An initially wet and noticeably chillier Sunday greeted fans to the second day for Sweetwater 420 Fest. Saturday’s line-up had been as strong as one could hope… for someone of my tastes, so Sunday’s line-up was more of an opportunity to hear different vibes with bands leaning to the electric side. Standouts included Trombone Shorty, who I’d heard great things about and delivered a phenomenal performance, and The Ain’t Sisters, a local project working hard to conquer the south with their electric folk-rock music. The electronic music spoke to a different crowd, and I have to admit it gets a festival crowd moving.
EDM with drums and saxophone! Brought a lot of later-arriving fans who got exactly what they wanted: danceable grooves!
This isn’t your high school band trombonist.
Backed by a stellar band, Trombone Shorty is upbeat, celebratory, dynamic and carries that certain New Orleans funky jazz thing.
Show stealer!
Papadosio is an Ohio band now based in Asheville, at times heavy on keyboards (when proggish,) and electronica (when not).
It’s also a band probably better suited to a night stage for stage lighting.
Indie hip-hop with a groove, having fun and taking the crowd with them.
Atlanta rock & soul band, founded in 2018. Look for them at more festivals as they build an audience with a really great groove.
Add some pop tendencies, occasional hip-hop style singing and a light playful attitude, and there you go!
Winner of a Battle of the Bands contest, Ain’t Sisters took the stage in a diminishing light rain, with faithful friends and fans who stood at the gate waiting to get in.
Alt-country with an attitude? They have a knack for melodies and stinging guitars.
