This coming weekend, Oak Ridge Farm will host the fourth annual Lockn’ Festival. With a remodeled lineup, and a few less familiar faces, this year’s fest is expected to attract a more diverse crowd of attendees.
This coming weekend, Oak Ridge Farm will host the fourth annual Lockn’ Festival. With a remodeled lineup, and a few less familiar faces, this year’s fest is expected to attract a more diverse crowd of attendees.
A few months ago, a mutual friend of mine handed me a concert flyer for Lockn’. She told me it was her first year attending and that she was most excited to see EOTO.
I couldn’t help but mentally cringe at her statement.
I thought to myself, “This girl is most interested in seeing a DJ duo at a festival known for its remarkable lineup of rock and jam band legends?” Is this just another episode of a millennial trustafarian jumping at any chance to go to a music festival? Is she aware that this is the first year Widespread Panic nor The String Cheese Incident are on the lineup? Does she know that Jerry Garcia died before she was born and that she sounds ridiculous referring to herself as a “Deadhead.” Am I just being a pretentious music snob?
Maybe so, but maybe I’m onto something.
While Lockn’ is reputable for having a consistent lineup, this year’s inclusion of more electronic based sounds will definitely lure in a more diverse crowd. While some loyal Lockn’ alumni may be mildly disappointed by some of the musical changes, and possibly the attendees themselves, these modifications are considered improvements for others. Although the Grateful Dead core four is not making an appearance, this year’s lineup includes some new faces like DJ Logic, Vulfpeck, and White Denim. This is also the first year that Phish and Ween are on the lineup, two new additions that fans are looking forward to.
But hey, the music isn’t everything that a festival has to offer, right?
August is craft beer month in Virginia and Lockn’ is teaming up with Starr Hill Brewery to celebrate with dignity. While the Summer of IPA tour is coming to a close with only a few more stops left, Lockn’ attendees have the opportunity to taste some of the new Starr Hill IPA releases before they hit the stores.
Last year began with a rough start as the first day of the festival was cancelled due to thunderstorms and thousands of attendees requesting refunds. As of now, this year’s schedule is on track and the weather is supposed to remain in the mid eighties with clear skies.
Because Lockn’ is in August this year instead of September, attendees should prepare for extreme heat and sun, while accepting the fact that they’ll be drenched in sweat the entire weekend. For those festival goers who fear dehydration or heat stroke, Lockn’ does provide shuttle bus rides about 15 minutes south of the festival grounds to the Tye River.
As the progressive modifications at Lockn’ festival continue, this is the first year attendees can link their credit cards to their electronic wristbands. As part of the “Go Cashless at Lockn” gig, attendees can save the trouble of walking around with their personal belongings. But please beware, these electronic wristbands will make it much easier for attendees to purchase munchies and merchandise when they’re not in a right state of mind. Am I sensing a pattern here?
Bikes are welcomed and encouraged on festival grounds and bikeracks are conveniently placed around grounds for easy security. Depending on the location of their campsite, it can take attendees about 15-25 minutes to walk to the main festival grounds, so bringing a bike to the festival is worth the struggle of packing it in a car. Bike rentals are also provided for $50 per day.
Also, free bike repairs! If your bike is busted, bring it to Lockn’ and get it fixed for free!
For all you proactive yogis, Lockn’ hosts morning yoga from 10-11am every day except Thursday when it’s held from 4-5pm. Limbering up before a long night of recklessness is highly recommended. The yoga is sponsored by Opal Yoga, a Charlottesville based yoga studio that concentrates on musical influence in meditation. DJ Hix is associated with 432 Studios, and is providing ambient music to enhance the experience. These are multi-leveled yoga sessions, so participants of all ages and levels are welcome to participate.
In the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Oak Ridge Farm venue is one of the most beautiful music venues Virginia has to offer. Whatever attendees are doing at Lockn’ festival, they are guaranteed a good time. So pack up your camping gear, collect your friends, and come out to Lockn’ 2016 this Thursday!
Excited for Phil Lesh and Friends? This year’s friends have recently been announced and include:
Saturday: Phish’s drummer and first-time Friend Jon Fishman, Phish’s keyboardist Page McConnell, Furthur bandmate Joe Russo, and The Infamous Stringdusters.
Sunday: Chris Robinson Brotherhood, amplified with a special guest sit-in by guitar hero Gary Clark Jr.
For those of you who are interested in seeing behind the scene snaps, add locknfestival on snapchat.
And there’s still time to snag tickets to this year’s event, just head over to their website here.
