Music Continues Despite Friday Storm: Blue Ox Music Festival Day Two Photos

Images by: Michael Kaiz

Blue Ox Music Festival Day Two :: 6.10.16
Whispering Pines Campground :: Eau Claire, WI

The second annual installment of the Blue Ox Music Festival continued on Friday at Whispering Pines Campground in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. A line of thunder storms passed over the festival at about 4 p.m. in the afternoon. The storm brought 70 mph winds that took out the cover on the Saloon Stage and downed some trees, but thankfully there were no injuries caused by the storm. Music was put on hold while the storm passed through and eventually all sets at the Saloon Stage were canceled. The schedule for the main stage was condensed with shorter set times allowing all of the artists to perform.

Rain set the theme for the rest of the day. Blitzen Trapper, the first band on the stage after the delay, played their song “Summer Rain” in reference to the storm. The Wood Brothers were joined by Greensky Bluegrass mandolin wiz Paul Hoffman, while Sam Bush closed out his set with a sequence of “Midnight Rider” (Allman Brothers Band) > “I’m Your Captain” (Grand Funk Railroad) > “I Just Want To Celebrate” (Rare Earth) before leading the crowd in a chant of “Ali! Ali! Ali!” in tribute to the legendary boxer and civil rights activist. At the height of festival hosts Pert Near Sandstone’s set, the stage was flooded by dancers adorning animal costumes. An antler-adorned skull was passed to stage from crowd and Nate Sipe proceeded to wear the headpiece for the rest of the set. Michigan jamgrass act Greensky Bluegrass learned a new cover during the storm as they mashed up REO Speedwagon’s “Ridin’ The Storm Out” with their own “Windshield.” Blue Ox concludes today with performances from Pert Near Sandstone, Railroad Earth, Bela Fleck & The Flecktones and more. Photographer Michael Kaiz shares photos from Friday:

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