Preview: Gathering of the Vibes 2009

For the past 13 years, music fans in the northeast have always looked forward to the one weekend of the year when they can totally let their freak flag fly. While other festivals have come and gone Gathering of the Vibes is still going strong and this year is no exception! Since 1996, Ken Hays has been working hard to get together the finest collection of bands keeping the spirit of the Grateful Dead alive. While times have changed and many attendees today never saw Jerry perform live (or Brent, or Keith, or Pigpen) this festival continues to bring out the best in attendees.

However, along with the typical jamband fare - Strangefolk, Deep Banana Blackout and Assembly of the Dust to name a few; GOTV always brings in one special act you may not see anywhere else. This year, the legendary Crosby Stills and Nash grace the stage on Sunday proving that you don’t need to wear tie-dye to have fun at the Vibes. With increasing attention on family, Vibes has an outstanding Kids’ Corner as well as separate Teen Scene for those who want to show their kids that mom and dad still know how to have some fun. Another new addition this year is the GreenVibes Stage which will run partially on solar power and “trash talkers” who will be helping attendees to recycle and properly dispose of waste.

On a personal note, I have been a GOTV attendee since the farm at Red Hook in 2001, in fact the Vibes was my very first festival! I was young and stupid and didn’t know anything about how to pack for a festival. I brought way too much stuff that I didn’t need and way too little of things that I did (duct tape and ponchos anyone?) I know lots of people out there have similar stories…so let’s hear them! What was your first Vibes experience and which bands are you excited to see this year? Take a look at our list below and offer your favorites! - Carla Danca

READ ON for a band to look out for each day of the Vibes…

Thursday - Dark Star Orchestra [Main Stage 9PM]

[Photo by Adam Kaufman]

The GOTV audience loves the Dark Star Orchestra and it’s clear the band feels the same way about the festival as they return to the Vibes for the third straight year. The best Grateful Dead tribute act in the nation has a four hour slot on Thursday night giving them plenty of time to dig into the setlist of a classic Dead show. Don’t leave early or you may miss a couple of Jerry Band gems the band loves to tack onto the end of a show as “filler.”

Friday - moe. [Main Stage 10:30PM]

[Photo by Jeremy Gordon]

When the producers of what is now the Vibes and was then called Deadhead Heaven put together the lineup for the first festival in 1996 they tapped an up-and-coming band from Upstate NY that won over the crowd with two intense, improv-laden sets which gave a glimpse into the future of what moe. would become. Thirteen years later, the festival and the band are at the top of their games. moe. has never disappointed at the Vibes and we don’t expect that trend to end this year.

Saturday - Ryan Montbleau Band [Main Stage 12:30PM]

Current Vibes staple the Ryan Montbleau Band also returns to Bridgeport for the third year in a row in 2009. Led by singer/songwriter Ryan Montbleau, the talented quintet throws elements of funk, soul and rock into their musical stew mixing catchy originals with fun covers over the course of each energetic set. The Gathering of the Vibes community took notice of the band early on and helped them grow into a national act with a loyal fanbase. The group tours the country relentlessly but always adds some extra “candy for the kids” at the Vibes.

Sunday - McLovins [Green Vibe Stage 3:30PM]

Hot off the heels of releasing their first LP, Conundrum, McLovins make their Gathering Of The Vibes debut on Sunday and while this may be their first festival appearance, it certainly won’t be their last. McLovins gained a lot of attention from jam fans, bloggers and Rolling Stone late last year upon uploading a clip of them covering Phish’s You Enjoy Myself to YouTube. The trio of youngsters nailed the complex tune with ease blowing the minds of the 85,000 people who have watched the clip. McLovins’ cover of YEM was just the tip of the iceberg as the group has gone on to write a number of impressive prog-oriented originals, most of which appear on Conundrum. You can expect a few covers thrown into their set and I’d expect a riot if they don’t play YEM. - Scott Bernstein

Tickets for Gathering of the Vibes are still available.