For the fourth year, the roar of NASCAR engines at The Monster Mile and The Woodlands at Dover Downs International Speedway in Delaware were replaced by the sounds of music and cheering fans. The somewhat soft opening of last year’s first night was intensified with the event’s four-day passes selling out, which seemed to elevate attendance on day one of the 2015 Firefly Music Festival. Rain prior to the event turned much of the festival grounds into a muddy mess, but apart from making the trek from stage to stage, particularly once it got dark, somewhat treacherous, it did not stop the overall elated feeling of the crowd gathered for the opening bands.
First to kick off the weekend, newcomers and New Jersey band, Young Rising Sons, brought forth an energetic set that got the crowd moving and set an excellent tone for the music yet to come. The band did an excellent cover of Modern English’s “I Melt With You”, and ended their set with their upbeat and catchy tuned song “High”. Hey Rosetta! was up next, a short slosh through the mud to the neighboring stage, but worth the trip, as they continued the energy level set by Young Rising Sons. Hey Rosetta! ended their set with a stirring version of Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me”. Panama Wedding’s lead singer and writer Peter Kirk switch between floor tom-tom drum and keyboards during their highly rhythmic set. No surprise, highlighting hit songs “Uma” and “All Of The People” triggered great enthusiasm from the large crowd. Five piece alternative rock band Grizfolk kept the momentum going with another exuberant set with a song announced as a song for lovers, “Vagabonds” and a huge effort to engage the crowd with audience participation. Ryn Weaver was a nice surprise, her silky voice flowing over the crowd, with songs such as “Promises” and “Free”. “Octahate” was another crowd pleaser, and the artist received laughter from an inadvertent comment by announcing she was leaving Firefly to appear on “Letterman, Oops I mean Fallon”.
As the night wore on and became darker, it became more difficult to find solid ground and avoid sinkholes. Many a “sole” was lost; as various flip-flops and other precarious foot-ware disappeared under the mounds of mud. London based Jungle brought a disco inferno to Firefly with a set of modern soul with glimpses of Bee Gee’s vocals and blinding lightshow. The band’s hit song “Busy Earnin” exceeded all expectations and received massive reactions from the crowd. The first big conflict of the festival occurred with X Ambassadors slated to start only a mere 15 minutes before headliner The Kooks. Fans of both bands made the dedicated trek between stages in an effort to catch some of both sets. X Ambassadors’ animated lead singer, Sam Harris, showed a wide range of musical skill, bouncing between lead vocals, saxophone, and bass guitar. Their major hit, “Renegades” was a much-anticipated highlight of their set. Final artist for the night, and a great ending to a muddy day, The Kooks, put forth a great set. Lead singer Luke Pritchard demanding crowd participation had everyone singing along with “Bad Habit”. A guitar-heavy set, they banged through many of their hits including “She Moves In Her Own Way”.
On social media a great debate has already started on which conditions will garner the greatest amount of festivalgoers’ complaints: “The Dust Bowl” of last year’s event versus “The Mud Bowl” that has already begun this year. Empty racks of rain-ware, especially of the rain boot variety are a testament in favor of the later. Music fans should understand that adverse weather conditions can be a big part of any outdoor event, especially on the East Coast. The elements is what may enviably keep Firefly an earthier and more organic event then the trendy West Coast mega-festival Coachella, that attracts all the glamour and glitz of LA.
