Wakarusa 2014 – Winners (& Losers) From Mulberry Mountain

When you think of big time festivals that throw millions to potential headliners, there are quite a few that come to mind. There is one that starts with a B, another with a C, and another biggie taking place in Chicago that Perry Farrell founded twenty plus years ago. And while these festivals get the big ol’ powerful media coverage, there is one festival that has stayed true and strong for over ten years now- Wakarusa. This annual event at the rural Mulberry Mountain in Ozark, AR can go  head to head lineup wise with any of the big boys, and still attract thousands, while keeping it real.

So what Wakarusa fails to offer in fashion trends and long awaited reunions (check..OutKast) the festival thrives on offering a diverse and experimentally musical menu, that values self-expression and community. With that being said, Glide had a chance to check out many of the stages last weekend and here are some of our Winners and Losers/

WINNERS

Fortunate Youth

As the rain fell on the dreary Sunday afternoon of the fourth and final day of Wakarusa, people began cramming into the Revival Tent. Fortunate Youth was there to sooth the crowd through the rain and to keep minds as relaxed as the reggae tunes they were pumping out. They instantly got everyone smiling and dancing around with ease but the best part about it all? By the time their set was over the heavy rain had ceased.

 The Flaming Lips

Before even one song was played, Wayne Coyne was already keeping the fans on their toes. Everything from an enormous “Fuck Yeah Wakarusa” balloon, to fans being stuffed into rainbow and scenery props; Coyne was also seen throwing random inflatables such as aliens and ice cream cones. Of course, you know his outfit was a crowd pleaser- a skin tight muscle print spandex suit with a sparkled pompom to cover his manhood. As everyone thought the show was about to begin, they were transitioned into a wedding where Coyne married two fans on the stage before the show began and then ripped into “She Don’t Use Jelly.”

 ill Gates (3:45am on the Satellite Stage)

After the headliners of the festival had played Saturday night, you might think the crowd would have been wearing down and dissipating, not the case here on Mulberry Mountain.  ill Gates insured that nobody batted an eye or stopped moving their bodies for the entire hour and fifteen minutes he reserved for them. His show began with an exceptionally psychedelic mix that turned into the raunchy, drum n’ bass, dubby ill Gates everyone loves. The brain behind it all then showcased his talents further when a moth wouldn’t leave a instrument knob, he took the next five5 minutes to freestyle a new beat dedicated to the moth. No more than a song or two into his set, people began sprinting down the hill in pure joy over the live mixing they were hearing. Needless to say, Bassnectar’s accomplice was well received on his first trip to Wakarusa.

Boombox

This set was by far the most spirit lifting set for the ‘Wakafarians’. The rain had lightened to a sprinkle but continued to linger throughout their set. This was the point where the power of strong willed humans gathering and dancing scared the rain right off the mountain. From the lemonade girls to the security guards, the funky bass-ed up dance rock had everyone gleaming. At the end of the spirited set, the rain and the clouds carrying them had vanished completely!

EOTO

In case you aren’t familiar, EOTO is animprovised dance music combo composed of the two percussionist of The String Cheese Incident Jason Hann and Michael Travis. Most fans are aware that EOTO can and will have “off nights.”  But this set definitely wasn’t one of them. The group has played every Wakarusa since their SCI side project was created in 2006, and this was their first appearance on the Main Stage. Their set-up was exquisite and sent of an array of visual stimulations from lasers to the towers and projections. The fans “ooo-ed” and “ahh-ed” to every switch-up and transition. They continue to prove how different they are from all other EDM acts.

Wick-It The Instigator

It’s one thing to see a producer showcase his music, and another when you see a great DJ mix and other artists songs to make them their own. But when the opportunity arises to see both in the same act? You’re probably at a Wick-it show. This guy is the real deal. He has a complete grasp on the complete “picture of sound” so to speak, and has successfully found a niche that he can relish within. The Waka patrons that already knew of him warned their friends not to miss his set Thursday and all the fans he gained pleaded to theirs not to miss it on Friday afternoon.

