Nestled in the rolling hills of Virginia, the annual four-day interlocking music festival returns to Arrington from September 4-7, bringing with it another spectacular and distinguished lineup. With iconic artists such as The Allman Brothers, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Phil Lesh & Friends, Widespread Panic, The String Cheese Incident, Umphrey’s McGee, Wilco, and many, many more gracing the side-by-side Oak and Ridge stages, Lockn’ is once again proving to be a festival not to miss.
While the lineup alone is enough of an attraction, the festival and the surrounding acreage are host to many other sights and experiences. From biking to yoga, to a plethora of craft beer choices, to a private swimming hole, the choices are endless. Here are Vinyl’s top choices in what not to miss and partake in while at Lockn’ (besides the main music, of course!).
1. The Oak Tree:
A symbol of the estate and festival – not to mention Nelson County – this majestic white oak tree is nearly 400 years old and absolutely massive. We highly recommend taking a walk to the tree one afternoon and taking a couple of minutes to bask in the presence of such a breathtaking gift from Mother Nature. The oak tree is located near the end of RV Ridge almost at Oak Ridge Road.
2. Early and Late Night Shows at the Triangle and Shakedown Stages:
If you can venture away from your camp early enough and/or can resist the urge to head back to camp for some shuteye after the headliners, these two stages (outside of the main festival venue) have great musical offerings including Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass and Grateful Gospel, and sets from Taj Mahal, Dumpstaphunk, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi, The Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Hot Tuna (acoustic set), and Bustle in Your Hedgerow. Since these stages are located outside the enclosed festival venue, it is safe to say they are BYOC (Bring Your Own Cooler). May we suggest mimosas for Keller’s Grateful sets in the mornings?
3. Private Swimming Hole:
You awake from your deep slumber from that overbearing stagnant heat that has filled up your tent from the morning sun beating down on your tent. As you emerge, half asleep, you wish there was just any relief. Lucky for you, there is salvation! The Trinity Episcopal Church will be offering trips to a private swimming hole on the Tye River. Trips cost $20/person, and from the pictures, this place looks amazing. All proceeds will support local charities and Haitian outreach.
4. Soapstone Water Filling Stations:
Okay, so this isn’t something to do or something really exciting, but we thought it was kind of nifty of Lockn’ to team up with Alberene Soapstone of Nelson County, VA to create beautiful water filling stations made from local soapstone that showcase the beauty and resources of Central Virginia. Keep an eye out from them, and make sure you stop and fill up your Camelbak- stay hydrated!
5. Biking:
Last year, we quickly regretted not bringing our bikes to Lockn’. Maybe it was how bike-friendly this festival is, or how beautiful the estate is to ride around, or maybe it was that our campsite was miles from the venue entrance. Whatever the reason, we knew we would not make the same mistake this year. There are over 30 miles of bike trails to explore on the grounds of Oak Ridge, and with this year’s new on-site biking program, Lockn’ attendees may borrow bikes for free, and bike racks will be set up at locations all through the festival.
With so much to do, see, and explore, all of your senses will not be disappointed. For its second year, Lockn’ proves it is more than your average run-of-the-mill music festival, and we cannot wait to be back!
It all started when a much younger Jackie dove into her parents’ record collection, grabbed that trippy Magical Mystery Tour album, and played “Strawberry Fields” over and over again until it was engrained into her soul. She grew up on the dreams and stories of Simon and Garfunkel, “Bleeker Street” being one of her favorites, the seduction of The Doors, Van Morrison, because “Brown Eyed Girl” is definitely her song, and the likes of Jefferson Airplane, The Who, Jimi Hendrix…you get the picture. It may not show on the outside, but Jackie has a hippie heart, and that reflects in her musical tastes today. While some of her favorites may or may not be jam bands, her taste in music feeds into many genres. From alternative, Brit, and indie rock - OK, maybe all rock - to pop, to rap, to electronic, she loves it all. As a northerner, she thought she would never understand country until she found herself on a Georgia farm in cowboy boots watching Luke Bryan shake it for her- yeah, she got that. She is a chronic wanderluster, she doesn't believe in guilty pleasures, enjoys a great Moscow Mule, and is an absolute music festival fanatic- you’ll find her wherever the music takes her.