There aren’t many things that can keep one happily glued to the computer for hours on end but the Woodstock Celebration Festival on 17 Aug at Chelsea did just that. The purpose-built stage was set in a gently sloping amphitheater just a short walk from the magnificent Hotel Chelsea, with speakers set up on a metal grid emulating the real-life Woodstock stage of 50 years ago. Blankets and seats were strewn about with ample space and opportunity for festival goers to sit or dance – both options were taken up.
The Woodstock tribute kicked-off with the sweet harmonies of Bearsheart interweaving flawlessly with Dusty Smythe’s impeccable guitar work and gravelly vocals. Covering many songs from the Woodstock repertoire, it set the festival off in grand fashion, bringing the hippy era back to life.
Their set was followed by the fluid electric guitar of Lluis Indigo, a talented musician from Spain, who, along with many other songs, performed an electrifying rendition of Jimi Hendrix’s “Star Spangled Banner” to the delight and applause of the growing crowd.
Many of the attendees came dressed for the occasion with bandanna’s, peace symbols, long hair, tie-dye t-shirts and flowery flairs in abundance (with many smoking funny looking cigarettes). At one point there was even a downpour of heavy rain as actually happened at the real-life Woodstock so many years ago.
Next up was the inimitable RoseDrop Rust, who, utilizing piano, guitar and spoken word, continued the Woodstock theme including a powerful rendition of the song “Woodstock” by Joni Mitchell.
The trademark psychaedelia of the era was amply provided by the absurdly talented duo that make up “Alchemelic”. Their immersive audio-visual assault (expertly utilising pixel-particles) left attendees dazzled and astonished, as close to tripping without drugs that you can get!
We were all gently returned to planet Earth by the folksy voice and guitar of Corwyn Allen who regaled us with some Woodstock classics.
The next two sets by Cactus Ninja and Moonman respectively ( both accomplished musicians in real and second life), continued the acoustic theme and took us, reluctantly, to the close of the live acts.
After 6 plus hours of being feted by the musical skills of some of SL’s most celebrated musicians, DJ Soul Fingah jumped up onto the stage to keep the spirit alive with an eclectic mix of hippy era songs, visually supported by the Alhemelic who continued to dazzle our senses with a visual bombardment . When I left they were still going strong…
It was an extraordinary celebration and I would like to thank and highlight the hard work of the diminutive Shyla the Super Gecko who did much of the heavy lifting required to get the show up and running. Thanks also to El Elephas and Mykal Skall for their successful efforts to simulate the real Woodstock ambiance.
Happy 50th Birthday to Woodstock and Happy 1st Birthday to Chelsea Amphitheater!