Four Winds Music Festival: Day 2
Four Winds Music Festival: Day 2
Sleep is for the wicked
Setting up again
That hot South Dakota sun reminded me why bringing the green mid-sized cooler full of ice and pop was critical to a successful Day 2 at Four Winds Music Festival. After spending hours in the heat yesterday wrangling restless children who found spraying soda on unsuspecting festival goers a fun pastime, and managing one measly hour of rest last night, staying hydrated was prominent in my mind.
The crowds made it slightly more of a challenge keeping cool, but the energy kept my mind off the exhaustion. While witnessing the healthy and growing talent Sioux Falls has to offer is an experience in it’s own right, seeing the tight-knit community come out to show their support was an even better reminder of where I pull my inspiration from.
It also made me realize that the excitement still hits the pit of my stomach as I watch all the moving parts and pieces come together to make a truly memorable experience.
Starting off on the right foot
Today kicked off with Startz and Endz, a modern hippy rock group, who set the tone for the day. Everlasting, a song about the vocalists grandmother, was a huge success as attested to by the reaction of the crowd. The group comprised of Bubba Start, Rodney Rogers, Josh Gadsden, and Danielle Startz actually landed this time slot via a fan comment contest Four Winds coordinated, giving them the opportunity to reach a larger audience, and show Sioux Falls what they have to offer. They were a welcome addition to the festival lineup.
Next on the docket was Sad Planet and the Interstellars. They had a really solid vibe, but what impressed me most was their versatility. They showed an ability to play in multiple styles. Given a little more time and polish, this group will continue to solidify their spot on our “must see” list of Sioux Falls artists.
The Kickback really stayed true to their name. I found myself kicking back, throwing my feet up on that green mid-sized cooler of mine, and letting their pleasant tones wash over my under-slept and under-nourished body. A soothing sound is all it takes at times to pull your focus off the elements. You find yourself adrift, falling into a trance-like state as you experience the incomparable sensations music like that imparts.
In spirit with the collaborative nature of the Sioux Falls music and art scene, Reviver duly shouted out Corey Church — the brains behind Four Winds — for setting them up with another show in Lincoln, Nebraska as a follow up to their killer performance at the stage in The Icon’s parking lot. Never mind Corey pulling the strings for a multi-venue music and art festival spanning countless blocks in Downtown Sioux Falls, over a three day period. It really is a treat to see such camaraderie.
The festival simultaneously featured bands like our friends Traverscion, Grave Solace, and Expereyemental, amongst others at the Club David location, which allows for a more intimate experience. The energy stays high, and the music matches it.
In anticipation of the headliner of the evening, Shock Value fans looked up to see a whirlwind of bubbles swirling around them, creating a moment of playfulness and nostalgia as the band performed songs off their new album. A tantalizing feeling leading into the well known Later Babes performance.
People only read ‘Headlines’
This anticipation was not betrayed.
Later Babes was the icing on the cake after an uplifting day of performances, vibrant expression, and friendly exchanges of words. The assortment of colors ranging from greens to purples permeated the evenings atmosphere. The sound of bellowing fans and laughter amongst the crowd was the perfect backdrop to the smooth transitions between tracks, and hard hitting drops that compelled the audience to move.
To close out Day Two at Four Winds, Van Sank took the stage with his riveting hybrid house set, where he threw down some recently adopted sounds. He called it, “hard techno,” or something to that affect. It’s a more personal experience knowing the set was a positive experience for the audience and the artist alike.
As I was loading my green mid-sized cooler into the U-Haul, I couldn’t help but feel rather excited for Day Three.
See you all there!