“Without love in the dream it will never come true” Words and photography by Joel Shover @JoelShoverPhotography
Hulaween is The Spirit of Suwanee Music Parks premier music festival each year in the beautiful town of Live Oak, Florida. Hulaween in its eleventh year was facing not one, but two hurricanes that threatened the event to even take place this year. Fans from across the globe offered support to the locals as they volunteered and worked many long days and nights getting the park ready for the festival.
Hulaween 2024 offered everything for everyone not something, everything! I could not be at every event, even though I wanted to, there was not a bad review from any performance all weekend from any fan that I spoke with!
The scale of Hulaween is hard to put into words, from the primitive camping to the transformations at Spirit Lake and the newly added OFF LIMITS 360-stage hosted by DEF with a booming sound system that kept the grounds thumping through each night by Funktion One and insane pyro effects provided by Incendia. A few Spirit Lake highlights from the weekend were surprise performances from Ravenscoon, Of the Trees and Chris Lake to name a few.
There were Debut performances from Killer Mike that took the crowd through a rap gospel sermon of music while Chase & Status took the crowd through a slew of visuals at the Amphitheater Stage. Sublime made their Hulaween Debut with original members Bud and Eric with the late Bradley Nowell’s son throwing down the jams to an elbow-to-elbow packed field. Tipper laid down one of his most iconic sets of his career on his final festival appearance, and the crowd received every note while enjoying the insane visuals!
You can check Killer Mike out on tour with Dave Chappelle in a city near you! https://killermike.com/
Like I said before I could not be everywhere at this festival because there is just so much going on but here is a rundown of my Hulaween…….
I arrived at the park on Thursday morning and quickly set up camp and headed to Amphitheater stage to see Tampa Florida’s own The Headtones with their official Hulaween debut. I say official because they are no stranger to the park and have played many renegades out in the campgrounds that they have worked so hard and earned the right and respect to kick off the festival.
Fans were grooving along to the Star Wars dressed Headtones as they showcased the rock and roll to funkadelic sounds and improv jams with insane guitar shredding! If you have not seen the Headtones do so now by checking them out now! https://www.theheadtones.com/
SIDE TRAKD showed his top-level DJ skills on the Hallows stage while the set was early the crowd was solid! Listen to his killer set here: https://soundcloud.com/sidetrakdsecretstash/hallows-stage-hulaween-2024
MOONTRICKS unique sounds that will take you on a music journey to perhaps…The moon and beyond?
Photos of Moontricks here. Check them out on tour in a city near you soon! https://moontricksmusic.com/
SAY SHE SHE the Brooklyn based female led group added their touch of discodelic funk to the festival and captivated every fan at the packed amphitheater and they kept the party going while showcasing their classically trained vocals alongside some of the smoothest funky beats that would have Nile Rogers raising his brow!
It is not a party at Hulaween or any other festival without park veterans Lettuce with their horned funky sets that will test your every groovable bone in your body!
CLOZEE spun the sounds of world bass to the Amphitheater crowd.
Crowd photos from Thursday: Album 1. Album 2.
TAND, South Florida’s’ own five-piece improv-jam-band kicked off Friday for me and they reignited the flames on that stage to keep the Hula fans rocking!
AJEVA from Saint Petersburg, FL showcased their prog-funk-fusion sounds as they crossed all musical boundaries and poured it all out for the fans at Hulaween. Ajeva are no strangers to the park either, let that Resonate!
I told you in my review of the Mempho Festival in early October that Karina Rykman is on FIRE!!!! Karina took the stage by storm and did not let any of that extra heat from mother nature stop her from throwing down one of the grooviest sets all weekend. Her insane music discipline and skills that she showcases performance after performance, is one of many talents that Karina possesses that will always make her a force in the music world for many years to come!
The funk veterans, Nawlin’s own Dumpstaphunk, grooved the hallows stage and took us right across the field to the meadows stage for the first of five sets from The String Cheese Incident!
