Summer Camp Music Festival
- theeyesofthecrowd
- Jun 19, 2022
- 11 min read
Updated: Jul 15, 2022
Three Sisters Park - Chillicothe Illinois | May 26th - 29th
Written by: Edie Wester and Brandi Lyn
Photographs by: (SCamp attendees) Steve Ullenius, Nichole Comparini, Shelby Baker, Kelcie Worlow, Jamie Lee, Claire Valentino, Kaitlin Brew, Bridget Lants, Alizjah Crockett, Leah Cooper, Breanna Russell, Alison Hanna
History of Summer Camp
Summer Camp (also known as SCamp) is an annual 3-day Music Festival that happens during Memorial Day Weekend. It was created by Jay Goldberg of Events & Entertainment and has been listed in the Top 40 Music Festivals by Rolling Stone in 2014.
Summer Camp first started out as a 2-day event in 2001 with about 1,000 people attending. Enjoying over 15 bands and only 2 stages.
In the last 21 years, Summer Camp has grown to perform with over 100 bands and 7 different stages. Hosting over 20,000 people over a 3-day weekend (as well as a Pre-Party on Thursday).
Summer Camp has presented transformative and historic lineups over the years. From transitioning to jam bands to EDM, they always manage to include rock classics and local favorites. Summer Camp has hosted major bands such as Umphrey's McGee, Billy Strings, moe., Skrillex, The Roots, Three 6 Mafia, Trey Anastasio Band, The Flaming Lips, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty's Mudcrutch, Pretty Lights, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Medeski Martin & Wood, and many more!
Stages
Every year Three Sisters Park transforms into a whimsical fair of lights, friendship, and music through the forests, fields, and all 7 stages - Red Barn, Moonshine Stage, Sunshine Stage, Illumination Stage, Starshine Stage, Campfire Stage, and the Soulshine Tent.
Each stage at SCamp has something special to offer - The Moonshine Stage (also known as The moe. Stage) and the Sunshine Stage (known to be the Umphrey’s McGee Stage).
The larger stages, Sunshine and Starshine, are a trek from the forest campsites, but with ankles deep in mud, audiences are mesmerized by big tickets artists like Smashing Pumpkins, Zeds Dead, and Dirt Monkey. At the bottom of the hill, there is room to dance to familiar jams from moe. and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong.
The Starshine Stage is also known for shooting laser lights into the night sky.
The Illumination Stage (located in the Illumination Woods) is the newest stage at Summer Camp (since 2021). Providing a light & wub covered venue to rage to DJs and small EDM groups.
The Campfire Stage is a fan favorite at Summer Camp. A spot for new up and coming musical artists who are on the road with Summer Camp.
Activities
Aside from bands performing day and night - Summer Camp is also known for the camping experience and all the activities SCamp has to offer.
You can find artists painting at the Soulshine Live Art Gallery as well as purchase their art during a live silent auction with proceeds going to a nonprofit organization.
Along with having artists come and paint - Summer Camp allows other types of artists to come and sell their products - such as Minerals, Wire Wraps, Tye-Dye Clothing, and a lot more.
“Over the years Soulshine has hosted everything from instrument making to biodiesel manufacturing, and human-powered energy to artistic DIY techniques, various body movement lessons, and daily yoga.” - Summer Camp
Friendly competition is always a great way to rev up the day and win some breakfast pizza. Summer Camp hosts a Kick-Ball tournament and a game of Tug-of-War. This year the awards were even bigger than before with the winners receiving a 15-inch pizza!
In addition to the recreation, Summer Camp’s Soul Patch provides exploration and education to scampers with their hands-on and interactive workshops as well as a garden space for those who want to learn more about gardening and being “One with the Earth”.
This year there were gardens planted specifically to promote honey bees. SCampers could water the garden, learn to fertilize, and were provided with seed bombs to bring back native plants for pollinators. There were also live bee hives to look at and local honey to taste.
