Rooster Walk V Review by: Max Friedersdorf

Photo Credit: Siobhan Cline, Drumzandspace Photography

I woke up the morning of May 24th tingling with excitement; my first festival of the year was only a three hour drive away. With big names like Ivan Neville’s Dumpstafunk, Leftover Salmon, and Yarn I knew I was in for a treat. I threw my gear in the car and began the beautiful drive across the scenic Virginia country side. The drive to Martinsville was delightfully uneventful and before I knew it I was pulling into Blue Mountain Festival Grounds where Rooster Walk V was being held. I was immediately pleased to see the picturesque fields that would be my home for the next three days. Upon setting up camp I took a walk around the festival grounds; soft, loamy earth beneath my feet and the beaming Virginia sun on my back, I took in the beauty that was Rooster Walk V. Friday night was stolen by Yarn as I had expected but I was taken by surprise by Kung Fu. I had never listened to them before that night and I was thoroughly impressed with the energy and musicianship thrown out by their wailing steel strings.

Photo Credit: Siobhan Cline, Drumzandspace Photography

Saturday morning affirmed all of my hopes that this would be a smaller, family oriented festival. I awoke to the gleeful shrieks of children playing just outside my tent and began my second day in this oasis. Starting at 11am the foothills were filled with the sound of music flowing from each stage. Just as the night before, I was delighted by the bands I had never known until then. As the day grew hotter and I grew hungrier I meandered around the grounds looking for a bite to eat. I settled down with a big slice of pie from Bangin’ Pies’, who will be slinging pizzas at Pink Moon, and trained my eyes towards Hot Twang. Their unique mixture of bluegrass and jazz, along with the witty remarks from the singer, was the perfect soundtrack for midday. As the sun began to do a number on my fair skin I sought shelter at the campgrounds. The campground was adjacent to a trickling country creek giving a perfect place to cool off and further adding to the ambiance of the quintessential Southern Virginia farm. The family atmosphere persisted throughout the day, children and adults played together with hula-hoops; face consuming smiles abounded. Saturday night is when the fun began. The festival organizers had set up a small parade, led by The Empire Strikes Brass, for the kids to enjoy. The dancing bears, a staple of Rock Camp Productions’ repertoire, came out in force, to the joy of kids and adults alike. Like rats to the Pied Piper’s flute people flocked to see the joyous spectacle. Later in the evening the real party began. The famous Puff T. Magic Dragon danced through the crowd of onlookers to the accompaniment of Leftover Salmon and Dumpstafunk. People hooped and hollered, jockeying to get a better look at the glowing behemoth. Saturday night continued, as most festivals do, into a haze of exhaustion and landed me in a blissful, much needed, sleep.

Photo Credit: Siobhan Cline, Drumzandspace Photography

Sunday morning was the crowning jewel, the proverbial cherry on top. Most festival Sundays are reminiscent of an old Johnny Cash tune, “I woke up Sunday morning with no way to hold my head that didn’t hurt.” I always make a point to catch as many bands as I can but Sundays are hard, after a weekend in the sun and potential irreparable damage done to my body I rarely have the gumption to do much but drive home. But, this Sunday was destined to be different. I awoke with the expected headache and lumbered to the stage with the intent of catching a few tunes and beating feet back home. I was abducted by the music. Never have I been so impressed with Sunday bands. The best part of Sunday, and potentially my favorite musical act of the weekend, was Stephane Wrembel and His Band. I was intoxicated with his flowing gypsy jazz. His fingers danced across the fretboard, making the most intricate guitar work look like child’s play. By the time I was in the car I had used up every ounce of energy I had saved. I drove away with a bittersweet feeling, reveling in the friends and memories I had made, knowing I’d be back in Martinsville in a year for Rooster Walk VI.

Photo Credit: Siobhan Cline, Drumzandspace Photography

Photo Credit: Siobhan Cline, Drumzandspace Photography

Photo Credit: Siobhan Cline, Drumzandspace Photography