 Nahko and the Medicine for the People

The message that Nahko and his band continue to convey was as transparent as ever through this set. His soothing voice that transitions from genre to genre is so powerful and his words are useful for anyone that is willing to listen to them. This was the second of two Nahko sets for the weekend and the stage size set up for a much more intimate, heart to heart set that the crowd could walk away from feeling inspired and determined to help be apart of the change we’re all begging for.

Bassnectar

Bassheads traveled from far and wide for this one and, it was worth it. Lorin was welcomed back to the Mountain with wide arms and clear skies in hopes that he could melt some faces. He played some old tunes, some tunes off his new album NVSB, and a few gnarly remixes. At one point he sampled a Martin Luther King Jr quote that Cozzed-A-Frenzy when the drop landed in the laps of all the freaks that had come to watch one of the best EDM acts in the world. Just before his set was supposed to end, he announced that we were headed to overtime; the bassheads flipped out, then raged for an extra 30 minutes of sweet Nectar.

Umphrey’s McGee

These guys are mastering the art of shredding better than any other jam-band style band on the circuit. The way they take the crowd on a rock-n-roll roller coaster is so festival relevant. As one sign said, “Um Totally Phreaking Out, Man”. The Umph Love was contagious this weekend and all those who chose Bassnectar or Boombox over their set on Saturday, were completely rewarded on Sunday with a set that would be remembered forever. They played a few new tracks off their brand new album Similar Skin, which were all sensational tunes that could be enjoyed by any rock music fan, but that’s what makes Umphrey’s McGee so different than most jam bands; it is their prog and metal influences which give em an edge over the rest..

 The String Cheese Incident-

The long awaited return of SCI & the cheeseheads to the Arkansas Mountains fulfilled every expectation that was set. The four hours the crowd was able to spend watching them provided the complete spectrum of entertainment. The people were especially hyped up when they played “Colorado Bluebird Sky”, “Rosie” and when Jason Hann busted out the lyrics from Eminem’s “Lose Yourself”. And once again,  The String Cheese Incident showed that with their name on the top of a lineup, it guarantees for a rewarding festival experience.

LOSERS

Unprepared Fans

This is here for a couple reasons; because patrons weren’t actually disappointed by five musical acts all weekend (it was THAT good) and because of how people still couldn’t manage the weather that was dealt to them.  At nighttime it only rained when the music had stopped and for the most part as long as the weather was checked, the fans should have been prepared with extra clothing, tarps, rain gear, optional umbrella and BOOTS could have survived all weekend without any issues. This festival seems to be caught in a rain bubble but, if people come prepared it shouldn’t cause anything but added adventure seeing that no shows were cancelled all weekend.

The Mowgli’s

These guys are outstanding on records, but their live show didn’t thrill to say the least. The So.California rocker’s energy seemed diluted to the point of exhaustion or as if they weren’t as excited to see the crowd as the crowd was to see them.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

The feel good band recently parted ways with singer Jade Castrinos, who was also the object of affection in their big hit “Home.” The absence of Jade bothered the crowd to confusion as to why she wasn’t there. Without that joyful presence on stage, you can almost remove the word “magnetic” from the band’s name.

Rusko

This was a choice that was made strictly upon expectations. As a first time spectator, one could only assume that with as big of a name that Rusko has grown to be that it would be a great show. The first “banger” didn’t hit the crowd’s ears until almost 25 minutes into the set and was only a small sample. The crowd that came to see old school whompy Rusko was let down by what seemed to be yet another trend follower by an act who was once considered a trend-setter. Ironic huh?

 HeRobust

This isn’t the first crowd, or probably the last to be disappointed by HeRobust. The trap based DJ/ producer displayed that being lazy on stage is still acceptable. This seemed to be a pre-created set with some fading and minor live tweaks added so he didn’t get too bored. On a weekend where patrons were blessed with such talented EDM acts, this guy really slipped through the booking agent’s cracks. At one point his speakers cut out, technical difficulties were sorted out (not a big deal, it happens) but before resuming he asks the crowd “Y’all ready for me to hit play on this shit?”

Photos by Brian Spady