A small but devoted crowd danced the night away during Gov’t Mule and moe.’s concert on the Bangor Waterfront on Thursday night. Picture-perfect weather and a laid-back atmosphere set the stage for an evening of eclectic rock, that drew fans of both bands from all corners of the state.
“I bet I’ve seen them a hundred times,” said Katie O’Connell, a die-hard Gov’t Mule fan from Presque Isle, who was in attendance with her husband, Tim, and son, Matt. “I first saw them at Gathering of the Vibes [in Connecticut] years ago, when Warren Haynes [the guitarist] was playing with Further. He played the song ‘Patchwork Quilt’ and it was very powerful. I really love them. They’re incredible musicians.”
Son Matt, 13, a budding drummer and a Presque Isle High School student, was able to get his drum head signed by Matt Abts, drummer for Gov’t Mule.
“It was awesome,” he said. “He’s a really nice guy.”
Gov’t Mule’s blend of funk, blues and Southern rock has been a staple of the touring circuit for nearly 20 years, despite personal tragedy — co-founder Allen Woody passed away in 2000. Frontman Warren Haynes’ trademark soaring guitar and soulful vocals can be heard in much more than just Mule: he has played with everyone from Phish and Dave Matthews Band to the Drive-By Truckers and, of course, the Allman Brothers Band.
The group moe. provided a nice counterpoint to Mule, with their progressive, technically complex blend of myriad rock styles. Like the Grateful Dead, Phish and Widespread Panic, moe. captures a sound and feel that inspires fans to not only listen, but see them live over and over again. Concert T-shirts bearing tours from years past were seen throughout the audience, and attendees expressed repeatedly how thrilled they were that a band like moe. was playing the Bangor Waterfront.
“Of all the shows they’ve had here, this is the first one I’ve been really psyched to see,” said James Morang, of Bangor. “This is top of the line. This is high-caliber music.”
“I’m so excited,” said Hannah Somers-Jones, also of Bangor. “This is music for the soul.”
Thursday’s concert precedes the Beach Boys concert on Friday, June 22, which will be followed by a Fourth of July concert and fireworks show on July 4, Shinedown and Papa Roach on July 5, Rascal Flatts on July 6 and Styx and REO Speedwagon on July 8.
I can’t tell you how amazing it is that the Waterfront Concerts brought Warren Haynes and Govt Mule to Bangor. I’ll never speak another negative word about you. Thanks!
This is one I REALLY wanted to see. Just couldn’t make it though. Glad you enjoyed it.
I have copied this statement and will use it any time you say bad things.. he he.. lol. Truly glad you had a great time Bangorian. Finally!!! Yes, WFC Rocks!!
Huh, I went out to dinner tonight with my wife downtown and it wasn’t busy at all. We didn’t even know there was a concert in Bangor. Maybe the “economic boon” to the area was in some other part of Bangor? I dunnnno.
You should have come to my neighborhood- my house was booming to the sound of the beat. It scared one of my dogs- he reacted just like he does when there is a thunderstorm. Lately, most of these concerts are TOO LOUD, and I live on the other side of the city. I am glad that some are making money and finding enjoyment in these concerts, but I don’t want to have to listen to it in my living room. Enough is enough!!!!
Heard all the way to I-95 and 16th. Excessive.
I had all of the windows closed and the air conditioner going and my house was still booming to the beat, miles from the concert. Think I should get free tickets to one of the next shows. ;)
You are better off in your house. You aint missing much.
It wasn’t disturbing my home but I was thinking of the people who were down on the hill nearby the venue. Unlike many, I actually care about people I don’t know.
Funny, I live just off of Third up the hill and it wasn’t nearly as loud as others for me. Maybe something about the humidity made it different?
lol.. nice try.. :)
Great sound tonight. Watch out, the Beach Boys are invading tomorrow night. Legendary show. Rock on Bangor!! Entertainment meccas have a volume of vibrancy that others can’t match. Thanks WFC, for bringing us to the next level. Grade A+ shows, Grade A+ audience, Grade A+ attitude! Grade A+ entertainment. Good Vibrations… !!
The concerts are a good thing. They are addressing the noise issues as we speak with plans to move the stage and hire sound engineers to help keep the noise from traveling thru town. As Bushfan said he was out w his wife and they didnt even know ther was a show.
Davidvsgoliath wishes to thank all the people who liked my comments the 10,000th like milestone means people agree. Thanks folks… David is finished with the bitter battle with goliath and hopfully will return a kinder and gentler human… name unknown.
Congrats Davidvsgoliath- Although some of us disagree with you sometimes, that is the game of opinions. You have reached a veteran status of 10,000 likes and that deserves a round of applause. (ready the cannons!) lol. Seriously, the ‘opinion’ is very important. You sure do get things stirred up, but maybe that is your job. WFC 2012-beyond. And maybe David will join us now that he has slayed the giant!! But then again, if we never disagree- things will become routine!
Wait….Wait….don’t fire the cannons….people will complain they are too loud!!!!!
Do you see people like jd below with nearly 37,000 likes tooting their own horn? Congrats on your like count, do you feel complete now?
I live on Patton St., had my windows open, and could barely hear anything from the concert!!!
Amazing show! Thanks for bringing them Alex.
We need to bring Motorhead to Bangor. I want to be able to hear the concert from brewer.
i wish i could’ve gone
I could hear them in Orrington ( but Warren Haynes is worth hearing anywhere/anytime !! ) . too bad I have to hear all the bad ones’ though .
Warren Haynes is argubaly the best rock guitarist of the last 20 years. I seen him play everything, from slide guitar blues to heavy metal Black Sabbath covers. And like the writer says he has played with Allman Bros, Grateful Dead, and numerous others, even jazz guys like John Scofield. This is the real stuff. Great review. Wish I had been there.