This Time for Real: the Wanee 2017 Lineup!
Last week, we were speculating:
“Well, well, well. Was it the Russians? James Comey? Assange? An insider?
We’ll probably never know.
The alleged Wanee 2017 lineup appeared — briefly — this morning… and was promptly removed from the official website. The official date is next Monday, December 5th, for the formal announcement. And that’s much earlier in the past, ever since everybody else started announcing months and months ahead of time.”
We can probably eliminate the Russians and Assange. Not sure about Comey. In any event, the accidentally leaked list appears to be lock-tight.
Last week, we noticed that Gregg Allman, one of the daddies of the Wanee Music Festival, was not on the current list, which is truly sad. We certainly hope that his health improves and that he will in fact perform at Wanee 13.
Widespread Panic has confirmed. In the past, the Peach stage was never utilized until Friday and Saturday, with all Wednesday (pre-party) and Thursday sets at the Mushroom Stage. But that will change this year, so Panic could play either Thursday or Friday. PanicStream indicates a possible Friday date. (They are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at 420 Fest in Atlanta.)
That change to using the Peach Stage Thursday was indicated by the fact that Dark Star Orchestra, who have hot played Wanee since the first one, will be throwing a two-set 4:20 party on Thursday. Take Panic Friday and the points.
The other festival headliners are the Trey Anastasio Band and Bob Weir & the Campfire Boys. TAB played the 2014 fest and would always be a welcomed addition. Bobby has been to Wanee previously with Ratdog (2008) and with Furthur (2012). He and the Campfire Boys will play two nights. It will be interesting to see how the headliner slots fill out each night.
Heading up the ABB contingent are Les Brers, the brilliant band under the direction of Butch Trucks, with Jaimoe, Oteil, Bruce Katz, Marc Quiñones, Jack Pearson, Pat Bergeson, and Lamar Williams, Jr. They floored everyone last year with a stunning late-night set that approached three hours. Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band will also be in the house, with Junior Mack likely out front.
The Wanee faithful will gladly embrace Gov’t Mule for the 13th year. There is nothing like it when Warren Haynes hog-calls “WA-NEEEEEEEEE!”
JJ Grey & Mofro ARE Florida; nobody but nobody speaks Florida like JJ. The thought of Leftover Salmon Performing The Music Of Neil Young is enough to make you giddy. One addition we missed on the leaked lineup was Dr. John & the Nite Trippers! It will certainly be awesome having Mac Rebbenack back at the park.
Karl Denson has been a Spirit of the Suwannee regular, and his Greyboy Allstars have played Wanee (2008 and 2013). Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass will be magic; they were stunning at Suwannee Springfest last March.
Blackberry Smoke will be on hand to rock out, and the Devon Allman Band will certainly do the same. The Yeti Trio features Vaylor Trucks, and their set at Wanee last year was mind-blowing. And be absolutely sure not to miss Warren Haynes’ new protege, Marcus King, and his band. That 19-year-old is an incredible guitar slinger!
The fun really gets going with the inclusion of Pink Talking Fish and Kung Fu, two of the greatest funk bands anywhere. But when you put them together? WOW. You get Pink Talking Fu – Music of David Bowie & Prince. That will be simply amazing!
We always delight in seeing the Bobby Lee Rodgers Trio, on Thursday, at their short opening sets Friday and Saturday, and on the traveling stage!
You still need more straight-up funk, which you will get in ample doses with Turkuaz and DJ Logic. Add some trippy jamtronic goodness courtesy of Papadosio, a variety of flavors from Matisyahu (Thursday or daytime Friday), and the indie blues of Philly’s Brothers and Sisters, and you’ve got a great lineup.
We haven’t even mentioned the Wednesday pre-party (and don’t EVER miss Wanee Wednesday). The headliners have been announced: Butch Trucks and His Freight Train Band! What else do you need to know?
Limited early-bird tickets for the festival go on sale Wednesday, December 7th at 10 AM through Sunday, December 11th (6 PM) at www.waneefestival.com. Public on sale for GA and VIP begins Monday, December 12th at 10AM. These three-day tickets also include as a bonus (with paid Wednesday night camping fee) the fabulous Wanee Wednesday Happy Hour pre-party.
Set your calendars for Wednesday, April 19th, at the gorgeous Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park for Wanee 13! MusicFestNews will see you there!
AND DO NOT MISS WANEE WEDNESDAY. YOU’LL BE SOR—RY!
Playlist to follow!