The third and final day of the Sweetwater 420 Festival was rainy and a little windy from the first note, but that didn’t keep many folks from coming out and having a good time while dancing in the rain.
Bennett Wales & the Relief
From Virginia Beach, Bennett Wales & the Relief kicked things off on the big stage just as the rain was getting started with a fun mix of pop, rock, jam and a bit of country all wrapped up together with some great vocals by Bennett Wales and guitar by Brock Bitter.
Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds
Since 2010, Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds have to be one of the hardest working bands out on the road. Since forming, the band has put out 5 impressive albums and regularly puts in over 150 dates on tour every year. Lead by the sister and brother team of Arleigh Kincheloe on vocals and Jackson Kincheloe on harmonica, the band has a powerful live sound with Arleigh’s big soulful vocals taking center stage.
HIRIE
Next up was HIRIE a pop-reggae band led by the band’s namesake vocalist, Hirie. Good vibes abounded as they played a fantastic, laid-back set highlighted by Hirie’s fantastic vocals and the band’s pop sensibilities.
The Quaildogs
As HIRIE’s set was winding down, I slipped over to the Lyrics and Laughter stage to catch a great set by the Atlanta based, alt-country band, Quaildogs. Killer tunes and great vocals.
Greensky Bluegrass
Next up on the big stage was, Greensky Bluegrass from Michigan, and much like The Infamous Stringdusters who played on Saturday, Greensky Bluegrass played a high-energy set of modern bluegrass perfectly suited for the big stage. As a special treat, the rain took a little break for everyone to enjoy the music.
Tauk
Next up, Tauk brought their instrumental mix of funk, hip-hop, rock and jazz to the masses. Intricate arrangements, adventurous beats at times gave way to some tasty improv passages.
Vulfpeck
Vulfpeck put on a show. From the band member introductions at the start of the set, to comical breakdown, and boy band skits, the band kept the audience on it’s toes the entire set. It’s pop-funk with some breakneck playing and a ton of great vocal arrangements.
Papadosio
This year the final band on the Planet 420 Stage was Papadosio. The rain had taken a break. With the backdrop of darkening rain clouds and a completely wet stage, the band delivered a killer set of what they like to describe as “Space Rock.” At times it was otherworldly with keyboard sounds jutting in and out with moods shifting and darting from scene to scene. It was a perfect way to wind down that part of the festival.
Umphrey’s McGee
With some heavy rain and wind on the way, the crowd shifted to the main stage to catch today’s headliner, Umphrey’s McGee. The band was supposed to play 2 sets, but with the impending weather they decided to play one long set. The band rolled through a number of tunes like “Halo Delayed,” “Remind Me,” and “Booth of Love” to get the show started, and as predicted the rain came down from nearly the first note of the set. After 3 encores, including Led Zepplin’s, “Fool in the Rain”, the festival was done. Folks were wet from a great day of music but spirits were high with people already making plans for next year’s 15th edition of the Sweetwater 420 Fest.
All photos by John McNicholas, check out more photos from Sunday’s Day 3 of Sweetwater 420 Festival 2018:
