When we pulled into the Double J Ranch on Wednesday afternoon, after one of the most stressful drives of our lives, Chris and I had no idea exactly what we were in for. We had both been to our fair share of festivals and it looked the same as any other to us. A small town that had been taken over for hippies and music heads around country get away for a weekend. It wasn't until the crowd started arriving and we got a look around the grounds that we realized what a special place that Rothbury really is. Lying just a few miles from Lake Michigan in the northeastern part of the state, this small town is the perfect place for a music festival.
The grounds are surrounded by a massive forest deemed "Sheerwood", which is covered in decoration that gives the feeling of a psychedelic fantasy land. During the day one can wander and be entertained by the floral artwork and sculptures, while enjoying the ample shade that most festivals don't have, and at night get lost in the thousands of lights hanging from the trees. It was truly one of the coolest things that I have ever seen.
People were very anxious to see this and the great line-up of artists, as the massive crowds arriving early forced the festival to open the gates on Wednesday night as opposed to Thursday morning. The party had now officially started, with no end in sight for 4 more days.
After getting to know our neighbors and making some new friends on Wednesday night, we were ready to get some tunes for the dome on Thursday. Toubab Crewe opened the weekend with a great set at The Ranch Stage. They got the crowd moving with their eclectic blend of instruments, including a sitar. They were followed by avid festival artist Keller Williams, who never ceases to amaze his audience. He started the show out with some favorites, accompanying himself with a loop station, and finishing the show with percussion backing him up. It really is amazing what that man can do, with so few musical resources.
The evening was closed with late night sets from The Disco Biscuits and Break Science featuring Adam Dietch. Bisco definitely won their crowd over with a set featuring a variety of old and new favorites. They had the whole crowd wrapped around their finger, as they do at every show. In my opinion they are the best band on the electronica scene never giving the audience the chance to blink. Break Science put on an equally enjoyable show. Their mix of progressive beats and favorite tunes over accompaniment by Adam Dietch on kit, had me and the rest of the crowd on the edges of our seat, constantly wondering what was coming next. The high point of the show was when they busted out a remix of "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough" in honor of the late great Micheal Jackson, which would be a re-occurring act of the weekend. This full day of great tunes was only the beginning.
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