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A gathering of Chicago-lands positive music, people and art together for a weekend of positive vibes at the peak of summer was Whippersnap Music Festival. In the wooded northwest region of Illinois, Earlville's Stonehouse park hosted the event. The festival turned the campground into a jamming weekend with more than thirty bands on two stages. Bands included many from the Chicago music scene; Terrapin Flyer with Tom Constanten of the Grateful Dead, Family Groove Company, Barefoot Fred, The Coop, Cosmic Railroad, Thinner Teed, Roster McCabe, Brainchild, This Must Be The Band, Fresh Hops, Herbert Wiser and many more. The campground was covered in a blanket of trees, a thumping barn, a frisbee golf course, a lake to swim in and the perk of having electrical outlets. The music and other features of this festival made it unique and positive draw.
Friday July 15th
The first day of the festival began in the mid afternoon as the crowd flocked to the stages for the first bands. With Steve Barnes opening things up there was a heightened groove in the mood of those who could arrive early Friday. Moving into more music, Sean Sheil hit the Outdoors stage. Sheil's music brought a mellow vibe weaning into the festival with the acoustic skills. The afternoon was speeding along as the funk continued flowing. Dr. Ed and Friends took to the afternoon heat on the outdoors stage to bring on a reggae funky jam music with numerous up tempo tunes. The instruments on stage were mesmerizing to watch as they produced a flow of beats. As afternoon transformed into early evening, attendees were arriving more and more to fill up the dance areas around the stages.
Jump starting a night vibe was Soup in the party barn bringing some of Milwaukee's rock vibes to the festival. The barn was literally a rage with lights flashing and illuminating the structure. Lights were put on by the skills of Kyle Keagan who has a way of turning any stage into a visual work of art.
Old Shoe began to bring the soundtrack for the sunset with a folk feel. The first day was off to a fantastic and gripping start as some of the headlining sets were about to start.
Cosmic Railroad delivered a jam session on the outdoors stage as the night was on the way to a groove. Performing many renditions of rocking tunes of the Grateful Dead, Phish and other jam bands. Vibrating the fields with gripping rifts and catching favorites that started the evening on a positive note.
The bug spray was flowing along with the tunes as the first night of the festival began over the shadow of the full moon. With the moon lifting over the small lake on the grounds and over the weeping willow, Family Groove Company set an incredible mood for the surroundings. With a bass line kicking in to begin the set, the funky jam rock this band projects is captivating. Erupting the open field with psychedelic lights and swaying melodies. You couldn't help but shake it. Sharing many of the bands original music combined with covers of other musical artists. Performing songs from Medeski, Martin and Wood, Buffalo Springfield's “ Stop Children What's that Sound”, Led Zeppelin's “Ocean,” along with several others. Having some guest appearances to add additional talents to the stage was Jaik Willis for a song . The populous of the band sets such a personality, Janis Wallin on bass and vocals, Jordan Wilkow on keys and vocals, Mattias Blanck on drums as well as Adam Lewis on guitar. The band produced a collection of more than just dancable tunes to get the Whippersnap crowd, always offering a great variety of music and a massive amount of talent. This performance from Family Groove Company was a great start to night time performances and an impressive two set show was one of the main highlights of the weekend.
One attribute to this festival was the organization and ability to put the schedule together in a positive way to where there is always music playing somewhere! Thinner Teed kept the music bumping after FGC took off the stage. The barn literally was glowing through the trees as the lights synchronized with the music. As the Chicago based band raged with a bluegrass, electro mix of music. These guys on stage really knew how to move a crowd. With original songs and even a rendition of the pink panther theme, the music was full of energy and very technical jams in between the chorus's, build-ups and break downs, all of this made it a very fun show to see, perfect for late night rockers. As they took the night to the next level, music kept going and in the midsummers night on a full moon.
As the early morning was drifting by the dance beats began to pick up. The Herbert Wiser Band took to the barn to literally make a musical dance party. Electronic flare was belted out as the music moved those who stood by. The funky elements mixed with the tempo changes made this show gripping. Covering songs like the Band's “Ophelia” along with some of their own tunes, the music was flowing till early midmorning and closed out the barn stage till the next morning. With music continuing till the break of dawn on the Late night stage there was beats to keep you going till the new days light.
Saturday July 16th
The second and final day at the festival brought true appreciation for the Chicago music scene and the location of Stonehouse park. As the sun beat down to begin the day, sweltering rays that came down on the mid- July made it a rocky morning. Music began right at the peak heat at noon. Before rocking out to the start of the beats there were several extracurriculars that brought a heightened vibe to the fest. Activities including a yoga session, Kung-Fu or Tai-Chi were put together to waken up spirits and stretch after a long night of dancing. The first bands kicked off with the mellow jams of Tonal Carnaval and Fifth World. This only kicked off a long day filled with monumental music and moving those in the Midwest surrounding.
Lake Shore Vibe took to the stage during high noon on the Outdoors Stage. Progressive and cascading with jams the early day was begun with a hot sun and hot melodies to move the crowds. Recently taking in a new guitarist and pianist, it gave a band a great contrast to the melodies, now with two guitarist being able to feed off each other and the keys to add some great ambient sounds and all around great balance. Covers including songs by Santana as well as some of the band's original tracks. The music just kept you moving even if it was from stage to stage there was the scenery of the park to take in.
A Chicago based band called Genome took to the stage next. Jamming, Jivey, livening with every addition of sound. The instrumentals come together with power and positivity behind them. The guys on stage were full of smiles and ready to rock even with the sun whipping them with its rays. Energy was felt in the crowd who braced the heat to engage in the jams. Front man Kyle Madsen knew how to add a jazz influenced melodies with the saxophone along with the added sounds of the trombone by Xavier Galdon. Performing songs with smooth introductions moving into up tempo medians and gripping build ups. The percussion sounds added a stunning tap to the other instruments by knowledgeable instrumentalist, Drew Littell. Guitarist, Igor Voltchenko ripes his fingers on the instrument enticing the crowd. Other members spicing up the already hot day include Patrick Dinnen on bass and Asif Wilson on keys. The band showed its gratitude for the attendees that came to listen even if it was from a distance in the shade, they also gave thanks to the organizers of a homely festival of loved Chicago music.
Taking shelter from the summer weather in the Party Barn |
