It’s time for the annual Bear Creek Music and Arts Festival. This weekend, many will head down to the beautiful Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park for what is sure to be an epic four-day dance party. In our purist of excellent live music, The Pier will be in attendance for the funky fall festival, watching some of the grooviest acts around. 
The Bear Creek Music & Art Festival is truly a unique festival, and one not to miss if you live anywhere in the southeast. This year, the weekend includes acts such as The Roots, Bootsy Collins, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Galactic, Toubab Krewe, Dumpstaphunk and many more. Fortunately, many of the bands play two sets! Additionally the festival offers more than 20 official artists-at-large this year, floating around sitting in with various acts.
With all this madness scheduled across five stages throughout the park, it can be tough to see everything. Luckily The Pier has several recommendations attendees must see. First Silverback’s Dumpstaphunk and Pimps of Joytime are a must see if you truly love the funk. With a jam packed schedule, luckily these groups are playing two sets on different days!
Another artist that you may have seen with the Silverback crew and Slightly Stoopid is Karl Denson and his band Tiny Universe. This group has been on the circuit for many years now, and always impress with Karl Jamming sax, flute, and percussive instruments, non-stop the whole set.
Another true funkateer is soloist jam artist Zach Deputy. Always putting on a powerful performance this guy a true one man band incomparable to any other act out there. With his intense set up of many mics and loop pedals, when you listen to Zach, and close your eyes, you would swear there’s a full band on stage.
The music of Asheville, North Carolina’s Toubab Krewe, is a vibrant varied instrumental powerhouse. The group consistently creates a sonic Pangaea that fuses together a multitude of sounds including rock, African traditions, international folk strains, possibly a bit of Asian influence and much more. Playing sets on Thursday and Friday be sure to check out this audio spectacle.
Finally we must tell fans about The Revivalists. Formed back in 2007 in the music capital of New Orleans, over the years this group has played many major festivals rightfully earned their reputation as the next big breakout band. The Revivalists’s blend of soulful, syncopated rock and earnest lyrics comes to life through a meticulously crafted and ever-evolving live performance. Playing Friday afternoon on the main stage, don’t miss this talent septet.
Bear Creek Music & Arts Festival Lineup:
The Roots
Bootsy Collins and the Funk Unity Band
Galactic
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe (x 2)
Lettuce (x 2)
Bonobo Live Band
Dumpstaphunk
Antibalas
The New Mastersounds (x 2)
Lee Fields and the Expressions
Zach Deputy (x 2)
Toubab Krewe (x 2)
George Porter Jr’s Runnin’ Pardners
The Motet (x 2)
Galactic (x 2)
Jennifer Hartswick Band (x 2)
Break Science
Mike Dillon Band
Pimps of Joytime (x 2)
Robert Walter’s 20th Congress (x 2)
Bernie Worrell Orchestra
Kung Fu (x 2)
Roosevelt Collier Band
The Werks
The Malah (x 2)
Space Capone (x 2)
Dopapod
The Legendary JC’s
Ron Haynes Game Changers (x 2)
Brownout (x 2)
Jamie McLean Band
Ghost Owl
Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes (x 2)
Greenhouse Lounge
Cope
Chris McCarty Band
Nth Power
The Resolvers
Suenalo
Lucky Costello
Sound Duo
Plus Artists at Large:
Oteil Burbridge (bass, scat singing)
Karl Denson (sax, flute, vocals)
George Porter Jr. (bass, vocals)
Skerik (sax)
Mike Dillon (drums, vibes)
Roosevelt Collier (pedal steel)
Jennifer Hartswick (trumpet, vocals)
Natalie Cressman (trombone)
Dave Watts (drums)
Joey Porter (keys)
Jan Ingber (vocals)
Clay Watson (trombone)
Bear Creek Music & Arts Festival Links:
Bear Creek Music & Arts Festival Website
Bear Creek Music & Arts Festival Facebook
Bear Creek Music & Arts Festival Twitter
Article By: Aaron Solomon