As the "dog days" of August roll by, and summer festival season nears its end, most turn their thoughts back to their jobs, or their return to school, or whatever plans they have charted for the beginning of fall. But for any "festivarians" with an urge for one last throw-down or brouhaha before the beginning of cool weather, Camp Barefoot beckons them. Such folks should consider joining the hullaballoo in Bartow, West Virginia from August 17th to the 20th. Camp Barefoot, now in its 5th incarnation, first began as a smaller festival in Virginia in the mid-2000s and featured Barefoot Manner, a now defunct "newgrass" band from Raleigh, as its main headliner. As the years have ticked by, the lineups at successive Camp Barefoots have grown and have featured headlining stints by RAQ, The Breakfast, Conspirator and other bands within the scene. This year's festival has ramped up its cotillion of artists considerably and features such jam luminaries as The New Deal, the Kyle Hollingsworth Band, Perpetual Groove, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, and Zach Deputy in its headlining spots. The lineup is bolstered by a collection of other regionally acclaimed artists, presenting lots of different music choices across 4 different days, and 4 different stages.
Camp Barefoot positions itself uniquely within the spectrum of summer music festivals, as it features enough "bang for your buck" headliners to draw in crowds, and a nice collection of regional, up-and-coming "stars" as well. The resulting atmosphere proves to be warm and engaging, and festival goers will have an opportunity to meet lots of new friends, and to know lots of familiar faces by the end of the weekend. The festival has been run by the watchful eyes of Scott McClain since its inception, and he has taken great care and pride in making each Camp Barefoot bigger and more noteworthy than the past. The event has changed locations from a previous hideout in Gore, Virginia to nicer digs at Hidden Meadows in West Virginia. The change proved to be an excellent boon for the spirit of the festival, and I enjoyed last year's inaugural event at the new spot immensely. The timing of the festival also makes for excellent West Virginia weather, as late August days in the mountains prove to be warm, while night leans to the cooler side. Past Camp Barefoot festivals have also encouraged the artistry of its participants, with community murals and live painting demonstrations becoming part of the fabric of the festival.
A look at the music schedule for the weekend shows an exhaustive, comprehensive collection of artists, plucked from varying genres and styles. Fans of funk, electronic, bluegrass, and more straightforward "jam" will find pockets of music to entertain themselves throughout the weekend. The Home Grown Music Network is a proud participant in past Camp Barefoot events, and several of our bands are featured prominently on the bill for this year's festival. Bands like SILO Effect, Funkuponya, and the Mantras have all been selected for the festival numerous times, while others (Big Daddy Love, Big Something, UV Hippo, and Future Rock) make their incipient trips to Camp Barefoot. The festival has scheduled a special "pre-party" showing for Wednesday night that will spotlight Harmonized recording artist Future Rock in a prime time slot. For those who can make it up the mountain on Wednesday night, this set will prove to be a Rager, and should not be missed. The Home Grown Music Network will be sponsoring a stage for the weekend and will feature many different artists, including Jackass Flats, Papadosio, and the widely respected Brothers Past. And with four different stages to choose from, the average festival goer is going to find lots of treasures and excellent performances each and every day.
So, if your plans for the weekend of August 20th haven't formulated yet, and you find yourself wanting one last outlet of summertime insanity, one should definitely consider a trip up to Bartow, West Virginia. Special "advance tickets" are still available at a reduced rate, but prices will go up at the Gate, so save yourself some money if this trip enters your radar. As a participant at past Camp Barefoot events, I've always had lots of fun at this festival, and I listed last year's whole event as one of my Top Shows for the End of Year Home Grown awards, that Home Grown staff vote on each year. This year's festival features a particularly juicy lineup that spans different genres and attitudes, and will surely prove ripe for late night exploring and off-kilter dance parties. So pack your bags, your tents (don't forget blankets), and your coolers (no Glass!) and get ready to let your Freak Flag fly high. Camp Barefoot 5 is surely an event you won't want to miss.
- J Evan Wade
