I have spent most of this summer touring different musical festivals across the United States. Some are about the brand name, some boast location and others their production. This year marked the first CounterPoint Music Festival. The lineup was diverse and one of the best, but prior I kept wondering what would the festival become?
CounterPoint was about community. The connection to your fellow man and woman could be found everywhere; from partying in the camp grounds, navigating the crowd, to relaxing on the hill to catch a set. It wasn’t PLUR or southern hospitality, it was a collective of good respectful people looking to have a better time.
It was like a throwback to the old days, with so many different groups of people coming together for three days of music on a farm in the middle of nowhere. You felt like you were a part of something bigger than yourself, but it wasn’t something that pushed on you. It just happened. I have never felt such positive energy at a music festival before.
CounterPoint Music Festival 2012 Photo Gallery
Jeannette Bansbach described it best,
It’s a magical thing when when a group of thousands of strangers can come together and not only coexist, but thrive in a peaceful and beautiful environment. Maybe it was the music, maybe it was the people, maybe it was the place, but all I know is Counterpoint was the perfect example of what I think a utopian society might look like. Can’t wait for next year.
Was it the stars aligning or the ring around the moon that brought together this incredible collection of good and slightly weird people? Possibly. But there were a couple of factors that lead to this too. CounterPoint took place September 27 – 29, after all of the other major festivals and right around the time first exams start for college students. Having the first two days take place during the week (Thursday and Friday), kept the underage crowd out and required at least two days off of work or school. More if you’re traveling from a distance. It was also the first year and no one knew what to expect. What does all this mean? Heading to CounterPoint was a commitment not everyone was willing to make. Somehow this kept all of those sub-groups that can ruin an event, at home.
Good people were everywhere at CoutnerPoint
If you’re reading this thinking why the hell didn’t I go… I’m sorry that you missed out. If there’s a meaning to life, it’s probably “take risks” and I recommend that you do so with your life, career, relationships.. everything.
Day by Day at CounterPoint Music Festival
The confusing directions to the grounds, long lines to get in for camping or that torrential rainstorm that temporarily shut down the festival and flooded hundreds of tents, did not bring anyone down. I don’t know that anything could have.
The memories from Counterpoint I will cherish for the rest of my life. A place where thousands of people come together to embrace the music and energy! Not even a bad storm could ruin the mood and atmosphere. – Drew Hilburn
Thursday served as a soft opening for CounterPoint with Adventure Club, Beats Antique and Big Gigantic headlining. Whoever schedules Adventure Club early in the day is crazy, they pulled one of the hyphy-est crowds in the Big Beat tent all weekend and their effect on women in undeniable. Beats Antique cleared half of the tent when they came on, but Zoe Jakes quickly mesmerized those in attendance with her fusion belly dancing. Big Gigantic served as fitting closers for day one and live the phrase “leave it all on stage.” You can feel the passion that Dom puts into their performances when he’s making his saxophone scream, something that’s missing from your typical dj set.
There’s going to be a few babies 9 months from now.
Friday @ CounterPoint Music Festival 9/28/12
At first it was a drizzle that had festival goers raising their arms to the heavens and embracing the rain. The drizzle turned brief thunderstorm caused CounterPoint to temporarily shut down and sent everyone heading back to their cars. Having been dropped off, I had to get a little creative and hop around from one tent to the next before eventually hiding out in a handicap portapotty. By the sounds around me, I wasn’t the only one who had this idea and I definitely wasn’t having as much fun either ;).
The rain stopped, the sun returned and the grounds were open again.
After a short rain delay the show is back on!
The only alleged victims of the storm turned out to be M83 who had to cancel their performance due to a mysterious “equipment malfunction” similar to what happened at Ultra this year. I’m not sure how their equipment was impacted given that the rain started around 3:00 and their set wasn’t supposed to start until 7:30.
Earlier I said that maybe it was good thing that Theophilus London’s set was cancelled because sometimes hip hop acts fail live. Wale was the absolute worst performance at CounterPoint, but I couldn’t have been more wrong about Theophilus. Theophilus London is swag. He is a performer who demands your attention with a live show that incorporates rock n’ roll, electronic elements and maybe too many air horns. Less Wu-Tang, more MJ, all awesome.
Theophilus London fills in for M83 and defines swag.
