Hyperion Music and
Arts Festival
was perhaps one of my favorite events this summer. It
was over September 6-7th at Stable Studios
in Spencer, Indiana. Perhaps I am biased because I love
the grounds so much and it’s only an hour from my home,
but there is no other festival like this one. The love
that this place holds is something that needs to be felt
in person.
The grounds are decorated unlike any festival I have
seen. As you walk through the main path to the camping
area, everywhere you looked there were intricate art
works. There were signs that reminded you to always wear
a smile and to love your neighbor. There were huge
jellyfish made by local artists Alexandra Lamb and
Aaron Griffin, trees with painted arms, and booth
after booth filled with art work. At the end of this
path there was a large inflatable stage that looked like
a sea-shell where many of the DJ acts played. At night
walking back up this path, towards the main stage,
everything was beautifully illuminated and the artwork
came to life. It was almost like walking through the
ocean, and as the trees opened up to the stages there
was one of the most perplexing and beautiful light
installations I have ever seen. Projected over a small
pond and into the tree line, was a delicate light
pattern that can hardly be described and must be seen.
You are reminded that you are at the festival of the god
of light, Hyperion.
I arrived late on Friday night, unfortunately, but just
in time to see Ultra Violet Hippopotamus play a
power packed set. This band has such a great stage
presence and one of the best fan bases in the Midwest.
Their set started off with “Hey Tommy.” Keyboardist
Nate Karnes never ceases to impress me. Eventually
Marcus Rezak, guitarist from Digital Tape
Machine, joined them onstage to play “Yin Yang.”
Overall, it was an up tempo show and the crowd loved
every single moment of it.
Friday night ended up being jam packed with some great
music. After UV Hippo, I followed the crowd over to the
second stage in the barn for Dopapod, another
Midwest favorite that consistently plays an awesome
show. The crowd then flowed over to Papadosio for
some transient, spiritual tunes. They brought a full
lightshow, including their LED screens. I could hardly
keep my eyes from the talented group of fire spinners
that added to the tribal feeling Papadosio creates.
This was a night of Midwest favorites with Eumatik,
Cosby Sweater, P.E.M.G. (a UV Hippo side project),
DJ Solo, and Kaleidoscope Jukebox all
getting some stage time. The night closed with a
bluegrass set that went way into the twilight hours by
the New Old Cavalry. I fell asleep in my tent
behind the sea-shell stage to a cover of “Midnight
Moonlight” by Peter Rowan. I couldn’t have asked for a
better Friday night.
I woke up to an awesome breakfast Saturday morning and
went down to the family picnic. There were the Beer
Olympics, bounce houses, featured artists, and a dunk
tank. This is one of the parts of the festival that
makes it stand out from the rest. You get to spend some
quality “Phamily” time with each other.
On Saturday I caught the first part of one of my local
Indianapolis favorites, Hyryder. They play sets
made up of original tunes and mostly Grateful Dead and
Phish covers. People played Frisbee in the green grass,
danced to the feel good music, and sat on blankets to
eat breakfast. It was a great vibe all around.
There were so many great bands Saturday as well, it’s
hard to know where to start. First there was an awesome
set by winner of the Battle of the Bands, Broccoli
Samurai, followed by MT Nasty, a D.J. out of
Lafayette, Indiana; Indigo Sun, The Main Squeeze,
and the Coop also played great sets. Snarky
Puppy took the main stage right at sunset. They
brought in the night with their jazzy, electronic fusion
and left the crowd begging for more.
The Twin Cats
played their last set together as a band, and it was a
great one. Everyone danced so hard in that barn that the
dust they kicked up put a thin cloud in the air. They
were followed by equally energetic sets by Break
Science, the Floozies, and Future Rock.
Once again the festival closed to the sounds of blue
grass from Flatland Harmony Experiment. It was a
perfect way to end a perfect weekend.
I will repeat this once again: this festival is like no
other you will ever attend. The family atmosphere is
unmatched by any other place in the Midwest. The lights
are amazing and must be witnessed to truly appreciate.
It is truly a gem of the Midwest festival scene, and I
suggest you put it on the top of your list for next
year.
FULL PHOTO ALBUM HERE
Written & Photos by: Cassidy Maley
Edited by: Rosemary A.W. Roberts
