Craig and I left Geneseo around 10:30 on Sunday morning. We took the backroad route to Chillicothe. Upon arrival it was obvious this was the largest Summercamp in terms of attendance. I'd estimate it was around 20,000. After a bit of a wait to enter the grounds we arrived at the Sunshine stage during the first song of Umphrey's McGee's set. The weather was around 80 degrees. Dust was the only complaint but I'll take that compared to rain or extreme heat.
The 2nd Self opener was an old school choice. This was juxtaposed with a newer song Hourglass which I believe will be on their new album. Visions of Parin had some improvisation and finally landed in Comma Later. WMM was another older song selection. Mad Love was another song from the forthcoming album. Prowler was followed by Conduit which also had a jam. The Allman Brothers Band's Jessica was a fun cover. IC > Fussy Dutchman wrapped up a well played but relatively forgettable set of UM. The wind was playing tricks with the sound from our vantage point.
We made our way to the old Jaegermeister Stage for the moe. acoustic set. Chromatic Nightmare opened the set but for whatever reason is not included in the recording offered by moe. Nebraska came next and worked well in this acoustic setting. The playful Time Again and its reference to al.'s balding was fun. I enjoyed the debut of The Pines and the Apple Trees. This was perfect for the acoustic format. Smoke is one of my least favorites from the previous album but it sounds better with the acoustic guitars. Lazarus > Time Ed was well executed. Akimbo > Punchline included Allie Kral and a mandolin player. I wasn't expecting much from this set but I really enjoyed this portion of the day. After this I made my way over to Doc's camp and he cooked some burgers.
At this point a group of us socialized on the hillside of the mainstage during the cover/guest set of Zac Brown Band. I liked the choices of songs they made. Jerry Douglass, Jake Cinninger, and members of moe. were amongst the guests that they brought out. I noticed a row of golf carts with law enforcement and locals were eager to see Zac Brown Band. Other than Willie Nelson the ZBB is the most country I think Summercamp has ever gone. I chose not to stick around for the second set as I wanted to get my lawn chair set up in front of the soundboard for Trey Anastasio.
Sometime After Sunset is a new one I heard in Milwaukee and was fitting for an opener as the sun was going down. Caymen Review predictably came next. I was happy to hear the new material Pulsing Days and Bounce since I hadn't gotten to see them live yet. Gotta Jibboo got things moving. Dark and Down was sans lighting this year. They wrapped up a fun set with Push On 'Til the Day.
Night Speaks and Drifting were usual TAB fare. That was my first time seeing Land of Nod. Sand was probably one of the highlights I'd say. Frost was a cooldown moment. I'd like to see Phish keep using Frost as a ballad. Alaska actually worked in this setting with its references to bug spray and tents. Mr. Completely included Trey remembering that they had to cancel the previous Summercamp during this song. I was impressed with the various solos in this version. Trey was in control of his band and they were sounding tight. First Tube wrapped up a fun set. I wish Trey would use some of his 99-00 effects again for that song. Jen Hartswick really shined during Clint Eastwood and my third Black Dog encore of the year. Though Trey's set was very predictable I was pleased with the musical quality.
I was starting to get tired by this point. After devouring a funnel cake I made my way to the mainstage field where so many memories have been made over the years at Summercamps. I ended up setting up my chair by Gary the Mayor moe.down6 and Sconnie for Satan. Four was an usual choice to start the set. Paper Dragon was a rocking interlude before the debut of Caliphornya. They brought out Zac Brown for The Weight. meat. was interrupted by an appearance of Umphrey's McGee who played Puppet String. That's one of the best songs from their forth coming album, Similar Skin. Finally, they switched back into moe. and they finished meat and segued into Puebla. Billy Goat was given extra attention it seemed. Chuck was on fire wearing his Cincinnati Reds lid. They were well past the 2 am curfew by the time they started up the one and done OKalright encore. This was a marathon of over 13 straight hours at Three Sisters Park. I'm satisfied just seeing Sunday at this point. The weather was ideal and the bands I went to see stepped up to the plate.