In light of recent events, Summer Camp recruited anti-racism spokespersons to lead workshops on equality and inclusivity. Talks were led and scampers were allowed to speak on their experiences with racism, as well as efforts to improve racial equality. While many of these activities are smaller and held at the same time as acts, every interaction was sincere and heard.
The safety of SCampers is always taken seriously whether in the field or forest. This year the Bunk Police were more prevalent than ever. SCampers could buy drug test kits, take their substances to be tested, and also seek help in the case of a bad reaction. Even those not associated with the Bunk Police were sure to advise against fentanyl, leaving your fellow scampers alone, and not to mix substances.
Forrest/Camping/Atmosphere
Wherever you wander on the grounds of Summer Camp, there are whimsical lights, sounds, and smells to guide you on new adventures.
Most SCampers who attend on Thursday during the Pre-Party secure a campsite in the Forest. The winding roads of the forest are muddy and you can find individuals selling breakfast food they made on electric skillets, setting up bloody mary bars on the trail, trading arm candy & pins, and even everyone's favorite; "Take 1 - Leave 1".
At Summer Camp people love to decorate their campsites with lights and tapestries. Some people even have makeshift signs for their campsites, one being a Ranch Bottle, Shrek. It’s important to trademark your camp so that you can find it late at night after raving.
Every little village at SCamp acts neighborly, sharing lighters, plates, and stories of past Summer Camps. No matter where you set up camp, it will always be a home away from home and there will always be a SCamper to call a friend.
SCampers
Summer Camp always provides an amazing atmosphere for people watching and making new friends. You see ‘families’ sitting in a circle, and friends dressed alike with walkie-talkies trying to keep track of their crew.
There are regulars of course - Veterans who have participated in the concerts as returning personalities. Classics like Alex Schnieder giving out free hugs, Uncle Randy in his bedazzled outfits, Dancing Man prancing about, and Diaper Man with gag/carnival games at his campsite.
It is always a challenge to decide on your theme for the year. Groups dressed as Mario, Luigi, and Waluigi all weekend as well as blow up t-rex. This Halloween-like spirit is great for fun, finding your friends, and finding yourself in photos!
Of course, with large festivals, you can let your ears lead the way and wander through the grounds. The forest floor fills with reverb and leads you to unknown bands like BUTTA’ on the Campfire Stage that will blow you away and leave you asking for more.
SMASHING PUMPKINS
Summer Camp has hosted many big named bands throughout the years, some repeating, like moe. and Umphrey McGee - This year Smashing Pumpkins was one of them.
This is the first time in 15 since Smashing Pumpkins has made their way to Central Illinois. On the last evening of Summer Camp 22’, the Sunshine Stage filled till the brim, ankle-deep in mud for Smashing Pumpkins. Needing no introduction, the set began with their 2020 song, “The Colour of Love”, as Scampers continually poured in from every direction.
No other set was packed with more people ready to rock. The bodies absorbed every decibel of sound so that when “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” hit the first note, you relied on your surroundings to pass the energy. On stage, Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin, and James Iha were all on the edge, boots as close to the rails as possible, in true rock fashion.
Even during the ballad of “Today”, the drums rang out over the crowd in unison. Smashing Pumpkins surprised the crowd with a cover of Talking Heads' “Once in a Lifetime”. Another surprise shortly followed when Billy's son, Augustus joined them onstage for a wholesome rendition of "Solara".
While full of energy and the crowd stuffed to the brim, this set contained dynamic transitions and contrasting performances. The Scampers swayed side to side together during an acoustic version of “Tonight, Tonight”. Every part of the Smashing Pumpkins set fulfilled a lot of dreams for the ‘Zelennial’ Generation who had been swiping their parent's CDs. Smashing Pumpkins is no longer just a crunchy grunge band, but a classically polished rock group whose years of rocking have provided etiquette for stadium performances. Just don’t forget to turn it all the way up.
