[cross-posted on Jamcruise Forum]
This weekend was an epic adventure of groundbreaking for a new intimate festival called Up North. It is by far the best little festival in the northeast and we will be returning in full force next year. Best performance was Lettuce, who brought the sweaty funkness dance madness early on Friday late-night. Wailers were also on spot and Umphrey's kicked it in headily midway through their set. I don't have the words to describe all that went down, but Taso does (and she will be gracing us with her adroit prose very soon). I took way too many photos, and will try to get some of these up tonight.
The stage production was top notch, the layout superb (five minute walk between stages), the scheduling ideal (gaps and little overlap between bands, only two stages so hard to miss any music), the lights were over the top (amazing visuals, tasty smoke graciously applied, trackers and colors artfully mingled, plenty of spots where and when you need 'em), the camping was perfect (shady trees everywhere, pristine clean campground with plenty of facilities), the location ideal (45 min. from Portland ME), the weather was even great in spite of a little rain (plenty of shelter, the trees provide excellent cover and places to hang tarps). Easy in, easy out...very little line at all since the gate arrivals were well staggered and professionally coordinated. Even a short beer line because they had a dozen people running the kegs...I never waited more than three minutes for a beer (or anything else for that matter Wink ). You know how at all festivals there's "down time" where you're stuck in some predicament or end up waiting for someone, finding people and things, all these little nuisances that eat up your quality time? There was NONE of that at Up North. It ran smoothly like a well-oiled locomotive. And virtually no train wrecks (a few bad apples were taken out of the mix deftly and professionally, and even the few spunions were on their best behavior).
The staff was the best...the friendliest people I've ever seen running a festival. The producers would stop their golf carts and ask people if they were having a good time (funny to see some reactions as a few w00ks were taken off guard, thinking they were getting busted Wink ), took the time to chat with everyone and anyone and also were there to enjoy themselves (not just stress out over getting the show on the road because the super pros had everything under control). Warm happy vibes all around.
In many ways, Up North reminded me of the intimate Creekside (RIP). Even the swimming was fun...although the river was extremely dangerous (didn't stop us, but kept us tight to shore). I got invited on stage to take pix more than a few times, and after only a few hours I was part of the "jam-ily". By the end of the weekend we were all good friends and I felt a Jamcruise-like vibe from the fans, artists and production people. Lots of love for and from everyone...no hassles whatsoever. Everything was so easy to find...food, drink, smoke, shade, shelter, and even got to sleep in cool woodsy splendor late into the morning (I like my rest of course, it helps me dance and do so much more the next day).
I fully realize that there are much bigger and more "impressive" festivals, but what impresses me most is the people and the emotional connection. Bigger is not always better -- when you have quality time to hang with your friends and family, that supersedes just blasting out of space with an all-star lineup. Even still, the lineup at Up North was perfect for its size (next year let's hope they get Lotus and SMMD, among others ;-}).
Special thanks to SKB and the BOC (aka Boston Music Mafia), Rafael (for rocking our camp and VIP out with his kickin' iPod boombox), Torrey (for his stellar work at the box office and freakin' hilarious observations and instigations), Damon (for mixing, and more of everything else), DancinGreg (for too much to recollect in public Wink ), Tasoula (for her last-minute appearance to fill a critical writing position), and most of all, Carolyn (who brought the entire kitchen and living room setup so we had the bitchin'-est campsite in the whole festival). What a faaaahkin' paaahhhty!!! Mojitos for all!!!
Right now I'm planning on High Sierra and Up North for next year...maybe one or two others. I highly recommend this wonderful new festival. If you want to camp with us next year, just drop me an email. For all of you camping party music fun people...put Up North on your "short list" next summer because I can guarantee it will rock your socks off! There are so many reasons why this festival gets a 10 out of 10. Next year we take it to 11!
-Phrazz
Up North - impressions of an epic adventure
Moderators: Cleantone, harrymcq, Phrazz
Up North - impressions of an epic adventure
Every picture tells a story.
wow, great review. that sounds like an ideal festival. i wanted to go and work at my buddy's vending stand (maybe you saw it, Mr B's Festival Needs), but it was too tough the weekend after GOTV. The camping sounds perfect with trees for shelter and shade for the morning. The lack of sleep in the am always starts to kill around day 2 or 3. Was already wanting to hit it up next year but after reading your review i think its a definite. how was Ratdog?
you know our love will not fade away
State of Mind Photo Gallery up...article by Taso soon
Hahah...that's my own little mini review, more like a footnote. It won't be long now till Taso's massively detailed review hits the "stands" (the webs, or the internets as you computer junknocrats call it). Hopefully this weekend. There are a few photos already up on State of Mind (more exist elsewhere 
).
Tasoula wrote an amazing article. It's one of the most detailed pieces *ever* on how a festival is constructed by immensely talented people. I was pretty astonished myself at how smoothly the show went. I've been to quite a few "first time" festivals that all had many rough edges. Setting up an event that size ain't no walk in the park...definitely takes practice and skills. We know it'll kick even more ass next year. I'm putting it on my "short list" with High Sierra for "must see" festivals next summer.
Hope we can see The Slip or SMMD there, too. Duo would also be great, or Bustle. And Club d'Elf while we're in fantasy band mode. Schleigho? If only I could pick the bands. Lettuce should be back. I'd rather see Phil than Bobby. Grace and Meters ('nuff obvious suggestions). And Lotus. Ok I'm done.
The State of Mind selected photos are posted here. I'll add the link to the full review (or Taso, Mike, Beth, can) when it's up. I'd like to inline and caption some photos...that'll take some time (like after this weekend).
There is a whole world behind the scenes, but also before the scenes, that people rarely see so may find it hard to fully appreciate. Taso did a fantastic job at painting the whole picture both inside and outside where the show is conceived. The show itself is a dynamic community, a moving city that stops for a few days and shares some very special moments...but these movements start weeks or months (even years) beforehand in the minds and hands of the artists, producers and the fans (some fans are artists, too, many people wear many hats).
Even still, so much comes together at the last minute. Amazing how it all fits together. The belief that it is possible at all is the driving force...and the penchant to have fun and share such a grand adventure.
-Phrazz
).Tasoula wrote an amazing article. It's one of the most detailed pieces *ever* on how a festival is constructed by immensely talented people. I was pretty astonished myself at how smoothly the show went. I've been to quite a few "first time" festivals that all had many rough edges. Setting up an event that size ain't no walk in the park...definitely takes practice and skills. We know it'll kick even more ass next year. I'm putting it on my "short list" with High Sierra for "must see" festivals next summer.
Hope we can see The Slip or SMMD there, too. Duo would also be great, or Bustle. And Club d'Elf while we're in fantasy band mode. Schleigho? If only I could pick the bands. Lettuce should be back. I'd rather see Phil than Bobby. Grace and Meters ('nuff obvious suggestions). And Lotus. Ok I'm done.
The State of Mind selected photos are posted here. I'll add the link to the full review (or Taso, Mike, Beth, can) when it's up. I'd like to inline and caption some photos...that'll take some time (like after this weekend).
There is a whole world behind the scenes, but also before the scenes, that people rarely see so may find it hard to fully appreciate. Taso did a fantastic job at painting the whole picture both inside and outside where the show is conceived. The show itself is a dynamic community, a moving city that stops for a few days and shares some very special moments...but these movements start weeks or months (even years) beforehand in the minds and hands of the artists, producers and the fans (some fans are artists, too, many people wear many hats).
Even still, so much comes together at the last minute. Amazing how it all fits together. The belief that it is possible at all is the driving force...and the penchant to have fun and share such a grand adventure.
-Phrazz
Every picture tells a story.
Wow...it sounds and looks like it was one great festy....wish I went. The only festy I hit this year was totally lame (Mad River in VT). I got there late because bridges were closed at two points of entry. By the time I got there, the band I came to see had already played. 
Small crowd, little energy, lame vendors, etc. I'll definately keep an eye out for the Up North Festival next year. Love to see the Slip, Delf and Dave Fiuczynski's KIF play.
Small crowd, little energy, lame vendors, etc. I'll definately keep an eye out for the Up North Festival next year. Love to see the Slip, Delf and Dave Fiuczynski's KIF play.