Resonance Festival finds its groove in a new home

There are times when a festival lineup drops and you immediately thinking to yourself, “Damn, I really need to go to that!” The sixth annual Resonance Music and Arts Festival which took place September 19-22 in Slippery Rock, PA is a perfect example. 

Presented by Papadosio, in partnership with Mammoth Music Group and Essential Productions, it’s clear that Resonance truly gets its audience. 

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The festival features a diverse cross-section of music on five stages ranging from jam to jamtronica to electronic with a common thread being that it’s all music everyone in the Resonance community digs, including the arists themselves. 

Along with Papadosio itself – who played four sets including a Gorillaz tribute, which was something special to behold – tons of artists played multiple sets on different stages at different times of day and night throughout the weekend, giving them a wide latitude for creativity and exploration and channeling the unique energy of each environment.

To that end, this year’s music schedule was particularly stacked, featuring two headlining sets from Tipper along with multiple performances from each of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Umphrey’s McGee, Twiddle, Black Moth Super Rainbow, TAUK, Goose, Andy Frasco & The U.N., EOTO, SunSquabi, and Dizgo. 

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But the incredibly chill vibe of Resonance is always about more than just the music and a literal change of scenery this year went along way towards making everyone feel welcome. Held for the first time at the bucolic Coopers Lake Campground in Western Pennsylvania, there was a ton to like about this new, smaller and cozier venue and site setup. 

Want to car camp? It’s included, for free, for everyone in attendance. Prefer shady wooded spots or a lakeside view? Take your pick. No matter where you setup camp, all of the stages were close by and only a short stroll from each other. No lengthy hikes, arduous hills or tedious security checkpoints to be found anywhere. As an added bonus, Resonance is BYOB-only event and the ability to go back and forth between your campsite and the stages with a beverage of your choice is priceless. 

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Attendees at Resonance this year were also treated to near-perfect late summer weather, featuring sunny but not scorching daytime sets and hoodie-friendly evening air. Twilight sets each night at all stages were accompanied by spectacular sunsets with surreal hues. Even a brief storm delay Saturday afternoon gave way to a delectable double rainbow. 

Not to be outdone by nature, artisitic and technological visuals were equally as impressive at Resonance, with live art installations aplenty and projection mapping illuminating the dragon-adorned castle as well as an intricate web weaved into the ceiling of the barn.

In its sixth year, Resonance has found its groove and an exceptionally fitting new home for its family. 

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