2008.07.29
This week's question: Did you go to FloydFest? What were your favorite acts?
FloydFest, like any other big music festival, is like a massive amusement park -- it's impossible to ride all the rides, or in this case, hear all the bands.
If you went, who were your favorites? Who did you miss that had you kicking yourself?
Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band was the most unique/entertaining band I saw all weekend! The Avett Brothers put on a great show. I also really enjoyed local bands, The Alliens and Curious Strange.
Check out Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band:
http://www.bigdamnband.com/
Comment by Michele — July 29, 2008 @ 1:48 pm
Right on. Local music promoters, take note -- Rev. Peyton will put on a freaking show! I'll say it again -- someone, anyone, book this band here!
I heard Curious Strange's beer garden set from the FF trailer, where I was working on my laptop. I had not heard the band before, and I have to say I liked what I heard.
Fortunately, CS is from around here, and it plays the local scene a good bit, so I will be catching the band live soon.
The Alliens -- good band, good guys.
Comment by Tad — July 29, 2008 @ 2:08 pm
Crooked Still was amazing. We had seen William Walter & Co last year and could listen to them all day, we watched all of their sets this year. Turbo Pro Project was great, we almost missed them & so thankful we didn't, they have such a unique sound. Oneside was great. There are so many of those shorter sets in beer garden that I wished we would have caught. Of course we can't go without mentioning Donna the Buffalo & Rev. Peyton who rocked the house.
Comment by Angie — July 29, 2008 @ 3:08 pm
The Dumpsta Funk and Rail Road Earth were my two favorites. I missed Rev. Peyton...among a few others I would have loved to had seen. Donna and the Buffalo were really good too...and Crooked Still. I guess I could just go on and on really. A great time! That is for sure.
Comment by MC — July 29, 2008 @ 3:36 pm
I also have to place my vote for Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band, they were great. Also Lynx, we walked down to Hill Holler from Rev. Peyton's set on the porch and were amazed by her first set there. Saw her several more times and she was always amazing. Amos Lee was great, although not the energy level the crowd was looking for. Railroad Earth was enjoyable (as always). Also liked the Alliens, Turbo Pro Project, Superpowers, and DJ Williams Projekt. The band I missed was David Grisman Quartet. Where is my time machine? Can't wait for next year!
Comment by Carl — July 29, 2008 @ 4:01 pm
Amos Lee and his band were completely amazing! But there were tons of great bands. That was such a nice festival!!!
Comment by Hunter Johnson — July 29, 2008 @ 5:06 pm
Reverend Peyton rocked hard, lots of fun, as did Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band who took care of the late-night loud, funky dancing; Oliver Mtukudzi was really good; Crooked Still, Lynx, The Avett Brothers, Iron Lion, etc, etc. Wow, what a great time!
Comment by Forrest — July 29, 2008 @ 7:36 pm
Crooked Still was awesome! Annie has the voice of an angel! David Grisman,and Amos Lee were also very good. Rev Peyton rocked the dance tent, but likely would have crashed if on the big stage with less audience involvement. Rusted Root wsa not what I thought they would be, and disappointed me. Missed Friday and Railroad Earth.
Comment by steve — July 29, 2008 @ 9:45 pm
I caught most of everyone I set out to see. I studied up on the bands before the festival and checked out the ones I had circled not to miss. Even if I had to leave one stage early to catch another act before they finished I would. You have to do this at Floydfest or you will miss great shows. All this being said, Gokh-Bi System was in a league of their own followed by Rusted Root, Railroad Earth, The Avett Brothers, Laura Reed and Deep Pocket, Alliens, Rev. Peyton..., BuzzUniverse... You know, I could go on. Almost every band you hear is technically as sound as the others. It all comes down to genre preference. Gokh-Bi brought a West African Hip-Hop, Rock n' Roll to the table with sounds I'd never heard before. Dancing I'd never seen before. Performances by the drummer, percussionist, and bassist I'd never thought possible. You just had to see them to believe them and I still have trouble with it. That's why I think Gokh-Bi System put on the best show. I'm left grasping for words to explain what they brought to the table. Put it this way... If Gokh-Bi system had a stage all their own all festival, then I'd have missed the other 20 some-odd bands I saw.
Comment by Fish — July 30, 2008 @ 3:26 pm
Wildest New Band - Rev Peyton's Big Damn Band
Biggest Payoff - Yo Mama's old school dance party throwdown!
Biggest Letdown - Rusted Root..I hope it was the mix.
Coolest Discovery - John Specker, otherwordly fiddler.
Biggest Crowd Pleaser - Donna the Buffalo.
and finally, I'm STILL kicking myself for missing Dumpstaphunk
Comment by JimW — July 30, 2008 @ 3:36 pm
Crooked Still was great. Cello adds to that band. Banjo not so hot, even with wisecracks. David Grisman Quartet was on wrong stage. Not enough 'beat' to keep audience attention. Needed smaller stage. Some very good bands in beer garden, esp. Curious Strange (from Blacksburg?)
Comment by Mike — July 30, 2008 @ 5:49 pm
Definitely Crooked still was the highlight me and a lto of other folks. Chatham County Line was great on the main stage as well.
Comment by Josh — July 31, 2008 @ 10:29 am