Although this will be my first time at the Chill, I’m no stranger to the jam or music festival scene. The past four Septembers I’ve watched idly by as friends carted off in droves to this upstate NY gathering, while I was left in the dust, scrambling to begin yet another school year. Being a college student and a festival-goer usually is quite feasible, with classes in the Fall/Spring, and festivals in the Summer. But now with the rapidly vast expansion of the music festival scene, it seems every season is “Festy Season” (not that that’s a bad thing). Anyway, I’m elated and very fortunate to finally be able to attend the illustrious and inviting event that is Catskill Chill Music Festival this weekend! The good times commence on Friday, September 5th, with a special MUN acoustic set at 1pm! Read below to see what acts and special treats I’m particularly anticipating!
Artists I love:
- Papadosio – I’ve seen these dudes a few times, and my love for them continues to grow! They are one of the musical groups at the forefront of the transformational music festival initiative, hosting their own Rootwire Music Festival. Although not officially on the menu this year, I’m hoping for a Dopadosio surprise appearance this weekend, since I missed out on it at last year’s Chill. Papadosio performs on the mainstage Saturday night from 2:30-4am. Don’t forget to check out the schedule for their upcoming “Imaginal Cells” tour with Twiddle!
- Shpongle (Simon Posford) – I am a huge fan of Shpongle Live Band and Shpongle (Simon Posford) DJ sets, yet the two experiences are wildly different, yet equally as engaging and exotic. Back in April, I caught the last show on the Museum of Consciousness tour ft. Shpongletron 3.0, Desert Dwellers, and Schlang (Supersillyus + Space Jesus). This was my first time seeing a Shpongle DJ set, and Simon surely did not disappoint, even with it being the literal last night of the tour. Shpongle (Simon Posford DJ Set) goes down late-night on Friday from 2:30-4am on the main stage.
- Orchard Lounge – Queen B + Spencer always know how to throw down, whether it’s a downtempo, mid-tempo, or deep house-esque set; I love to watch them mix on stage together! They are so down-to-earth, and their genuine personalities truly shine through to the crowd. An Orchard Lounge set has a groovy, yet contemporary sound like no one else’s. OL takes over the BStage Friday 1:15-2:45am. Colorado peeps, don’t miss Orchard Lounge at Red Rocks Friday, September 19 with Lotus and Papadosio!
- Dopapod – Just saw these guys perform at Gathering of the Vibes, and they sounded impeccable and perfectly weird! Any time I spot a Dopapod set on the schedule, I make sure I’m there. They have a distinct improvisational prog rock/jamtronica/funky synth sound that is easily distinguishable from other bands of their caliber. In addition to their pancake breakfast, they will also be playing a special VIP set plus BBQ!
- MUN x2 (Electric + Acoustic sets) – From what I hear, a MUN set is the #1 set not to miss at Catskill Chill, no less two MUN sets! Take a peep at their Fall tour schedule; they’ll be at Brooklyn Bowl with Pigeons Playing Ping Pong September 9th (in case you get separation anxiety after The Chill!).
Artists I’ll be seeing for the first time:
- Turkuaz – I am familiar with the name Turkuaz, yet I have never heard their music/seen them perform before. I’m very interested in checking out the hype of this multi-piece funk outfit. Catch them Saturday on the Main Stage from 12:30-1:55pm, then later on the Club Chill stage, performing a Sly & the Family Stone set from 9-10:30pm.
- Tauk – My friend invited me to their show out at Taps bar in Southampton,NY a week or so ago, yet I could not attend. I’m excited to finally be able to check out Tauk! They’re on 6:30pm-8:30 Saturday at the Club Chill stage.
- Wyllys – His name sounded interesting so I did some investigating, and the genre description on Wyllys‘ Facebook page had me sold: “House, Nu Disco, Re-Edit, Drum and Bass, Ambient, Indie Rock, Downtempo”. Catch him closing out the festival Sunday night, first with his own individual set, then one paired with none other than Brownie (read more below)! This should be a really unique way to close out the festival. Check out Wyllys‘ Soundcloud here:
- Business Casual Disco – I tried my best to stay awake at Vibes to make it to BCD‘s 5am silent-disco-on the-beach set, but alas, did not make it. Business Casual Disco is on the Red Bull campsite stage Saturday 9:30-10:30pm, incidentally followed by Speakerbot, who I also fell asleep for at Vibes. Skytree closes that stage Saturday from 12:30-1:30am. (Speakerbot and Skytree also play consecutively on the Red Bull stage Friday night)
- Particle – A classic jam fest staple I’ve never gotten the chance to see. Really hoping for some excellent Pink Floyd covers I’ve seen videos of them do.
Here’s their phenomenal cover of “Have a Cigar” from Bell’s Back Room in Kalamazoo, MI:
[Video Credit: Ryan Yuenger]
Artists We Are All Excited For:
- Twiddle – ChillFam is extra lucky this year with a double dose of Twiddle: Regular + Grateful Dead tribute set. Unfortunately, I could not wake up early enough at Gathering of the Vibes to catch their 11am set. However, I did get to sit in on an interview with them backstage, and gained a lot of respect and appreciation for them via that experience. Their first set is their Dead set, which goes down Friday night
- The New Deal – This is tND‘s comeback year. They are Camp Bisco O.G.’s, a jam/electronica band who first reemerged at The Hudson Project Music Festival, and will be on tour this Fall. They play Saturday night from 11:15pm-1:15am, and I could not be more stoked! I’ve been listening to them for years, so I’m especially excited, and I know the rest of the ChillFam is, too.
- Electron – Four dudes, four-ish bands, one name: Electron. Marc Brownstein (The Disco Biscuits; Conspirator), Aron Magner (tDB; Conspirator), Mike Greenfield (Lotus), & Tom Hamilton (Brothers Past; American Babies) unite for a semi-rare performance of their side-project, Electron. Catch these awesome dudes Sunday from 9-11pm on the Main Stage. They’ll also be on tour this Fall, with a stop in NYC at B.B. Kings October 17! American Babies perform Sunday on the BStage 4:45pm-5:55pm.
Activities: If you would like to explore other activities while at The Chill, fear not; there will be yoga, as well as an opportunity for guests to be part of the music during a unique Open Mic session Saturday at noon on the Acoustic Junction stage. For more information on additional activities taking place this weekend, visit the Activities page on the Catskill Chill official website.
Other Intriguing Aspects of Catskill Chill:
- Dopapod Pancake Breakfast – Saturday, 11am sharp! Right outside the Festival Office. With syrup!
- Aron Magner & Tom Hamilton, Acoustic Set – Aron Magner (tDB; Conspirator;Electron) and Tom Hamilton (Brothers Past; American Babies) will perform a duo set together on the Acoustic Junction stage Sunday afternoon 2:30-3:30pm. This sounds intriguing and caught by eye immediately upon viewing the schedule!
- Brownie (DJ Set) – First debuted one year on JamCruise, Marc Brownstein, aka “Brownie”, of The Disco Biscuits, will take the stage solo (well, sort of). It has just been announced that Wyllys and Brownie will play an interlocking set from 12-1 Sunday night! This is a great way to close out the fest, and something surely not to miss!
- Consider the Source x2 (Electric + Acoustic sets) – With an upcoming double album on the way, Consider the Source surely has a lot to buzz about ! Here is a preview trailer for World War Trio part 1:
- Schwikus: Schwizz x Fikus – I love Fikus, but have never seen Schwizz; this should be a great set!
**Today is the LAST day to purchase tickets for The Chill online! Buy now HERE!**
-Alexandra Miller