By Max Stewart
Atlanta’s Mental Awakening is firmly establishing itself as one of the best local events for folks that value true musicianship, superb outdoor Spring vibes, and supporting a worthy cause.
The 2024 event was put on by Crawfish For A Cause, a “501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to raise funds and support mental health and suicide awareness in the greater Atlanta community. Crawfish For A Cause does this by raising funds, and then donating them directly to other organizations and foundations in the area that work more hands-on with individuals, schools, and treatment centers.” This year, the organization was supporting Nuçi’s Space, an Athens GA-based group whose “vision is to end the epidemic of suicide and to inspire a culture free of the stigma attached to brain illnesses and its sufferers by supporting a community-wide effort that focuses on education, prevention and access to appropriate treatment.”
The two-day festival featured some excellent mix of extended jams with bluegrass and rock ‘n’ roll being the focal point. Joe May’s Month of Mondays, Spaghetti Western and Athens’ Underground Springhouse kicked things off on a beautiful Friday at Westside Motor Lounge, setting a high bar with extended instrumental sections in the outdoor space. The Westside Motor Lounge could not have been a more perfect venue location, with two stages, multiple vendors and an indoor and outdoor options to allow attendees to move around comfortably. The event sold to capacity, but was not oversold, which is an issue that plagues many new music festivals and hinders the experience for attendees.
On Saturday, the tunes started around noon with Tom Galloway with a solo acoustic cet. Local six-piece Frute have a retro electro-rock vibe that really shined in the daylight environment. Nashville’s Airshow proved their are continuing the ascension into the scene with a vibrant set, with a sound that uniquely blends bluegrass with drums and electric bass that gives them an extra driving force. Sam Holt worked as late Widespread Panic guitarist Michael Houser‘s guitar tech, and the Sam Holt Band definitely takes inspiration from the Athens jam legends (they did a fantastic cover of “Down”). There were tons of Panic gear and Mikey t-shirts sprinkled throughout the day. The Sam Holt Band actually welcomed Steve and Cody from Airshow for “Can’t Change the Past” and “Waker”.
Mountain Grass Unit were one of the many highlights, with a clear musical chemistry in blending their quality bluegrass chops. It has been great to see bluegrass continue to be pushed into the mainstream with the success of Billy Strings, and bands like Greensky Bluegrass, Leftover Salmon and many others before him. Mountain Grass Unit have quality originals and sprinkled in some covers of The Beatles and Grateful Dead’s “I Know You Rider” throughout the set as the sun was going down over Atlanta.
Eggy proved to be the absolute perfect headliner to cap the festival off. They are certainly growing in the jam scene and for good reason. They are in lock step and can interweave different soundscapes flawlessly. Drummer Alex Bailey was rocking a 1996 Atlanta Olympics hat and jacket, and they actually covered part-time ATL resident Elton John’s “Bad Side of the Moon” for the local crowd. Some of the jams were so complex, seemingly embracing prog-rock while keeping the sound accessible and danceable throughout. They encored with “Feelin’ Alright”, and I can safely say the crowd was feeling alright indeed. DJ Airshow provided a late night set in the indoor portion of the Westside Motor Lounge for those who wanted to keep the party going into the night.
It was an all-around fantastic time and we look forward to this continuing to be a staple of the Atlanta music scene.
