Set Lists From Shangri-La 2017
At the end of a long dusty road in the midst of southern Minnesota’s mono-crop corn fields is safe haven, Harmony Park Music Garden. Harmony Park is the home of Wookiefoot’s annual Shangri-La Music Festival. An Oak tree paradise of music, yoga, workshops, play, love, imagination, and hippies of all ages. This year the gathering happened September 7-9.
At Shang, we scored some set lists from our favorite shows. Here they are!
Jon Wayne and the Payne got the party started on Thursday in the Harmonium. Their sound is best described as Reggae dub-tronic but, that barely does it justice. The four man band consists of Jon Wayne, Chuckie Torgerson, Teeto Miller and Weston Schick. Nothing compares to seeing them where their roots run deep, in Minnesota. Psssst, their website has free downloads of some of their music.
New Reb performed Friday afternoon in the Harmonium. The group is a familiar name at Harmony Park with roots in Minneapolis and Hawaii. New Reb consists of Drew Misik, Sam Ravenna, Jordan Bird, Tim Kingstrom and Shawn Schuchard. Their sound is a blend of hip-hop, funk and reggae. Making this set special, Cosmic Serenity joined them part way through. The collaboration kept the crowd swaying and singing along.
Nahko & Medicine for the People headlined Friday night on the main stage for the umpteenth time. The band consists of Chase Makai, Justin Chittams, Max Ribner, Tim Snider, Pato and Nahko Bear. The band played flawlessly and moved many people.
The Flobots joined Shangri-La for their second year. The group, most famously known for their track “Handlebars”, shared their powerful protest message and original sound with the midwest hippies. Their stop at Harmony Park was one of few on their tour of newest album, NOENEMIES, making it even more special.
Our funky friends, Dead Larry, brought their high energy and closed down the Harmonium on Saturday night. Band members consist of Mark McGuiness, Joe Scarpellino, Ned Barclay and Josh “Shua” Felling. The independant funky rock band from Iowa never disappoints and practically started a dance riot with their Harmony Park inspired track, “Wake Up and Rage”.
The headliner and hosts of the lively gathering, Wookiefoot, brought the passion, smiles, and bagpipes Saturday night to the Main Stage. They share their message to “be fearless and play” in both their lyrics and nature: always leaving the crowd in good spirits. Twelve-year-old Stella holds up the setlist with signature from vocalist and guitarist, Mark Murphy. Stella enjoyed her third Wookiefoot show from the front row with her father, Andrew.
By: Alycia Grace