Photos of SCI meadows stage here. Photos of Dumpstaphunk here.
SCI SETLIST:
Set 1:
One Step Closer
Enjoy the Ride (>)
MLT (>)
Jam (>)
You Wreck Me (Tom Petty cover)
Vertigo
Desert Dawn (>)
Synchronicity I (The Police cover) (>)
BollyMunster
Set 2:
Ripple (Grateful Dead cover) (>)
Can’t Wait Another Day
Lend Me A Hand (>)
Shine
Bumpin’ Reel
All We Got
MADDY O’NEAL spun her super high energy https: Maddy O’Neal always throws down a killer set, Great times indeed!
String Cheese kept their party going with another strong set of heady jams as the crowd grooved along just wondering what the band had in store this weekend!
CORY WONG blessed the Spirit of Suwanee Park with his energetic spirit! I mean this guy’s energy is second to none! Cory rocks the stage from all parts as he showcases his graceful moves and grooves! The fans were lined up on the rail all day waiting for Cory’s set and he didn’t disappoint!
The BLACK PUMAS took the meadows stage and soulfully played their hits to the elated crowd
Photos of the Black Pumas here.
CHASE & STATUS spun their electronic sounds through the live oaks that ttok me wandering through Spirit lake the rest of the evening! Photos here.
Friday Fans Album 1 here. Friday Fans Album 2 here. Look for yourself and your friends!!
Saturday’s musical journey started with The HONEY HOUNDS from Jacksonville, Florida. Some of the nation’s best musicians are coming out of Jacksonville these days and The Honey Hounds are no exception with their hard-hitting southern sounds to their soft rock funk flowing tunes the honey hounds have it all and someone said the gave the big bands a run for their money this weekend and say to that “THEY ARE A BIG BAND ALREADY!”
Photos of the Honey Hounds here. If you have not heard The Honey Hounds do so now here:
From engagements at Resonate Festival to a killer Spirit Lake Stage set at Hulaween Sauce Pocket has not stopped they continue to rock Florida, the Southeast, and every ear they touch! Sauce Pocket is a great addition to any festival as they had the packed Spirit Lake stage rocking and a rolling.
Photos of Hulaween Sauce Pocket here.
The String Cheese Incident took to the Meadows as huge dragonflies continued to fly around in swarms around the stage.
Photos of SCI Meadows set here.
Set 1:
On the Road
Lost (>)
Black Clouds
Eventually
Late in the Evening (Paul Simon cover) (>)
Drums (>)
It Is What It Is (>)
Rivertrance
SPAFFORD thankfully jumped into the afternoon time slot and played for an eager Hulaween crowd and boy did they deliver some serious sounds!! After their set I hope they got some sleep because they were back at it at 2 am for a late-night set that rocked the spirit lake stage through the witching hours! The fans couldn’t stop talking about how Spafford belongs at the park! Welcome Home Spafford, Welcome Home!
The news broke out about the passing of Phil Lesh and the whole festival shifted to an honoring of Phil Lesh, his muisic and his life and the love he inspired; I can tell you that hearing this devastating news at Suwanee was by far a whole lot easier to handle than if I heard it anywhere else! (not that this news is easy to take in any way!) Thank you, my Suwanee family, for celebrating the life, legacy, and love of Phil Lesh with me. Honor Phil Lesh by being kind and becoming an Organ Donor today! https://www.organdonor.gov/sign-up
The String Cheese Incident took to the stage for their second set of the day and the fourth set of the weekend. Each set has been filled with extended monstrous jams that have catapulted us off into melted cheese distance with every note played!
Set 2:
Hi Ho No Show
Close Your Eyes (>)
Shantytown (Billy & Liza cover) (>)
Let’s Go Outside (>)
Restless Wind (>)
Just One Story
ANDY FRASCO what can I say? I finally got to witness the man’s mastery! As he led a five thousand plus Horah while being hoisted by the crowd, not be outdone by his bass player crowd surfing all while we embraced life’s advice by Andy Frasco. Go check him out wherever he is near you soon! A show not to be missed!
