Little Econ Love Fest: Valentine’s Schedule, Naturally!
The Little Econ Love Fest is less than two weeks away. The daily schedule for the four-day fest over Valentine’s Weekend (February 11-14) at Maddox Ranch in Lakeland FL is up for your perusal and enjoyment. But let’s examine it in more depth.
Whatsit Entertainment has worked hard to create a superb program of music — and comedy — on two main stages plus a third in the campground. The schedule brings you music from almost every genre, from folk to prog, from bluegrass to jazz, from funk to… more funk. This will be amazing. We noted some of the highlights previously:
There are many reasons why this will be a very, very special weekend of music, not the least of which are headliners Captain Green from Baton Rouge and Copious Jones from Atlanta, the final performance from The Happy Campers, and Holey Miss Moley throwing down a set of Parliafunkadelicment deliciousness.
But consider these two truly special events: Copious Back Alice, a mash-up of Copious Jones and Come Back Alice (try to imagine Dani Jaye, Critter and Tony Tyler all playing guitar at once); and Christian Ryan’s Garage, his tribute to Frank Zappa (a follow-up to his Soulquarian review last year). Ryan has recruited amazing talent for this incredible show, including Tim Turner (Shak Nasti) on guitar, Ian McLeod (Ism, Flat Land, The Happy Campers) on vibes and percussion, Joey Lanna (Savi Fernandez Band) on drums, David Vanegas (The Groove Orient) on bass, Keegan Matthews (Leisure Chief, Con Leche, The Get 2nd) on keyboards, and Corey Paul (Jonnie Morgan Band) on trombone.
Music kicks off at 6 PM on Thursday, February 11th, with Rusty Strings welcoming you to the ranch. Estes Love and The Rev. Funky D pair up for a show of the porcupine type. Be sure to bring your cameras to check out Joe Moves Band featuring MusicFestNews’ own Brian Hensley on badass bass!
It’s been far too long since Post Pluto made it down from the Panhandle to deliver their prog/funk/rock, Pensacola-style. Then you get two psychedelic bands, Timothy Eerie and The Southern Belles. Timothy Leary’s dead, and there definitely NO belles in The Southern Belles. That leaves it to The Happy Campers to close down the night… and their awesome run as a band. DO. NOT. MISS. THIS. “LaPizza” and “Ridiculous Elephant!”
Friday’s full schedule begins with an 11 AM wakeup call from Spidersong Flutes and then Sleeping with Sunshine (which sounds like a good idea, actually). The day is jam-packed with bands new to Maddox Ranch and some real veterans as well. Harum Scarum has been making lots of new fans, and Row Jomah has been amazing of late (including their set opening for Jukebox the Ghost).
Ancient Sun wants to “tear you apart,” and the Bath Salt Zombies will be glad the sun is down by the time they hit the stage. And four more incredible sets follow those two: the aforementioned Holey Miss Moley channeling P-Funk and the Come Back Jones mashup come first.
Glostick Willy invades from Indiana, and then S.P.O.R.E. shuts down the main stage.
But wait! There’s more! On the Campground Stage, the Hip-Hop Jam Cipher starts at 2 AM. Earlier, experimental visionaries Lava play there.
You might as well just not go to sleep, because Bengali 6000 will be blowing out Afrobeat at 11 AM Saturday, and you really don’t want to miss this. So many great names are on the day’s menu of 16, but make sure you check out Ism, led by Ian McLeod and playing jazzy funk & soul with Afro-Latin spice. Later, McLeod, who also plays drums for The Happy Campers (by this point, ‘played’), joins brother Grant in Flat Land, who just might have a huge announcement to make shortly.
And Flat Land is the tip of the iceberg, the first of eight remarkable sets in a row! Ajeva’s beefed-up band (sorry for the adjective, vegans and vegetarians) now boasts seven members, and they have been playing in the stratosphere lately. Next, Baton Rouge headliners Captain Green throw their space funk junk at you, there is another set of Holey Miss Moley to funk the place up, and that’s followed by Christian Ryan and troops bringing Mr. Zappa’s music to life (and bless you!).
Two great funky bands are up next. Christian Ryan, who might play with almost everyone, will certainly be stage for three in a row, as Leisure Chief takes the stage. Then The Groove Orient play after returning from a tour with Tom Hamilton’s American Babies and J.J. Grey and MOFRO. Finally it’s off to the campground for late-night Copious Jones (Atlanta). We might have to kidnap them officially.
Who’s up first Sunday? We Know. No, really, that’s the name of the 11 AM band. And its all about the 2 PM set from Harmonica Man & the Sawgrass Band, featuring your most gracious host for the weekend, Trey Miller. Once again, he has done a fabulous job putting this dance card together. Finally, at 5 PM, Grandpa’s Cough Medicine is good for what ails ya.
Check out the official Facebook page for more information and a schedule of comedians.
See you at the ranch. Less than a week away!
