The Sweetwater 420 Festival in Atlanta, Ga continued into the third day with a high octane line up and the largest crowd the festival has ever seen. It was difficult moving around at times given the huge crowd, though nonetheless very enjoyable and full of southern hospitality. The music was anchored by The Trey Anastasio Band, Umphrey's McGee and Goose.
The day begin with emerging artist Neighbor, who is rooted in jam rock. They are certainly a band to not miss the next time they are in your area, as they deliver a dynamite high energy show. The Sweetwater 420 Festival was no exception, as they performed their set on the Happy Ending Stage. Kyle Hollingsworth from the The String Cheese Incident sat in for "Mighty Apple Tree", giving a nod to this up and coming quartet.
Spafford ascended onto the Hazy Stage for their scheduled moment to shine. Huge swarms of "SpaffNerds" from the online Spafford community as well as folks representing "SpaffAtlanta" gathered for this tasty set of originals. This quartet lived up to the hype with deep improvisation and clever segues, most notably "Electric Taco Stand" > "Steak Sauce." Guitarist Brian Moss elevated the music with fresh guitar licks.
Concurrently, jam rock all stars Umphrey's McGee slam dunked their two sets on the Sweetwater Stage. The were without guitarist Jake Cinninger, but still delivered a memorable set. They played Pink Floyd's "Have a Cigar" for only the third time ever.
Goose, the rising jam band from Connecticut, followed Spafford on the Hazy Stage. The crowd was more densely packed than any other show throughout the entire festival, causing many to wonder why they were not on the larger Sweetwater Stage. In fact, this was the largest crowd that this quintet has played for to date. They soaked in the attention like the true rock stars that they are.
The two hour set began with fan favorite, "Hot Tea", and launched into a fifteen minute jam. This was followed by a sixteen minute "Rockdale", which was originally written by Goose predecessor, Vasudo. The arena rock tune "Hungersite," from their soon to be released album Dripfield, transitioned into the melodic and bass heavy classic from the Ted Tapes, "Moby." Bassist Trevor Weekz really shined here.
Multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach switched to guitar for a high energy "Yeti." Recently debuted songs proceeded with "California Magic," a nineteen minute "Pancakes," and "Silver Rising." The set closed out with the vibrant and funky Vasudo tune, "Empress of Organos." What a day to be living, indeed.
Upon conclusion of the Goose set, concert attendees made the journey en masses to the Sweetwater Stage for two flaming sets of the Trey Anastasio Band. This marked the first time that the latest rendition of the band played together with new bassist Dezron Douglas. The first set kicked off with "Money, Love and Change," followed by "Olivia." The horn section of James Casey, Jennifer Hartswick and Natalie Cressman was in full force. The jams picked up with the funky Phish cover "Moma Dance," which segued nicely into the African themed "Mozambique" and "Valentine."
The fiery Phish cover "Blaze On" jumped into the set list, and was proceeded by a lively "Alive Again" and "I Never Needed You Like This Before," which are Trey Anastasio originals. The set rounded out with "Dark and Down," "Night Speaks to a Woman", and "Sand."
The second set opened with another blazing Phish song, "Set Your Soul Free." "Simple Twist up Dave," led by Casey on the saxophone transitioned into more Phish goodness with "No Men in No Man's Land." The band maintained the groove as they moved into the Trey Anastasio band classic "Cayman Review" and the Phish tune "A Life Beyond the Dream."
The jam vehicle "46 Days" and "Everything's Right" from the 2020 Phish release Sigma Oasis continued the Phishy theme. Anastasio introduced a number of Phish tunes into the Trey Anastasio Band repertoire during their Beacon Jams residency in 2020, and hasn't looked back. The classic, phish funk based "Ghost" was up next, and found it's way into a raging "First Tube." Anastasio hoisted his Languedoc into the air and created those special feedback sounds that only this handmade guitar can make.
The set wrapped up with "Push on the Day", igniting an already fierce dance party. The band returned for one final Phish tune, the dark and edgy "Carini," and closed out the music for the evening. Check out more photos from day three of the Sweetwater 420 Festival!
Set Lists
Spafford
All In, Pursuit of Madness > Leave the Light On, Beautiful Day, Giants in the Light, Dirt Bath, Electric Taco Stand > Steak Sauce
Goose
Hot Tea, Rockdale, Hungersite > Moby, Yeti, California Magic, Pancakes, Silver Rising, The Empress of Organos
Trey Anastasio Band
Set One
Money, Love and Change, Olivia, The Moma Dance > Mozambique > Valentine, Blaze On, Alive Again > I Never Needed You Like This Before, Dark and Down, Night Speaks to a Woman, Sand
Set Two
Set Your Soul Free, Simple Twist Up Dave, No Men in No Man's Land > Cayman Review > A Life Beyond the Dream, 46 Days, Everything's Right, Ghost > First Tube, Push On Til the Day
Encore
Carini
