Wakarusa 2009 Initial Artist Announcement!

High on the heels of the latest big announcement, the 2009 edition of the annual Wakarusa Music & Camping Festival has announced its first round of artists set to perform at the four-day event. Topping the bill with "two big sets" a piece are newgrass stalwarts Yonder Mountain String Band and electro-rockers Sound Tribe Sector 9. Late night spots were rewarded to two Waka-veterans including funksters Galactic, whom switched out their late-night spot last year with the tardy Cake, and virtuoso rock guitarist Buckethead, whom always pulls in a rather large crowd. Many bands will be playing the recently relocated festival for the first time this year including classic hip-hop group Digable Planets, the Trey Spruance (Faith No More/Mr. Bungle) fronted Secret Chiefs 3 and legendary reggae rhythm duo Sly & Robbie. As always, many more jambands are confirmed for the June 4th-7th, northwest Arkansas event.

See the full list of initial artists after the jump

Wakarusa Music & Camping Festival 2009 Initial Artists:

Yonder Mountain String Band (2 big sets!)
STS9 (2 big sets!)
Galactic (late night set)
Buckethead (late night set)
Sly & Robbie
Railroad Earth (2 sets)
Cross Canadian Ragweed
Digable Planets
Porter, Batiste & Stoltz (2 sets)
Steve Kimock & Crazy Engine
Perpetual Groove (2 sets)
Split Lip Rayfield (2 sets)
Lucero
The Egg
20/20 Soundsystem
Jimmy Herring Band
Cornmeal (2 sets)
EOTO
Boombox
Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey
Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit
Secret Chiefs 3
Joe Purdy
Dirtfoot (2 sets)
Pretty Lights
Big Smith (2 sets)
Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad
Ott
Heavyweight Dub Champion
DJ Rekha
Underground Orchestra
Moonalice
My Dear Disco
Blue Mountain
Truckstop Honeymoon
Elephant Revival
Burnin' Smyrnans
Euforquestra
Hana Pestle
many more to be announced...


I like that they're keeping it somewhat small with the headliners as that will bring in a better list of lesser known acts to play over the course of the weekend. I was sold after seeing the two sets of Yonder - especially knowing how amazing the festival grounds at Mulberry Mountain are. Hope to see you all there!

-Eggs