There’s no shortage of jam bands on the scene today, but nothing compares to being at an outside festival hearing the old school pioneers that blazed the trail over forty years ago. These guys are the real deal, and a cornerstone of what we wanted to provide musically. David's history goes way back to the early sixties San Francisco scene where he and Jerry started hanging out together in Palo Alto playing bluegrass. They formed a group in 1962 called The Wildwood Boys, which included David Nelson, Jerry Garcia, and Robert Hunter. He also played on three Grateful Dead studio records, including American Beauty, Aoxomoxoa and Workingman's Dead as well as playing in the Jerry Garcia Almost Acoustic Band in 1987, releasing Almost Acoustic. David, Jerry and John (Marmaduke) Dawson formed the New Riders of the Purple Sage (NRPS), in which he played in until 1983. While it’s an honor for us to have David Nelson and Buddy Cage on the same bill, watching and hearing them play together is as good as it gets. Buckle up! (Playing all 3 days)

Another cornerstone of this event, the FOB’s is a perfect compliment to the lineup and includes Roger McNamee, Ann McNamee, Bill Bennett, Pete Sears, Barry Sless, Bert Keely, Tony Bove and Jimmy Sanchez. Their west coast psychedelic sound will explore the minds of those unfamiliar with the depth of their unique style and sound. For those that already know, having them here is great news. An important part of this event, make sure to explore their website before you come as these guys are likely to steal the show. (Playing all 3 days)

The Colorado based "new-grass" phenomenon, Shanti Groove moves along acoustical and electrical lines, fusing the elements of effect-heavy jam improvisation with traditional bluegrass and earth-loving country for a musical genre that is uniquely their own. Their performances are renowned for their energetic musicianship, intricate paraphrasing, funky percussion and powerful musical soundscapes - drawing dance-ready audiences on a national level.

The Single Malt Band was formed in the summer of 1999, when Jefferson Hamer, Jordan Moretti, and Will Downes began blending Bluegrass, Celtic, folk, and rock influences, ranging from Irish and Appalachian traditional's to Jethro Tull and Frank Zappa covers. After a touring hiatus in the winter of 2003, the band has regrouped with a renewed focus on singing and songwriting, writing whole new sets of witty, literate original music. Though the band has largely departed from its early, traditional Celtic and Bluegrass style, the Single Malt Band continues to exhibit the skilled songwriting, tight harmony singing, fast picking, and wild stage antics that have earned them recognition on some of America's best stages.

A Colorado favorite, their website says it all... Keeping Alive the Music and Spirit of the Grateful Dead.  You can always count on some great music from these guys!

Colorado's Gathering Place for Deadheads Since 1987.  We've camped at festivals with these guys more times than we can remember (literally) at the likes of State Bridge, Mishawaka and lest we forget, the Wild Horse Ranch.  They're all insane and can easily steal the show if they make it...We sure hope these guys are on board; a festival's just not the same without them. 

Fresh off winning the Acoustic Blues Competition at the Telluride Blues and Brew Festival, Dan Walker infuses Americana, funk, jazz, and the blues into his soulful originals while also covering a multitude of Dead and Widespread Panic tunes.  You'll be real glad Dan and his band are playing May Daze.

Electric Side Dish is a jam rock band from Denver, Colorado. Their crafty songwriting, soaring harmonies and tight arrangements take modern music to new heights. ESD's hook like melodies and memorable lyrics pierce into your inner core.

The fine Boulder, Colorado based jazzy, funky, swingy, bluesy, tripped-out, cold-bonking, ear poppin, neurotic-yet-nice, rock your ass all night long, grass-stained, brand spanking new, yet finely aged quartet and their original tunes are sure to keep a smile on your face as well as a little swing in the hips and a bounce in the knees.

The music is a combination of deep entrancing rhythm, Latin inspired grooves, melodic expressions, layered harmonies, and innovative lyrics. BMR brings you high energy psychedelic electric rock.

The eclectic styles of music range from rock to reggae, blues, bluegrass, jazz, and dance/trance, all played in a jam-based style allowing for the freedom to experiment and explore. Eclectic Echo is sure to move any crowd to dance as they journey together through the moods of the music, including high energy, introspective, and rolling boogie.

The Peek Freenz play a mix of Rock, Blues and Boogie that will keep you jumping. The Freenz will cover everything from Zep to the Dead, playing the non-traditional songs such as Misty Mountain Hop, Strange Brew and US Blues. You are sure to find a cosmic jam with flat out Rock when you take in the Freenz.

DeadZone, performing the best of what many consider the high point for The Grateful Dead, the 70's, has a unique history.  The band came together as a collaboration of musicians from Dead cover bands from the 80's and 90's such as Hidden Playground (CT), Shakedown Street (CT and CO), Jakds Leg (MO), One Kind Favor (CO), and August West (CO).  Band members have appeared with Vince Welnick and Tom Constanten of the Grateful Dead, Jeff Pevar of Crosby, Stills & Nash and Phil Lesh & Friends, Rob Eaton of Dark Star Orchestra and Bob Bralove.  DeadZone, considered the best in the region at recreating the 70's experience, will play several sets of Grateful Dead music this special weekend.

Consisting of three up-and-coming musicians fueled by passion to make the world feel good all over.  With Bryce Harman on lead guitar and vocals, Derek Harman on bass guitar, and Leo Payne on Drums.  This trio is a very deeply rooted combination of family and fun, with roots spanning from classic rock, blues, reggae and jazz.  This jam band has come a long way in the last few years from their small yet humble beginning. Our goal in life is to show people that when we come together, there is nothing we can't achieve...peace, love and happiness!

Prepare yourself for the smokin’ hot, face peeling, mind bending, “mountain boogie” from western Colorado.  The Last Bus is picking up passengers from everywhere.  Just coming off an extensive winter ‘05 tour that included forty shows in thirty-four towns and a national opening show in Colorado, the region has sampled what is destined to be great.  Made up of five extremely talented musicians from Montrose, Colorado, this outfit is paving their own way through the musical landscape. With their infectious original blend of fresh, colorful grooves, funky-butt jazz-jam, pulsating original jams, backed by strong song writing and vocals, all meshed into a diverse sonic treat for all.  The Last Bus, draw an amazing cross section of music lovers to their shows.  Dancers, listeners, and players of all ages and musical diversity enjoy the truly large musical spectrum of The Last Bus.

The music of The Ethereal Plane floats from high energy rock to sweaty funk, from creamy acid jazz to thumping drum & bass.The songwriting touches upon themes that relate to the soul, to the mind, and to the body. Drawing influences from artistssuch as Pink Floyd, the Grateful Dead, Widespread Panic, Santana and P-Funk, as well as the jazz masters, The Ethereal Plane creates a vibe for party-style bump & grind, mind expanding dance travel, and good old fashioned road-house blues. Combining a heavy mix of original material with covers by artists such as the Grateful Dead, the Talking Heads, Jimi Hendrix, Little Feat and James Brown, the band aims to raise the energy level of the audience to a fervent state, delivering the rhythmic satisfaction the listener craves.