For three days, Carroll County, Miss. will become the living quarters for more than 40,000 music lovers. Hobstock will be held July 18-20.
Hobstock is arranged differently from all other festivals because the creators of Hobstock will have two 60-foot stages side by side. With the sweltering heat and humidity in the heart of the South, this is not a bad idea. Instead of trucking it hundreds of feet to the other stages, this environment will allow fans to stay put. As one band is wrapping up, the next performers will be setting up.
If two stages are not enough, concert goers should not worry. There will be several smaller stages scattered about the campground hoarding local talent.
“For our festival we want to keep it intimate for the bands and fans,” said production manager Kahlil Katool.
So who is behind the scenes and working diligently to put this show on? A Mississippi State University graduate, Jeffrey Hobgood, is the founder and president. Years after graduating from MSU, he decided to throw a huge party and call it Hobstock. He did this for four years in a row, featuring artists such as Law of Nature. Hobstock was always a success, but this year organizers expect it to be a musical masterpiece and overwhelm all other regional music festivals.
David Brewer later stepped in to give the festival a shot. He attended the original Hobstock and saw the potential of making it bigger. Another man behind this music paradise is Chris Newland. Brewer and Newland will handle all the legal work to make this rhythm and blues heaven succeed.
Last July, the only man in Mississippi who can book Widespread Panic, Arden Barnett, once again lined up the group to headline the first two nights. Barnett has been booking them since the early days when they cost $500 to book.
One-third of the members of this legendary sextet are from Mississippi. Panic’s specialty is old southern rock ‘n’ roll. Since 1985 they’ve contributed lingering tunes and created a world famous fan base.
“We hope for this to be an annual event,” said Katool. “We fully intend a jam-band scene with talented artist and since it’s in the south it will be Panic driven.”
Music and more music is the idea behind Hobstock, but that is not all. The following items will be provided for attendees: camping area, portable toilets and toilet paper, hand wash stations, showers, drinkable filtered water, medical assistance, pay telephones, ATM’s and vendors offering a variety of foods and beverages including beer. Plus there will be small general stores to purchase necessities.
The amphitheater area covers more than 100 acres. The site is also detailed by natural beauty of clear lakes and tree lines that will provide comforting shade during the camping adventure.
“This will be a challenge because of all the other music festivals going on this summer but we are aiming for this one to be the best, and an event you’ll not want to miss out on,” said Katool.
Performances on these stages will go from 12:00 p.m. to 4 a.m. Saturday and will be completed at 10 p.m. on Sunday. Artists include: Gov’t Mule, Taj Mahal, Little Feat, moe., Galactic, North Mississippi All-Stars, Les Claypool’s Frog Brigade, Medeski Martin and Wood, Leftover Salmon, Disco Biscuits, Particle, The Big Wu, Ekoostik hookah, The Code Talkers featuring Colonel Bruce Hampton, Jerry Joseph and the Jack Mormons, Topaz, and Mississippi Mass Choir.
Tickets are going rapidly and are expected to sell out soon.
The parking lot and campground will open at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 17. Music and excitement will begin at noon on Friday.
More bands will be announced and the Sunday night headline. For updates and information go to www.hobstock.com.