10LKS Memories

Non-Phish Shows/Meetups
#1

So I left Chicago around 11:30pm on Tuesday and started toward Detroit Lakes. Around 4 I had to stop and let a friend drive and we made it to the fest around 11:30am Wednesday.
Northwoods was packed. It took awhile to get into the grounds and there were still alot of cars behind us. We drove around a lot and finally found a great spot right off one of the roads next to some trees. Great shade at Northwoods and no bugs at all.
We ended up just hanging out and drinking/smoking. Cooked some dinner and went in to see Trampled By Turtles around 9.

Wow.

What a great bluegrass band. The Barn stage, which was more of a tent then a barn, anyway, was rockin. Full, but there still seemed to be room for everyone to dance and nobody was on top of each other. I don’t know any of there song names but it flowed great. That’s why I love bluegrass. They would play a nice upbeat song and follow it with a faster one. Then bring it down for a nice ballad, only to bring it right back to a nice jam. It was great. Everyone was definitely ready for the weekend. The lead singer had a nice voice but they sound best when they all sing together. By the time they finished around 11 I was beat. A full 8 hour day at work, followed by 12-14 hours in the car, to some beers, herb, and a whole bunch of dancing I think I fell asleep before my head hit the pillow. I wanted to catch some of The Samples & The Breakfast but just couldn’t.
Woke up, had some lunch, and went in to catch Garaj Mahal.

A car on the path to the show said it all for the week to come.

The empty Main stage. Oh,…I’ll get to you later.

A pretty girl flying this crazy kite-like cat toy. I couldn’t stop watching it or her. They even matched colors. Crazy.

Garaj Mahal was very good. Never heard them before and I will definitely be catching them around Chicago. Very nice, unique sound. The bass player can throw down, which seemed to be the theme for the weekend in my eyes.

By quarter to 3 the sun already started getting to me. So I walked over to see the rest of the Trampled By Turtles afternoon set. These guys are machines. They where playing as good as the night before. The crowed was eating it up. The band even mentioned how they couldn’t believe everyone had the same amount of energy as the night before. Everyone was loving it.

As you can see the shade made it darker, but it was fine for me in the shade.

I’m a Turtles fan for sure now.

They ended and I was sitting pretty for the next show which would be one of the best of the weekend for me.
Tea Leaf Green.
I made my way down and ended up front and center.

more to come…

#2

HEll yeah here come the pictures… Nice!!!

#3

Now I’ve wanted to see Tea Leaf Green for some time now. They played Chicago the same weekend that Umphrey’s was in town. Didn’t even realize it. I just went to the bar thinking I’d have no problem and they were sold out. I was pissed. The website said there were tickets but they had huge door sales.

Anyway, I just walked down closer to the stage after TRT and everyone just moved and I found myself front and center.

A little Gnome(?) on the keyboard stand. I called him the piper.

They came out swinging.

I love their sound. They all seem to be on the same page and playing from the heart. They were smiling the whole time in between songs and really having a great time. They were definitely feeding off the crowd.

The show slowly started gaining speed and they were locked in.
*Edit Setlist:

Harvest Time, The Garden (Part I) > The Garden (Part II) > The Garden (Part III) > Precious Stone > Can You Guess It?, Faced with Love > Dragonfly, Georgie P, The Devil’s Pay, Taught to be Proud, Franz Hanzerbeak, One Reason, Planet of Green Love > Sex in the 70’s

Great song selection and they really put on a great show. Trevor is great on the keys. Notice the headpiece. He can play a mean harp as well.

Josh slammed his beer and used it to play slide. @*&#$! SICK!!!
He was out of his mind by the end of the set. Just a big ol smile on his face.

Bring it home.

What a show. I can’t wait to see them again. If anyone has any live shows I would love to talk with you.

Walking back from the Barn/Tent stage toward the field stage on the left and the mainstage forward and to the right.

The place was set up perfect. You could catch a little bit of every show if you wanted. The sound was great at each stage and their was room for most every show.

I left the grounds (Yeah, I had to miss O.A.R. :stuck_out_tongue: ;D ) to go meet all the kind Oh Kee Pa’s at 'insky’s camp. I can’t believe I didn’t take any pictures at the meet-up.
I spaced on that. oh well.
'insky you, danielle, jess and adam are the best. Neal and Andy wanted thank you guys for being so kind to them as well. It was great seeing PH Guy, Sam, FunkyB, Tube (even if it was for 30 seconds), phunkyrobot, checkitout, who am I missing? Your all great. I’m really happy to have met you all and look forward to the next time.

