Festivals

Purple Hatter’s Ball 2014: Remembering the Moments w/ Beats Antique, Emancipator Ensemble, more [Video x Photos]

By Jen McKinnon

Posted on May 20, 2014

Words by Jen McKinnon

Departing day at SOSMP is always bittersweet – leaving a behind a fairytale to rejoin the “real world”, where we all grow up and forget our fantasies. Peter Pan had the right idea. Although the Suwannee River bank isn’t a mythical island, it’s probably the closest thing on earth to resembling Neverland. No worries, no judgments – young and free in the wild, forever. Well, at least until Monday.

Video recap by Jen McKinnon for FMB

Spending a weekend at a Suwannee festival is living life to the fullest. It’s the very thing so many clichés are built on – smelling the roses, seizing the moment, YOLO – all with the underlying message of appreciating the present. I think it’s what hippies call “Mindfulness.” We are given one chance to live, to love, and to share. This is the message to go home with and a memory celebrated every year at Purple Hatter’s Ball, a benefit show honoring Rachel Morningstar Hoffman.

Previous hatter’s via festgrrl

What started as a small gathering of friends and musicians to remember Rachel has grown into a phenomenal lineup of electronic, funk, soul, jazz, rock, and folk music, coupled with art showcases and healing workshops, which strengthens every year. The benefit concert began on Thursday with a pre-party in the Music Hall, which hosted Hail Cassius Neptune, S.P.O.R.E., The Fritz, Monozygotic and a roaring set by Moon Hooch.

Video by RootedVibes

Friday festies entering the campgrounds were greeted early by the sounds of Shoes & Laces and Cherry Royale from the Ampitheater and Morning Fatty on the Porch Stage; while the Jacksonville and Gainesville stages decorated the lake with tunes by Yankee Slickers, Jacksonvegas, Flat Land, MSNRA, and Grandpa’s Cough Medicine. The evening welcomed a cooling breeze as Trial by Stone and The Heavy Pets heated up the Ampitheater, with Parker Urban Band and Herd of Watts on the Jax stage.

The Fritz

Friday’s twilight act, The Fritz, sent the sun off with a proper farewell prior to Emancipator Ensemble taking stage. The party continued with Greenhouse Lounge showcasing an electrifying playlist with never-before performed songs in honor of their friend Rachel. What a rager. And can’t forget the closing ceremonies by The Nth Power. Late night Silent Disco anyone? Yes sir, complete with piercing new lazers.

Emancipator Ensemble – video by Jen McKinnon for FMB

The Nth Power – video by Sober Goat

Saturday early birds put on their dance shoes, or barefooted their way into the Ampitheater for Applebutter, with Ketchy Shuby and S.P.O.R.E. on the Porch Stage. Dubconscious’ midafternoon show woke up the entire park, with Catfish Alliance, Rising Appalachia, and Space Capone to follow.

Rising Appalachia – video by Jen McKinnon for FMB

Saturday’s powerhouse of headliners started with the hypnotic theatrics of Beats Antique and their gigantic blow up monster, animal masked parade, and pretty much anything else weird they could fit on stage. It was mind blowing. The Floozies carried on the energy, taking it to the max, before The New Mastersounds ended the evening with a funky bang. It was like fireworks for your ear.

Sunday’s shorter roster opened with Avis Berry and Scott Campbell Band, followed with Stillwood, a second appearance by The Nth Power, and Locos por Juana.

The Motet – oh, The Motet and their encore were marvelous. A complete 2-hour set just wasn’t long enough. We wanted more, and that’s what we got. More songs, more dancing, more smiles. More time to twirl around under the trees; hug our festival family; and consciously seize a fleeting moment, for a lifetime. Thank you Rachel, SOSMP, and Purple Hatter’s. Until next year.

Florida Music Blog Photos by Jen McKinnon: