|
SATURDAY LATE NIGHT
Umphrey's McGee played their late night gig at Revolution, a club in downtown Ft. Lauderdale. In the brick-enclosed outdoor courtyard on a balmy south Florida night, festival attendees could be identified by their still-blackened, swamp dirt feet.
Gutwillig w/ UM by Brett Saul |
A few minutes after 11:00 p.m. the first set started strong with "In the Kitchen" and "The Crooked One." Brendan Bayliss then stated, "Thanks for coming everybody, that's all we have. I just came to Florida to get a tan," before launching into a song about life, "Believe the Lie." The not-quite sold-out crowd (almost a thousand strong) had room to groove and dance under the three-quarter full moon as the palm trees swayed in the breeze and the stuffed deer and water buffalo heads on the brick wall behind the bar gazed on. With Brendan being obviously amused by the juggler at the side of the stage, they played "Lenny," "Roulette" and "Tribute to the Spinal Shaft" before wrapping into "Bridgeless" to end set one.
As the clouds raced across the moon about a minute after 1:00 a.m., fingers raced across strings and drumsticks banged drums as set two began with "Nothing Too Fancy" dropping into "Push the Pig." "Jazz Odyssey" followed, which led to Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall Part 2" with Mark Brownstein from The Disco Biscuits suddenly replacing Ryan Stasik on the bass. In the jam that followed, Jon Gutwillig, also a Disco Biscuit, took over Bayliss's guitar before they wrapped back into "Push the Pig." Brendan playfully fought Jon to get his guitar back while Jake played "fight sounds" to the delight of the crowd as they wove "Resolution" in and out of "Norwegian Wood." Their improvisational groove continued to progress through their various musical styles as they ended the set with "Eat," "Ringo" and a cover of A Flock of Seagulls' "I Ran." The show didn't end until almost 3:00 a.m. with an encore of "Miss Tinkle's Overture," including a tease of "You Shook Me All Night Long."
-RW
SUNDAY :: 03.12.06
PNUMA TRIO
By Brett Saul |
Pnuma Trio's clubby, lounge acid-jazz got the blood pumpin' early Sunday morning. Their super sticky beats gave the crowd the dancing heebie-jeebies. It was the perfect medicine for the daze left over from the late night before. The band launched their techno-grooves with "Air," a very ethereal song, and finished off the session with "Balance." This is the second Langerado for the Pnuma Trio, who promoted themselves at the fest last year. Bassist Alex Botwin appreciated the festival's organization and multiple stage set-up; however, what he was really diggin' was the color-infused cartoon art of south Florida native, Lebo. "I really enjoyed seeing Lebo's artwork all over the festival," Botwin said, referring to the retro-Cuban cartoon art installations and stage flags placed throughout Markham Park. "I don't think that a better painter could have been picked to create the atmosphere of Langerado." Botwin, who'd been touring non-stop since late January, was happy to lay back and just be a fan following Pnuma's set. "I personally enjoyed how relaxing it was to be able to hang out with other artists and actually see some music. It was a good break. I will definitely be in attendance next year."
-GP
SLIGHTLY STOOPID
After the Sunday morning sacred steel gospel set by The Lee Boys, Slightly Stoopid started their 1:00 p.m. set on the Sunset Stage with "Bandelero" from last year's CD Closer to the Sun. Asking the fans, "Are you ready to dance?" they played "Dance the Boogie" before a ska version of Peter, Paul & Mary's classic "Leaving on a Jet Plane." Miles Doughty, Kyle McDonald, Ryan Moran and Oguer Ocon, the four young "bandeleros" of the band, pleased their crowd of many "stoopidheads" with their fusion of reggae, rock, blues and early punk, creating a fine variety of ska. Dan Delacruz and Chris Welter from John Brown's Body, touring with the band for most of March, added an additional island sound to the show with their trumpet and saxophone. Young in age but not in band experience (having over ten years together musically), front men Miles and Kyle continually encouraged the fusion and interaction with their audience.
-RW
MOFRO
MOFRO by George Weiss |
Florida folk gathered to watch their homeboy lay down his front porch, funky romp about the sunshine state. Opening with "Lazy Fo Acre (It's a slow lazy summer)," this Florida band was feeling comfy in home court. Although there was a nice breeze, the sun's rays were beginning to beam down hard, and steam ascended from the pit as the heat coalesced with the sweat of the crowd. By the fourth song, the clean-shaven JJ Grey had everybody doing a little rain dance with the bluesy "Pray for Rain." "It's our absolute privilege and pleasure to play here today," Grey said. The song "Florida," which pleads with the world to save the Florida pinewoods and swampland, was of course another highlight. Grey, who continues to reside on his Granny's old chicken farm in northern Florida, inevitably tugs at the heartstrings of those who've grown up in the Florida backwoods. In a way, he's become the mascot for environmental preservation down South. His mission, which comes through crystal-clear in his lyrics, is a shared vision for many Floridians who are watching in dismay as their state's incessant condo/golf course campaign pushes on despite the locals' protests. To these people, MOFRO represents more than just music - they represent hope. "It helps put you in a place and time that makes things relative," Grey says.
-GP
THE LEGENDARY JC'S
Meanwhile, at the Florida Native Stage, a new addition to this year's festival, The Legendary JC's funk and soul thrilled a small crowd, especially the vocals of Eugene Snowden, often said to be reminiscent of James Brown.
-RW
ANTIBALAS AFROBEAT ORCHESTRA
Antibalas by George Weiss |
On our way past the Sunrise Stage, we caught a few minutes of Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra. After hitting the stage with peace signs held high, they started their percussive jam beating steel pipe rails and other objects including metal pie plates with iron chains while dancing madly. Their unique blend of West African traditional and popular music with a jazzy flair was infectious. Not a jam band but a live-orchestrated experience for band members and audience alike, the organized cacophony, including drumming of wooden and metal wind chimes and other unique instruments, was rhythmic and extremely energetic. Fans declared that "Any reason to move is a reason to groove, and if there's no reason, we'll make one," as if justification for enjoyment was even being debated in the "no groove deficit zone."
-RW
KID KOALA
Next to the Flaming Lips, nobody looked like they were having as much fun performing as Kid Koala a.k.a. Eric San. This guy's eclectic dub was on fire. Koala was scratchin' everything from hip-hop to old school blues and funk, and his spinnin' technique was definitely something to be appreciated. The crowd was able to observe every detail via a pull-down screen, which magnified Koala's handiwork with records and keys. Koala rolled from one genre to another, from harmonica and tooty horn sounds to good ol' bump bump, there was a little something for everyone in this dance party. Think Slinky or bouncy ball, the sound just kept going up and down and in and out. "It's about to get scary in here. Y'all didn't know koalas could get scary, did yah?" San teased the crowd. This one-time piano prodigy, Ninja Tune's first North American signing, is also a cartoonist. Check out one of his albums to see his talent, both on paper and turntables, for yourself.
-GP
LOS AMIGOS INVISIBLES
This Venezuelan dance-mix house band, which has done most of its touring in South America and Mexico, is literally a nonstop DJ session, bringing a wide range of infectious beats and salsa remixes to the table. "We're always on tour," says lead singer Julio Briceno. "We're pretty much out there all the time." And it seems all of the face-time with fans has been good exposure for this dynamic sextet. With their new sexy album Chillout Venezuela just out, these boys say the possibilities are endless and are thinking about possibly touring Japan in the next year or so.
-GP
G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE
G. Love by Brett Saul |
With a stone Buddha looking out at the crowd, G. Love's set was a state of pure Nirvana. During sound check, a dozen or so G. Love shirts were flung out to the girls who could jump the highest. And of course, when the heartthrob that is G. Love came out on stage, he rocked it in true hip-hop/rock star fashion. With Langerado being the last stop on his tour, G. Love made sure to save the best for last and dished out all the sassy goodies including "Let's Make Love Tonight," "Unified," and "Jersey." "It was a beautiful day to play music man," Garrett Dutton a.k.a. G. Love said. "We had our best Langerado set ever. Jammed with Robert Randolph and Slightly Stoopid, met Jeff Tweedy from Wilco, hung with the Black Crowes, and enjoyed the warm weather and hot vibrations from the crowds. Incredible time. Just too short!"