Psychedelic / Jam Bands
The Welcome Stage (also known as Kenny's Westside Stage), Hosted by Kenny's Westside Pub of Peoria Illinois, is known for welcoming new up and coming bands to the Summer Camp scene - Bands like BUTTA', Pine Travelers, STIKY, LOA, Arkansauce, Heads In Motion, and The Common Shamans.
This was the Pine Travelers' 3rd year playing at Summer Camp. Performing on the Kenny's Westside Stage (The Welcome Stage) on both Thursday and Friday.
“My first SCamp was in 2003 as a teenager. I was beyond inspired and could have never imagined that I would get to play alongside my idols. Never stop chasing your dreams.” - Nick Clutter of Pine Travelers
Sticky was one of the winners of the Summer Camp: On The Road Tour competition. Performing at Kenny's Westside Pub and winning a spot to play at Summer Camp.
"We are humbled and excited to be a part of the SCamp fam. Surreal experience for us all... We just wanna thank all those who support us and made this possible Sean Kenny...Goldbergs...the local tight-knit music community we are blessed to have here in Peoria...we hope to be back for many more SCamps to come.
We were also so blown away that we were given a shot to be on the Starshine Stage! That was utterly amazing. We’ve all played shows but never that big of a stage. We were the first band for the weekend!
Most of the band have been at SCamp before as just fans especially the bassist Chris and drummer Mike. They both have been going before they were even in a band. So for us to play that stage, wow! We were speechless and I don’t think we ever hit a stage with so much energy! We can’t say enough how humbled we are by the response Stiky has gotten! SCamp is home!"
The Common Shamans are another Peoria local band that also performed on the Welcome Stage. Performing for the first time at Summer Camp.
"Our music mostly, so far, has taken influence from 60s hippie & folk-rock bands, 80s & 90s punk & alternative music, and blues. There's a lot of improvisation to our music. We wound up playing 7 originals and a handful of covers from artists like The Doors, Neil Young, Mudhoney, and Dinosaur Jr. As far as our experience goes it was great. We really enjoyed having and being able to interact with a good-sized crowd and it was a lot of fun just being able to be loud in the open-air freely. It also just felt like a big milestone, especially since we're local. Our drummer Ike says playing scamp was "A dream come true"." - The Common Shamans
The Campfire Stage welcomes SCampers with wandering ears to experience some unknown grooves. On Saturday, BUTTA’ accumulated a bumpin' crowd that grew in size and energy to accompany their greasy jams.
The lead singer Levi made many SCampers feel welcome as he danced barefoot all over the amp cords. BUTTA’ cannot be defined. The bluesy melodies are accompanied by a crunchy, wub-like bass from their menacing but also somehow fun-looking bassist. Many of BUTTA’s songs bleed into one another, keeping the crowd on their toes. The audience was so mixed full of hippies and head pounders, even dads holding their beers and bopping their heads.
Each musician is given a chance to solo as they huddle and jam together. After what can only be described as a Zepplin-esque shredding guitar solo, ending their song “So Much Trouble” BUTTA’ busted into another original of “Cheech and Chong”. The acid-like melodies turn crunchy and the fans in the audience sing along.
Just from the lyrics and the namesake, you know that BUTTA’ likes to party. If you listen to "Ween", "Oysterhead" or "Pavement", be sure to travel down the wormhole that is a BUTTA' performance.
“Summer camp is like a warm hug covered in mud and music. To us it's like a vacation home. You come, you play, you see all your friends - some of which you only see once a year. It's beautiful and always a party. We couldn't be happier with our performances or our fans.” - Tyler reavley
After many years of competing for a spot during the Summer Camp: On the Road Tour, Formerly the Fox of Canton, Illinois made their Scamp debut on Friday at the Soulshine Tent. Formerly Fox is a Psychedelic Jam Band consisting of singer Gage Walljasper, Guitarist and pianist Tim Garber, Bassist Wyatt Mulligan, and Drummer Parker Rose.
Their intro lured the audience in with a dark and ethereal jam, showcasing the funky bass and 80’s music video drums before leading into their song “Dad Pants”. The sudden groove had the audience cheering and dancing.
