Langerado 2008 Advice

February 21, 2008 4:13 PM

Anybody want to offer some tips that might help me navigate Langerado this year? Advice on bands and general music festival tips would be appreciated.

I'm going to Langerado this year. I'm excited, but feel overwhelmed by the lineup. I'm most excited about seeing The National, but there are many bands that I'm looking forward to. Unfortunately, a lot of the listed bands are under my radar. Also, I'm not on the up and up with a lot of "jam bands". I'd like some recommendations on bands that put on a great live show or are otherwise can't miss.

Secondly, I know that Big Cypress is quite isolated. Problems associated with music fests are exacerbated by this fest's location. What are some things I should definitely bring? What are some good tips you wish you had known before your last fest?

posted by Telf to travel & transportation (4 comments total)

Try to avoid the trap of over scheduling. Just decide on a few bands you really want to see. If you try to plot out your entire day, you will spend too much time running around and not enough time enjoying the music. With these festivals, it's easy to get too excited and try to see everything. So drift around, if something catches your ear, stick around for awhile.

I don't know how big the crowd is going to be, maybe 20,000? That's a great size - you'll be able to move around pretty freely and your campsite won't be too far away.

From the lineup, I'd recommend seeing MMW, especially with John Scofield.

Don't forget a can opener.
posted by casaubon at 5:30 PM on February 21, 2008

For logistical info I would head to Inforoo which is really dedicated to Bonnaroo (Metallica?? Seriously?), but they have a couple of great FAQ's that are worth readin'... As far as schedule related recommendations, I would be sure and hit up the late-nite shows, ESPECIALLY Bassnectar (I hate his name) and STS9 - Do NOT miss this show! Disco Biscuits the next night should be fun, too. During the day be sure and cruise around, and remember that ya don't have to see a whole set if ya don't want to, there is just too much to check out. On Fri. !!! on Fri. Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra on Sat. is cool, in the spirit of Fela/Femi Kuti, and The Avett Bro's are great (North Carolina-The Good Carolina). Be sure and watch Thievery Corporation on Sat. I just saw them at The Echo Project in Atlanta in Oct. Great show. Sun. Grace Potter is a good show, and Minus The Bear...

Have fun, this is the first year Langerado is at Big Cypress, and that makes for a great, great time. Get to know your neighbors, and and make this festival great!
See ya there!
posted by sneakyalien at 6:52 PM on February 21, 2008

Oh, yeah, and it IS !!!
posted by sneakyalien at 9:27 PM on February 21, 2008

On your way out of Big Cypress, be prepared to spend a loooong time in traffic. Be aware that there is almost nothing on that stretch of I-75. If you have a medical condition, bring your medication. I probably don't need to say this, but I'm going to...if you've been prescribed anything that might appear to be potentially abuseable, carry proof that it's been prescribed to you, and how often you are to use it.

Make sure you have a full tank of gas when you enter the preserve. Bring plenty to eat and, most importantly, drink. A few of my friends have the memory of coming home from the Phish New Year's Concert at Big Cypress and jockeying for position to stay next to a semi trailer...for the shade. They were parked for hours on 75. When they got to the gas station (Yes, the gas station!), the shelves were bare. No chips, no sodas. Nothing.

And for some Langerado specific info... HearMiami will be there giving out free CDs. I don't know where they will be, but the mix is many Miami acts. Quite a few of them I know and love, and at least three of them are in the Langerado line-up. So Check that out! I'm under the impression that the musician Jesse Jackson will be on the CD also, but he's not on the Hear Miami website. So check him out if you haven't already. (But he won't be on the Langerado Line up this year.)
posted by bilabial at 5:10 AM on February 22, 2008