FESTIVAL REVIEW: Camp Barefoot 2 @ Cove Campground - Gore, VA

Story and Photo by Rev. Zicka-Funk

The 2007 festival music scene changed indefinitely with The Police and Tool invading what had been a jam-centric Bonnaroo. Other once worthy festivals have lent their happy vibes toward corruption and heavy policing, in turn pushing seasoned festivalgoers towards smaller, served-to-order gatherings. This year, Camp Barefoot 2 was the heady alternative to murky mainstream fests, offering breathtaking scenery, world variety and a surprisingly well-rounded musical schedule for a non-corporate sophomore effort.

In 2006, Hey-Bro Productions decided to focus their efforts on creating a small grassroots festival that would average about a 1000 people with approximately 20 bands. Thus, Camp Barefoot was born.

CB2 featured a more extensive line-up than the inaugural festival. “We stepped it up on bands, added more bands than last year, more people. I would like to get bigger but I wouldn’t want to get as big as some of these festivals, like 10,000 Lakes. I probably wouldn’t want to go over 5,000 people just to keep it intimate, you know personal. Once you get too big, it becomes more of a hassle and a fight than an enjoyment," said festival organizer Scott McLain.

CB2 was about moving, grooving and shakin’ your thang, boasting perhaps the most boogie friendly line-up all summer with the likes of Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band, Jazzam, and Modern Groove Syndicate among others.

Thursday’s festivities kicked off with The Casual Fiasco as campers arrived and planted stakes in the picturesque but somewhat rough terrain of the Cove Campground, situated just outside of Gore, VA. The camping area surrounded the outer stage and vending area, giving the environment an intimate feel without seeming overcrowded.

U-Melt took the stage under a maverick moon, drawing in listeners with their infectious, improv-grooves. The backdrop to the Hey-Bro stage swirled with psychedelic imagery while the crowd swayed in time to the sound of Zach Lasher’s watery keyboard textures over George Miller’s drum grooves. Guitarist Rob Salzer locked in melodically with Adam Bendy’s squirming bass on “Clear Light,” prompting festies to applaud in approval.

Later, The Bridge pleased the crowd on “Stoned, Drunk and Naked." The Baltimore based quintet has launched a grueling tour assault on the Mid-Atlantic this summer and was popping on all cylinders at CB2. Guitarist Cris Jacobs’ was in top form on “Shake ‘Em Down” as jammers danced well into the night.

Friday morning’s activities opened with Incognito Mosquito playing until heavy rain cooled the scorching early afternoon sun, halting proceedings for over an hour. Many campers made the half-mile hike to Cove Lake, which served as cool refreshment from the high humidity as well as a bathtub for filthy feet.

Friday’s music highlights included the jazz-boogie virtuosity of Garaj Mahal with the complex backwoods symphonies of Jackass Flats on the adjacent Sku stage. Festival namesake Barefoot Manner topped off a late night set of foot stompin’, funk-grass. Scheduled to headline two nights, the Raleigh, NC born quartet is known for high-energy, instrumental noodlings with a smooth southern groove courtesy of bass, banjo, mandolin and quirky percussion.

The early morning haze of Saturday brought Natural Born Easy to the Hey-Bro stage. NBE seemed to have the thermostat under thumb, upping the heat several notches on a sizzling ”Born Under a Bad Sign” by applying dueling, reverb drenched, slide-guitar solos over Eric Hamrock’s squawky, tube-driven harmonica. A thin tree line left of the stage area provided shelter from the glare for several dozen campers already perched in pop-chairs stage side, while many opted to dance and smoke heady nuggets freely in the sun.

McLaws Drive came on strong in the mid-afternoon with a staggering concoction of R&B, roots and straightforward rock via polyrhythmic percussion, strong guitar leads and cosmic synthesizers. Modern Groove Syndicate followed up, feeding the hungry thick, gooey, boogie stew. The Richmond, VA quartet features members of Agents of Good Roots and DJ Williams Projekt (DJ could be seen sitting on a bale of hay stage side enjoying their set). MGS knows how to get down and did so proficiently in front of growing numbers.

By the time night fell jammers were raring to rock and RAQ delivered two short sets. Guitarist Chris Mitchell finessed devastating prog-rock riffs over Jay Burwick’s clean melodic bass; RAQ raised the energy level as the humidity swelled and fireworks launched camp side in salute to a set well executed.

Kickin Grass did just that immediately afterward with slamming new-grass sounds, as soft rains began to fall. Many campers bailed, seeking refuge in their tents but the remaining heads crowded under the Sku stage overhang to enjoy the killer music while passing sweet, peach moonshine and immaculate blown glass back and forth. After all, battling weather is a festival norm and seasoned campers plan accordingly.

The rain paused long enough to get Barefoot Manner on stage for a few short minutes before commencing. The crew and a few of the brave waited patiently until around 2 a.m. but music never resumed, nixing Brothers Past’s late set.

Combining rustic surroundings, intimate atmosphere and choice regional and national bands, CB2 proved that bigger isn’t always better. All things considered, Camp Barefoot 2 was the small festival experience of the 2007 season and will certainly remain a staple stop on the Mid-Atlantic scene for years to come.