2004 05 MAY RAG - RAG Magazine

tions, but these “luxuries” seemed inconsequentialas the environment drasticallyaltered between dusty, muddy,hot, wet and even downright nippy, feelingmore like a survival-of-the-fittest atmospherethan simply an outdoor concertspree. The performance stagescould be quite long walks from thecampsites, making drinking water andtennis shoes imperative. (Flip flopswere soon declared totally useless anddiscarded all over the fields as the rainpersisted.)The nights were alive with more relaxedenergy than the scorching daylighthours. Despite the daytime heat,crowds were peaceful, even pleasant,and there were no angry havocs of theWoodstock ’99 level. However, twodrug-related deaths were reported(which should be no big shocker consideringthe abundance of headymollies, mushrooms and every otherdrug imaginable that was being pedaledon the campsite-to-Centerootrails).Of the 80 bands performing, some ofthis year’s must-see headliners includedThe Dead, Dave Matthews, TreyAnastasio, Primus, Wilco, Bob Dylanand Patti Smith. Others notables wereDamien Rice, Beth Orton, Doc Watson,Ani DiFranco, My Morning Jacket, GillianWelch, Ween and Burning Spear.The line-up was designed to attract anarray of fans, though most of thosepresent were of the hippie tie-dyedmindset (not surprising consideringthat this is a four-day outdoor adventurewithout a shower – the advertised$5 showers were out-of-order only minutesafter being set up). Lines for food,drinks and the 1,250 portablerestrooms were kept at tolerablelengths. The vendors had eclectic offeringsfrom reasonably priced organicmunchables to massages, acupunctureand palm readings. Performanceswere right on schedule, rain permitting.Matthews’ set was the only 8 p.m. Fridaynight event, and attracted tens ofthousands. The crowd was elated whenhe opened with Phish lead man TreyAnastasio as a guest artist. This wasperhaps the easiest headlining eventto attend. The other big name performanceswould prove to be a test of theRAG MAGAZINE • JULY 2004 • 43