After that I went back to camp and got ready for SCI.

to be continued…

#4

^damn, those pictures are seriously close up did you have a vip pass? Or telescopic lens? Great friggin photos, looks like offical photography. Nice commentary as well, Im loving the presentation.

Excellent stuff

#5

oh gamecat i really do hope you made it to the cheese show and have some pictures. I’m not trying to play up another band but I think Cheese really does have the reins with the scene right now. The crowd definitely is much different then that of Phish, but everyone at that show was happy. I didn’t see one person who wasnt enjoying themselves except these two women standing right in front of me, stage left, who were talking throughout the second set. Didn’t even matter though because the second set was BOMB. Easily one of my highlights of the weekend. That and Trey playing with MMW, which I am surprised to hear no one mention yet on the board?

#6

top class gamecat!

and you definitely have made me wanna check out trampled by turtles now…

#7

keep this shit coming, ya’ll…i just topped off my wine glass and realized this thread was WAY TOO short…

it better be full and deservant of a full glass of wine by tomorrow a.m…or else.

grrrrrrrr.

#8

^ i’ve gotta get some work done this morning, but i’m gonna go show by show here by the end of the day.

no VIP is needed at this fest. if you want, you can walk up to front and center at any show…people always letting you get by and there always seemed to be enough room anywhere to dance and enjoy a great show. mainly cuz this venue is made for at least 75,000+ people, and there were 18k there this weekend. not sure where the rumors came from about 50k.

it’s the magic of Northern MN, trust me…it’s heaven.

#9

^ sounds like it, Im def gonna try to make it out next summer, wasn’t in a position to do so this time around, which blows since there was such a killer lineup this time around.

#10

Prediction… Nest summer you will see a REALLY BIG band there… lmao… What a blast ya’ll

#11

…Meanwhile, back at camp, we got our shit together and went in to the SCI show which just started at 8.

With the show already started we just kinda held back and decided to try to get a better spot for the late night shows.
We did that each night as a matter of fact.

It really only filled up alittle more in front of us and there was plenty of room to dance and spread out. The sound was great and wasn’t a problem at all.

SCI sounded great. I’ve seen them a couple times and liked them. I thought the second set was great. Very psychedelic. They were definitely letting loose. Great, spaced out sounds.

The show ended and we decided to see Mutaytor and wait till tomorrow for Railroad Earth.

Hello Mutaytor!

It was a cross between a KISS concert, a Tribal ceremony, and a High School pep rally. Very interesting. Kimmock & Perkins came out and played on one song. Then a Chinese Dragon did a skit with a sexy girl. Sorry Guys, couldn’t get a good pic of that. :frowning:

They just started setting things on fire after that.

The show was fun. We went back to camp and my friend started getting the itch to burn something after watching that, so he busted out his fire sticks.
Me, Sponge Bob, and many other campers got a good show.

After that I proceeded to drink/smoke myself silly and pass out in the chair. Woke up to my friends coming back from walking the grounds right before sunrise and fell into my tent. The second day was officially over…

#12

^ So fun, fire sticks that is!! I wish we had known your buddy had a knack for those, I love that shit!

#13

…Waking up on Friday was tough, but little did I know what was in store for me this day. I got up around 10 or so and got myself to my chair. Woke up, smoked up, made a great lunch and headed in for the Railroad Earth show at 2.
Kick Ass sums up RRE.
I know some people talk about Yonder Mountain as the best new-grass band, but RRE is in my eyes and you definitely need to see these guys if you have the chance. After hearing about their set the night before I was happy I had a second chance to see them. If anybody would fill in the details about the Thursday night set I would appreciate it. Heard Very good things about it.

I made it in and hung back at first.
This was at the Barn stage, same as TLG.

I had enough of hanging back and slowly made my way up. Everyone was getting down like an old time hootenanny so it was kinda easy to move up. I just started dancing and leaned forward. They were so tight and fast it was amazing. They all are masters of their instruments and a few played multiple.

Love me some fiddle

What a great time. The place was full and there really is nothing better then getting down in the sunshine to some great bluegrass. The campers were loving RRE and alot of people were talking about them the rest of the weekend. They put on 2 great shows and gained alot of fans for sure. The bluegrass all weekend was great. Another bluegrass band from the weekend is Cornmeal. Good stuff. Bluegrass made a good showing at 10LKS.

I was pretty hot and had to get some water. I decided to head back to camp to grab Gatorade and eat something.
With Keller & SCI, Phil & Friends, and late night Umphrey’s I had to prep for sure. Let me tell you it’s a good thing I did.
This was the best night of the fest for me.
I’m sure it was for alot of the other 18-20,000 as well.
WOWZA!

#14

Glad to hear the great things about RRE… First class guys when you meet them.

This is making me wish I actually took my camera out at Waka-Waka!

