Lawrence.com

The 2004 Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival is a three-day event that takes place on 400 acres of partially wooded land by Lake Clinton, Lawrence, KS.Single-day tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the festival gates. This price includes admission to the festival and parking. Camping is not included in single-day tickets. All 3-day passes include next-to-car primitive camping.$75 tickets available through April 30th or until sold out.After April 3oth, ticket prices increase to $95 per ticket.After June 1st, tickets are $105.The following bands perform on June 17, 18, 19 or 20 (t.b.a.):Theresa Andersson 1:00-1:40, Fri. (Sun up)Singer/songwriter/violinist Theresa Andersson blends a sassy stage presence with the pop flair of Liz Phair and Nashville-by-way-of-Jimi-Hendrix violin stylings. But don't go see her just because she's been known to perform in a string bikini and she's totally hot.Barefoot Manner 6:40-7:40, Sun. (Revival)Barefoot Manner is a little jam, a little reggae and a ton of mellow. Benevento/Russo Duo 9:15-10:20, Thu. (Revival)Organ and drums duo Marco Benvento and Joe Russo create a sound bigger than the sum of their parts, deeply rooted in traditional jazz but also owing a large debt to rock, funk and eastern influences.Big Metal Rooster 5:30-6:15, Thu. (Revival)Improvisational jam rock is the name of the game for this Lawrence-based band, which has been drawing steady crowds with two-night stands at The Jazzhaus and other local venues.Big Wu5:20-6:15, Sat. (Sundown)1:40-2:40, Sun. (Sundown)"Did you know that there are many fine and upstanding Americans who honor the therapeutic value of live rock-n-roll music and, subsequently, beer? The Big Wu does." So says the biography of this Minneapolis-born rock band, which has been known to temper its original material with covers of everyone from Bob Dylan to The Grateful Dead to Black Sabbath. Bockman's Euphio 5:30-6:10, Fri. (Revival)4:30-5:10, Sat. (Revival)Columbia's Bockman's Euphio brings a "high-octane sound" driven by two keyboardists and songwriting sensibilities that lean more towards rock than jam. Bottlerockets 6:00-6:40, Fri. (Sun up)Once dubbed "The Greatest Bar Band in America," The Bottle Rockets have been schlepping through the better part of a decade at the forefront of the alt. country/ Americana scene. With multiple talented songwriters, the band lives up to their promise to deliver memorable working class rock and roll.BR54912:50-1:35, Sat. (Sun up)The roots of country and western swing kings BR549 actually go back to Lawrence, where lead crooner Chuck Mead founded The Homestead Grays. But it wasn't until Mead relocated to Nashville that BR549 became the darlings of the traditionalist country scene. Heck, Hank Williams would dig these guys (though he might get a tad jealous).Marc Broussard 6:00-7:00, Fri. (Sundown)Marc Broussard is smooth. Smooth like Bob Schneider or Jason Mraz or John Mayer. You get the picture.Derek Trucks Band9:15-10:15, Sat. (Sundown)Blues-rock guitarist Derek Trucks is the nephew of longtime Allman Brothers drummer Butch Trucks. His slide guitar styles run the gamut from blues to classic R&B and classic jazz. DeWayn Brothers1:00-1:40, Sun. (Revival)Emporia's Dewayn Brothers are a six-piece bastard bluegrass band that plays a lot of their own songs and some covers too. Dirty Dozen Brass Band9:10-10:10, Sun. (Sundown)A New Orleans institution for nearly 30 years, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band is probably the only brass band to have collaborated with artists as diverse as David Bowie, Elvis Costello, Dave Matthews and Modest Mouse. The band's hybrid style takes cues from traditional brass band marches, funk, R&B, bop, gospel and rock. Arthur Dodge 4:30-5:10, Thu. (Revival)Local legend Arthur Dodge brings a show chock-full of whiskey-soaked ballads and Springsteen-inspired rock, delivered with gutsy chops and booze-soaked harmonies. Test drive the Dodge and you'll hear a little bit of Neil Young, a little bit of Paul Westerberg and a whole lotta Lawrence.Donna the Buffalo3:00-3:50, Sun. (Sundown)Funky and danceable with a message of tribal philosophy and celebration, Donna the Buffalo's music is a unique blend of reggae, rock, country, zydeco, cajun, and folk traditions.Drive-By Truckers7:50-8:50, Sun. (Sundown)Southern rock is alive and well in the hands of Drive-By Truckers, an Alabama- and Georgia-bred collective that brings out all the best parts of Skynyrd (chunky riffs, twin guitar solos and sing-along choruses) and leaves the fluff in the ditch. The band's three-guitar attack supplements gritty, visceral singing and a powerful rhythm section.Drums & Tuba 3:00-3:40, Fri. (Sun up)Don't let the name fool you - there's a guitar in drums and tuba. The rest of the name is accurate though, as this three-piece avant-pop collective cooks up some pretty unusual sounds with an array of live instrumentation and samplers. Chris Duarte 4:10-5:00, Sun. (Sundown)Austin's Chris Duarte plays rockin' blues with screamin' guitars in the spirit of Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimi Hendrix. Ekoostik Hookah 12:05-1:10 a.m., Thu. (Revival)Ohio-based Ekoostik Hookah mixes psychedelic rock 'n' roll, blues, funk and jam with rich harmonies and a Phish-like grandeur. The band's yearly "Hookahville Festival" attracts top names like David Grisman and Ratdog to the quiet green hills of Ohio.Exit Clov3:30-4:10, Sat. (Revival)Two harmonizing twin sisters front Exit Clov, a dark and dreamy rock group from Washington D.C. Forty Twenty 12:00-12:40, Fri. (Sun up)Hillbilly honky-tonk is the toe jam of choice for this Lincoln, Neb., quintet. Reared on punk and converted to the gospel of country, Forty Twenty tears through their own would-be hits like "Drink About Her" and "Broken Heartland" with the subtlety of a massive train wreck.Four Fried Chickens and a Coke 2:30-3:10, Sat. (Revival)Eleven-piece blues/soul/funk revue Four Fried Chickens and a Coke plays the good stuff - James Brown, Otis Redding, Ike and Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder - in addition to a bevy of original tunes.Robbie Fulks 2:00-2:40, Fri. (Sun up)Robbie Fulks is a working man's troubadour with a dangerous sense of humor. The self-made musician is the brains behind songs like "She Took A Lot of Pills (And Died)" and "Sleepin' On the Job of Love." His live shows run the gamut from rock to country to bluegrass - favorite covers include "Billie Jean" and "I Feel Like a Woman." Galactic 8:55-10:10, Fri. (Sundown)New Orleans-based funk outfit Galactic delivers very listenable booty music - the kind that invites dancing but doesn't demand it. Borrowing heavily from their influences - Maceo Parker, Medeski, Martin and Wood, The Meters - Galactic is one of the most educated funk bands on the scene today.Garaj Mahal4:10-5:00, Sat. (Sundown)Sporting an all-star lineup of musicians who have played with the likes of Sting, Bela Fleck and Chick Corea, Garaj Mahal blends funk, fusion and blues into their own jammy stew. Green Lemon 6:30-7:10, Fri. (Revival)Green Lemon's song "Flight of Manwe" could be the jam scene's answer to Daft Punk with its driving disco beat and heavy synths. But the multi-faceted Fort Collins band delves equally into reggae and rock, so don't get all raved out just yet.Grey Hounds4:55-5:40, Fri. (Sundown)7:40-8:40, Sat. (Revival)This L.A. jazz/soul/funk trio builds thick, funky grooves a la G Love and the Special Sauce laced with soulful harmonica and Hammond organ flavors. Guided By Voices10:25-midnight, Sat. (Sun up)Don't let it bring you down that The Who sucks now - Guided By Voices is doing their best to fill the throne. The pride of Dayton, Ohio, has been delivering epic booze-soaked performances for nearly two decades, filling out small clubs and now festival stages with their anthem power rock. If lead singer and ringleader Robert Pollard gets a few drinks in him (a good bet), the sky's the limit for what this unlikely band of do-gooders can do. Hackensaw Boys 4:00-4:40, Fri. (Sun up)11:45-12:30, Sat. (Sun up)The Hackensaw Boys have made a name for themselves playing the Gomer Pyle on stage with rock and roll's Andy Griffiths. The old-time string band revivalists lit a fire under the stage for The Unlimited Sunshine Tour (Cake, The Flaming Lips, Modest Mouse), proving that there's still a place in rock and roll for a bunch of backwoods bluegrass boys from Blue Ridge, Va.Hairy Apes BMX6:45-7:35, Sat. (Sun up)Hairy Apes BMX are one the most innovative groove bands on the map, mixing Latin influences with a two-drummer attack and electronica and jungle music influences. The band hooked up with former Pearl Jam drummer Dave Abbruzzese (who also toured with the band for awhile) for their most recent album, and percussionist Mike Dillon also does time with Les Claypool and Garage-A-Trois. Hello Superworld3:00-3:40, Sun. (Revival)As the only band in the Wakarusa lineup with no tangible web presence, Hello Superworld offers no hint of what they actually sound like. Here's a totally random guess: "Rock with funk, jazz and jam influences." Are we right?Hot Buttered Rum String Band 10:40-11:40, Sun. (Revival)"High altitude bluegrass" is the bullet from this hot-buttered California band. Fiddle and mandolin player Aaron Redner is a veteran of local group Two Dollar Shoes. Indigenous 10:20-11:20, Sat. (Revival)5:20-6:10, Sun. (Sundown)This quartet of Nakota Sioux Indian family members plays some seriously hard-rocking, chunky-riff blues in the tradition of Clapton, Hendrix and B.B. King.Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey 8:30-9:25, Fri. (Revival)In a festival chock-full of jam bands who claim jazz influences, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey brings a refreshingly jazz-rooted foundation to the table. The Tulsa-based trio has collaborated with artists as diverse as Les Claypool and Charlie Hunter and now records for the distinguished Knitting Factory Records label.Jazz Mandolin Project 12:25-1:25 a.m., Fri. (Revival)6:35-7:35, Sat. (Sundown)Forget everything you know about the mandolin as a bluegrass instrument - the Jazz Mandolin project probably has Bill Monroe turning in his grave. This adventurous instrumental trio - currently composed of Jamie Masefield (mandolin), Danton Boller (upright bass) and Ari Hoenig (drums) - draws on post-bop, avant-garde jazz and fusion as well as progressive rock and world music to give a new context to an old instrument.Jennifer Hartswick Band 11:00-11:40, Sun. (Sundown)Hartswick and company play exotic soul music with a hint of jazz, R&B, soul and funk.Kaki Kingnoon-12:45, Sat. (Sundown)Thumping bass lines, tapping melodies, and slapping percussion all play into Kaki King's vagabond guitar style, which she augments with a variety of tunings and slapping styles. The acoustic instrumentalist recently caught the attention of Sony Records, which will release her debut album this summer.Leftover Salmon 10:45-Midnight, Fri. (Sun up)11:40-1:10, Sat. (Revival)Bluegrass with a jam band makeover describes Leftover Salmon, the reigning kings of Colorado's expansive mountain music scene. Los Lonely Boys6:30-7:30, Sun. (Sundown)This brotherly trio plays Tex-Mex rock with some bad-ass blues guitar licks. Influenced by equal parts guitar gods (Santana, Hendrix, Stevie Ray) and songwriting legends (Beatles, Richie Valens), Los Lonely Boys pack a tasty musical burrito of diverse styles. The Lost Trailers 9:20-10:20, Sun. (Revival)The boys of The Lost Trailers are true to their influences - Bruce Springsteen, the Allman Brothers, Willie Nelson, and the Black Crowes.Lucero 7:00-7:45, Fri. (Sun up)If by "country" you mean Johnny Cash, Gram Parsons and Wilco, then you might get along well with Lucero. With a lead singer that sounds like he swallowed a bucket full of gravel and a simple, heartfelt approach to songwriting, Lucero goes for the gut and clamps down hard.James McMurtry1:00-1:45, Sat. (Sundown)Influenced by Kris Kristofferson and The Band, Sugar Hill recording artist James McMurtry plays roots rock and roll "because music needs to happen." The Texas-based singer/songwriter caught his big break when John Mellencamp offered to co-produce his first album, inspired by McMurtry's cinematic storytelling and smooth, low voice. Mission 19Noon-12:40, Sun. (Revival)Denver's Mission 19 has opened for John Mayer, Hootie and the Blowfish and Sister Hazel. Listen to the band and it won't take long to see why. Mofro 11:05-12:05, Fri. (Revival)4:15-5:05, Sat. (Sun up)This "front porch" duo of JJ Grey (vocals, guitar, harmonica, keys) and Daryl Hance (guitar, dobro) cooks up some swampy soul and blues music with help from a revolving cast of backup musicians. The band's love of its native Florida marshes frequently inspires its down-home sound.Monte Montgomery2:00-2:45, Sat. (Sundown)The styles of Fleetwood Mac, Mark Knopfler and Steve Vai all play into Austin singer/songwriter/guitarist Monte Montgomery's modern electric Texas blues. Moonshine Still 10:40-11:45, Thu. (Revival)Macon, GA's Moonshine Still plays "Frankenrock." At least that's what they call their 10-minute-plus rock, funk, metal and soul jams. Imagine The Allman Brothers on even more psychedelic drugs and you might start to get the picture.Motet 5:30-6:15, Sat. (Revival)Hard-driving instrumental group Motet brings together elements of jazz, funk and world music to create percussive grooves for dance-happy feet.Mother Kali 