Under a slow but steady rain on a North Florida spring night, some 700 music lovers gathered for the Funky Mardi Gras concerts. Huddled in makeshift shelters or their golf carts, or dancing under the stars and rain, they were undeterred by anything Mother Nature could send their way.
After all, for many, it had been a year or more since Mother Nature had rained hell on humanity in the form of a pandemic. It had been that long since many had experienced live music in person. So with the social distancing guidelines promoters at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park crafted, they were determined to make the most of it.
“We loved last weekend,” enthused festival veteran Matthew O’Brien. “Driving our golf cart on to the show field and being together with our crew was the best. It was a fun, safe and convenient way to enjoy the show. Can’t wait to do it again.”
It seems O’Brien will get his chance.
It’s been almost a month since the park hosted its two-night concert run called Funky Mardi Gras. The 165 or so PODS (personal outdoor dancing sites) ensured crews of up to six could gather safely. The smiles were wide.
Promoter Taking Note, Planning Ahead
Arguably smiling widest was the producer, Paul Levine and Purple Hat Productions. By all accounts, this Covid-conscious event never became some super spreader. People obeyed the rules. Masks were a must outside the pods and there was no cavorting with people in other pods.
Campsites across the park’s 800 acres were beyond Levine’s purview or authority. He was fairly confident, however, that camping and concert-going were rousing but safe.
“There’s always excitement with something new,” Levine said. “I know not everybody loves the idea of the pod show. But I didn’t see anybody not having a good time out there. People are eager for live music. And that wasn’t the worst rain we’ve had out there.”
Socially distanced shows like Funky Mardi Gras are among the first live events to return. Levine saw how things went, and how the vaccine is taking hold. To be sure, we’re still a ways from shows like the park has held in the past, with 20,000 or more fans swaying from before noon ‘til after midnight in the meadow.
Amping Up the Pod Experience
This April, the park’s Suwannee Rising festival will offer music from 3pm to 11pm. There’ll be no golf carts in pods lined before two side-by-side stages. The roughly 2,000 tickets sold out in a day. He’s planning to bring in food trucks, and fans still will be allowed to carry in coolers with food and drinks.
Others also have read the tea leaves. Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino recently was cautiously optimistic in predicting that large-scale concerts in many U.S. states returning by this summer. He said to investors that “a clear outline to a 75% to 100% capacity for outdoor U.S. events in 2021 was looking likely to be green-lit.”
UK officials were even more enthusiastic, saying 100% occupancy was possible by June 21 – an auspicious date, given that ancient Greek calendars saw that the summer solstice marked the start of the New Year.
Southern states could fare better well into the fall, he added.
His caution included a call to wait for “a high bar capacity moment in most of the states to ramp up and talk to the artists about getting paid properly” and the concert workforce back to work. The company already has sold out its Reading & Leeds festival, slated for Aug. 27 and 29.
Shows & Fans Lining Up
Levine’s show wasn’t the first. The St. Augustine Amphitheater hosted JJ Gray and Mofro in January. The Cheshire Fairgrounds in Swanzey, New Hampshire, saw a moe. drive-in show in October.
Brooklynite Sierra Mohamed saw rising jam band Goose at the “Yarmouth Drive-In” on Cape Cod and in Connecticut last fall. She’ll be coming south to see the band’s two sets at SOSMP and is planning to see Phish this summer.
Those show’s she’s seen were more strict than what she heard was the case at SOSMP. She toed the line, wore her mask, and didn’t mingle with people beyond her area.
“It’s totally worth it,” she said.
Others agreed. Commenting on a Facebook page, Kathy Kerkes said she saw some of those shows. Hang in your vehicle dancing spot, with your coolers, chairs and friends with music streaming over the car radio.
“It was very strange at first, but I ended up liking it better,” she said. “No crowds all mushed up in front. You wander down, take pics, dance, then go back to your spot.”
To Darryl Bair, the Goose show at the Frederick drive-in show was pretty cool from start to finish. Roll into your spot, flip down the tailgate, pull out the cooler and set up some chairs.
“Best thing is how quickly the lot clears after the show cause you don’t have to wander around looking for your car,” he said. “I think the lot was empty 15 min after the show. It was quick and orderly and no trash was left behind. It was a pleasant experience.”
“Frederick was top notch, IMO,” said Tim Yadeska. “Safe, yet relaxed/chill vibe.”
Jonathan Baron said he hopes drive-ins remain post-Covid. “Being next to our car in a field with some dope jams…maybe it’s just my covid goggles but it has serious festival vibes to me,” he said. “It would only get better if you’re able to actually socialize with your neighbors.”
Distancing Becomes the Norm
Distancing is gaining ground. Andrew Gagnon had a great time with Perpetual Groove at the Charleston Pour House. “Not too intense on the Covid rules,” he said, “but they did a good job at keeping people distanced and the crowd limited.”
Casey Riordan especially liked the view at a recent Charleston show. Perched in her 10×10 square with three friends they rented furniture, jammed out, “and as a short person I appreciated having an unobstructed view.”
When Billy Strings, the Allman Betts Band, the Marcus King Trio and Oteil Burbridge and Dumpstaphunk did drive-in shows recently, music industry worker Brock Olee said “it feels like the show is happening in the lot. Sure, it’s not ideal. But neither is Covid.
“It’s not my favorite setup. People want to get up and dance and have a good time and the seated socially distanced shows don’t really allow that,” he said. “But nothing to complain about, whatever it takes to get live music right now. The venue I work at has put on socially distanced seated shows with the tables six feet apart. They were super safe and it was nice to be back at work.”
Terri Resmusin was stoked about “the vibe, the comfort, the need and the music. It all works if it’s set up correctly. SOSMP has figured it out.”
Said Andrew Sloan: “I wish more bands would give it a shot.”
Paul Wesley Hughes was one of those at The Flaming Lips’ Oklahoma City “space bubble rock show.” In a word, it was “awesome.” Row 7, Bubble 10 . “I’d definitely do it again, but only for that band.”
Some noted that there’s always some who don’t care about distancing, and others who won’t go until festival fields open up. Until then, the prevailing sentiment is that distancing with friends isn’t fear, please respect other’s caution, festival camping can be safe, and most of all, be patient.
“I didn’t mind the pods and thought the sound was incredible,” said Shelly Smith, a regular at SOSMP. “I’ll comply with any rules to get live music back.”
Promoters, bands, vendors and music industry workers are banking on it.