If you’re reading WhiteRaverRafting, then chances are that you’re an EDM enthusiast. EDC and Ultra are your mothership, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However with electronic music fans there is something distinctive about stepping away from the sub woofers and connecting with the magic and improvisation of a live band, and the most epic place in the world to do this is at Lockn’ Festival.

This September 4-7 in Arrington, Virginia, one of the grooviest gatherings of top shelf musical talent will occur. A weekend so memorable, that we can’t bare to think about any of our readers missing out. Which is why we have gathered five reasons why you shouldn’t overlook Lockn’ Festival 2014, even if you think that it’s not your style.

1. Think For Yourself

One of the aspects of the EDM genre that is especially appealing to many is the open-mindedness of it’s fans. You’re encouraged to be yourself and to throw society’s rigid standards of conformity out the window. You probably recognize the message “think for yourself and question” at a Bassnectar show here and there, but what you didn’t know is that before the king of the sound was crowned, there was the Grateful Dead.

As a band, the Dead also redefined success. They created this following that grew and grew, and they did it without compromising themselves. They survived in a world where survival didn’t seem possible. They bucked the system and encouraged their fans to do the same: to be free thinkers.

– Warren Haynes of the Allman Brothers and Gov’t Mule in an interview for Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time

Lockn’ is the only place you will ever see this many surviving members of the Grateful Dead playing together at the same festival. Although Bob Weir has unfortunately had to cancel all upcoming tour dates, Phil Lesh and Bill Kreutzmann will be on the farm this September. So even if you prefer to be a Basshead over a Deadhead, this opportunity to experience live the movement that sparked a generation is once in a lifetime.

2. Cheese > Umphrey’s > Cheese > Umphrey’s

No, the keyboard didn’t get stuck. On the opening day of Lockn’ 2014, String Cheese Incident and Umphrey’s McGee will be playing two back to back sets, and there couldn’t be a better way to ease from a life of filthy drops to stepping out on the jam scene than enjoying this historic night. The bands are both more on the electronic spectrum of jam, and truthfully as a music fan who went from strictly being a big room house listener evolved into a Phish fan, you’re missing out on an eye opening experience.

A whole new world…

3. You Haven’t Raged Until You’ve Raged With Panic Fans

True story, the hands down rowdiest crowd I have ever encountered was at a fall tour WSP show, outdoors in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina. It may have been because I wasn’t expecting it coming from a crowd of adults my parents’ age, but damn those fans can thrown down. When the band played “Chilly Water” the crowd was shaking the bleachers so violently I could barely keep on my feet, and when those faithful words were uttered (chilly water) you’d better not have your phone out because the stands became a waterfall of beers cascading from the hands of every WSP fan.

Our light shows, kandi, and glow sticks ain’t got nothing on Widespread mother f*ckin’ Panic fans y’all.

4. Music History Will Be Made

Lockn’ is unlike any other festival out there. The Lockn’ stage hosts the greatest musical legends of this generation, our parent’s generation, and maybe even their parent’s generation. In addition to having members of the Grateful Dead performing, the Allman Brother’s Band will be playing one of their last ever shows together, closing out a successful 40 some years of making beautiful music.

You will also probably never see the collabs to take place at Lockn’ 2014 again. Bill Kreutzmann has just revealed the lineup for his Locknstep Allstars set, and it rivals any collaboration that we have ever seen with the Allman Brother’s bassist, Oteil Burbridge, Disco Biscuits/Conspirator keyboardist, Aron Magner, guitarist Steve Kimock of Ratdog. It doesn’t stop there. announced guests will include Taj Mahal, Keller Williams, Papa Mali, Col. Bruce Hampton, EOTO, and American Babies’ guitarist Tom Hamilton.

5. Because The End Is Near

The end of festival season that is…

You’ve only got a month or so left of prime festival action, and there’s no better place to sneak in one last weekend than Lockn’. We hear that Oak Ridge Farm is quite pleasant this time of year, and an early September camping experience is always a bit more enjoyable than a mid-July sweat fest.

Connect with Lockn’ Festival:
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Photo Cred: Dave Vann 2012, locknfestival.com, Dino Perrucci

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