As I sit down to write about my Shoe Fest experience, I am basking in inspiration. The stunningly beautiful microcosm of a festival nestled in a wooded area in Illinois, has yet again brought musicians on fire with passion to the light-hearted family of attendees.

I arrived as Soap was ravaging the main stage with their unique blend of bluesy, funky, psychedelic rock. A band that is perfectly suited for the festival circuit, the audience’s energy followed wherever Soap led them, through several genres and styles. Henhouse Prowlers were up next at the other stage, just a short stroll across the sparkling creek, which had made its way through tree-lined bluffs over the years. The stage was smaller, yet just as rowdy. The Prowlers warmed our legs as we danced through furious string picking, original tracks, and creative covers.

Old Shoe, the founders of this magical fest, took the main stage by storm with a full blown rendition of Grateful Dead’s “Terrapin Station.” You could see how much they derive their inspiration from the Dead, as they soulfully and vibrantly took us through each track of the beloved album. They were followed by future jam band Ultraviolet Hippopotamus. They fused together bluegrass, rock, funk, livetronica, and more for a dance party then ensued until late into the evening.

The final musical encounter that night was a charming set by Under The Willow. With a couple members having already sat in with Old Shoe earlier in the evening, they were not even close to done with the ecstatic audience. We soaked up their folky bluegrass, singing of socially relevant topics…a genre they have deemed New Grass.

The sun rose on another pleasant day at Camp Shaw-Wa-Nas-See. I started off with yoga at the pavilion, which was a nourishing way to start my Saturday. The eclectic vendors and scrumptious food carts offered something for everyone, and I flowed between snacking and walking the creek during the day. My friends and I enjoyed moonshine blueberries as we found our way to the waterfall at the end of the creek. There were children laughing and playing, a couple painting canvases nearby, and lots of music-lovers from all walks of life soaking up the last bits of summer.

Jaik Willis performed his eccentric one-man-band show, complete with heavy shredding. Chicago Farmer belted his folk-inspired acoustic ballads. I was impressed with Afternoon Moon’s high energy stage presence and adventurous set, which wrapped up with Prince’s “Kiss.” Old Shoe then performed their second set of the weekend, with lots of variation. I remember a particular rendition of Bob Marley’s “Could You Be Loved” really getting the good vibes flowing.

Next we all went down to funkytown with Family Groove Company. A beloved festival band, the group gets the funk down with a fun, soulful, jazzy edge that is complemented wonderfully by their stage dynamic.

Then lo’ and behold, we were gathering for that shining moment we’d been looking forward to so. The energy was palpable as The Wood Brothers prepared to take the stage. As they stepped forward and picked up their instruments, not a peep came from the otherwise boisterous audience. The bluegrass royalty trio absolutely ignited our souls. The intense passion with which the Americana blues group meticulously played each poignant and resonating note left me speechless. Oliver Wood with his haunting vocals and flawless plucking complimented Jano Rix’s flow between instruments like melodica, guitar, and drums. Oliver’s brother Chris dazzled as he grabbed the thick strings of his standup bass with such umph I could feel it down my spine. He even handled his bass like a woman, spinning it around and dancing with it several times. That passion transferred to many of us in the audience. Their performance inspired me to exert that kind of dedication and fervor to my own creative endeavors.

As if that wasn’t enough, the evening carried me down to the other stage for another trio, badasses known as Ben Miller Band. Utilizing instruments such as a weed eater string for a bass, a telephone mic to distort vocals, a trombone, washboard, spoons, and more, this group has taken a new spin on bluegrass. Heavy, danceable jamgrass rock pulsated in that pavilion, and before I knew it Jaik Willis was hanging from the rafters. My evening ended with Chatsworth & Dupree featuring members of Cornmeal, at the campfire stage for a bit of a cooldown after one more wild and crazy Saturday night.

This fest left me feeling rejuvenated. It can be difficult to keep an organic musical sense alive in this day and age with all the flashy new electronics, effects, and production set ups. But bands like the ones that played this year’s Shoe Fest are on the cusp of something magnificent. If you ask me, it’s a renaissance that is a new generation of music. Starting with traditional instruments and styles and adding a fresh take or flavor is creating cutting-edge music for those of us that still love the good ol’ days, but want to see it carried into the future.

Thanks Shoe Fest for another fantastic year. The security, lighting and sound production, music lineup, camp staff, and organization are top-notch and this festival is recommended for music lovers of all ages.