Dominican Holidaze is off and running, bringing all of the jams down to the Dominican Republic for the first major destination music event of the season. Performances from Michal Menert, The Disco Biscuits, Shpongle (Simon Posford DJ Set), Umphrey’s McGee, STS9, and Goldroom ran through the day, as fans gathered for some beachside jams.
After an opening DJ set from Michal Menert, it was the Biscuits’ turn to perform in the coveted “sunset show” spot. This was a non-stop party from tDB, including a memorable “Little Shimmy In A Conga Line” that actually featured a conga line! That song also featured a sit in from Simon Posford himself, joining the Biscuits for a rendition of his classic tune “Gamma Goblins.” The band also teased some “Rockin’ Robin” in their set to keep things fun.
Setlist: The Disco Biscuits | Dominican Holidaze | Punta Cana, DR | 12/3/16
Set 1: Papercut-> Lunar Pursuit-> Jigsaw Earth, Little Shimmy in a Conga Line-> Gamma Goblins [with Shpongle (Simon Posford)]-> Little Shimmy in a Conga Line
Shpongle came out next for his own DJ set, bringing his transcendental electronic music to the adoring fans in the DR. Once the sun set, the evening’s festivities then began with a fun local merengue band hosting a silver party in honor of the festival’s 10th anniversary, complete with fire dancers, cake and paella!
Umphrey’s McGee hit the stage thereafter, bringing a full-fledged two set rager to the fans in Punta Cana. The first set featured a major “Bridgeless” sandwich filled with jams like “Conduit,” “Utopian Fir” and Mark Ronson’s “Daffodils,” before closing out the set with the apropos “Ocean Billy.” THe second set featured some awesome playing by UM as well, including “Plunger > 2×2” and “The Triple Wide > All In Time.” Jams on “Wife Soup” and “Dump City” closed out the second set, and “Slacker” brought it all home with a bang. The band also brought their children on stage during the set, making for an adorable moment.
Setlist: Umphrey’s McGee | Dominican Holidaze | Punta Cana, DR | 12/3/16
Set 1: Bridgeless > Conduit, Utopian Fir > Daffodils, All In Time > Bridgeless, Ocean Billy
Set 2: Plunger > 2×2, The Triple Wide > All In Time, Wife Soup, Dump City
Encore: Slacker
STS9 got the late night nod on night three at Holidaze, treating fans to hits form their extensive catalog. The band has been energized of late with their new album, The Universe Inside, and played music from that release throughout their performance. New songs like “Sun, Moon & Stars” complemented the setting perfectly, bringing a groovy disco vibe to the beach. Some classic STS9 jams like “When The Dust Settles” and “Arigato” made it an evening to remember.
Setlist: STS9 | Dominican Holidaze | Punta Cana, DR | 12/3/16
Set 1: Forest Hu >> Rilly Wut, Kamuy >> Potamus >> Kamuy, Arigato, Move My Peeps >> Monkey Music, Oil & Water, Sun, Moon & Stars
Set 2: When the Dust Settles, Poseidon >> Ramone & Emiglio, Worry No More >> Blu Mood, Totem, Rabble, Get Loud
Check out a few more photos below from Holidaze 2016! Umphrey’s McGee, The Disco Biscuits, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, and Michal Menert will bring the festival to a close today. All photos courtesy of Josh Timmermans // Noble Visions.
