The Come Up Music Festival - Full Review

On June 22^nd through June 24^th, 2012, Team Awesome and Lock42 held The Come Up Music Festival at Plattekill Mountain in Roxbury, NY.  There were over 50 performers who dominated between 3 stages.  With both jam bands and bass heavy DJ’s there was most certainly something for everyone who frequents the festival scene.  Topping the performers, but most certainly not limited too, was Alpha Data, Higher Organix, The Alchemystics, St8cyde Jump Up, Soappy of the Tight Crew, Lazer Bass, Mentally Ill & Leila. 

+++Pictures after the review+++ 

The week leading up to the festival was brutally hot and humid with temperatures hovering around the mid 90’s and the humidity so thick you could slap FCKYES.com sticker on it.  Needless to say as my partner in crime and I made our way through the beautiful Catskill Mountains we were pleased to be welcomed with temperatures in the mid 70’s and low humidity.

I have to give this festival a 9.5 out of 10.  The location, the line up, the crew, the security, the vendors, the stages, the sound, the lay out, were all perfect.  After I was done drooling over the scenery I was greeted at the gate by a prompt, professional and polite crew.  The entry couldn’t have been more stream lined as we were searched, tagged and though the gate in mere minutes. 

I did not camp next to my vehicle, but was allowed to park and unload next to where I was going to be camping for the weekend.  (No walking with arm fulls of heavy ass camping gear…? BONUS!)  The camping area was on the slightest of hills, but nothing that was not manageable by any sense.  It was nice because any place you were set up on the hill your view wasn’t blocked by other sites so you could glance over the whole festival as the weekend progressed. 

I was lucky and got set up just in time to go catch Leila’s filth nasty set.  The second stage could not have been in a more perfect spot because as you faced the stage you saw both the DJ and an EPIC view of the Catskill Mountains.  It’s a wonder that the mountain wasn’t rumbling from the bombs that Leila was dropping.  From there I caught Mentally Ill’s set followed up by Sta8cyde Jump Up.  Mentally Ill definitely lived up to his name as his set was ab-so-FCK’ing-lute-ly nuts.  St8cyde Jump Up’s energy was second to none with Murdock MC straight killing the mic with a viciously valiant vocabulary.  I had to split my time up between the 2^nd and main stage, but I was able to catch some of Higher Organix set.  Jamin’ is an understatement.  These guys were laying it down so funky fresh the crowd was movin’ and groovin’ with each wicked bass line. 

The morning of day 2 came in with a golden glow that couldn’t have been better unless painted in your dreams.  The sun breaking over the mountains was cooled by a nice morning breeze.  It even seemed like the birds had their volumes turned down to take it easy on those of us with a hang over.  After I whipped the sand out my eyes and ate breakfast (PB & J for the win!)  I cruised around to say howdy to my neighbors for the weekend.  People came from far and wide to get down at The Come Up.  I met people from Massachusetts, New York City, Maine, Vermont and even Bugsey the cat who was on his way to Miami.  Everyone I talked to was having a blast and shared the excitement for the festival as me and my crew was feeling. 

After the meet and greet I headed over to vendor lane.  I was reminded of how much great talent there is in the world by all the vendors who set up shop at the festival.  From graffiti tagged hats, custom shirts and more there was something for everyone.  I was set back by the S7 Design and Candy Alice Designs booth.  S7 brand shirts are fresher than the Will Smith in Bel Air and you can even snag one that is printed on a 100% organic shirt.  Candy Alice Designs had wares for all the fairies flying about the festival.. from skirts to tops and all things straight out of a fairy tale.  As if that wasn’t enough, you could buy upcycled books by My Rapunzel.  These books would have been trashed if it wasn’t for Eva’s outside the box thinking.  She upcycled the book covers and rebound them with fresh and recycled paper for re-use… unique and green!! 

Plattekill Mountain, for those who don’t know, is a ski hill by winter and mountain bike hill by spring, summer, and fall.  And the festival goers were lucky to be able to catch a ride to the top of the mountain for a small fee.  The ride up took about 10 minutes, and the view from the top was something that you usually only see in pictures.  My friends and I got off at the top and let the view sink in as long as we could, then it was back down the mountain for another 10 minutes of post card quality scenery. 

Soappy and Lazer Bass totally destroyed stage 2 on Saturday night.  I just wish I was able to catch more of both sets, but I dubstepped a little too hard the first night and had to rest my aching bones the second night.  But, everyone I saw coming back from the stages had an ear to ear grin on their faces and nothing but praise for the performers. 

I wish I had a bigger head so I had to wear a bigger hat that I could tip to Team Awesome and Lock42.  For a first year festival The Come Up Festival went off without a hitch.  The stages were set up perfectly and there was ZERO sound wash from one to the other.  The sound at each stage was at a rage-able level, but not to the point of ears ringing.  Everything was laid out clearly, the “you shall not pass areas” were marked clearly, the camping areas were clean and well lit, the parking was tight and accessible.  FCK YES! we would go to another festival by these crews in a heart beat!  We hope that there is a second Come Up Festival and that Plattekill Mountain is ready to rage yet again. 

Thank you Team Awesome and Lock42!  FCK YES! I had a blast and can't wait to rage out at future events of yours.

(Check back to the site as more pictures will be added as they are cropped, chopped and made nice nice)