#15

RRE rocked!!! i had the other side of the RRE coin and saw them on thursday night late-night after SCI. they tore that place down too! Billy Nershi came up for about a half hour funk-grass jam that was everything and then some. people were sayin they’re better than SCI, i doubted those people, but when i saw’em (my first time) i can see why people are saying that. but to me they’re just WAYYYYY different…not as much trance and funk (creepy intense is what i call SCI, and they’re on fire right now) but RRE still has the down-home feel…that late-night set was one of my favs of the weekend. gotta see those guys again.

damn, i keep commenting on individual shows slowly, i need to do a day-by-day breakdown…and will soon…

#16

Seeing my first RRE show was a blessing. I have a few live shows, and with will sending me 2 cd’s worth bacl sometime ago, my heart has a place for the BEST bluegrass band around. Much respect to Yonder & Trampled, both are hot right now, but RRE is top notch. When Nershi stepped up grinning and jamming with the boys, WHEW, we all had to stop and remember to breathe…

What a show, it still is fresh in me mind… I saw the Thursday night, and was proud to be there FER SURE… ;D

#17

…The early evening Keller Williams Incident set was such a great time. A great appetizer for the evening Phil and Friends show.
The view walking up to show.

SET ONE
Breathe
Freeker By The Speaker
Hell’s Bells
10KLF Jam
Hell’s Bells
Callalloo and Red Snapper
Freshies
Back Of The Bus

SET TWO
Sing For My Dinner
Mullet Cut
Alligator Alley
Vacate
Best Feeling
Fuel For The Road

The highlight for me was the first set. Freeker kicked ass. This is one of my fave Keller songs and was so glad to hear it.
The Hells Bells>Jam>Hells Bells was fantastic. They played a great America(FUCK YEAH) during the jam that got everybody smiling and up on there feet. Seeing the SCI with Keller was pretty cool. Different from a normal SCI show. Different energy and not as spacey. Much more straight forward & a rocking good time.

The Phil & Friends show was the best show of the weekend.
Unbelievable.
I just saw him in Chicago a week earlier and liked what I saw then, but what he pulled out Friday night was crazy.

I couldn’t/didn’t take too many pictures this night due to my state of mind and the ones I did just didn’t turn out. Oh well. I was worried I’d lose my camera if I kept taking it out. I did get this one of me and my friends at set break.

Phil & Friends setlist:
I) Jam>Cumberland Blues, Big River, Lazy River Road, Cold Roses>The Wheel>Shakedown St.>Passenger

II) St. Stephen>Dark Star>Stars Go Blue>Dark Star>China Cat Sunflower>The Eleven>Stella Blue, Help on the Way, Slipknot!>Franklin’s Tower E:) Truckin’’

In the words of Joey Laurence, Whoa!
The first set started slow with just a jam to start off, this put me in a relaxed mood. It continued through Big River and Lazy River. The Wheel got most people feeling good and when the opening chords of Shakedown was heard the place lit up. Everyone was getting down and Phil was starting to show what he had in store for the later in the night. He was playing great and the band was really tight IMO.

The second set was something that makes me smile just typing this. St. Stephen opener made everyone howl. It was great. Everyone there was feeling quite good from my point of view. People were passing pipes and most everyone had plenty of room to boogie. The Stephen had to be at least 30 minutes. Anyone know? Very good with everyone getting time to take a lead. The guitar work is what stands out to me.
The opening bass line of Dark Star made my skin crawl.
Lesh’s bass had to be turned up to 11. I was toward the back on his side and the vibration went through my legs, up and out my head. I saw the Grateful Dead 4 times. I’ve seen The Other Ones, The Dead, Ratdog, and even Micky’s band since, nothing came as close to a Grateful Dead concert then the next hour and a half. The Dark Star was just what the doctor ordered. Everyone crossed over into the Phil Zone and was gone. I’ve never been to 10LKS before but the place was electric. China Cat brought everybody back to reality. Great segue ways between all these songs by the way. The music never stopped. The Stella Blue is when Joan really stood out. Her voice was sounding so good and everybody got to catch their breath, stare at the stars a little and let her voice take them away.
Help on the Way>Slipknot>Franklin’s!?! What else needs to be said. Kick ass. Period. The band was closing down their tour and just let loose. Phil was all over the place and the guitars were battling it out. Man, it was just really nice and flowed so smooth.

After that we started over to the field tent to get a spot for Umphrey’s. A Truckin’ encore made the walk a piece of cake.
I don’t know what else to say about Phil. He kicked ass and walked away with the title.

I haven’t seen Umphrey’s in a while and they were a great dessert after Phil.

