Expanded to a full three day event from Thursday, April 14th to Saturday April 16th and with a longer and more exciting Kick-Off Party on Wednesday, April 13th, the 2011 Wanee Music Festival, at Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL, delighted a huge crowd with jam filled sets by The Allman Brothers Band (headlining Friday and Saturday nights) and Widespread Panic (headlining Thursday night). With great attendance and fantastic weather throughout the event, the Festival also featured incredible sets by Robert Plant, Steve Miller, Mike Gordon, Stephen Marley, Ween and more than 40 other bands performing on two major stages (Peach & Mushroom).
One of the new highlights was the breakout performance by Lotus during their first ever appearance at Wanee. The band’s Thursday late night performance on the Mushroom Stage was an eye opening spectacle full of fresh sounds. “Lotus then proceeded to prove that it doesn’t matter where you’re from; what matters is where you’re at. Every dancing soul on hand became impeccably present as Lotus’ bottom heavy layers lifted up Mike Rempel (guitarist), who painted vast sonic landscapes containing all of the twists, turns, peaks and valleys needed to lose oneself in.” said Scott Horowitz of jambase.com.
Another first-time highlight of the 2011 Festival was the “Wanee Traveling Stage” featuring sets by Bobby Lee Rogers, Griffin Anthony and the North Mississippi Allstars Duo. The mobile stage made its way around the park with multiple stops at the river and campground lake on Thursday, Friday & Saturday afternoons. It was a welcome addition that added to the Festival’s outstanding musical vibe. The traveling stage gave fans a chance to vibe with great music while enjoying the parks ambiance outside of the main stage areas.
No longer flying under the radar, Wanee Music Festival has become a worldwide major Festival and is a must see for jamband fans and more. The music and lineup at Wanee is always superior and The Allman Brothers Band continues to provide the musical highlights with mind-blowing marathon jams and exciting guest appearances. On Saturday night The Brothers were joined on stage by Taj Mahal. Grace Beehler of jambands.com recalls “The band excitedly welcomed Taj Mahal to the stage for “Leavin’ Trunk” and “Statesboro Blues,” a highlight for both the audience and the band.”
As always, Wanee was highlighted by great musical performances, however it is the unique vibe and friendly atmosphere of the festival that help it stand out as truly special.
Performing at this year’s event were: The Allman Brothers Band; Widespread Panic; Robert Plant & The Band of Joy; The Steve Miller Band; Warren Haynes Band; Tedeschi Trucks Band; Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band; Ween; Stephen Marley; Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings; Mike Gordon; Hot Tuna Electric; 7 Walkers Feat. Bill Kreutzmann; Galactic; Taj Mahal; North Mississippi Allstars Duo; Keller Williams; John Popper & The Duskray Troubadours; The Radiators; Wanda Jackson; Rusted Root; Oteil Burbridge and The Lee Boys; Dirty Dozen Brass Band; Big Gigantic; Melvin Seals & JGB; Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe; Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk; Particle; Lotus; Dead Confederate; Tea Leaf Green; DJ Logic; Toubab Krewe; Devon Allman’s Honeytribe; Bobby Lee Rodgers Trio; Soul Rebels Brass Band; Guitar Shorty; Dangermuffin; Honey Island Swamp Band; Kevin Hammond; Death on Two Wheels; The Yeti Trio; Jacob Jeffries Band; and Griffin Anthony
For more information go to www.waneefestival.com.
photo credit: Jason Koerner