Wakarusa 72C: Saturday brings reggae, groove and horns

Editor’s note: This is the third of four stories in the “Seven to see (72C)” series profiling the musical acts appearing at the Wakarusa Music Festival (June 2-5). Last year saw attendance reach 18,000, an increase of around 3,000 over 2009. Link here for the first story in the series, and link here for the second story.

review by Peter Lewis
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Programming note: In creating these daily lists, special attention was paid to performance times, not only to facilitate an attendee’s ability to see full sets, but to erase any worry about getting between stages afterward.

72C on SATURDAY (June 4)
• Rebelution (Main Stage — 12:30 to 1:45 p.m.)
It’s always imperative to get your mind right. And there’s no better way to ease into Saturday than with some California suffused reggae via Rebelution. The worry free vibes will flow throughout this Santa Barbara based quartet’s set. Like many of the acts featured at Wakarusa, Rebelution has cultivated a fan base by way of consistent touring and do-it-yourself styled promotion. So, get your shimmy shoes ready and slink along to the infectious reggae.

• Galactic (Main Stage – 2:15 to 3:30 p.m.)
Once Rebelution wraps up, there’s no reason to leave. Stay put for the Galactic. The sound is groove-oriented, but Galactic aspires to weave the disparate elements of New Orleans into their broader sound. The result is an accessible, funky melting-pot that is sure to put a groove in your shoes and a smile on your face.

• MarchFourth Marching Band (Revival Tent – 4 to 6 p.m.)
Next, head over to the MarchFourth Marching Band show in the Revival Tent. As a friend is fond of saying, “horns make everything better.” And this raucous big band brings that adage to life with their epic musical events, tailoring a mass of influences and synthesizes them into one uniquely danceable show.

• Mumford & Sons (Main Stage – 6 to 7:30 p.m.)
From brass to string, it’s time for Mumford & Sons on the Main Stage. With lyrics drawing from a diverse array of literary influences and propulsive, energetic life shows, these English lads have taken America by storm over the past year. In the process, they’ve garnered Grammy nominations and had their February 2010 release “Sigh No More” break onto the Billboard charts. The sound is undeniably rooted in folk, but the group has successfully transformed from an indie-folk darling to mainstream phenomenon. Expect a warm, down-to-earth style that belies the massive success.

• The Budos Band (Revival Tent – 8:30 to 10 p.m.)
And back to horns! The Budos Band are an instrumental band out of Staten Island. As one might expect from a group that lives on a label (Daptone Records) dedicated to the revivalist soul sound, there is a heavy dose of classic 60s R&B sprinkled throughout the group’s songs. Drawing on a variety of (international) influences, The Budos Band creates some of the best instrumental jams this side of Booker T.

• Thievery Corporation (Main Stage – 10:30 p.m. to 12:15 a.m.)
More international influences can be heard with the Thievery Corporation’s appearance on the Main Stage. This Washington, D.C.-based duo has been making music together since the mid-90s, incorporating elements of dub, bossa nova, acid jazz, hip-hop and more. And despite their amalgamating internationalism, Thievery Corporation has maintained a very organic sound. Their most next album, “The Culture of Fear,” is set to drop in June of this year.

• STS9 (Revival Tent – 12:30 to 2 a.m.)
Head over to the Revival Tent to get one last dance party in for your Saturday. Sound Tribe Sector 9 (STS9) has been making waves throughout the music industry since their formation in the late 90s. The sound features live instrumental rock mixed with electronics. The emphasis is always on the rhythm, meaning you’ll have plenty to dance to during their set.