Got Vibes on Saturday

Late in the afternoon the Roots completed a 90-minute set that grooved with such tremendous force it swept away any afterthoughts of bands that played earlier. Following that act was an unenviable task, and each band coming later had some work to do.

Gathering of the Vibes has become more musically eclectic since its inception 18 years ago, as evident by the alternative hip-hop of The Roots. So there was little fear the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon house band’s style would not work well in the wham jam festival.

The crowd reception was warm and reminiscent of a notion shared by Rick Reyes, leader of Bridgeport group Cosmic Jibaros that earlier played the secondary Green Vibes stage, when he said he had no fear his Latin Rock group would not fit in.

Upon prodding the reason was evident - good music is universal.

Anyway, after The Roots it was Grace Potter and the Nocturnals followed by Gov’t Mule. It’s worth noting that a Led Zeppelin thread weaved through the acts and kept them connected despite their artistic dissimilarities. The Roots touched on the momentous “Immigrant Song,” while Potter and her rock group did a rendition of “Your Time is Gonna Come,” and Southern rock jam boys Gov’t Mule did a copy of “Since I’ve Been Loving You.”

Gov’t Mule features legendary front man Warren Haynes of Allman Brothers Band fame and always puts on a show generous on the cover songs but with a trademark elongated spin.

For the second night in a row Phil Lesh & Friends put on a four-hour set. It didn’t appear anybody was dismayed by the encore performance.

Last year every living member of the Grateful Dead performed, but in their respective acts. This year it’s only Phil Lesh with his friends, but for the first time in its 18 years his group did two consecutive nights.

This incarnation is a unique lineup of friends, made of three Johns and a Joe. Respectively they go Scofield, Medeski, Kadlecik and Russo.  Last night the collection of musical greats brought a wonderful session, complete with “Scarlet Begonias.”

More on the Saturday set later.

This morning area residents awoke to learn that yesterday a young man died of an overdose in the campground. It’s very unfortunate that reckless drug use is part of this or any music festival.

Then again it’s an undeniable part of anything anywhere.