Nestled once again in the lush expanse of the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center in Pittsboro, NC, The Big What? was a harmonious blend of soulful music and shared laughter held from August 22-24. Now in its twelfth year, the festival - hosted by North Carolina's own Big Something - felt like a reunion of old friends and a warm welcome to new faces. The towering trees and gentle fields offered a sense of freedom and connection as fans roamed easily between the two stages, barely skipping a beat to take in the huge gallery of vibrant artwork, fire spinners, artisan vendors, morning meditation and yoga, alongside live painting that seemed to bloom in real time under the summer sun.
Thursday kicked off with Yam Yam's funky grooves, punctuated by a slick cover of William DeVaughn's "Be Thankful for What You Got." Red Panda followed with Big Something frontman Nick MacDaniels leading a set that weaved classics like Shuggie Otis' "Inspiration Information," Thundercat's "Them Changes," and Mac Miller's "What's the Use." Andy Frasco's World Saving Podcast took things in a different direction, combining humor and introspection. The rapport between Frasco and his guest MacDaniels made for an intimate, laugh-out-loud conversation that drew in a crowd eager for both music and mirth.
Big Something hit the stage, unleashing their trademark blend of massive funk and rock riffs. Their set included the debut of Jimmy Buffett's "Fins," which sparked grins all around, and featured Frasco sitting in for their co-written "Clouds." Closing with a hilarious medley - Stevie Wonder's "Pastime Paradise" into Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise" into "Weird Al" Yankovic's "Amish Paradise" - and welcoming former keyboardist Josh Kagel, they turned in a wildly entertaining spectacle.
Andy Frasco's Superjam came next, an ecstatic whirlwind that saw multiple members of Big Something joining the fray, Artist at Large Natalie Brooke dazzling on keytar, a saxophone trio battle, and Frasco leaping on the piano to lead a cover of Rage Against the Machine's "Killing in the Name" that shook the festival grounds. Closing out the night, The Wright Ave delivered an intimate unplugged set that kept the groove strong with their bold mix of bluesy rock, infectious grooves, funky backbeats and fiery guitar solos.
Friday found new funk favorites The Slys - featuring Big Something's new bassist Matt Laird - hitting the stage for their debut performance. Their irresistible pulse quickly won over the audience, highlighted by a flavorful cover of Curtis Mayfield's classic "Move On Up." Next up was Solar Circuit, delivering a powerful set of psychedelic trance-fusion, rich with dramatic shifts and immersive soundscapes. The multi-instrumentalist duo The Ries Brothers followed, showcasing seamless musicianship, with Big Something's Casey Cranford and Jesse Hensley jumping onboard to create moments of pure magic.
Cosmic Collective launched the festival into interstellar territory with a dreamy, jazz-infused set filled with explorative and energetic sounds, including a fresh take on Herbie Hancock's "Hang Up Your Hang Ups" and a hypnotic rendition of Miles Davis' "So What." The evening's highlight was Brownie Something, a one-time supergroup featuring Big Something's MacDaniels and Cranford alongside Marc Brownstein from The Disco Biscuits (aka DJ Brownie), his son Zach Brownstein on drums and young guitar phenom Isaac Hadden. Their intense set of covers - including The Bangles' "Walk Like an Egyptian" and Talking Heads' "Crosseyed and Painless" - took attendees on a wild and unpredictable journey. Next up, Chalk Dinosaur presented their incredible fusion of electronic dance, catchy funk and psychedelic rock to the stage.
Big Something's second set was another festival highlight. The Ries Brothers joined for a funky cover of Gorillaz' "Clint Eastwood," while Brooke and Doom Flamingo's Ross Bogan brought the heat with an epic keytar duel. Kagel returned to join on trumpet and keyboards, and later, the band delighted spectators with a funky, hilarious cover of Toasters 'N' Moose's "Taste the Biscuit." Up next, Shadowgrass unveiled their fast-picking bluegrass with a modern twist, combining traditional roots with new energetic arrangements, before Dr. Bacon ended the evening with a spirited unplugged set of their signature genre-blending mix of high-energy celebratory Appalachian soul-grass and funk-rock.
The final day of The Big What? brought sunshine and the funk-laden sounds of The Psycodelics, with Doom Flamingo singer Kanika Moore lending her powerhouse vocals to create a midday spectacle of sound. The Keith Allen Circus was next, creating a colorful mix of dynamic jams and psychedelia, including a crowd-pleasing rendition of Gorillaz's "Feel Good, Inc." The energy continued with Elephant Proof - a jazzy funky force of nature featuring former Goose drummer Ben Atkind - whose set delivered a lively showcase of fusion layering vibrant grooves over intricate rhythms.
Next up, the Isaac Hadden Trio with special guest drummer Jeff Sipe unleashed a psychedelic soul-jazz set that absolutely electrified the gathering. Guitar prodigy Hadden melded original tracks with reimagined jazz standards, crafting a cosmic journey through airtight rhythms and thrilling musical surprises. Highlights included a 15-minute instrumental throwdown on Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit."
Doom Flamingo then took the stage with their singular blend of dark, cinematic synthwave fused with furious basslines and soaring vocals. The band's unique sound drew the audience into atmospheric landscapes, combining drama and dance beats into a set that felt like a musical odyssey through time. Late Night Radio offered a groove-heavy set blending hip-hop, soul and funk to craft downtempo tracks that seamlessly merged smooth, nostalgic beats with a contemporary touch.
As evening set in, Big Something's final performance soared, including debut covers of Tame Impala's "Breathe Deeper" and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard's "I'm in Your Mind Fuzz." Former bassist Doug Marshall and Kagel joined for "Evil Josh," reuniting the original band members and rousing heartfelt cheers from festival-goers. The encore debut of Cage the Elephant's "Rainbow" followed by fan-favorite "Amanda Lynn" wrapped the weekend in a euphoric wave of sound and shared joy.
The night's last live tunes came from the Ranford Almond Band, with his soulful voice and deeply emotive lyrics capturing the crowd. Supported by an electric band, his powerful performance showcased both his skillful songwriting and unforgettable melodies. The last hours of The Big What? found fans dancing blissfully at DJ Casey's Silent Disco, where Cranford curated an eclectic playlist to bring the festivities to a close.
Another Big What? has come and gone, leaving more than just echoes of incredible music. The festival proved to be a true celebration of community, bound together by the sounds that filled the fields, and the friendships that blossomed under the starry Carolina skies.
Words by: Paul Kerr
Photos by: Jerry Friend
