WANEE

So today they finally made the long awaited line-up announcement for the popular Florida music festival Wanee. It is located in northern Florida in a small town called Live Oak. The event is a three day music festival that takes place up on the Suwanee River at the Suwanee Park. This is and always has been a festival for and run by The Allman Brothers Band. There are many off-shoot projects that are playing including a first ever Wanee performance by the Warren Haynes Band, and of course Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi are playing. Oteil Burbridge is playing with The Lee Boys. This year also includes Widespread Panic (who are back from last year) Steve Miller Band, North Mississippi All-Stars, Taj Mahal, Ween and many more. The big addition this year is former Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant and his Band of Joy. This is definitely an interesting addition and could lead to a possible collaboration between Plant and The Allman Brothers. The Brothers have been known to close with Dazed and Confused at Wanee and a Plant cameo would blow the metaphorical roof off the place. I have been to this festival three years in a row and have always had a good time. If you are a hardcore Allman Brothers fan then this is the festival for you. The Brothers always "bring it" at this festival and there are always a bunch of special guests during the two nights they play. It takes place in April which is nice because two years ago it was in June. If you have ever been to Florida in June then you know how incredibly hot and humid it is. The heat isn't the only thing to worry about, it rains almost everyday in Florida and while it is nice to cool off it really tears the park up and walking around becomes a hassle.  So if your game for three days of good times and music then I would advise you to hurry up and get tickets because the festival has grown so much over the past three years and with the addition of Widespread you are sure to get a lot of hardcore Spreadheads and their fans travel well. In 2009, there was probably 8,000-10,000 people at the festival which was a good size crowd but last year the crowd was 17,000 strong. Gotta love the perseverance of Panic fans but 17,000 was a little too much for me. I don't think I will be able to go this year which will end my three year run but I think last year was a great way to retire from a festival because lets be honest, the line-up last year was better. Anyways, if your going then have safe travels and for us not going we will be patiently waiting for the setlists and bootlegs to make us feel envious for not going.