Summer 2013 has offered music enthusiasts a multitude of opportunities to catch rays and tunes, but those who chose to attend Equifunk found themselves involved in an experience that was especially memorable. Held at Camp Blue Ridge and Camp Equinunk, the festival became a funky retreat, rejuvenating attendee’s minds by funkifying their souls. Those arriving at the fairgrounds on Friday afternoon were greeted by the sounds of Woody Brown Project and The Weeks. The sound system carried the live music throughout the campgrounds, so those scoping out the grounds could also enjoy the show.
Bobby Paltauf Band was third to play and rocked the teepee stage by covering a Soulive-inspired Eleanor Rigby, Shakedown Street, and Tweezer (Reprise). Talented is an understatement, especially considering the band’s frontman is only 13. Paltauf’s own performance, and his attentiveness to the other acts throughout the weekend, lead us to believe we will hear great things from this young musician. King Lincoln, with Duane Trucks on drums, won over the Equinunk Pool Stage crowd with covers and originals alike. Emergency Service followed, and we caught a funny backstory in the media room about how they sometimes have to clarify that they are a band and everyone is, in fact, safe. The festival’s opening artists were on point in introducing arriving guests to the weekend ahead.
The Main Squeeze kicked off the evening performances, playing to the eager crowd that had assembled in the E-Rena. The Music Vibes had the unique experience of interviewing Smiley (keys), Max (guitar), Corey (vocals), Jeremiah (bass), and Reuben (drums) immediately following their arrival to Equifunk. Experiencing their extraordinarily positive energy and hearing their backstory first hand left us eager to get “freshly squozen.” The Main Squeeze commanded the crowd’s attention, eliciting sincere joy from old fans and first timers alike, as they played originals. Arleigh Kincheloe, of Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds, who is also managed by Black Noise Management, was an Artist at Large for the weekend and made her debut Equifunk appearance during this set. The Main Squeeze also snuck Zeppelin’s No Quarter into the mix. Corey’s soulful singing, Smiley taking a keyboard worn around his neck to jam center stage, Jeremiah and Max’s interactions, Arleigh’s grooving, and Reuben holding it down was an ideal way to welcome everyone to Equifunk and built anticipation for the band’s Sunday Pool Set. The brief breaks between performers on the late night stage become the perfect amount of time for concert-goers to rest their feet before raging the next sets!
JJ Grey and Mofro followed The Main Squeeze, pushing fans to let loose as they provided some southern comfort. The band’s lyrical presentation of stories you may have heard while sipping tea on a porch on a humid day set to rocking drums, saxophone, organ, trumpet, bass, and guitar made this performance extra special. The New York Times described JJ Grey as “Impassioned singing, riff-based Southern rock, cold-blooded swamp funk and sly Memphis soul” and attendees experienced all of this and then some. “Your Lady (She’s Shady),” “99 Shades of Crazy,” and “Slow Hot and Sweaty” were among songs that brought the crowd to a soulful sway. Grey whipping out a harmonica and Anthony Cole making the skeletons that hung from his drum set dance when he played were especially memorable, as were Art Edmaiston’s saxophone, Anthony Farrell’s organ, Dennis Marion’s trumpet, Todd Smallie’s bass, and Andrew Trube’s guitar playing.
Their third show on this run, The New Mastersounds, added some UK funk following Chicago-based The Main Squeeze and Florida-borne Grey. Having caught The Blockley’s pre-Equifunk Party, The Music Vibes knew we were in for a treat as the band headlined one of their favorite events. Saxophonist, James Casey, who plays Lettuce and Trey Anastasio Band, joined The New Mastersounds on stage for his first of many appearances as an Artist-at –Large. They presented a variety of originals- as you can imagine a band that plays as often as The New Mastersounds has quite a selection! They opened with “Way out West,” pleasing fans with “Yo Mama,” “Talk is Cheap,” and “You Got It All,” among others. “Summer Camp” seemed an especially poignant song choice for the evening and the great time Eddie, Simon, Pete, and Joe have playing together was transferred to the crowd.
Boombox wrapped up the evening, making attendees groove until the wee morning hours as Russ Randolph and Zion Rock Godchaux combined their skills in a performance catered to the funkiest of fests.
Saturday, campers eased into the day with performances by I’ll Be John Brown, Broverdose, Superhuman Happiness, and Mr. Breakdown. Monophonics played an impressionable set stacked with covers and originals. Mother’s Wine and Fishouse Road demonstrated why they had won the festival’s two final slots at their Blue Ridge Pool sets. Keller Williams also paired up with More Than A Little, a six piece funk and soul ensemble that he pulled together to back him this winter, to give the crowd a funky fix. The divas of this ensemble popped on stage Friday night, raising excitement for Keller’s next-day performance. Funking up originals like “Let’s Jam” and “Freaker by the Speaker” and pleasing Deadheads with “Samson and Delilah” and “West L.A. Fadeaway,” Keller also delighted the crowd with a cover of Beck’s “Hollywood Freaks” and threw some Talking Heads in as well. Keller’s performance captured the essence of the pool party experience and people were grooving throughout the grounds. He teased fans along the lines of, “Oh, it’s 4:21, do you know what we do at 4:21?! We get down James Brown!” Fans can expect to see more of Keller with More Than A Little this fall and should look out for the “WHAT THE FUNK TOUR” in early 2014.
