The drive to Illinois was 14 hours of flat wasteland, coasting on a two lane highway past industrial trucks and the occasional barn/cow combo along I-80 West.  Nearing Summer Camp Music Festival, the number of police cars increased radically. Groups of obvious festival goers stood and watched cops and K-9s sniff through their backseats, which is pretty typical of summer festival season. We arrived at Three Sister Park and joined the line of cars entering the festival.

Thursday 11 AM: the festival gave the option for attendees to come a day early for the $30 “pre-party”.  Everyone seemed to have the same idea. The festival had not even started and the line to get in was outrageous; however, when going to any festival, it’s something that you should just be prepared for. Patrons were not allowed to camp by their vehicles so we parked and lugged out stuff in to get searched.

Word on “Shakedown Street” was that camping in the woods was the best option; “the woods are where the party’s at.” Majority of the camping areas are level and treeless, but in the center of everything was a patch of woods that seemed like a mirage in the blazing sun. Unfortunately, the woods filled up rather quickly, and that option went right out the door.

Thursday was spent exploring the grounds, seeing new music, and learning each stage name. We had Moonshine, Sunshine, Starshine, Soulshine, Camp Fire Stage, Camping Stage and various vendors to glance at.

Friday was the first official day of the festival and it was a beauty. High of 75 degrees with not a cloud in the sky. moe. started the festival off with a 2 PM set over at the Moonshine stage (main stage). The stage was surrounded by deep woods and tapestry-like artwork hung above the audience creating quite the sight.

After a stellar moe. opening performance, Summer Camp attendees had to deal with some of the worst conflicting artist scheduling of the whole weekend. “Should I go see The Wailers or Medeski Martin and Wood? Papadosio or Yonder Mountain String Band? Dumpstaphunk or STS9?” It seemed unfair to have to pick between each two, it’s like a parent picking their favorite child. On the bright side, no matter where one ended up, the music was incredible. If the biggest problem of a festival is too much good music, you can’t complain (#musicfestivalproblems).  Umphrey’s McGee also played two full sets, which really set the vibe for the remainder of the festival.

Saturday morning did not seem promising after an ice-cold sleep and waking up to gray skies. The rain started around noon. Dedicated fans trekked out to catch the early acts such as Conspirator and Tea Leaf Green. It continued to rain on and off throughout Diplo, Thievery Corporation, and Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe. Saturday also had back to back moe. and Umphrey’s sets, which would have been easy if it was slightly simple to get from stage to stage. By the start of Saturday night, Summer Camp was one complete mud pile; many strolled barefoot and random lost shoes stuck out of the deep earth. The floors of the porta-potties were questionable…is that mud or dookie? Regardless, I don’t like it. Try not to think about it.

Last day of the festival, how about some more RAIN? No campsite was safe for the flooding that was to come.  No dry seats, towels, or blankets.  Warm clothes were becoming limited.  The air during Umphrey’s final day set felt sticky and fans danced and shuffled in bottomless mud.  Right up the hill, moe. played their acoustic day set shortly after.  During this set, many fans were seen passing out because of the increase in temperature and, no doubt, serious dehydration.  When Lettuce started around 4:30 PM the rain got heavier, and a constant drizzle lasted until the sun went down. Big Boi set ended early after injuring his knee doing a little rock and roll jump kick in the air (smooth move!).

It was nearing the end of the festival and Trey Anastasio Band was about to perform the first of two sets they were set to play that night. The winds and rain picked up as soon as Trey took the stage.  They played with soaked equipment, many fans were giving up and heading back to shelter.  Before you knew it…the rest of the shows were cancelled for the night.  Luckily, I was able to get a late night wrist band for Thievery Corporation and Zeds Dead.  I hung inside the warm Red Barn and tried to end this festival the best way possible.  That night, I crawled into the back seat of my car and let the rain flood my Scamp housing.

Monday morning 9 AM; woke up to more gray and mud.  People were packing their cars around me.  Went to my campsite to assess the damage… everything was ruined.  I rolled up my tent, put my clothes in a garbage bag and lugged what I could to the car.  Everything that was too wet got left behind. Completely worn out, I plopped my lifeless body into my car, struggled to maneuver around tow trucks and ditches in the hellish parking lot, and headed on that long country road home.

So was Summer Camp 2013 worth it? Let’s review the pros and cons.

CONS:

  • Some of the worst consecutive days of weather I have ever had to deal with at a music festival
  • In the middle of nowhere
  • No indoor plumbing what-so-ever for regular-joes
  • Had to pay extra for late-night shows

PROS:

  • One of the best music line-ups all year
  • Always something to do and never a dull moment
  • Awesome attendees (so friendly & dedicated!)
  • Pretty inexpensive overall!

If seeing good music is the number one priority for you, then all the stresses this festival came with was well worth it.  Due to the weather, Summer Camp was not for the light of heart, but for passionate festival goers and music lovers it was an amazing experience.

-Diana Kumpf
[cover photo courtesy of Joshua Timmermans]

Umphrey’s McGee w/ Dominic Lalli on sax “Bright Lights, Big City”:

moe. “Plane Crash”:

STS9 “ABCees”:

Zeds Dead:

Big Gigantic: