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Lockn' Is For Lovers

August 30, 2017 - By Brando Rich

This year marks the 5th time Lockn' Music Festival in Arrington, Virgina became home for 30,000 music lovers and some of the best up-and-coming and veteran musicians in the music world. The talent at this festival is undeniable. Here there is one common theme, love. The love of the music that has carried on throughout the years and inspired fans and muscians alike in their musical journies through life.

Thursday night was the first night of the festival. Following the opening ceremony and Kendall Street Company fans were in for a huge treat with stacks of Umphrey's McGee and String Cheese Incedients sets playing back to back one set after another. The truly genious and unique spinning stage makes for the perfect for back to back sets with no break inbetween. Umphrey's McGee started out their set with "Goonville" which had everyone so excited for the night ahead. The String Cheese Incident spun into their set playing "Restless Wind". Bill Nershi of The String Cheese Incident was having health issues during the Oregon Eclipse and did not play in Oregon. Recovering in time for Lockn' fans were very happy that he was back on stage and more importantly back to health. The band took some time before starting their second set performance following Umphrey's last set which they closed with a killer "Making Flippy Floppy" into "Remind Me" to speak about the events in Charlottesville. Lockn' was turned into a fundraiser to help the Charlottesville area by giving hte donations to the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation. Nershi making note that more than ever we need to come together and take care of one another. Their second set started with an fun and light "Shine" into a memorable ode to the Allman Brothers Band with "Jessica" that members from Umphreys McGee joined them for and finished the rest of the set with them. The Disco Biscuits stepped onto stage immediately after, the perfect time for their upbeat late night performance.

Friday morning started with Yoga for some and breakfast sandwiches at camp for others. Friday was filled witwh performances by Marcus King Band, BlackBerry Smoke, Brandie Carlile, and Jim James solo just to name a few. The night sets included two performances from Phil Lesh with the Terrapin Family Band sandwiching Gov't Mule for another Phil performance with the Terrapin Family Band, this time including Bob Weir. Joe Russo's almost Dead closed out the night with the late night set. A pleasant surprise was Jim James joining the band for "Brown Eyed Women" and "Brokedown Palace" which Nicole Atkins joined him for the vocals.

Saturday started with an amazing early morning performance from the talented pianist Holly Bowling, who's classical renditions of Grateful Dead and Phish songs are a truly beautiful way to start the day. The daytime sets will packed with so much good music. Pigeons Playing Ping Pong got everyone dancing during their daytime set at the Relix stage. Those guys are so up beat and fun, it's hard to stand still at all while they're playing. Keller williams took the main stage after them bringing the