The Heavy Pets have been rocking the festival circuit in recent years and Equifunk was no exception. The boys kept the crowd moving, welcoming James Casey on stage for their opening song, an original titled “Help Me Help You.”
Marco Benevento was next to take the stage for the first of three performances he would gift attendees that weekend. His colorful key set-up and auspicious tiger head intrigued old and new fans, alike. Benevento played originals including “Real Morning Party” and “Limbs of a Pine” and also treated his funky crowd to a new tune, “If I Get to See You Again.” Dave Dreiwitz on bass and Andrew Borger on drums backed Benevento, who’s also played with the likes of Joe Russo. The three musicians’ interactions revealed the great heart with which Benevento’s music was written. At one point, Benevento snagged the tiger mask that hung from stage left and he, Dreiwitz, and Borger took turns jamming on incognito.
Attendees flocked to the E-Rena for the first evening show, Nigel Hall Band. Those familiar with Hall know his deep respect and admiration for George Duke, who’s passing earlier this month has affected the music community at large. Artists such as Hall and others featured throughout the weekend are in the unique position of being able to familiarize the incoming generations of fans with the legends that preceded them. Hall dedicated his show to Duke and certainly anyone who saw the set that ensued would want to become acquainted with Duke’s music were they not already. Hall appealed to fans’ with “Don’t Change,” “Make It Funky” and “Baby Do I Love You.” An especially soulful delivery of original “Gimme A Sign” seemed particularly poignant to that tone of the evening and when Hall sang, “I can be anything,” it was fully believed. The crowd reached a pinnacle of receptivity to Hall as he encored with “Never Gonna Let You Go.”
Anders Osborne was next, appearing with legends John Medeski on keys and Scott Metzger on guitar. The energy exuded from this set screamed “rock stars!” The band and their special guests’ interactions produced rotations of solos that left the crowd eagerly awaiting each note. Opening with “Echoes of My Sins,” the band broke into set including a dynamic “Going Down The Road Feeling Bad” into original “Had My Reasons” and also musically dictated “Everybody Must Get Stoned.” Bassist Carl Dufrene and Osborne’s joining forces to jam center stage highlighted their great dynamic and it was apparent that Metzger had made special appearances with them in the past.
Soulive and The Shady Horns’ performances are generally highly anticipated, but the addition of Maceo Parker boosted interest. Parker is the embodiment of Funk and his musical mastery and saxophone expertise have progressed soul, jazz, and contemporary music, alike. He has played with the likes of James Brown and George Clinton but is a legend and household name in his own right. Soulive, with James Casey and his fellow Shady Horns, captured the crowd from the start. Among other songs, they played their signature funky version of “Eleanor Rigby” into Hendrix’s “3rd Stone from the Sun.” Then Parker joined the ensemble, making his debut alongside Soulive and The Shady Horns as they welcomed him with his original “Uptown Up.” Choosing to play Parker’s originals “Uptown Up” and “Shake Everything You’ve Got” demonstrate one way in which artists such as Soulive are able to expose incoming generations of fans to legends such as Parker. Krasno shared “As it is every time we have the honor of playing with the legendary Maceo Parker, at Equifunk it was a great joy to play music with a hero of mine. His tunes are timeless, and his energy and approach is second to none. He is indeed the funkiest man alive!” shared, “The Choice of Ray Charles’ “Night Time Is The Right Time” and James Brown’s “There Was A Time” offered a similar sentiment on the timelessness of great music. Nigel Hall later joined Eric Krasno, Neil Evans, and Alan Evans on stage for a very special cover of Tears for Fears, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” Considering the musical mastery of those involved in The Royal Family Records, Soulive is doing a great job in ruling the funk world!
Mobilizing the rush that came from Soulive’s set, the crowd travelled downhill to the Teepee Stage, where Marco Benevento was beginning what was to become one of the most intimate and memorable highlights of Equifunk 2013. Benevento, still backed by Borger and Dreiwtiz, brought his colorful keys fireside and attendees assembled around him for a sing-along performance. Benevento embarked on a journey of classic favorites and originals that was extraordinarily well received- so well received that Benevento played straight through the entire night and well beyond sunrise the next morning. Benevento’s set became the late, late night entertainment as rotating guests dropped by and joined in. Even Nigel Hall participated, but the casual tone in which headlining artists stopped by to check out Benevento’s campfire exemplified the accessibility of music that Equifunk promoted and demonstrated the incomparable joy music brings.
Meanwhile, there was still another headlining set, and those who returned to the E-Rena for The New Mastersounds and Friends were not disappointed. Maceo Parker was among The New Mastersounds’ “Friends” and attendees were thrilled to witness their musical camaraderie. We were sorry to see Roberts had broken his foot, but glad to hear it did not affect his playing and we wish him a speedy recovery! Props to the generous audience member who offered Roberts a sock to keep his exposed toes warm. It was also a sight to behold when Krasno borrowed a glittery guitar from The Heavy Pets to join in on the fun.