PHOTOS of Andy Frasco and the UN here.
Check out his recap of the set here:
UMPHREY’S McGEE gave us visuals and solids jams. Isn’t that what Umphrey’s McGee are all about? The crowd was treated to some serious jamming as the band took the Hallows stage on a musical journey before the SheBang from Cheese everyone was waiting for !
PHOTOS of Umphrey’s McGee here.
The String Cheese Incident’s shebang featured a narrative story of mind expansion through a musical journey with dancers and hot air balloons and inflatables for days! Not to mention the professional fireworks show going off behind the stage!
Set 3:
Howard (>)
Born On The Wrong Planet
Come As You Are
Miss Brown’s Teahouse
Best Feeling (Keller Williams with The String Cheese Incident cover)
Joyful Sound
Rosie
Trip The Light Fantastic (>)
Howard
This was the set that had EDM fans going these guys are great! Who says the worlds can’t collide? Music brings us all together! Check out the fan video here:
SUBLIME was brought back together and they brought the bass with them like nobody else all weekend! I looked to see if there were any readings of seismic activity in live oak that night, I could not find any as of writing this but Wow were they loud and proud! Sublime delivered to the massive crowd!
SETLIST:
Garden Grove
Wrong Way
Scarlet Begonias (Grateful Dead cover) (with Michael Kang) (First time since 1996)
“54-46” – That’s My Number (Toots & The Maytals cover) (>)
Ball and Chain
Right Back (>)
New Thrash
Greatest-Hits
Badfish
Jailhouse (Bob Marley & The Wailers cover)
The Ballad of Johnny Butt (Secret Hate cover)
April 29, 1992 (Miami)
What I Got
Pawn Shop
Date Rape
Burritos
In Your Eyes (Johnny Osbourne cover)
Doin’ Time
Romeo
Warning Sign / Armagideon Time
Ring the Alarm (Tenor Saw cover)
Boss DJ (Jakob solo)
Pool Shark Jakob solo)
Saw Red
Feel Like That (Stick Figure cover)
Same in the End
STP
Santeria
Sunday morning came quickly as HOLLY BOWLING graced the Hollows stage with by far the most emotional set of the weekend for me, and by far the most magical set of the weekend! Holly graced her piano keys and paid homage to the late Phil Lesh like no other this weekend with each note played with her very heart and soul she brought me to tears as I was photographing her with her shear passion! You truly honored Phil Lesh Holly Bowling with your amazing performance of Grateful Dead classics! Thank you! Thank you soooo Much!!!
Florida just continued showing up with the big sounds as THE AIN’T SISTERS took the stage looking like Bobby Weir, but throwing down their grooveable sounds for everone to rejoice in! see for yourself then listen to the great sounds they perfomed!
PHOTOS of the Ain’t Sisters HERE.
GREENSKY BLUEGRASS once again played Suwanee and brought some interesting covers to the table. Selections by Townes Van Zandt and Pink Floyd peppered their set.
Past My Prime
Solstice
Like Reflections
Courage for the Road
Room Without a Roof
White Freight Liner Blues (Townes Van Zandt cover)
Reasons to Stay
Time (Pink Floyd cover)
Breathe (Reprise) (Pink Floyd cover)
Living Over
Photos of the Greensky set here.
THE BOB WEIR INCIDENT the world debut of the Bob Weir Incident exceeded all expectations as Weir grace the stage and delivered an emotional yet satisfying set to the huge Hulaween crowd living the dream we all dreamed an afternoon long ago. The members of String Cheese played each set with such precision and nail every note I have to say it was truly some of the best post Jerry Garcia dead that I have heard! Watch the Box of Rain singalong here to ease the pain, and may love see you through. The music will never stop, thank you Phil Lesh for being part of my life’s compass!
