I’ve been making the pilgrimage to Three Sisters Park for Summer Camp coming up on a decade now and the festival daydream now reimagined as the Solshine Music & Arts Reverie offers a refreshing and immersive experience - with good karma to boot.
This year I attended with a flock of Goose fans ready to soak in every moment of their two sets. (You can too in the video below.)
The Solshine Music & Arts Reverie is my unofficial start to summer. Set against the lush backdrop of Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, Illinois, the festival proved once again to be an exhilarating blend of musical virtuosity, community spirit, and artistic expression.
I was able to speak with a group of sharp and driven students about the future of broadcasting, media and entertainment as part of Jeff McClusky & Associates’ Solshine U panel series.
While I’m not a concert camper, the Solmates (formerly known as Scampers) said the reduced festival footprint offered a surprisingly effortless experience. Making connections between acts much more convenient, reducing sore soles and downtime at their campsites. They told me it was SO convenient to watch a show at the Moonshine then pop back to camp or walk over to Illumination right around the corner.
At the heart of this vibrant gathering was Goose, a collection of musical heavyweights (and just nice guys) whose meteoric (and well-earned) rise in the jam band scene was affirmed with a performance that captivated and electrified the festival audience.
From the moment Goose took the stage, it was clear that this would be a night to remember. The synergy between Rick's soulful guitar solos and Peter's dynamic keyboard riffs set the tone for an evening of musical exploration.
The natural setting of Three Sisters Park, with its rolling fields and majestic trees, provided an ideal canvas for Goose's organic and expansive sound. The band’s light show, an intricate dance of colors and patterns, complemented the natural beauty surrounding the stage and created a truly immersive experience. *Especially if you were standing feet from the overworked smoke machine.
A highlight of the evening for me was Goose’s one, two, three punch of "Arcadia" “Tumble” and “I Would Die 4 You” giving the fog machine a little extra haze Prince would be proud of.
The extended jam in the middle of the track showcased the band’s exceptional improvisational skills and the emotional depth that Goose brings to their performances.
The festival itself, with its rich tapestry of music, art, and nature, provided the perfect setting for such an unforgettable performance.
I’m excited to see the Solshine Music & Arts Reverie continue with mainstays Goose, Umphrey’s, (a triumphant return of) moe. among others. And continue to showcase criminally underrated talent like Chalk Dinosaur, Chicago Farmer, and Dogma.
These artists epitomize the festival's eclectic spirit, blending genres and showcasing top-tier musicianship fostering a vibrant community of music lovers.
By spotlighting such dynamic acts, Solshine can maintain its reputation as central Illinois’ premier festival destination and with an audience as passionate as Scampers, Solshine will shine on for years to come.
That’s the sound of Solshine. We’ll be back!
