Day One of ROTHBURY

© Dave Vann

The first day at ROTHBURY, and there were many firsts. The first time walking onto the festival grounds and seeing the forest, the trees. Being so close to the natural world, Tracy Block, a Miamian, said was one of the things that stuck our for her. And then there was the Sherwood Forest, the art, the mood and the magic. It was like arriving in a completely new world - one where beauty, and light, and friends abounded.

And there was a lot of light. Tracy reports being startled by the late sunset, which occurred just after 10 p.m. It makes sense, as Rothbury, MI is still in the eastern time zone, despite being much further west than we are on the coast.

Standout performances were Keller Williams' cover of Phish's Birds of a Feather, as well as the numerous Michael Jackson covers. The covers seemed to set the tone for the festival – with musicians and fest-goers alike paying tribute to what came before them as a way of truly celebrating the moment.

Before the music started, ROBHBURY campers set up their tents, while others simply spread out their blankets in front of the stages. All settled in for a chill night of music. And it was chilly on the lakeshore. That is, until The Disco Biscuits heated things up until almost 4 a.m.

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