Set 1:
Feel Like a Stranger
Jack Straw
Crazy Fingers
Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain (Elton Britt and The Skytoppers cover)
Cassidy
Man Smart, Woman Smarter (King Radio cover) (First time since 2004)
Cold Rain and Snow
Set 2:
China Cat Sunflower (First time since 2006) (>)
I Know You Rider
Brown-Eyed Women
Estimated Prophet (>)
Eyes of the World (>)
Drums
Standing on the Moon
Fire on the Mountain (First time since 2001)
Encore:
Box of Rain
PHOTOS of the Bob Weir Incident here.
Hulaween closed out with another insane year with THE NEW MASTERSOUNDS. So Sorry that I missed this set as they are another park favorite of mine but thanks to THE “FUNKMAYOR” we can all see it here:
In closing I would love to thank the Music Hall Café for a nice meal each day at the fest and Cosmic Charlie’s Grateful Grill for all my other meals! Everyone that attended the festival and helped put this festival together from the people picking up trash to the executives in the air conditioning all deserve a round of applause! This festival is run so smooth and with heart! You get the sense of family when you come to Hulaween, weather it is your first time or your eleventh time. What it truly is, is the magic that each person brings to the park, their own uniqueness and artistry, and the willing to self-express that! On behalf of every attendee and myself Thank you Paul Levine for everything you do!
You may find the Spirit of Suwanee music park but you truly will know when that park finds you! You truly are at home here at the park and at the famed Hulaween!
Go See Live Music…Till the Next Show… Joel
PHOTO GALLERIES:
Headtones: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/fpvnTDKaqchGyK5B/
Side Trakd: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/PwWkiCuLu7QjRFFA/
Moontricks: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/StMUYoDmMxPWV6B3/
Say She She: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/JFRgzBBsgGRvEdiF/
Lettuce: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/xmK31FokhG4fcNqb/
Clozee: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/qe4pVKQyuocbgQeN/
Killer Mike: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/sREX7WpdPkJnEyVX/
10/24 fans #1: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/erWzhQZxeQWTnV7K/
10/24 fans #2: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/oPAPPicyphwt6pbw/
Tand: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/hsxpfeUZzfADCLg4/
Ajeva: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/ftJFXqy4vnLSq1Br/
Karina Rykman: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/gjEHcKFnnyNHeub7/
Dumpstaphunk: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/ntEPeqY4BLMKqhPe/
SCI #1: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/jdfckDzP3XqZPeuQ/
Maddy O’Neal: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/AH2yGT9g3Qj5JXmn/
SCI #2: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/kiTdK3XKa2QvjoH3/
Cory Wong: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/8bxBqCkD8tYDiW2i/
Black Pumas: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/LEnWvCei72dEubVs/
Chase & Status: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/tFg7FkRovi2viERZ/
10/25 fans #1: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/kaveieyVv6qq31s6/
10/25 fans #2: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/RSMoFsHr1HB9f7ta/
The Honey Hounds: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/vujiE7sXfNj5qer6/
Sauce Pocket: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/VYYVxhKF249gXbgW/
SCI #3: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/w3jrHjwAKCfQu2Jc/
SPAFFORD: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/E9smh8qwPLuWEaA7/
SCI #4: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/ha1Y7rP5P78bRSMk/
Andy Frasco: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/RfPVd8m3jvwwGKXr/
Umphrey’s McGee: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/5rQtyrVnUMxzxCaA/
SCI #5: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/dw7zKSzHiMtx5VG8/
Sublime: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Jew8QWzMi33DtX7b/
10/26 Fans: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/m76PUcMxTv9YZk4f/
Holly Bowling: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/zX6RE9Nupy8isQWR/
The Aint Sisters: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/umit9w2oYGNDBceu/
Greensky Bluegrass: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/GFy4Y59krWAHXjcv/
Bob Weir Incident: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/6QVeFZ4Zjuw8TBJv/
10/27 Fans: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/K66AqAKFuvvpPuyM/
Hula Art: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/ShrLef2TyJT2hEVC/
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