To request hi-res photos to download, please email media@natevafestival.com.

 

  

 

SUNDAY July 4, 2010

 

 

Highlights from Sunday at Nateva:

“There is a legitimate festival in the state of Maine.”

“A worthy tour through one of the most impressive existing catalogs of American music.”

“The beaming glows on the faces of each of the weekend warriors spoke volumes to Nateva’s success.”

“Backstage, the gorgeous Chris Russell commented that he had personally kissed each member of the seemingly infinite Clinton entourage.”

“There was truly a sound at Nateva for everyone.”

Click here for complete recap.

 

 

SATURDAY July 3, 2010

 

 

Highlights from Saturday at Nateva:

“Nateva ideal beautifully illustrated by Flaming Lips.” 

“STS9 put enough meat into their set to warm up the masses wonderfully for the Flaming Lips.” 

“Grizzly Bear turned out to be the wildcard on the Maine Stage.” 

“While Ward’s work as a solo artist, and in such collaborations as Monsters of Folk, has cemented his credibility, Deschanel is a newly discovered treasure of a performer.” 

“Drive-By Truckers blew doors in a set slated to start at 4:20.”

“Go make a friend.”

Click here for complete recap.

 

 

FRIDAY July 2, 2010

 

 

Highlights from Friday at Nateva:

“The wide-eyed smiles at the end of this first day of the Nateva Fest proved that most had found a happy spot.”

“Ghostland Observatory was the first to make use of the night sky with a laser show that would have made Dustin Pedroia take note.”

 ”Dylan’s performance, which drew primarily from his recent, “Women and Country,” was wonderful.”

 ”The Felice Brothers played a raucously melodic boot stomper of a gig.”

Click here for complete recap.

 

 

THURSDAY July 1, 2010

 

 

Recap from Thursday Night at Nateva:

“Live From Nateva!”

Night One: “The Glow of the Early Arrivals”

 

-Oxford Plains, ME – The first night of any festival is traditionally a bit apprehensive, both for the promoters and the attendees.  When you make it the first night of an event that’s being held for the first time you can heighten that nervous energy a considerable amount.

 

Which is part of why the Nateva Music and Camping Festival can breathe a deep collective sigh of relief.  By midnight they had already settled in a mass horde of campers, and vendors who were already actively hawking their wares.  Despite lengthy lines of campers waiting to get past the entrance their brethren had already established, in many cases, upstanding new Nateva worlds in which to live for the next three days.  And those waiting admission were admirably upbeat.

 

Lotus reminded them that they did indeed have another three days of music that would prove as varied as the band’s punchy beat driven set.  Playing for a capacity crowd in the simply gorgeous Port City Music Hall Stage, Lotus delivered a set that brought to mind what the late 70’s Grateful Dead might have thought of the current goings-on in Brooklyn.  Making ringing guitars work against a synth dance beat was only more inspired with a light show that managed to make a barn in Oxford Plains, ME feel like an enormous urban loft.

 

If the glow sticks and dry ice were “city” then the emerging vendors area was pure “country fair.”  Like “Deadwood” a “general store” had already cropped up.  In this case it was “Mr. B’s Festival Needs, General Store” that stocked everything from candy to condoms.  They were surrounded by a virtual United Nations of food offerings from falafel to fajita, with a barter system already firmly established.

 

The flock of early birds seemed to grow with a propensity more frequently associated with rabbits and most took note of the woodsy vibe of the Thunder Lodge, a lounge on the way into the Port City Music Hall.

 

Equal parts Tim Burton and Bill Murray’s “Meatballs” camp pulpit, it was an immediate indicator of the spirited local art contributing to a wonderfully intimate opening night for the Nateva Music and Camping Festival.  

 

With Friday’s schedule slated for an early eye opening set from Magic Magic on the Maine Stage, there is no doubt that campers waking from a tent will greet the brightness of the sun a little easier in advance of sets by Umphrey’s McGee; Jakob Dylan and Three Legs; Passion Pit, as well as two chances to catch the Felice Brothers before moe. completes the day.

  

Welcome to the Nateva Music and Camping Festival.  Be safe, listen hard, and be nice.  We’re all very glad to have you.

 

-Tom Kielty