Frank Stalloners put attendees in a funk Sunday morning, offering a slew of originals and covers. Then Papa Mali played the Equinunk Pool Stage, welcoming Bobby Plateauf as his guitar player in a cross-generational performance. Joe Tatton of The New Mastersounds provided keys. Mike Dillon Band was next, followed by The London Souls. Papa Mali remarked that The London Soul’s swampy style was comparable to his own. The Sunday Series was a new addition to Equifunk for 2013 and everybody seemed to dig the extra day of music, though much less beer was consumed once it was no longer free. As of Saturday night, a worker delivering kegs estimated that about 120 kegs of Coors and LaBatt Blue had been consumed!
The day was in full swing when the Equifunk All-Stars took the stage. Comprised of Eddie Roberts, Joe Tatton and Pete Shand of The New Mastersounds, Stanton Moore of Galactic, Nigel Hall, Mike Dillon, Carly Meyers, Tash Neal of The London Souls, and James Casey, this performance was highly anticipated. This meeting of musical minds showed the artists’ versatility and provided an experience unique to this time, place, and arrangement.
Greeted by the joy that had been cultivated by the All-Star’s performance and recollections of Friday, The Main Squeeze took the stage with a set designed for a raging Sunday pool party. The band rocked more originals but also snuck in The Temptation’s “Papa Was a Rolling Stone.” Much like “Dr. Funk” proclaims, The Main Squeeze had just what Equifunk needed. Making as great an impact as their performance were the positive comments that their friends and fan base shared continuously throughout the weekend. During Keller’s set, you could spot Corey leading a line dance and when he joined Benevento’s sing-along, he was as humble as he is talented. Smiley, Reuben, Max, and Jeremiah kept good company and the energy they bring is apt to the scene and also keeps it fresh. Original “Where Do We Go” was a great song choice that spoke to the contentedness of all involved in this set.
The Revivalists were first to play at the E-Rena Sunday and their energy captured the natural high that the weekend had generated. The band rocked around the stage, becoming a physical embodiment of the way in which music can affect us. Percussionist Mike Dillon joined their band, and he and lead singer David Shaw ripped off their shirts like ultimate rockstars. Those who caught the performance surely understood why this band is among New Orleans’ favorite original acts. Their song-writing and team of talented instrumentalists make them a trick of all trades well-fit for the vibes of the weekend.
Also capturing the playful but deeply talented roots of the weekend was Pork Tornado. For some, Equifunk may have been the easiest way to get a ticket to see Phish’s drummer, Jon Fishman, founding member of Pork Tornado. The band announced this was their second gig, but with a player of this expertise we knew to expect much more than an amateur performance. Dan Archer, Aaron Hersey, Joe Moore and Phil Abair joined Fishman as they played songs from all walks of life. Zappa’s “Trouble Every Day” was followed by Sinatra’s “Bim Bam Baby” and Jr. Walker and The All Star’s “Hip City” was another favorite. Saxophonist Moore formed a more intimate relationship with the audience as he crooned Divinyl’s “I Touch Myself” and encouraged fans to “Kiss My Black Ass.” Equifunk creator, Eric Kamen, was thrilled to have Pork Tornado in the line-up and those who witnessed this performance were able to fully understand why.
Nobody wanted the weekend to end but having The M&Ms melt attendees’ minds rather than in their hands made their set a very special parting gift. John Medeski and Marco Benevento were set up side by side and Stanton Moore, Rob Mercurio, Papa Mali, Miki Dillon and the one and only Maceo Parker had fans muttering “mmmm’s” of approval. Medeski, Papa Mali, Mercurio, and Moore had appeared together once before under this name in May, and this second performance was packed with even more talent. The band debuted with “Smoking at Tipitina’s,” a fitting song for a crowd packed with New Orlean’s enthusiasts. Jimmy Cliff’s “The Harder they Come” was next then Benevento’s “The Real Morning Party.” This song seemed like an epic tribute to Benevento’s fireside set and the addition of Medeski and other all-stars to his already great tune made this a memorable performance! Neil Young’s “Walk On” and The Who’s “Eminence Front” and Stanley Turrentine’s “Sister Sanctified” were also included in the setlist.
The interconnectivity between the musicians, environment, and fans existed at a level that was entirely unique to Equifunk. Even first-year attendees could feel the love for music and life from which this festival originates. Most incredible was the way the fans and press aimed to respect that this was a retreat for musicians as well. The willingness of each participant to let each other perceive the weekend in his or her own ways maximized performance experiences overall. The sincerity with the musicians played was unparalleled. In addition to the music, guests could fully immerse themselves in the summer camp setting by competing in basketball tournaments, sliding down an epic slide into a refreshing pool, and enjoying included picnic-style meals. Much like childhood recollections from summer camp, the memories made at Equifunk 2013 are sure to last a lifetime.
Review by Mia Jester
Photography by Mia Jester
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