Start Your Summer Off The Right Way at Summer Camp Music Festival

Summer Camp Music Festival will return to Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, IL again this year with three days of moe. and Umphrey’s McGee hosting this one of a kind festival along the river. And this year we will be blessed with two sets from Phish legend Trey Anastasio and his band.

Soundtribe Sector 9, The Avett Brothers, and Thievery Corporation will also be headlining, adding a little jamtronica, folk, and the unique flavor of Thievery to the already wide variety of genres that will be playing.

Summer Camp knows how to bring in the best jam bands, and this year is no exception. Conspirator consists of Disco Biscuit members, Marc Brownstein and Aron Magner as well as DJ Omen to create an original electronic rock band. Keller Williams with More Than A Little will be joining the lineup again this year, after playing every year since 2002, with his unique style of a one-man-band creating cool loops and mastering of the acoustic guitar. Modeski Martin & Wood, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, North Mississippi Allstars, Family Groove Company, Dumpstaphunk, and Papadosio and many more fun jam bands will be performing that really know how to put on a fun show and get everyone in the crowd to jam.

If you want to check out a great rising band from Chicago, be sure to check out Filligar. I grew up with these guys and they really know how to put on a rocking performance. Consisting of three Mathias brothers and their close friend Casey on the keyboard, they have been called “one of the best young bands in America.” Inspired by Wilco, The Rolling Stones, The Band, and Radiohead, they create a great unique style of rock-n-roll that not many bands can really create anymore. They have toured all over the country with big names such as The Black Keys, The Cool Kids, B.o.B., and Otis Day and the Knights. Their latest album The Nerve is one of my favorite albums, It really blends a true flavor of rock-n-roll with a fun new twist. Definitely check these guys out this summer, they might be further down on the lineup, but they are not one to miss.

If you are a fan of bluegrass then you will be very happy this year as Yonder Mountain String Band, Tea Leaf Green, and Cornmeal will all be performing. Yonder has a huge following and puts on such an amazing show, they are not someone to miss. Even if you don’t think you like bluegrass, you will find it hard to resist enjoying their show and just dancing your heart out. There are many more bluegrass artists coming to Chillicothe this summer so you will have a great time.

Although many may feel that this is a jam band heavy festival, since moe. and Umphrey’s are the hosts, there will be many electronic artists gracing us with their presence this year. With the EDM genre growing fast, it makes sense that they are invading this hippie festival. But don’t fret, some of the best names in EDM will be performing this year. Zeds Dead, Big Gigantic, Gramatik, Griz, and Savoy, will be bringing the heavy bass and massive bangers. Paper Diamond, Future Rock, Manic Focus, and Break Science (with Jurassic 5’s own Chali 2na) will bring some more groovy downtempo electro beats. And Diplo from Major Lazer and Wick-It The Instigator will be setting the stage with their awesome DJ skills that will get you up on your feet dancing. Be sure to check both of them out no matter what genre you like, because they just might sample a track from one of your favorite hip hop artists. And let’s not forget String Cheese Incident’s own percussionists Michael Travis and Jason Hann in Eoto. They are not one to miss as their unique sound brings a new flavor to dubstep jams.

There are also some big legends coming to Summer Camp this year. Taj Mahal is a Grammy Award winning blues musician who has redefined the definition of blues over his long career (over 50 years!). Reggae legends The Wailers will also be joining us this year, playing everyone’s favorite reggae songs that Bob Marley shared with the world. Although Marley is no longer with us, The Wailers will bring back the legend and make you feel Bob’s upbeat and powerful energy through his beautiful words and upbeat reggae sounds. And if you are a rap fan, Outkast’s Big Boi will be bringing the rap game to Summer Camp. Not a show to miss if you like hip hop, Big Boi and his entourage put on such a fun show with all of the best hits from Outkast, their energy will get you up on your feet and jumping.

The lineup for Summer Camp this year is pretty epic, there are many other artists making their way to Three Sisters Park this year. No matter what genre of music you like, or if you just like it all, there are many artists for you to see. But music isn’t the only great thing about the festival, there are many other fun things to fill your weekend. Whether you join a Field Day team and participate in kickball, dodgeball, tug-of-war, GIANT Twister, and a flip cup tournament, or visit the Soulshine Tentwhich features daily workshops, discussions, open mic, the make a difference treasure hunt, or take some yoga classes and hoop classes, and even learn to blow glass. There is so much to do at this great festival, so get ready to have the weekend of your life! It’s the best way to start your summer.