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The second annual LOCKN’ Music Festival occurred September 4-7 in Arrington, Virginia and once again fans were
given an incredibly high caliber line up and experience. LOCKN' will return next year September 10-13, 2015.
Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014
With a cooler forecast for the weather, everyone got to sleep in a little longer on the last morning of LOCKN'. It was the
same routine though--eventually that sun finds a way to get you out of the tent. Breakfast, sausage, and coffee aromas
were in the air. At 11 a.m. Keller Williams and Grateful Gospel started up on the triangle stage and took everyone to
church. This band is made up of members from the funk band More Than A Little as well as John Kadlecik of Furthur.
They opened with “We Bid You Goodnight” and then flowed through a series of Grateful Dead songs that had been
arranged with gospel in mind. “I’ll Be With Thee” (click link to listen) was a highlight of the morning. It was a wonderful
thing to be able to start off each morning with Keller Williams and his wonderful interpretations of the Grateful Dead.
The first set in the main venue was by Erin and the Wildfire who were the winners of the Rockin’ At Lockn' competition
from earlier this summer. This Charlottesville band slipped right into things and set a good tone for a day that would be
filled with roots music powerhouses.
Next up on the stage was SOJA who treated the audience to a set of high-energy progressive reggae. Much of the set
was performed in support of their newest album, Amid The Noise and Haste on ATO Records. Grace Potter and The
Nocturnals entertained with a powerful rock set. Grace Potter completed her set with a rare encore that consisted of a
dedication to long time guitar tech for Warren Haynes and the performance of “I Shall Be Released” and “With A Little
Help From My Friends.” (click link to listen) It was another very touching moment and emotional in the name of Brian
Farmer.
Sunday was full of legendary acts and one of them was Willie Nelson. Amidst the healthy anticipation of the crowd,
Willie took the stage after the Nocturnals and a little break to shift gears. This 81-year-old man performed the beloved
originals that spanned his entire carrier all with that timeless Willie Nelson style and swagger. He had an amazing
command and connection with the audience when he performed and never skipped a beat he didn’t mean to.
“Whiskey River” (click link to listen) and “Beer For My Horses” were early set favorites along with a late set “Roll Me
Up and Smoke Me When I Die.”
Wilco’s set really had a different feel than their Saturday set all together. Saturday was much more direct and
straightforward in comparison to Sunday. Sunday’s set was open and explorative. There were moments of psychedelic
genius between vocal and instrumental rhythms and lines. An example of this occurred in “Via Chicago.” (click link to
listen) It seemed like they had loosened up a little bit. These performances were two of the only Wilco festival
appearances this year. After Wilco, Widespread Panic performed another rocker. Panic continued to perform at a high
level; they are a very tight band right now and never disappoint. Randle Bramblett joined the band on saxophone for a
few numbers and Susan Tedeschi joined the stage for the song “Use Me” as well and paired really well with John Bell
vocally.
So eventually we arrived at the final set of the festival and what a better set to end it with than the last ever festival
performance of the Allman Brothers Band. Anticipation for this show was through the roof during all four days of
LOCKN’. What made this set unique is that it was scheduled to be a performance of the classic album Live At The
Fillmore East. It was great. They didn’t present us with a carbon copy of the Fillmore recordings, we received the best
interpretation the modern incarnation of the Allman Brothers had to offer and it was unique and energized.
Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks were very communicative with their guitars. “Statesboro Blues” opened the
performance to thunderous applause and the band performed the seven song set ending with a powerful “Whipping
Post” that allowed for Oteil Burdridge to show off some powerful lead bass work. The final few songs of the evening
were really incredible. “Mountain Jam,” a very early Allman staple, transitioned after 15 minutes into the rarely played
Dickey Betts original “Blue Sky” and then back to “Mountain Jam” which concluded with climactic reprise. Greg Allman
was strong on vocals and keys throughout the evening and put to rest the rumors about his performance ability as of
late. He was on fire. That final run at the Beacon Theatre in New York City is going to be one for the ages.
For the second year in a row LOCKN’ organizers managed to put together a lineup that honors the roots and
exemplifies the exquisite talent that musicians have to offer. There is no other lineup in the country that comes close to
the caliber of musical talents that perform. We see the incredible ability in the many projects that these musicians hold
from year to year. People like Joe Russo, Warren Hayne, and Keller Williams get to show us what they can do with
many of their good friends in multiple different bands throughout the weekend. It is a showcase of expertise. College
music professors should assign this festival as summer reading to show how musicians can collaborate and create in
their infinite ways. There is no filler in a LOCKN' lineup, only more webs of collaboration. It is getting to be a sort of an
annual reunion on these stages.
given an incredibly high caliber line up and experience. LOCKN' will return next year September 10-13, 2015.
Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014
With a cooler forecast for the weather, everyone got to sleep in a little longer on the last morning of LOCKN'. It was the
same routine though--eventually that sun finds a way to get you out of the tent. Breakfast, sausage, and coffee aromas
were in the air. At 11 a.m. Keller Williams and Grateful Gospel started up on the triangle stage and took everyone to
church. This band is made up of members from the funk band More Than A Little as well as John Kadlecik of Furthur.
They opened with “We Bid You Goodnight” and then flowed through a series of Grateful Dead songs that had been
arranged with gospel in mind. “I’ll Be With Thee” (click link to listen) was a highlight of the morning. It was a wonderful
thing to be able to start off each morning with Keller Williams and his wonderful interpretations of the Grateful Dead.
The first set in the main venue was by Erin and the Wildfire who were the winners of the Rockin’ At Lockn' competition
from earlier this summer. This Charlottesville band slipped right into things and set a good tone for a day that would be
filled with roots music powerhouses.
Next up on the stage was SOJA who treated the audience to a set of high-energy progressive reggae. Much of the set
was performed in support of their newest album, Amid The Noise and Haste on ATO Records. Grace Potter and The
Nocturnals entertained with a powerful rock set. Grace Potter completed her set with a rare encore that consisted of a
dedication to long time guitar tech for Warren Haynes and the performance of “I Shall Be Released” and “With A Little
Help From My Friends.” (click link to listen) It was another very touching moment and emotional in the name of Brian
Farmer.
Sunday was full of legendary acts and one of them was Willie Nelson. Amidst the healthy anticipation of the crowd,
Willie took the stage after the Nocturnals and a little break to shift gears. This 81-year-old man performed the beloved
originals that spanned his entire carrier all with that timeless Willie Nelson style and swagger. He had an amazing
command and connection with the audience when he performed and never skipped a beat he didn’t mean to.
“Whiskey River” (click link to listen) and “Beer For My Horses” were early set favorites along with a late set “Roll Me
Up and Smoke Me When I Die.”
Wilco’s set really had a different feel than their Saturday set all together. Saturday was much more direct and
straightforward in comparison to Sunday. Sunday’s set was open and explorative. There were moments of psychedelic
genius between vocal and instrumental rhythms and lines. An example of this occurred in “Via Chicago.” (click link to
listen) It seemed like they had loosened up a little bit. These performances were two of the only Wilco festival
appearances this year. After Wilco, Widespread Panic performed another rocker. Panic continued to perform at a high
level; they are a very tight band right now and never disappoint. Randle Bramblett joined the band on saxophone for a
few numbers and Susan Tedeschi joined the stage for the song “Use Me” as well and paired really well with John Bell
vocally.
So eventually we arrived at the final set of the festival and what a better set to end it with than the last ever festival
performance of the Allman Brothers Band. Anticipation for this show was through the roof during all four days of
LOCKN’. What made this set unique is that it was scheduled to be a performance of the classic album Live At The
Fillmore East. It was great. They didn’t present us with a carbon copy of the Fillmore recordings, we received the best
interpretation the modern incarnation of the Allman Brothers had to offer and it was unique and energized.
Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks were very communicative with their guitars. “Statesboro Blues” opened the
performance to thunderous applause and the band performed the seven song set ending with a powerful “Whipping
Post” that allowed for Oteil Burdridge to show off some powerful lead bass work. The final few songs of the evening
were really incredible. “Mountain Jam,” a very early Allman staple, transitioned after 15 minutes into the rarely played
Dickey Betts original “Blue Sky” and then back to “Mountain Jam” which concluded with climactic reprise. Greg Allman
was strong on vocals and keys throughout the evening and put to rest the rumors about his performance ability as of
late. He was on fire. That final run at the Beacon Theatre in New York City is going to be one for the ages.
For the second year in a row LOCKN’ organizers managed to put together a lineup that honors the roots and
exemplifies the exquisite talent that musicians have to offer. There is no other lineup in the country that comes close to
the caliber of musical talents that perform. We see the incredible ability in the many projects that these musicians hold
from year to year. People like Joe Russo, Warren Hayne, and Keller Williams get to show us what they can do with
many of their good friends in multiple different bands throughout the weekend. It is a showcase of expertise. College
music professors should assign this festival as summer reading to show how musicians can collaborate and create in
their infinite ways. There is no filler in a LOCKN' lineup, only more webs of collaboration. It is getting to be a sort of an
annual reunion on these stages.
PHOTOS (click images for photo galleries -- coming soon)
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LOCKN' Festival : Day Four
Oak Ridge Farm : Arrington, Virginia : September 7, 2014
Oak Ridge Farm : Arrington, Virginia : September 7, 2014
Review and Photos By ZANE A. MILLER with Recordings By TROY MILLER
