Gathering of the Vibes 2010 | Photos

Gathering of the Vibes :: 07.29.10-08.01.10 :: Seaside Park :: Bridgeport, CT

Amidst a sea of tie-dye and Dead-y emanations, another Gathering of the Vibes went down this past weekend. An unusually sunny, cloudless sky loomed over Bridgeport, Connecticut’s Seaside Park for four straight days this past weekend, making the 2010 GOTV a great success. Oh, and the music was fantastic too. From festival regulars like Dark Star Orchestra, Donna Jean Godchaux and Max Creek to Jimmy Cliff, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley & Nas and a newly reunited Primus (with original drummer Jay Lane, who has also played with RatDog and Furthur), the diverse lineup was nothing short of stellar.

Day One was off to a good start, with DSO, the Quincy Mumford Band, Donna Jean, and the New Riders of the Purple Sage on the festival’s main stage – all celebrating the life and legacy of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead. The party continued on the Green Vibes Stage until the wee hours of the morning with Big Sam’s Funky Nation. Day Two saw more gorgeous weather, more dancing, and more bands like Jackie Greene, Steve Kimock Crazy Engine, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Robert Randolph, and the highly anticipated Furthur performance. Aside from a few lyrical flubs on Bob Weir‘s part, the two sets were packed with tight jams and beautiful musicianship. They closed the evening with an exceptional encore of “Lady with a Fan > Terrapin > At a Siding > Terrapin Flyer.”

Days Three and Four were alive with energy, as Max Creek, The Rhythm Devils with Keller Williams, Assembly of Dust, Primus, Galactic, Umphrey’s McGee, Little Feat, Jimmy Cliff, and a festival closer of Damian Marley & Nas. While the burnt, worn-out crowd normally thins out on the last day of the Vibes, the concert field remained packed with fans in high spirits, willing and able to continue the party. It looks like Gathering of the Vibes 2011 might be well underway already.