String Cheese - Duck - Jeff Strohecker - 2025

LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS — HULAWEEN 2025 at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, Live Oak, FL (Oct 30-Nov 2)

by Christina Wright • November 10, 2025

I looked down at my red boots, clicked my heels together, closed my eyes and said, “There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home…”

Found it! Confit Duck Club, 80 Acres. I’m home. I made it to camp for the 12th consecutive Suwannee Hulaween Music Festival!! Now it’s time to unpack, unwind, and enjoy ourselves a good time.

I made haste to establish space for the rest of my gang, navigated my OG Hula 2013 fam to our site, then I set up our tent. Unfortunately I missed the kick off set with DJ RisKay before local favorites, The Heavy Pets, but managed to make my way to the Amp to catch the tail end of Future Joy! They brought the Toy Story energy and have been on tour since their debut album, “Now,” was released. I could tell I had already missed a good time… but no time like the present! So, I was off to see the Wizards at the Meadow stage, String Cheese Incident.

I enjoyed the very first set of Cheese on a Thursday on the rail! Then I got the call. I popped over to the entrance of the park, hopped into Patrick’s truck, and navigated us to Confit Duck Club where I was finally able to settle in, knowing everyone had made it. The rest of the camp trickled in and we got ready for the evening of back to back moe. at Spirit Lake. We all decided to head out from camp a little early and catch some Jade Cicada at the Hallows on our way and womped and wobbled for a bit. The visuals were on point. Then it was off to moe. for a killer set in everyone’s favorite part of the park, Spirit Lake.

“Captain America” had us all singing along and then I was “Stuck in the Middle” of the crowd. “Four” melted into “Buster” and we all were having so much fun enjoying the jams and shredding. During their scheduled set break we explored the lake. In the art mural maze, we ran into old friends who connected us with new ones. Before we knew it moe. drew us us back to the stage. It was great to see them again after Jam Cruise 22 in 2020 and most recently at Jannus Live in St. Petersburg. It still felt like it had been too long. We met back up with the homies, like we were all destined to be in the same place, at the same time. We all danced and sang our way through the second set. Hard stop at 12am. It’d been a long and eventful day. Now it was time to head back towards camp. We made a pit stop through Wooksville. Love seeing what these wooks can collaboratively put together and open up to all us Hulaweeners! We were there long enough to establish one of the comfiest seats in the house. Then, we were summoned back to Confit Duck Club for hotdogs, mad tunes, and laughs with our new friends around the fire. It was cold. Night one of Hulaween 2025 temperatures reminded me of Hula 2014…

The next morning I knew I needed to fuel up and get ready for an action packed day of making Mario and Luigi’s lives a living hell. Patrick and I were Wario and Mona for the day. It was officially Halloween, after all! Everyone at our camp was slowly emerging and with their costumes on. There was a huge group of Tina’s from Bob’s burgers. Fractal Bloom, then renegade stage set up by our Atlanta crew, was in full force and it was amazingly hilarious to see so many Tina’s doing the Tina dance. The Charleston girls dressed as ketchup, mustard and a hotdog. I tried to convince them to take some of our hotdogs to pass out to people. They weren’t about it. (Probably too messy.) At one point the mustard and ketchup were doing handstands to dress the hotdog while she was laying on the ground.

We made scrambled farm fresh eggs and bacon for brunch. Wile cooking, we made friends with the bees of Spirit of the Suwannee. We were buzzing with excitement for the day. Dizgo was first. They were not previously on my radar, but they sure are now. This midwestern funky, groovy psych-jam band had us all feeling good. SO good that Forest Gump was running in and around the crowd, gaining followers as he navigated around the Hallows stage the entire set. Now that the sun was out, it was heating up. We passed out our SIGT heart shaped fans to the Dizgo fans to cool them off and tell them about Shows I Go To! We worked up an appetite and decided to get food, some shade, and enjoy more of Dizgo on the first hill. Then it was time to pop over to Brad Miller at the Amp stage for some jazzy improv. This Manhattan bassed bassist and producer wowed me at Python at Bayboro in St. Pete. I knew I had to catch him again. We were vibing. It made for the perfect afternoon set.

