cocker over the years was splashed across the screens, as he sadly lost his battle to cancer in December of last year. The set was simply incredible. The symbiotic energy flowed from the stage and poured into the venue. Spectacular! This performance was the highlight of the night and the crowd walked away feeling rejuvenated.
The music continued over at the Blue Ridge Bowl stage as Umphrey’s McGee raged with a late night set and Mickey Hart jammed out with EOTO over at the Woods Stage. Opening day performances absolutely took the edge off attendees by dancing out all of the frustration from earlier in the day.
Even with all of the major problems attendees faced, the music of the day made up for all of the headaches and helped to wash away the frustration. Day two should have more surprises in store. Stay tuned for more!
[All photos via Sam Shinault Photography]
Setlists:
The Doobie Incident at Lockn’ Festival, Arrington, VA – 9/11/15
Set One: Rockin’ Down The Highway > Takin’ It To The Streets, Sometimes A River, Black Water, Long Train Runnin’ > Texas > Long Train Runnin’, Drums > Jesus Is Just Allright, China Grove, Listen To The Music1
NOTES: “The Doobie Incident” with Guy Allison, John Mc Fee, Tom Johnston, Patrick Simmons, John Cowan. 1 with Pat Simmons Jr.
Phil & Friends at Lockn’ Festival, Arrington, VA – 9/11/15
Set One: Promised Land, Shakedown Street > Brown-Eyed Women, Bertha, I’m A Hog For You, Playin’ In The Band > Althea, Birdsong > Gimme Shelter…> Morning Dew > I Know You Rider
Umphrey’s McGee, Arrington, VA – 9/11/15
Set One: Lucid State > Plunger > Similar Skin, Wappy Sprayberry > 40’s Theme, Bad Friday, Bridgeless > Glory > Believe the Lie, Remind Me, Resolution > Bridgeless
Encore: JaJunk > When the World Is Running Down You Make the Best of What’s Still Around > JaJunk
