The 2010 Harvest of Hope Festival was a mixture of heat, mud, guitars, and, of course, good music. Here's some highlights from my journey to this year's festival. [All photos by Mike Wilson.]
FRIDAY, MARCH 12: DAY 1
7:29 p.m. I learn from an organizer that $0.85 of every $1 made by the festival goes to help migrant workers in need of emergency aid assistance. I feel great knowing this event is serving people in desperate need of help. I also feel great a little later when I catch Delta Spirit putting on a raw, gritty straight-up rock n' roll show — howling vocals and thundering drums making for some kick-ass music.
9:30 p.m. Chali 2na, the deep-voiced rapper for Jurassic 5, renews my faith in hip-hop with a set of hypnotic rhymes and thudding beats. Ah, if only most hip-hop were this good.
10:09 p.m. Dr. Dog hits the stage [bassist/singer Toby Leaman pictured right] and plays three or four new tracks before —
10:30 p.m. What … is that … ? Dammit, I hope it's not … but yes, it is. Rain. A downpour cuts the band's set short and forces fans to scurry for shelter.
SATURDAY, MARCH 13: Day 2
12:50 p.m. Justin Scene of Anti-Flag gives terrible advice set to music during the children's portion of the festival. He sings a song called "How to Burn Flags," in which he tells children not only to light something on fire, but a somthing they probably say the pledge of allegiance to every morning. Oh boy.
This article appears in Mar 17-23, 2010.