2:30-3:10, Fri. (Revival)Mother Kali is Manhattan, Kan.'s answer to Rusted Root, with a "tantalizing mind wave of explosive jams" that owes a large debt to lead singer Shiva Kumar's three years of experience studying and playing music in India.Mountain of Venus5:20-6:20, Sun. (Revival)Is Mountain of Venus (as their bio reads) "a complete musical experience delivering a peerless combination of intelligent, radio-friendly songwriting, sparkling vocal harmonies and mind-boggling instrumental virtuosity that cannot help but capture the hearts, minds and ears of discriminating listeners everywhere"? Since you've been drinking beers nonstop for three days, we'll go with "Yeah, they're awesome... whoa, dude -- peep that hottie."North Mississippi All Stars 10:30-midnight, Sun. (Sundown)"Hill country boogie" is the term often used to describe the North Mississippi All Stars, a power quartet influenced by delta blues, gospel and southern rock. Founded by brothers Luther (guitar) and Cody (drums) Dickinson, the band's early recordings were heavily stacked with old blues standards like "Shake 'Em On Down" and "Drinking Muddy Water." In recent years, however, the band has veered more towards southern stadium rock in the vein of ZZ Top or The Allman Brothers. O.A.R.10:35-12:05, Sat. (Sundown)Often likened to Dave Matthews Band, O.A.R. ("Of A Revolution") rose quickly from an Ohio State frat band to a Billboard chartbuster with their listener-friendly "island vibe roots rock." If Scott Stapp hooked up with Bob Marley...Papa Mali 2:45-3:30, Fri. (Sundown)New Orleans funk and swamp rock gets a workout under the southern-fried touch of Papa Mali. The band's live show peppers in healthy doses of greasy slide guitar and tribal polyrhythms on top of Malcolm "Papa Mali" Welbourne's soulful vocals.Particle 1:45 a.m.-3:00 a.m., Fri. (Revival)7:55-8:55, Sat. (Sundown)Particle has already brought its "funktronic" sound to the Coachella and Bonnaroo Festivals, as well as to its own "Krewe of Particle People" festival in New Orleans. This late-night Friday gig should offer no rest for weary feet, as Particle's disco- and funk-heavy set provides prime boogie-down real estate.Perpetual Groove 9:45-10:45, Fri. (Revival)The name says it all, doesn't it? Perpetual Groove mixes heavy doses of funk and reggae with tribal trance-like rhythms to create an addictive groove (or is it groove for your addiction?)Steve Poltz 10:00-10:40, Sun. (Sundown)Steve Poltz is best known for his 1998 hit "Silver Lining" ("Used to have hope / Now we have soap-on-a-rope") and for co-writing Jewel's "You Were Meant for Me." The eclectic singer/songwriter's everyday-life ruminations have also been featured on Dawson's Creek and Party of Five. Pomeroy7:55-8:45, Sat. (Sun up)Hometown heroes Pomeroy (ok, they're really from Manhattan) bring some of the biggest crowds around to local venues, and for good reason. The hard-working funk/rap/rock group spreads feel-good vibes in the tradition of Sublime or 311, getting audiences hyped on their own brand of funky popcorn.Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise1:55-2:45, Sat. (Sun up)8:00-9:00, Sun. (Revival)Alabama-born, Detroit-bred singer/songwriter Robert Bradley writes soul and rock tunes in the spirit of Otis Redding or Marvin Gaye. Backed by an accomplished all-star band of Detroit's finest, the blind singer delivers powerful live performances that seek to do justice to his many influences. Robert Randolph 10:30-Midnight, Fri. (Sundown)The Michael Jordan of pedal steel guitar, Robert Randolph approaches his "sacred steel" with all the cockiness of a big-time baller. Randolph's band boasts some of the most soulful and wicked players this side of Sly and the Family Stone. This show promises to be one of the most joyful occasions of the weekend.Robert Walter's 20th Congress5:25-6:25, Sat. (Sun up)For six years now, Robert Walter's 20th Congress has boasted an ever-evolving lineup of top-notch jazz musicians (based in San Diego) who create driving, syncopated grooves and funky avant-garde jazz.The Samples noon-1:20, Sun. (Sundown)After a bad major label experience in the early '90s, The Samples have continued to grow independently and build a grassroots following for their laid-back acoustic pop. Bob Schneider3:05-3:55, Sat. (Sun up)On his quest to usurp Pete Yorn from the thinking man's soft rock throne, Austin singer/songwriter Bob Schneider has accumulated armies of happy head bobbers fiending for a fix of his "Sweet Medicine" ("Baby, baby