Looking at our calendars, we really were stressing on what Music Festival to open up our tribes 2010 season with. Traveling with 4 kids 6 and under, a wise choice is necessary as we don't do this 20 times a year. Mid sized festival, Some kind of Jam 5, SKOJ, is located in scenic Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania on April 23rd through the 25th and was clearly the best choice give price, lineup and location. We were looking for a combination of good music, a friendly venue and a kind community base for our tribes opening seasons festival. Having missed it last year personally, we made certain we would not make that mistake this year especially after our other family members SKOJ 4 experience last year.

   Looking at the lineup, there were quite a few acts that immediately drew us into the event. Psychedelphia, a 5 piece psychedelic fusion band based outside of Philadelphia. We have been eagerly waiting to see them live since stumbling onto one of their shows on Archive.org recently, this show just rocks. Listening to their flowing melodies and energetic jams, they quickly  caught our attention as one of better jam bands to be introduced into the scene in a quite a awhile. Aside from the energy that they have to offer to every show that makes them something to ad toy our to do list, their creative and uncommon sound seals the deal.

   As if Psychedelphia was not enough to get us out to SKOJ 5, The Mad Sweet Pangs were listed on the bill of the music festival. I first caught Mad Sweet Pangs opening up for Perpetual Groove back in 2009. After meeting their manager at the show and listening to their last release Live From The Outer Banks several times, I was ready for more! Gentle guitar riffs, and a voice of softness and tranquility, this Newark, Delaware based Folk Fusion band will become a name to remember in the Jam scene. More important, an act not to miss at SKOJ 5. Mad Sweet Pangs has been kind enough to have their previous album releases for free download on their site, grab a copy now.

   For us, bluegrass has always been a place we find ourselves returning to time and time again. We have found bluegrass to be one of our family's personal staples. Offering some barefoot stomping organic bliss, Cabinet, is there to please. This six member local sensation, they have been hard at work spreading their positive vibes and energy in the Northeast. To no surprise they are growing quicker than anyone could imagine. As they get ready to open up the festival season at SKOJ 5, one can be sure of one thing, they will deliver a show you will remember. They will be met with our family's affinity and be ready to dance the night away.

   Looking at the arrangement of names to hit the lineup, we eagerly will be introduced to a ton of new names and several we have encountered in our travels before. The Everyone Orchestra: Conducted by Matt Butler and featuring: Rodney Holmes (Santana), Todd Stoops (RAQ), Mark Diomede (Juggling Suns), Marc Sterling (Jazzam), and various SKOJ5 musicians, Rubblebucket, The Horse Flies, Hot Day At The Zoo, The Macpodz, The Big Dirty, The Mantras, Afroskull, Jatoba, Dakini, MiZ, Trouble City All-Stars, Flux Capacitor, Anthony Fiumano & The Medicine Chest, Terry Dame & Electric Junkyard Gamelan, Kagero, Displaced Peoples, Mystery Fyre, Matthew Nichols, Mike Miz, Nina Scarcia, Kyle Morgan, Erik from Baltimore and Will Bowers will be several of the other acts to make SKOJ 5 a success.

   Moving to a new home this year, organizer Jon Sten made a wise choice in selecting the property at Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania. Featuring indoor bathrooms, showers and an indoor stage to escape the early spring crispness. Featured on the private 60 acre venue, SKOJ 5 has everything you need to fulfill your musical cravens and more. With 22 bands and 3 stages, SKOJ  5 will surely offer enough music to fill any music junkies appetite. Heck, for the five minutes we might want to escape from all the heart beating music, we might explore their on site camping trails at the venue. Having personally spoken to Jon regarding the party prior to subscribing it to our families travels, we were taken back by his overwhelming love for the community. This is a guy that really cares about his fans and the Jam band Community as a whole, but most importantly, understands it is the fans that make SKOJ a reality and such a success over the years.

 

With pre-sale tickets at $40, the same price as a ticket for 4 hours of music. We are opting for SKOJ 5 instead and are getting three days of music and camping as the most economical choice available, point being we are there!

 

Get Your Tickets and we will see you at SKOJ 5 as we do it family style.

Words By Tom Fallon

Pictures By Becca Stirner & Bruce Berman