The funky groove allowed Tim Garber to showcase lively trills on the synth & guitar before a reggae beat took over. Formerly Fox is not just any other jam band. Every transition is carefully planned and executed to deliver an unanticipated boogie.
After a funky, high-paced shakedown, Formerly the Fox debuted a new original “You gonna cry #2”. Gage's vocals broke through with lyrics that incited dancing to a disco-like guitar melody. Accompanying the set were neon lights in the shapes of flowers, transporting the listener to the enhanced space of the synth.
Parker, the drummer, aggressively picked up the pace before Gage yelled: “LETS BOOGIE” leaping into Formerly’s first cover of “Birds of a Feather” by Phish.
After the lively cover, the crowd got a taste of Formerly the Fox’s original “Daybreak” from their 2021 album “Stuck in Motion”. With this original tune, the band let loose in their playing, allowing the jam to go every which way. “Daybreak” led into “Shabadoo” and then back into “Daybreak”.
Seeing the band give into the jam and really truly rock led the crowd to grow, practically filling the tent. Each soloist got down on the beat with a Pink Floyd-esque atmosphere leaving the audience buzzing for the unique Formerly the Fox.
No one lifts the crowd up and gets down heavy at the same time like Steady Flow of Peoria, Illinois. On Friday afternoon at Summer Camp, the Starshine Field filled with sounds of the “Oompa Loompa” song and stanky bass as they warmed up. In recent years, Steady Flow has opened the festival on Thursday night at the Campfire Stage with funky beats, lights, and epic guitar solos with their hair in the wind.
Steady Flow is a groovy funk and soul band, consisting of six band members. Frontman Tanner Brown, Bassist Ky Brown, Keyboardist Travis Johnson, Saxophonist Cody Ward, and Trumpet Player Mason Boore.
This set had some of their originals from their first studio album “LOUD” and pleasers from their album “Live Choons”, as well as some real surprises.
Thursday afternoon began with some synth-heavy melodies, shifting into classic hard rock samples and straight into their crunchiest original “Eleven”. Everyone in the crowd knew how to stomp to “Eleven”, but their seamless riff into their cover of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana capped the weekend off before it was even over.
The horns brought it into existence as Tanner, Steady Flows front man, began the waka waka and the pedal vocals. Even the horn players began hopping around with the crowd. Every sample and transition provides an opportunity for each member to display their musicianship.
While the Thursday show provided 80’s themes and funk, Steady Flow was also set to rock on Saturday - as Tanner slid into a classic guitar solo, containing high pitches and stank face.
After their Nirvana cover, the band stepped aside to introduce their new drummer Kowan Turner. Instantly, Ky and the drummer created a vibe around the percussion solo filled with heavy bass you could feel in your chest. Every tom and symbol he hit not only impressed the audience, but also the band. The set continued with endless grooves including some tunes resembling “The Newer Funk”.
Summer Camp is a place for people of all walks of life to come and gather around as a family and celebrate music. Finding new music to enjoy and make new friends. Every year more and more people come to Summer Camp and enjoy their weekend. Forgetting about the world outside of the grounds of SCamp. Every year there is something new and exciting to be shared about Summer Camp. As many have stated before - It is a "home away from home".
THE CROWDS PERSPECTIVE
“It was honestly one of the most spiritual and communal experiences I’ve ever had.” - Leah Cooper
“Summer Camp is my home away from home. Even when I plan on not going, I always end up back here every year.” - Emily Depew
“I've been to countless shows all over the Midwest but I have never seen such true connection & unity until I went to Summer Camp. I love seeing people be themselves & have fun. it was super positive.” - Bridget Lantz
“Every Steady Flow set brings fresh energy that they have been sculpting for months. If you need to dance and rage to something crunchy, I highly recommend you attend a night time set for this underrated Peoria ensemble.” - Edie Wester
Special Thank To everyone that has provided photos to be used for this article and to all the bands that have sent in quotes about performing at Summer Camp.
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