-GP
ROBERT RANDOLPH and the FAMILY BAND
Robert Randolph by Brett Saul |
This sizzlin' set was a sweet combination of pedal steel, funk, and R&B. While warming up, gum-smacking' Robert, dressed in a Mets jersey and red, velvet top hat, asked the crowd how they were feeling. "It feels good out here in Florida. Can I get a witness in this place?" "Don't Stop 'Till You Get Enough" rocked the house, and like two lovebirds, the keyboard and bass called back and forth to each other. This show was wicked cool. The whole crowd seemed to be vacillating in unison to the Family Band's hot jam. Even the photographers were sweatin' this one, trying to capture the nonstop action on stage as fast as possible. The band's cohesive nature really proved to be a sight to see. With each member giving 110 percent, the individuals interconnected to form one ubiquitous funky shade of blue. Looking back, it's easy to imagine why Robert Randolph kept the pews full and the fans a wavin'. His new congregation has a bit of an edge; let's just say they're a bit more contemporary. But no matter who's listening, if the jam circuit has it their way, it looks like the Family will be around for a few more soulful sermons.
-GP
KELLER WILLIAMS
Keller Williams by George Weiss |
Rushing back to the Sunrise Stage for Jammy nominee Keller Williams' show at 5:30 p.m., Keller started with his acoustic guitar kicking into "Thin Mint," which segued into "Apparition" and then Ani DiFranco's "Freak Show." Keller followed up with "Cookies" before transitioning into a psyched-up version of "Up in My Cadillac." Other highlights included "Breathe" and a cover of David Wilcox's "Boob Job," to which a Keller show virgin stated, "She got a what?" The Grateful Dead's "Attics of My Life" and Keller's own "Love Handles" caused the energized crowd to dance around to the emerging calypso beat. Hot Tuna's "In The Kingdom" led to "Yoni," "Conservative Christian" and "Right Wing Republican" before Todd Snider's "White American Males." "Best Feeling" ended the show, echoing the atmosphere exactly.
-RW
SPAM ALLSTARS
The Spam Allstars created their very own tropical oasis next to the misting tent on the Florida Native stage. This whimsical, jazzy band attracted tons of dancing bodies as well as those simply looking to chill in the shade. This relaxation station was right next-door to the kids' area, which meant that this was the hang out for families. The crowd tossed around a beach ball while DJ Le Spam projected his calypso-like magic. The various worldly percussion elements paired nicely with Mercedes Abal's flirty flute licks. And couples throughout the crowd took advantage of the sultry love music as the horizon faded into pinkish-orangish hues.
-GP
WILCO
Wilco by Brett Saul |
For Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, it just keeps getting better. His Chicago-based band has risen to the highest echelon of indie rock, earning a few Grammys and gold records and fine-tuning their craft, which has been in the works since the late 80s, into something truly exciting. Wilco started off their set with conversation and interaction with the crowd: clapping in unison and screaming back and forth at each other. "I'm gonna scream at you and you scream back at us," Jeff told the crowd. The crowd answered back with a wimpy roar. "As a rock singer, I'm supposed to tell you that you must be able to do better than that," he teased. "How many people are from Florida," Jeff asked the crowd. "It's very Dante-esque here for us northerners." Wilco started off with the crowd favorite "Handshake Drugs" and moved on to songs from the new album like "Kicking Television," "Shot in the Arm," and "Hell is Chrome," which had a raging, psychedelic guitar solo. By the end of their performance, it was beginning to get dark and the band had turned on the glitz and glam of the lights. This rock band, which many would argue is experiencing a new surge of success and popularity, is finally putting all of the pieces together to form a solid "collective vision" that is Wilco.
-GP
THE BLACK CROWES
The Black Crowes by Brett Saul |
The Black Crowes rocked it Sunday night. Chris Robinson's dirty, guttural voice, the vintage rock & roll persona of the band, and the magnificent lights all joined forces to make the show a great one. The band started out with songs like "Sting Me" and "Black Moon Creeping" and ended with "My Morning Song" and "Sometimes Salvation." Their southern, classic sound was music to the ears for many people looking just to have a good time and remember what it was like to watch longhaired guys jam out with heart and soul. These passionate fellows, with cigarettes dangling' from their lips and patches on their jeans, were all attitude and grit 'til the end.
-GP
Click Here for more Langerado images...
JamBase | Langerado
Go See Live Music
|
