Cider Mag July/August 2014 Issue 41 | Page 24

Strangecreek Music Festival Recap: The Worms in the Woods M By Ryan McGrath assachusetts is where I lose it, baby!” exclaimed Zach Deputy, who performed both a late night cabin set and a main stage set at Strangecreek Music Festival this past spring. The start of the summer festival season was introduced to many by Strangecreek Music Festival in Greenfield, MA, which is a very special festival, especially to those who truly love music in a positive and uplifting way. Without rain the Worms will never surface. The start of Strangecreek was interesting due to the fact of rain and dampening not only people’s camp gear within minutes, but also their moods. The rain came down for a while making everybody soaked head to toe while stepping in mud almost every step. No way was this damp weather going to stop anyone from fully enjoying their time at Strangecreek. The next day, with everyone’s positive energy the sun came out and shone down its warmth and light amongst the Worms, also known as campers at Strangecreek, who surfaced up through the wet muddy campground. The rain was a great start to the weekend because everybody was much more grateful for the beautiful weather that followed. The Worms fully embraced the balance of rain and sunshine throughout the weekend. Brett Wilson, from Roots of Creation, played a solo-acoustic set on the Main Stage Friday afternoon just as the sun was breaking through the thick clouds 24 • CIDER MAG • cidermag.com and the campers began coming out of the woods into the main stage field to dry off. His set included Roots of Creation material, some of his own songs, along with Slightly Stoopid, Sublime, and Bob Marley covers. Wilson also performed the Dead’s “Standing on the Moon,” dedicated to the Worms. This year’s Strangecreek headlining bands were Rusted Root, Max Creek (2 shows), Zach Deputy (2 shows), Donna the Buffalo, and Ryan Montbleau. All these acts filled the field that the two main stages faced with excited and glorified individuals, fully embracing the love the musicians put out. Zach Deputy, now a headliner, was once one of those kids playing a festival for their first time in the promoter’s backyard trying to make it big; well, he did. Deputy has a lot of love for Strangecreek and it was without a doubt the fans threw it right back at him. After his set he took the time to hug each individual who desired one with a long intimate squeeze from his giant gentle arms. Deputy, along with many, call Strangecreek “home” because this magical campground gives off the same love and warm feeling you get when you are home; not a worry in the world and a smile on your face. Ryan: What do you think about all the love you get, and how you feel about putting it out here at Strangecreek? Zach Deputy: “Well you know, I feel like this is kind of the birth place for me, especially as a festival July• 2014