Junkie Thoughts and Opinions: Langerado's Line-Up

December 16, 2008 3:15 PM
by Pete Tremblay

In the early part of 2000’s my (ex) brother in law was obsessed with what can only be identified as a middle class pseudo hippy identity for the working man. In-fact the only thing more consistent than the constant smell of dank reefer mixed gratuitously with nag champa was the seemingly endless depths (and marathons) of Widespread Panic, Phish and Dave Matthews Band bootlegs that would flow osmotically from the windows during early springtime afternoons until the late evenings of Summer.

By 2003 this flat out obsession by some seemed to garner enough strength and character (and more substantially) mainstream attention to slowly float down the Eastern seaboard from its unofficial home in Vermont and land with a small splash into the great boggy creek of the South, Florida, in the form of the Langerado Festival and Camping experience.

He approached me with such fervor for the event, as if missing out on traveling to the southern most Mecca of Jam band music would be a complete sacrilege… as if the great pilgrimage to the swamp for 3 days of barefooted spirit dancing hedonistic celebration would bring me closer to the spirit of Jerry Garcia.

All I could respond with was a simple “Nah id rather go to Coachella.” Needless to say when I looked in the mirror at my messy comb-over haircut, argyle sweater emblazed with buttons from Dashboard Confessional and Bright Eyes wearing self, I could not stand to get my vintage track shoes dirty. I ended up going to neither concert that year.

It’s been 5 years, I’ve cut my hair and put away the sweater, only to be replaced with a band t-shirt and skinny jeans; although the hair products have changed the passion for the music has not.

Much like the evolution of the music journalist, Langerado itself has evolved from an obsessive hotbed of obscure jam bands and peace, love, understanding and veganism, into a full on amalgamation of indie staples such as Death Cab For Cutie and The Faint, cross bred with a healthy dosage of the jam band atmosphere that highlighted this incredible festival for the last five years. The largest difference this year, and one that might have an adverse reaction is the relocation south of the event to Bicentennial Park right smack in the middle of Downtown Miami, with… (wait for it)… NO ON SITE CAMPING!

This is obviously a move that has been made due to the ever-changing atmosphere of the festival itself, and with an obvious attempt at garnering a more musically eclectic audience to the gates of the event. Not to mention a somewhat contrived and finely executed attempt at cleaning up the image of the event with the change of venue.

While the effects of this remain to be seen, there cannot be an argument as to the message the line-up of artists sending to the audiophilic community that is growing in South Florida and beyond. “Friends, Countrymen, Music Fans, Lend me your ears. You will no longer be forced to endure the single sided concept of freedom dancing hippies to an hour long jam between Tre Anastasio and 15 members of assorted other assorted aficionado’s of acid jazz/neo country psychodelia. If you so choose to escape the flowing dresses and barefooted madness, The Faint is playing in the electronic Tent! Bring your Scarves and tattered Chuck Taylor's!”

2009’s Langerado lineup reads like any random denizen of Williamsburg’s (Hipster OZ) iPod playlist.

The decision the organizers have made to move towards diversification seems to be the trend in most festival atmospheres, (Even Ultra 2009 Promises to bring Bloc Party and the Ting Tings to M.I.A only 2 weeks after Langerado has cleared out).

It’s almost certain that there will be a percentage of what has been considered the ‘stereotypical Langerado festival goers’ (figure a punter from the UK festival circuit that’s grown a beard, given up any form of animal product in their existence and sans the Carling Jersey that has once dug for crystals and planned to open a Sensory deprivation chamber during a collective moment on Salvia) will most likely be offended by the lack of camping facilities available to the general public. However there is hope…

At long last my ex brother in law and I can now make this journey together. Music, especially in festival form can finally represent the spirit that Langerado was founded on, that of togetherness, peace love and understanding. Only…Ill see him after Death Cab finishes their set. We can now share a spliff too while Snoop D O (double) G holds it down on the main stage after we’ve both had our fill of what we came to see and experience. The many faces of Langerado.

Click here to get the full line-up for the upcoming Langerado Music Festival.

Views expressed in this article are solely that of the author and does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of CoolJunkie.