One Set: The Bottom Half, Out of Order > Believe the Lie, Kabump > “Jimmy Stewart”* > Slacker, Eat, Mulche’s Odyssey, Pay the Snucka, 40’s Theme
E:) Nothing Too Fancy

  • with Crazy Train teases

I really had a good time at Umph’s show. I understand peoples problem with them and see their point. I just let them be themselves and I’ve found a whole new appreciation for them. I only wish they could have played longer this night. The Kabump> “Jimmy Stewart”*> Slacker was the best moment. I love it when a band just keeps going and let’s it all hang out. The field was packed and wanted more. The band even apologized that they couldn’t play longer. They wanted too and probably could have played all night if they were allowed. They seem to be growing as a band and really finding their sound. Which I liked this night. Another very good show.

I was beat. I could barely feel my legs and had to get back to camp. I headed back during the encore and let the sounds carry me away. It was a beautiful night and everyone was awake in Norhtwoods. Grabbed a Guinness, sat in my chair and talked about the night till the wee hours of the morning. After that night, I knew trying to catch the early shows wasn’t gonna happen. Had a few more and passed out to a tasty '98 Phish show playing on my buddy’s radio with visions of Trey and Mike dancing in my head…

#18

^teh GREATNESS… You rock Brian…

#19

This is what it looks like at 10LKS @ 3pm after a night like Fridays.

Lazy asses.

I woke up much earlier then that, around 10, feeling pretty good. Got some breakfast and walked around the campground. Another great day. Minnesota was beautiful. Great weather all weekend. I stopped by 'inskys camp, talked about the night before and the night ahead, and made it back to my camp to get ready for the Duo, Mike, Trey, and MMW.

The walk into the show.

The Duo w/ Mike
Play Pause Stop, Echo Park, Welcome Red, Paranoid Android, Soba, Walking Running Viking, Memphis, Hateframe, Sunny’s Song, Becky > Foam > Becky > Foam

I liked the duo. Paranoid Android was great and the Becky>Foam was very nice. I would have liked to see more of it with Mike. That would be my biggest complaint. It seemed that Mike came out and it was over. :-/

I had pretty high expectations for the Trey set and I think I set them a bit to high. I liked it alot but I really was left wanting something more. I really couldn’t put my finger on it. I thought the acoustic stuff was the best and would have liked to see more of that.

Set 1: Goodbye Head, Drifting, Happy Birthday Marco, Mud City, Trouble, Suskind Hotel > Dragonfly

Set 2: Host Across the Potomac, Something for Rockets, Hap-Nappy, Sleep Again, Uncle Albert*, Wave The Ocean** (Tim O’Brien), Wherever You Find It**, You’ve Got Me Floating**, Poor Heart**, Shine^, Who Are You***, E: Get Back

*Trey on megaphone. **Trey on acoustic, Mike on banjo. ^preceded by a birthday cake presentation to Marco. ***with John Medeski (and Marco) on organ/keys

The sun sets on the last night of 10,000 Lakes

Some more fire dancers during set break

They were definitely having a good time and the whole birthday stuff to Marco was goofy. The show ended weird though. The P.A. started playing music after the last song like the show was over, then it stopped and they came back out to do the encore. It really put me in a strange mood. Does anyone know what I’m talking about? It just seemed to end abruptly. We did get some fireworks.

Overall, the show was good but I think I was beat from the night before or I just had to high expectations. Trey needs to pick something and stick with it I think. I love Trey and definitely listen to anything he does, I just think he’s all over the place right now.

What he did with MMW later in the night is what he should be doing!

I’ve never seen Medeski, Martin, and Wood before and was very excited that they were closing down the fest. They did not disappoint.

Very good jazz/rock and they can throw down.
Just when everyone was tripping out on their music Trey walks out. This was so good. Crazy good.

It was not like John Scofield & them. This was much more improvisational and exploring. Get this show by all means necessary. It sounds so good and Trey rips it up.
I want and need to see MMW again. With Trey, or Scofield, or by themselves. Go and see these guys. Top notch musicians. I wish they could have played longer as well.

What an ending to a great festival for me.
Highlights were: Phil and Friends, MMW w/ Trey, Tea Leaf Green, Trampled by Turtles and Railroad Earth. These are the ones that just stand out at this moment. The whole Fest was great though.
I will be going back next year for sure. Set up great, the check-in going in could speed up but everyone kept their cool and got a spot. Not alot of problems and people tended to police themselves. Very good vibes and friendly atmosphere at Northwoods campground. Met some great people, heard the best music, and made it home safe. Very nice week indeed.

#20

^Freaking rocking weekend, and since I was to afraid to bring the new Camera out, I am glad you did… NICE!!!