With so much going on over Labor Day Weekend, summer’s last holiday hurrah, L4LM’s own Corey Regensburger decided to trek up to Norridgewock, ME for Great North Music & Arts Festival. Though just a small fest of about 4,000 isolated on a woodland farm in central Maine, Great North packed quite a punch, boasting an incredibly solid and well-rounded line-up within the electronic, funk and jam scenes. The real common focus was on performers who bring incredible talent and energy, along with a distinctive experimental style driven by creative desire.

With many of the major acts slotted for two full sets throughout the weekend, it was actually possible to catch some of almost every performer at the festival. Considering a lineup featuring Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Lettuce, Break Science and more, this proved to be quite the experience.

In addition to top notch musical offerings, one of the more interesting draws of this festival was their explicit dedication to include visual arts for the sake of the artist and attendees alike. This was evident by having over 40 names of jaw-dropping visual artists prominently featured in the line-up as a part of the main(e) attraction. The festival prided itself with an immersive sensory experience; a true Music AND Arts festival living up to its claim. 

The whole festival had the feeling of a community of equals, staying true to the counter-culture ideals rooted in the appeal of such events. It was isolated enough to exist peacefully, with an intimate magic created by attracting an inherently like-minded group of people. It was truly a magical weekend, full of some incredible music, and here are our top 10 performances from this great festival!

 1. Break Science

Out of all the talented performances scheduled for the weekend, Break Science was easily one the most anticipated sets of the weekend. The uniquely eclectic but smooth style of production & keys displayed by Borahm Lee, combined with the masterful percussion/beats of Adam Deitch, considered one of the best and most versatile drummers in all of music. With Ryan Zoidis and a whole slew of guest collaborators, this was already a special set, but then Reggie Watts came from backstage and jumped into the jam on the microphone, adding an impressive element to the free-form music.

2. Lettuce

It’s no coincidence then, that Adam Deitch was also a part of one of the other top sets of the weekend, as Lettuce threw down a funky, but unusually progressive, peroformance. When Deitch is grouped with his equally talented main jam-mates in the funk outfit Lettuce, you are seeing a group of musicians in their true element. This group reached new highs in this magical festival environment.

3. Reggie Watts

Reggie Watts is, quite possibly,  the coolest human being on the planet. Watts seems to be more of a living cartoon character than a traditional human being; there’s nothing Watts could say or do that isn’t fawned over by anyone who’s witnessing it. His performance consisted of him doing a seamless blend of comedy, music, sound experimentation, rhetoric; pretty much whatever he wanted. His performance is undeniably genius, but what makes it even more impressive is that it’s mostly, if not entirely, improvised, with unlimited possibilities. His act is so outrageously unique, it’s genuinely a one of a kind experience that could not be understood without being there.

That means it never ends, right?

4. CloZee

Enchanting the crowd with the masterful and energetic live mixing that is the hallmark/telltale sign of an elite DJ, CloZee is no different from any of her highly recognizable and respected male counterparts dominating the EDM scene. The fans she does have right now, though, are absolutely bananas over her. Right before her set, one energetic older female exclaimed “I’ll never miss a CloZee set. Don’t ever give a Grateful Dead fan a new artist to like because they will obsess over them and it’s bad.” With only a glimpse of her set it all made sense, as the enchanting flow of her performance washed over the crowd. She certainly seems to be destined for a meteoric rise to stardom, becoming the only true elite female DJ in the process. Her music isn’t flashy or in your face, she has a stunning natural beauty about her, and everything she does appears to be effortless, coming off as both bad-ass and too cool, bolstered even more when she speaks with a soothing French accent. CloZee is destined for stardom.

5. Papadosio

The smooth ambient jam rock band Papadosio returned to Great North this year for the second time in a row, this time performing over two nights. Papadosio serenaded attendees as they were still arriving to the fest with their soothing melodies and abstract lyrics, serving as a perfect opener to segue campers into the laid back atmosphere of fest. They also got a bit heavy into the jams, and had everyone grooving right as the festival hit its peak on early Friday evening. Papadosio was an integral component to Great North, and really expressed the values of the fest in their set, making it another standout performance to remember!

Photo Credit: Mike Geller

6. Mix Master Mike

The one and only Mix Master Mike made his way up to Maine this weekend to show the crowd that the power of spinning vinyl is still a relevant instrument in the digital age, reminding everyone what a real DJ is supposed to be able to do. The whole place was filled with anticipation at seeing the legend throw down an unfathomable performance only a few true disc jockey’s in history could even comprehend. His control and timing were impeccable, and the versatility of sounds he was able to exemplify using the turntables was astonishing. His set was a treat for those gathered for his headlining Saturday slot, as the legendary Beastie Boy got down with the psychedelic counterculture vibes, and was also able to reconnect a crowd of music fans to a piece of their childhood in a way few performers can still do for this generation.

7. the New Deal

the New Deal has been back with fire since regrouping early last year, and have been touring relentlessly across the festival and show circuits. They were one of the main features of the weekend, closing out consecutive nights with headlining slots on the main stage. The trio are the epitome of jamtronica, and no one else does it quite like them. Their sound is distinctly classic yet still futuristic in nature, turning each set into one monster jam. It’s hard not to have fun to such inherently upbeat and happy music, and it is always a privilege to catch such a legendary band come back from a hiatus to get stronger than ever. 

8. TAUK

TAUK was another mainstay of the weekend, playing two separate sets on consecutive nights and different stages! On the first night, they brought down the house on the Main Stage before sundown, and the second night they lit up the intimate dome stage with fiery funky energy. It’s been a pleasure to watch the NYC outfit work their way into prominence over the past few years, and they certainly seemed ready to celebrate their success as one of the main acts of this festival. The group moved and played as a unit, drawing everyone into their intricate jams. This show was really a delight to take in, and resonated with great intensity that bodes well for this band in days to come.

 

9. Joe Russo’s Almost Dead

Playing two sets Sunday night, a lot of locals & families came out to jam the night away to the Dead together, masterfully interpreted by the seasoned musicians making up Joe Russo’s Almost Dead. Their sets were fantastic, covering a solid array of classic Dead tunes and weaving in their own improvised jams to put on a show with palpable energy teeming amongst one of the largest crowds of the weekend. Watching Joe Russo take it away on the drums over and over again and Marco Benevento manipulate the keys with acute precision is a real treat. These guys are playing at the top of their game!

10. DVS*

The incredibly talented Derek VanScoten, better known as DVS*, took over the Dome Stage to put on a spectacle of incredible talent. Combining synths/keys, electric guitar and an array of production equipment all sycnhronized in a wildly creative and unique setup for him to pilot, the music was undeniably the result of masterful dedication. It was one of the most uplifting solo performances with electronic instrumentation, and certainly a standout of innovation.

Honorable Mentions:

-Space Jesus

The leader of the Church of Space Bass closed out the weekend with a highly anticipated Monday morning 3 AM set, for all to bask in the glory that is Space Jesus.

-The Hornitz

 

-G-nome Project

Until next year, Great North!