The first annual Echo Project Music Festival, this past October 12-14 marked the end of the summer for many artists and festies. The music festival was set on a 1200-acre farm. With only 9000 attendants the setting was not too crowded, and many performances were very intimate.
The Echo Project is a music festival striving to be green, and putting a lot of effort into their cause. One of the stages was fully solar powered with the help of the company Sustainable Waves; alternative bio-fuel and hydrogen cells powered the other stages. The Echo Project also partnered up with Rivers Alive(http://www.riversalive.org/)+ to organize clean ups for the Chattahoochee River and other local resources that need a helping hand.
Although the Echo Project is heavily committed to Mother Earth and staying green, it is also very committed to bringing together a truly amazing and eclectic artist line up featuring: [Phil Lesh and Friends, The Flaming Lips, The Roots, Common, Les Claypool, the Disco Biscuits, Cat Power, the Killers, Spoon, the Brazilian Girls, and roughly 90 other talented artists.
The highlight of my weekend was, of course, the unbeatable Flaming Lips. The show brought the audience back to the simplest state of happiness; everyone in the crowd, and on stage was smiling from ear to ear. From the time the audience saw the stagehands dressed in superhero costumes, helping Wayne Coyne into the giant plastic bubble, we all knew we were in for the amazing psychedelic space inspired treat of the Flaming Lips. The front of the audience had the privilege of tossing Wayne Coyne around in his giant bubble, and finally back onto the stage. Throughout the performance there were explosions of confetti and more over sized orange balloons that I have ever seen. Of course the show wouldn’t have been complete without the posse of alien women dancing on stage right, and Santa Clauses dancing on stage left to the melodic and energetic sounds of the Flaming Lips.
The Disco Biscuits dominated the Lunar Stage on Friday night. They had one of the most intense light shows that illuminated past the very back of the audience. I was so in awe with the spectacle of lights from a far, that I was completely satisfied to dance and jam out from a distance.
On Saturday, the Avett Brothers intense energy and non- traditional bluegrass vibe pulled the audience in, forcing us all to bounce around with them. It was clear that they were having a blast on stage, as they simultaneously soulfully harmonized and bobbed their bodies and heads back and forth with the beat of each song.
The Brazilian Girls were much anticipated. When front lady Sciubba came out on stage she was wearing a sweater, which included a bunny mask completely covering her face. She attempted to sing her first song with the sweater over her face, but the words were lost and muffled behind the wool. She finally uncovered her face and took off her sweater exposing her sexy full spandex jumper and an exposed nipple. She was sexy no doubt, but the music and lyrics were lacking during this show.
Cat Power and the Dirty Delta Blues did not disappoint. Chan Marshall’s deep and angelic voice resonated through the crisp night’s air, as she hopped around the stage like a child ballet dancer, and sipped on coca cola. It is surprising to hear her voice in concert, and realize that it sounds even more beautiful live, than on a studio album. This was one of Chan Marshall’s stronger performances, and it’s obvious that she’s feeling more comfortable in her own skin and performing in front of thousands of people.
The indie rock band Spoon and the hip hop music of the Roots were two highlights of Sunday. Both bands, although completely different in sound and genre, attracted the same huge audience, ranging from hippies to frat boys, all dancing together, to the passionate lyrics and intoxicating rhythms and sounds.
The Bravery, an angular rock band from New York, played at the smaller Eclipse Stage/Tent. They rocked out to a small, intimate audience, and pleaded to the crowd for requests. When the crowd began requesting their top hit song “An Honest Mistake” they refused to play it as a request, demanding more from the audience. Before this show I didn’t know much about the Bravery, but after this I gained a new respect for them, and their name speaks to their character.
Phil Lesh and Friends was a perfect ending for the weekend of the Echo Project. What better way to end a first time music festival, than with one of the epic grandfathers of jambands, Phil Lesh, previously the bass player and vocals for the Grateful Dead. On the piano sat a stuffed doll, resembling Jerry Garcia; there was also a sign on his amp that read, “I miss Jerry.” Phil Lesh gave a timeless performance as he played the tunes of the Grateful Dead. I thought it appropriate that he opened with “Friend of the Devil.” As I sang along with the chorus, “I set out runnin and I take my time, A friend of the devil is a friend of mine, If I get home before daylight, I just might get some sleep tonight.” I realized that the chorus echoed the feelings of most of the avid music lovers at the festival. At that moment I realized that the live music and the festival atmosphere was almost over for the weekend. I had to make it back to the real world.
