Wanee Is Back!

Preview by Robert Sloan

There’s less than a week left to get tickets, meet and greet your friends, and find more at this year’s Wanee Music Festival at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL. The immensely beautiful landscape is an ideal setting to indulge in some of the finest expressions of creativity of our lifetime. This is Wanee’s 12th anniversary, and although the festival was conceived by The Allman Brothers, this year will mark the triumphant return of Widespread Panic as the Main Headlining Act. And with Gregg Allman, Gov’t Mule, Dumpstaphunk’s Earth, War, and Power, Les Brers featuring Butch Trucks and Jaimoe, and so many other incredibly talented and recognizable acts, we the fans are excited to start the festival season at Wanee 2016! These bands bring it to life!

1) The Campgrounds
In the daytime Suwannee is inviting, with lavish oak trees all covered in spanish moss that whisp above you. By night, the magic of the park truly sets in as it transforms to fit every feeling you seek when paired with vastly different styles of music. This 800 acre resort is home to beautiful lakes and clear cut paths for exploring and reaching your destination at the stage you want to be at. Access to the campgrounds is free with the price of your ticket starting on Thursday. There are showers and great vendors for all of your basic needs and luxury wants. The early morning can be a little cold at times, so you may want to bring blankets and some warmer clothes to wear until the sun heats things up.

2) Pre-Party
This Wednesday, April 13th, a reasonable crowd gathering to see the Pre Party shows which start at 2:30 PM and go later than 1:30 AM. To camp Wednesday night is an extra $20 a person (with your ticket). But it’s worth it to start the party early especially with New Mastersounds playing at the end of the night!

3) The Music:

Let’s face it, the music is quite obviously what carries this festival. With such an extensive cast of great musicians on multiple stages, it’s impossible to see everything. But every band and musician on the lineup is highly skilled in what they do and you are going to have a great time dancing, singing, and vibing along to it throughout your stay at Wanee 2016! I personally look forward to seeing Greg Allman, Warren Haynes and The Ashes & Dust Band, Umphrey’s McGee, Hot Tuna w/ Steve Kimock, Bruce Hornsby and The Noisemakers, Soulive, Kung Fu, North Mississippi All-Stars w/ Anders Osborne, Stanley Clarke Band, Conspirator, Wood Brothers, and Oteil & Friends. But for a full line-up, check out the festival’s website for details.

4) The Concert-Goers
Past Wanee festivals have had crowds as large as 26,000 in attendance. But for a festival of this proportion, it is a very friendly atmosphere for all walks of life. People travel from all 50 states and even people from overseas are in attendance. I believe that most of the people that go to this event have good intentions, but it’s always good to be cautious with a crowd this large and do your own part to be a safe and responsible human.

5) The Cost
A three day general admission ticket is $219.95 plus fees. Three nights of “primitive” camping are included for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Wednesday night camping will be an additional $20. VIP tickets are sold out, but the 3 day pass is well worth the money spent. Get your tickets now at http://waneefestival.shop.ticketstoday.com/ and say hello!