Anyone that knows me knows I have an extreme pride in my hometown music community. The hardworking individuals that make up the Southern New Jersey scene continue to demonstrate their passion and dedication to music, good times, and professionalism. This mentality has rarely faltered. The 2016 Pinelands Music Festival can serve as a great testament to that statement. After many months of detailed preparation, Pinelands Music Festival opened the gates to their second annual musical showcase and celebration on October 9 2016. Featured bands on this line up included post-hardcore emo veterans Hawthorne Heights along with national touring bands like Hidden In Plain View, Prawn, Head North, ‘68, and more. Also joining the bill were many native NJ bands like Pines, Sleep In., Better Machines, and Good Look, Sigourney.
The day had begun with steady rainfall coating the grounds in Millville, NJ where the festival was held. By the grace of Valhallen however, the rain had cleared by the time ticket holders arrived at the festival. Two stages were erected to showcase the main attractions of the day. The Grandaire Stage featured the best in the local touring circuit while the Pinelands Stage housed the larger national acts. Spread across the estate were various food trucks, several sponsored booths displaying worthwhile products, charities, clothing, and a quaint beer garden. Bands merchandise was lined directly outside the Grandaire Stage and access to restrooms was placed beside the Pinelands Stage.
While I could write about the amazing performances each band had given, I believe more credit is due to the long unwavering dedication to music the members of the locals bands possesses. Millville, NJ is by far not a notable location on any map unless you’re a member of law enforcement. With that being said, organizers of this event stood tall and proud, calling upon the local community to put together this large scale musical ruckus. To speak more candidly, SHIT HOMIE, HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS, SLEEPWAVE, AND ‘68 IN SOUTH JERSEY? It takes a lot of confidence to approach established headliners in order to ask participation in a budding music festival. Yet through the direct involvement of the local supportive community, another year had closed on a high note.
With all this being said, there is room for improvement. This festival was a complete treat for those in attendance, although it was not perfect. Within any sector of entertainment, there is no such thing as “perfection”. But there was an apparent lack of a consistent crew on the Pinelands Stage, murmurings within different camps of different hurdles those involved with the festival had to jump over, and varying degrees of professionalism that were displayed on and off festival grounds. Aside from these minor kinks, the festival was still an incredible spectacle of performance and music.
For it’s second year, Pinelands Music Festival killed it. It reminded me that above all else, music rocks. It brings people together to experience music, not just listen and soak in. It’s the most explosive creative outlet to artists, it’s soul-touching for audience members, it’s life long memories for all involved. There is still plenty of room for improvement on the organizers end, but I’ll attend every year looking forward to their progression.
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