Summer Camp returned to Chillicothe, IL, this weekend twister-free but with enough collaborations to still make one’s head-spin. While occasional showers cooled off the weekends festivities, Summer Camps weather held up well compared to last years tornado played campout. Festival headliners moe. offered three shows, including a full-segue with fellow performers RAQ. In lieu of stopping the music during its Friday evening’s set-break, moe. invited RAQ onstage for a jam leading out of ‘Wormwood,’ before stepping aside for a 20-minute appearance by the Vermont quartet. moe. returned to the stage in a similar fashion, segueing into a version of ‘St. Augustine.’
Late Friday night, Umphreys McGee also offered a guest-laden, two-set after-hours show in a barn located on the edge of the festivals grounds. Deep into the night, RAQ’s Todd Stoops and Chris Michetti enhanced Hurt Bird Bath, while moe.s Al Schnier joined in on a jam leading out of Much Obliged. Members of Ray’s Music Exchange also fleshed out a bit of freeform late-night improv.
After an illness forced MOFRO to pull out of its performance, moe. and Umphreys anchored a superjam on the Sunshine Stage Saturday. A day later, Theresa Andersson also added some fiddle to Plane Crash during moe.‘s festival closing show. Additional Reporting by Holly Isbister and Aaron Benor