Avicii has had a remarkable career in such a short period of time, going from unknown Swede to a global icon. Tim Bergling’s progression has continued to impress me, especially his recent collaboration with Mike Posner. It was a special moment when the crowd sang along to The Who’s Baba O’Reilly (Teenage Wasteland) as it played on top of Fade Into Darkness before he dropped into Deniz Koyu’s Bong. Some songs just work in different environments, this being a prime example.
In the South there are three recognized religions: Jesus, Widespread Panic and Bassnectar.
Lorin drew a bigger crowd than anyone else all weekend and the emphatic bassheads at CounterPoint got what they were after. There were more Bassnectar totems than I’ve ever seen in one place and allegedly some one brought a dragon. I left early to catch R3HAB who was one of the biggest surprises of the weekend, going non-stop with one electro-house banger after the other.
A Bassnectar Dragon navigates its natural environment
Saturday @ CounterPoint Music Festival 9/29/12
For a festival that no one wanted to end, Saturday came entirely too fast. Sometimes after three days of sweat, bass and raging you’re ready to pack it up and head home. I doubt anyone at CounterPoint shared those sentiments.
While Big Boi threw down for the ATL on the CounterPoint State, all of the party people were going buck in the Beat Tent with 12th Planet. After snapping a few shots, I checked out Emancipator for the first time. The beauty of CounterPoint is while the space was huge and spread out, it was easy to navigate the grounds and get to the different stages.
Fireworks and lasers for Skrillex at CounterPoint
Scheduling Skrillex and Lotus at the same time caused a conflict for some, but I think everyone stopped by the mainstage for part of Sonny Moore’s set. Skrillex is the most criticized figure in all of electronic dance music, for no reason other than he makes incredible jams that people like to dance to. From screaming we’re all best friends tonight to shouting out to the people on the hill to remind them that they’re part of the party too, Skrillex shows are an experience everyone should see.
Porter Robinson threw down a massive set for a small crowd
I skipped Pretty Lights to see Porter Robinson who performed in front of a Beat Tent that was maybe 25% filled. Sometimes an artists’ ego will get in the way and they’ll spin a half-assed set if the crowd isn’t maxed out. Once you start going to a bunch of shows, it’s pretty easy to catch on to. That didn’t happen with Porter Robinson or Laidback Luke. A lot of CounterPoint was special, but I don’t know if you’ll ever see Laidback Luke rock the ‘RUIN EDM’ shirt in Atlanta again while spinning T.I., Rage Against the Machine and a ton of trap music. At one point Laidback Luke was smiling up at the crowd as he had this track going on three cdj’s.
Something Special
The first CounterPoint Music Festival was special and unlike any other festival I have been to and I hope that this recap has done it some justice. There’s no doubt that it was the best music festival experience in 2012 and we hope they’ll be back next year. So tell your friends and prepare to pack the van again next September, just remember to bring the good vibes so we can keep the culture the same.
I asked what people thought about CounterPoint on our facebook page.
“Exceptionally well planned, exceptionally well executed! counterpoint ’12 wins best fest!!” – Kristin Bowen
“For the first time I feel like I went to a DJ’s festival. Artists I’ve seen many times before (Alesso, Zeds Dead, Porter Robinson, Zedd) came out of their festival shells and played ruthless, adrenaline laced sets that had me fiercely dancing barefoot for hours. I hurt all over, but every ounce of pain reminds me of the best time I’ve ever had.” – Sean Roper
“Most amazing experience I have ever had… the venue was gorgeous, the staff was very nice and welcoming and the lineup was amazing. I can’t even put into words the magic that challenged there. I will be attending cp for as long as they keep it going!” – Liane Robinson
“CP was AMAZINGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. Everyone there was awesome. Music was mind blowing. Venue was beautiful. Can’t wait to go back.” – Chris Madro
“If electric zoo had sex with bonnaroo its child would be counterpoint” – Kevin Davidson
“I have been to several festivals, but Counterpoint may have been my favorite. Amazing production, amazing music, groovy vibes, and incredible people. Can’t wait to do it again!” – Michael Phillips
Thank You
- Chad at Caren West PR for approving our credentials to CounterPoint and answering my non-stop emails. Seriously Chad thanks!
- MCP Presents for choosing Atlanta for CounterPoint and making the entire show possible.
- Theophilus London, Crystal Castles, Emancipator and R3HAB for all killing it! (first time I’ve seen these artists).
- The friendly staff who were there to facilitate a good time and not stop anyone from enjoying themselves.
To everyone that I was able to meet and speak to. You are all incredible people and I wish you the best and can’t wait to see you again!
– Ben, WRR Founder connect with me on twitter and facebook.
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