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The Camp Barefoot 4 Music and Art Festival

Tim Palmieri

Newly formed funky Kung Fu was next. The band is filled with musicians from other groups: Tim Palmieri and Adrian Tramontano of the Breakfast, Todd Stoops of RAQ along with Kris Jensen on sax and David Livolsi on bass. Although they are a baby band on the scene, the talent from playing with other bands shows through as they are climbing the jamband ladder. They continued with the collaborations bringing out RAQ drummer Greg Stukey and guitarist Chris Michetti for a rendition of Billy Cobham’s “Stratus.”

Surprise newbie of the night was COPE, a funk/reggae/electronic fusion band, that rocked the Sku stage despite the other raging acts on the main stages.

The last main stage act of the night was a funky dance party under Particle’s—and Kung Fu’s—control. Tim Palmieri sat in the entire set, joined at times by band mates Stoops and Jensen. “It was so much fun that my amp blew up,” Palmieri told me the next afternoon. “I need to get that fixed…”

The glowingly decked out crowd seemed to be at its largest of the day during the Particle set. After the set was over around 4, the still eager audience stumbled over to the Sku stage where Papadosio was having a funky get-down. People were standing on the speakers dancing and the crowd stretched out into the surrounding campsites.

Saturday afternoon brought in the bluegrass with the likes of Jackass Flats and the Hackensaw Boys. The evening festivities kicked off with a solid set from the RAQ guys, who were definitely having a good time; Stoops was passing around Patron while Michetti sipped on whisky on stage. Tramontano hopped onstage again to join the guys for “Trans-Continental” and “Beuoregard.” Shortly after Disco Biscuits side project Conspirator took the stage.

“We love some live electronic music late into the evening out in the woods,” explained McLain. “So why not have Brownstein and Magner come in and let them have fun? Guess who showed up? Allen [Aucoin], as well from the Biscuits, and next thing I know Michetti from RAQ is playing the whole set. I love sit-ins.”

Towards the end of Conspirator’s set, the rain began. What started as a sprinkle quickly turned into a torrential downpour that lasted through The Breakfast’s set. The crowds thinned and missed an awesome show with yet another sit-in. Michetti came on to play “Hard Luck Harry” and an ironic “Rain.” By the time EOTO took the stage the rain was slowing and stopped mid-way through their set. The crowd returned to help the band celebrate the closing of another Camp Barefoot. Brownstein and Michetti helped the celebrations by shooting off some fireworks side stage.

Overall the festival was a great success for those attending and those performing. “I am thankful,” Palmieri said about being able to play at Camp Barefoot. “It’s like a little musical playground.” What could be more fun than that?