Id Rather Be at Bear Creek....

After 3 days of fun in the not so hot sun, Bear Creek has unfortunately come to an abrupt end.  Unlike the typical festivals of summer time, Fall festivals bring the horrors of Classes, Work Schedules, Moves, and all kinds of other responsibilities most of us would rather not have on what would normally be a recovery day.  Never the less, what's done is done and the weekend was a great success.  As far as I know, no serious injuries occurred...and no large lefts or robberies took place (down with the Bonnaroo thieves!)  Looking back, not much could have gone better on my first trip to The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL.  

After leaving Tampa around 11:20 am, our fairly typical crowd departed on our glorious adventure.  After some minor mishaps en route, the caravan arrived in Live Oak and set up camp.  After some quick reunions and some introductions to new friends decisions were made on where to go next.   DubConscious seemed to be the logical desicion, so just like we normally do, we ended up late after excessive preperations and shenangins before wandering off into what will become our new setting for the evening.  

While wandering into the main stage area, we meandered through the commune of tents, picnic areas and parked cars and gathered our bearings for what would be home for the next few days.  A local coffee trailer was a definate plus for mornings as well as a local wood salesmen .  After some wandering through hoola hooping hippies and craft wielding wanderers we finally made it to the Purple Hatter Stage where Dub let the vibes loose at what seemed to be the unofficial open to the weekend despite the previous shows.  

After the show wrapped up, the group concluded that we should check out another stage where a favorite was playing...Toubab Krewe.  Just as they did at Bonnaroo....After a dissapointing show with Lotus, the crowd headed back to the campsite for the end of night festivities that included franzia bag slapping and dead trees being thrown into the fire.  

Day 2 brought hopes to catch some new acts as well as a favorite among our group...Perpetual Groove! After catching a group I had only heard of....Break Science, I quickly became a fan, and in the process of waiting between Break Science and Pnuma Trio I was able to catch a Zach Deptuy set....ALWAYS bringing the funk, gotta give it to Zach.  Then after loosing track of time, I was able to catch the second half of the Perpetual Groove set, only to hear I misssed a shout out directed towards the Ohio, ATL, VA crowd I have found myself traveling with the last couple months, good people.  

The weekend was great as a whole, and knowing that I will have VIP status for 2010 Bear Creek is only making me anticipate it more.  The final day wound the weekend down and as a whole the entire weekend had a few perks.  Seeing Derek Trucks come and play with Lettuce was an experiance, and in addition I managed to get my hands on another P Groove Set List.  My first experiance at Live Oak was a success, and I can't wait to get back again!

Don't Get Lost in the Pretty Lights

This past Teusday...Tampa, Florida and the Crowbar in Ybor City were perparing for something new.  Pretty Lights, an electronic/Hip-Hop duo out of Fort Collins, CO stopped by in what was told to me by their lighting man, one of the smallest venue's on their tour.  Unfortunately, he told me that due to the small size of the Venue, they were unable to bring their LED light wall that many fans have become accustomed to on their current tour.  Pretty Lights however was not alone in their overtake of Tampa.  

The party got started around 10pm when Alex Botwin from the widely toured Pnuma Trio opened up the dance floor.  All though a much smaller crowd than Pretty Lights gained, Alex B lit up the stage and got the crowd moving for what was going to be one the the more exciting times I've had in Tampa to date.  

Alex Vincent Smith, the front man of Pretty Lights, walked out onto the stage w/ his partner, Cory Eberhard right around 12am, and thats when the place really light up.  Bringing their own light system really enhanced the Crow, and the nearly sold out crowd didn't hurt either.  They continued to rock the house at a level that most cannot even comprehend, and made what could have been just another tuesday, into one of the best nights of the past semester. 

So those of you who are unfamiliar with the group, go grab their music for FREE.....LEGALLY! @ www.prettylightsmusic.com and pass the word, because this due is going to be lighting up the dance floor near you pretty soon......