DayDream Fest at Mainline Brewery 5/27/24

Ray Ready

82 F

Ticket Price $30 (day of price, follow @BaripeteProductions for tix as low as $5)

Approx Attendance 900-1,000 (including anderson pak)

“I’ll grow up some time,

Finally speak my Mind”

-Palmyra

What started out as a hot day with forecast of rain, eventually turned into a night I will always remember!

Daydream Fest hosted by @BaripeteProductions was easily one of my favorite music events I’ve been to all year! Before I go deep into the magic that took place on Memorial Day, I want to give a special shout out to Pete and the entire Baripete Productions crew as they showed me truly how alive and vibrant the music scene is currently! I had heard many of the bands, but only had the chance to see butcher Brown, so I was stoked about getting to catch some of Virginia’s Acts.

Daydream did not disappoint at all, as after experiencing firsthand, and doing my research after, the lineup may have been the best local artist residing in Virginia at this time. There are a lot of great artists, no shade on them but this lineup was truly unreal. The day began with an acoustic set from Deau Eyes and a string quartet, which pleasantly kicked off the festivities around 1 o’clock. Deau Eyes has been on my Radar since she and I magically met randomly in Charlotte Nc. She has a soft yet strong voice that garners lots of attention as it fully matches her “these boots were made for Walking!” Vibe. Following the soft start, “Cleophus James” Took over to get the people moving with some rhythmic jams and beautiful guitar riffs.

One of my favorite games to play when attending music events, is deciphering whether the company throwing the event is local and has roots in the ground or if they are an investment company looking to throw an event for marketing purposes. Nothing about this event was not local! The People, the place and most importantly the music! What do I mean by the sound of Local? Richmond is the home of “Neo-Soul” and that is what it sounds to sing with overt emotion so much so that the audience gets goosebumps. It’s a more modern genre but is rooted in the feeling of the music which can be hard to pin down.

Following the Cleophus James and epitomizing the Neo-Soul sound was Michael Millions, a local artist hailing from Richmond’s Southside! Michael is one of my favorite artists calling Richmond home as his abilities transcend more then just writing weighted verses. Michael is one of many musicians in the city that has the ability to truly write stories and paint pictures with his words. Rather then being just a lyricist, Michael is a very accomplished producer and has his hands in a lot more music projects then any average artist making him truly someone who has experience all sides of the music. If you get a chance you see Mr. Millions I highly recommend it. If you want to hear what Richmond sounds like, google “Beautiful” by Michael Millions and you will hear it!

After Michael’s stellar performance began the evening show which truly set this night apart from any other! Palmyra, a band currently making waves across the nation by winning NPRs “Tiny Desk Concert” Competition, they tickled my ear buds not like many folks bands do. I also can’t recommend googling the song “Speak my Mind” by Palmyra and you’ll feel exactly what I am getting at. It was emotional and all that a proper folk band should be about. The Music! Followed by Mekong Express, a fun family band that made me feel at home! Then it happened!

Those moments that make you stop what you are doing and just observe whatever is causing that good feeling. Illiterate light came out and absolutely made love to the crowd. As just a 2 person band I was taken back by how full they sounded and how much energy they truly possessed. Brothers by birth, Rockers by trade, these guys know how to put on a good show! From playing the drums standing up(kicks and high hats included) to running off the stage and continuing the concert atop picnic tables, these guys grabbed the crowds every and simply would not let go!

Finally, as if I didn’t think the day could get any better. With 9pm approaching, murmurs started to spread, a certain band hailing from Richmond had made so much noise that a global artist decided to take a side trip to Richmond. As the sunset on Mainline Brewery, Butcher Brown took the stage. The Anderson Pak was somewhere in the crowd but I never actually met him, just saw some photos of him at the event. But more importantly the reason he came to Richmond was to see the ever present energy that is “Butcher Brown” a group that recently just played a NPR tiny desk at the beginning of the year. Butcher Brown absolutely killed the night and capped it off like no other. At this point in the night, all alcohol had mostly worn off and I can not tell you enough how captivating and charged their show was! From Rhythmic jams with beat pads and so many solos to bringing back out Michael Millions for they’re collation “Black Man”. The energy in the room whenever Butcher Brown takes the stage is something people need to write about. A swagger and aura that each member could be their own focal point while also all being unified in the creation of music that just sounds good either way you put it! After 9hrs of music throughout the day you’d think I’d be tired but this group brought every last ounce of emotion out and left me walking out of the venue on a high that I will be searching for again.

Overall 11/10

Music 11/10

Enjoyment 11/10