Resonate Suwannee Thursday — Recap
I decided to jinx it. I was on a roll, enjoying what I considered the best sets from the first four bands on the schedule at Resonate Suwannee. Now if only Papadosio would come through. And I mentioned it to Sauce Pocket members Taylor Ivie and Riley O’Brien. They said, of course they will. But I was concerned I might have jinxed it by talking about it.
No chance. After a 40-minute warm-up ambient-style groove from Papadosio, they shot through the roof of the Amphitheater at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and kept right on going. Far and away my favorite set of theirs.
How did it begin? Sauce Pocket (Jacksonville) had the coveted opening slot, and they took complete advantage with a stunning set of jazzy rock (not fusion). The ebb and flow in the music is remarkable. Also, Jessica Jones had joined the instrumental quintet for some vocal flourish. And this was, by far, the largest opening crowd I’ve ever encountered at a Paul Levine event (Bear Creek, Purple Hatter’s, Suwannee Rising, and now his involvement with Resonate Suwannee).
(Sub-ID and Mark Farina had DJ sets in between bands.)
Sneezy from Chicago were back for a return engagement; they played Resonate last year, followed by Hulaween. I thought their set last year was just OK; clearly I was not paying attention. Yesterday was a soul / R&B / funk romp full of lyrics ranging from amusing to downright riotous. The band is incredible, and the lead vocalist is a stunning soul shouter.
lespecial were up next. Last year’s set here was amazing. By comparison, their set two weeks ago in St. Petersburg was a complete disaster — entirely on the sound engineers. Vocals were completely unintelligible, instruments muddled together.
So this is a good place to note that, at EVERY set Thursday, this was the very best sound I have heard at a Live Oak festival (50 of k’em). Kudos to the crews on both stages. THIS IS THE WAY.
lespecial threw down a monstrous prog metal set (metal prog?). They were absolutely on fire. Best set for me? YOU BET!
SunSquabi always knows how to conduct a dance party. It’s what they do. This one band set was on Uncle Charles’ Porch Stage (mostly EDM). The engineers crushed this one, too. I had seen SunSquabi last December at North Beach Music Festival, a great set. This one was even better. They hooked into the groove from the start and never, ever let go. Check Collis Thompson’s short video!
And then Papadosio. FIVE FOR FIVE!
Make that SIX FOR SIX! Rumors of a Sauce Pocket set at the Bird Sanctuary circulated. I had no idea where that was, but fortunately I found it right away, Sauce Pocket finishing their sound check of sorts. From 12:10 to 1:35, they matched their earlier effort with great enthusiasm. I was just thinking of splitting when a couple more golf carts rolled up (there were already about 150 people there). And who rolled out but at least five members of Sneezy! These two bands have a show together Wednesday in Jacksonville.
I don’t think they had ever met before, but it looked like a family reunion as trumpet, alto sax, bass, and drums slid into place and their singer began trading vocals with Jessica Jones. WOW! They paused (stopped?) at 2:25, and I left while I still had enough energy.
In Jacksonville Wednesday? Resonate After-Party at Underbelly!
WHAT A SPECTACULAR OPENING DAY AT RESONATE.