let me in / I need me some of your sweet medicine / You got the cure for what is ailing me / Only our sweet love can set me free"). If smooth chill-out music and long surfer-boy locks is your forte, Bob Schneider's your new crush. The Schwag 6:35-7:45, Thu. (Revival)What would a festival be without an appearance from the Grateful Dead? Eh ... a Grateful Dead cover band, that is. With over 12 year's experience interpreting the Dead's vast catalog, The Schwag looks to bring a 'kind' (ahem) vibe to the tent stage. Shanti Groove9:00-10:00, Sat. (Revival)This Colorado seven-piece incites high-energy dancing with grooves that move along acoustical and electrical lines, combining the voice of jazz and rock with back-porch bluegrass and funktified percussion.Signal Path3:05-3:50, Sat. (Sundown)Like local band DJNOTADJ, Signal Path is a live band with electronica influences. The band's chilled-out instrumental compositions are the perfect backdrop for falling into a deep dance trance.Slobberbone 5:00-5:40, Fri. (Sun up)The pride of Denton, Tex., Slobberbone is a joyful band of rockers that puts an equal amount of effort into its sophisticated studio recordings and stupid drunk live performances. Like Tom Petty or The Stones, the songs come first, but the guitar solos come often.Mindy Smith 8:05-8:55, Thu. (Revival)Vanguard Records' singer/songwriter Mindy Smith has drawn comparisons to Alison Krauss and Patty Griffin and has received much attention for her cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene," which earned steady play on the CMT network. Sound Tribe Sector 9 1:30-3:00 a.m., Thu. (Revival)7:20-8:35, Fri. (Sundown)Drawing from complex polyrhythmic music like Afrobeat and acid jazz, Atlanta's STS9 creates live electronic tapestries to make your mind groove along with your behind. The band's stage show incorporates music with lighting, video, decorations and DJs - a complete environmental experience that makes up the band's extended "Sound Tribe."Split Lip Rayfield 8:05-8:50, Fri. (Sun up)Midnight-1:30 a.m., Sun. (Revival)If there ever was a chance to offer up a collective "duh" when the lineup for Wakarusa Festival was announced, Split Lip Rayfield would be it. The fiery foursome may well be the most revered festival draw in Kansas, with epic unofficial shows at the annual Walnut Valley Festival solidifying their reputation as the most blazing string band around. Ever humble and consistently impressive, Split Lip Rayfield can turn from metal-core maelstroms to weepy country murder ballads at the drop of a hat, taking bluegrass into the backwoods and going "Deliverance" on its collective ass. Spoon9:05-10:05, Sat. (Sun up)What is it about Britt Daniel's voice that people are so drawn to? The enigmatic frontman for Austin's Spoon has become one of rock's most critically acclaimed songwriters, delivering riffed-out gems with big-time hooks and thinker's lyrics. With a new album impending and an ever-growing buzz around the band, it won't be long before Spoon outgrows the "best-kept-secret" tag. Tea Leaf Green6:35-7:20, Sat. (Revival)4:00-5:00, Sun. (Revival)Tea Leaf Green has a bass player named THE WEED. You figure out the rest...Tishamingo 3:50-4:35, Fri. (Sundown)Tishamingo treads southern jam rock waters similar to Widespread Panic, who also hail from the group's native Georgia stomping grounds. Blues and soul influences also creep into the band's time-tested sound. Tanner Walle 3:30-4:10, Fri. (Revival)Tanner Walle sounds like John Mayer. It's a comparison that he embraces, even giving out props to Mayer on his website's message board. Thanks to Tanner's frankness, we know exactly what to expect - sensitive, tuneful rock songs tempered by jazzy chord progressions and a whole lot of crooning.Weary Boys2:00-2:40, Sun. (Revival)Austin's The Weary Boys play with a reckless alt-country spirit on mostly acoustic instruments. Their repertoire includes chestnuts from Ralph Stanley, Bill Monroe, and Lefty Frizzell as well as a host of originals.Keller Williams 9:10-10:25, Fri. (Sun up)A one-man jam band, Keller Williams incorporates percussion-heavy acoustic guitar and precise finger picking (reminiscent of Leo Kottke or Michael Hedges) into what he calls "solo acoustic jazz-funk-reggae-techno grass."Woven 7:30-8:10, Fri. (Revival)Rather than be violently beaten by computerized robotic masters, Woven peacefully contains technology, using a vast array of organic and inorganic gadgets to create blissful electronic landscapes.