By now I think that the news has sunk in a bit, it just wasn't a horrible April Fool's day prank. Nateva is over for 2011. A lot of hard work went into the planning of this year's event, but a multitude of factors piled on and the promoters were left with only one choice, to pull the plug .
Nateva first showed up on the radar at Snoe.down 2010 during The Mclovins performance at the K1 Lodge, Nateva postcards were everywhere with the buzz about the Furthur performance and a truly different type of band line-up adding to the curiosity. Nateva was a festival less in the Vibes or Mountain Jam mode, more in line with Rothbury or Bonnaroo, an interesting mix of Jam, Indie, Electronica, Folk performers and counter-programming that made for interesting choices the whole weekend.
This was the show than charted a new course for The McLovins for the remainder of last year. I remember Jake asking what festivals they should prior to the summer season and he was getting a bit rebuffed by people who though it was hubris to try and pick and choose where they should play. Nateva showed the true power and the draw of this band.. a near perfect set played to the perfect crowd .. Nateva had a huge impact on the fortunes of the band, they rode the wave of that high the entire summer.
So thanks to all who made last years event so special and those who worked so hard to bring it back this year, and whatever happens, it may stop.. but it never ends.
Here's the original post from last year after we got back from Maine, and for those who still aren't sick of seeing it.. the video that really spoke to what this band is all about, Tweezer Reprise form Nateva 2010. This festival will be missed this year, and hopefully we'll be able to trek back up to Oxford next summer and be blown away again. To paraphrase Rick Blaine.. "We will always have Nateva.."
They knew within seconds of the end of the show that all the practice and hard work had paid off, and paid off in a big way. As the band came off the stage, a phalanx of photographers and fans ran up to congratulate them. The audience was still going wild and some of the crowd came up with wide eyes and broad smiles looking to meet the band.
I always draw the cues about the show's success from the back-stage crew. For the most part these are journeymen technicians, they've seen it all and heard it all, so when you hear excitement in the voice of a sound or lighting man, you can be sure that it's sincere. Sometimes you can be too close to the band and though I really try to be as objective, it's easy to just go with the flow, so it's always great to see your opinions justified by that of professionals. I also notice how the band is treated by other bands that they play with. Their peer bands and even veteran musicians treat the guys with respect and professionalism, knowing that there is talent and drive behind all the success that they've achieved. 
After an extended meet and greet with many of the fans that hang around after the show, then the gear gets stowed away and the last of the pictures are taken, it's time for the guys to enjoy the rest of the festival. We walk around for a bit and a constant stream of people come up to the band, praising the show, thanking them, taking pics, and it's just a whirlwind as they make their way to the hospitality tent. The band catches their breath for a bit and gets re-hydrated and then they take some time to go backstage to the main stage area and meet up with some o f the festival head-liners. 
The rest of the afternoon is a blur of hellos and picture taking, as the band meets Ryan Montbleau, members of Drive-By-Truckers, Grizzly Bear and then they met the man. Wayne Coyne. Now Coyyne is the visionary lead vocalist cum driving force behind The Flaming Lips. Wayne is a very focused-soft spoken, gregarious man and he and Jake really hit it off. I'd like to think he was responding to the fact that here his band was headlining at a major new festival and in front of him was a hard-working talented young band who were just starting to make it. After some more camera time, he mentioned to the band that during the lips performance they like to bring people up from the stage to dress up in costume and dance during the show and would The McLovins like to do this at that night's performance? Jason and Jeff and Jake were pumped and after being shown their costumes, all that was required now was waiting until that evening's performance.
needless to say, there's much more to come from Nateva...
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