We had an hour before Sunsquabi and decided to pop back to camp to gear up for the evening. Once back at camp, we squabbled up and made it back to the Hallows stage. SunSquabi brought me back to a simpler time when I began to listen to them.. With their synth, groves, and “sonic communication” I was mesmerized. The boys were dressed like party animals and boy did they party up on that stage. They were there to “Grind.” So much music and so little time. Then we noticed Mario Luigi and Peach right next to us!! We had to make a sly comment and then power up. The sun was setting. I remembered we needed to take a picture of us in our costumes. We got one on my phone, but then this girl came up to us and asked if we wanted a polaroid!! The answer was absolutely yes! I had nothing to give her in exchange at the time, but she was so happy to do it. The photo came out great, and has the date, 10/31/2025 with Sunquabi and the Hulaween banner in the background. It was perfect. After this I began collecting trinkets from the halloween grab tables people had set up in front of their camps for all us trick or treaters, celebrating the Spirit of Halloween at the Spirit of the Suwannee Hulaween. Give and take, and always leave it better than you found.

The second set of SCI for the weekend, and first of the night, was next. We established space early. It was such a nostalgic set. All my friends and all the Cheese! “Lend Me a Hand” got us in the mood and we knew we could lean on our neighbor and be grateful. “Eventually” String Cheese Incident brought us to “Bhangra Saanj,” one of my favorites, originally performed and released at Hulaween in 2017 with Beats Antique. (I was there and so was SIGT! Check out our review HERE!) This gem, jam of a song gave me straight goose bumps. Jason Haan turned up the crowd with his percussion and these cheesy guys gave us the world fusion sounds of Eastern influence, with the modern sounds of drum and bass. Ending the set with “Colorado Blue Bird Sky”, had us all feeling a mile high.

We floated over to Disco Biscuits for a beat or two and then decided it was time for dinner and an extra layer or three. I sat in my anti gravity chair with my feet up, staring at the moon through the trees and could still hear the Biscuits loud and clear as they introduced their drummer, Marlon B. Lewis. Then I was handed a freshly grilled and dressed hotdog, and I was in heaven. After dancing around Hulaween for almost 8 hours, it was nice to relax, recharge, and fuel up. It wasn’t long before many of the other members of Confit Duck Club came back and were thinking the same thing. I soaked it in as long as I could, but now it was time to get comfy. Wario had taken off his helmet and was done being a villain, so was Mona. Warmth was key now, and I put on the perfect jacket and comfiest shoes. We were off to Digable Planets at the Amp stage. They were “cool like that.” They had such a hip hop groove and I was busting all the moves. I felt cool like that. They went “On and on and on and on…” Such a treat to see these legends. The Amphitheater stage was bumpin’.

Then we decided to check out what was going on at Spirit Lake. We checked out some of Odd Mob at the Off Limits stage, and wound up over by the Lake to watch the visuals and rest our bones. After that, I wanted to catch a bit of Illenium at the Meadow. We stayed up on the HULA hill for Illenium because we knew we wanted to get a good spot for DJ Pee Wee back at the Amp. We beat the rush, and like the night before, we walked right up to the spot where our St. Pete gang was. We were in sync. I wound up with a perfect view on the edge of the lit up ledge, putting me a few feet above the crowd down towards the front, and a foot above my friends in front of me. DJ Pee Wee aka Anderson.Paak understood the assignment. He came out in a nun’s habit and robe. It was a house party. He hyped the crowd up and brought then tols us we might now ever come down. DJ Pee Wee sang most of the songs and so did we. From “Fergalicious” to “Leave the Door Open” by Silk Sonic (his collab with Bruno Mars) to “Lose Control” by Missy Elliot. I was so was glad Pee Wee honored Anderson .Paak with “Come Down.” The addition of his saxophone player gave this set an extra element of flair. It was hard not to sing and dance along at this party. DJ Pee Wee made a shout out to all the generations that were there and we all raised the roof.

Patrick and I decided it was time to check out the Lake again before the trek home. We warmed up by Incendia and watched a fabulous lyra performer. Did a bit of exploring and decided it was time to head back to Club Duck Confit for the night. We went back out of Spirit lake through the venue so we could catch some of LSZEE, a dope collaboration of LSDream and CloZee. They recently debuted their collaborating album, titled LSZEE. Getting to see them on stage and in action was a dream. We stayed awhile, but now it was time for bed. This may have been the evening that we found the most direct way back to camp in 80 Acres. We knew the majority of the rest of the camp would still be out and about, so we took advantage of the quiet, got our water jugs filled, grabbed a bunch of snacks and got cozy and warm in bed.

We slept well and woke up ready to go to the river for some sunshine and a dip. We also to get some more ice for our cooler. We had to keep them ‘dogs fresh. This year was my first year we were ever able to take a bike. Game changer. Highly recommend if you can make it happen. The ride to the river was pleasant. The sun was shining, but it wasn’t too hot. We got to the beach and met our friends and campmates who were there with me at the very first Hulaween back in 2013! I managed to take a dunk into the cool River of the Suwannee, and I knew I needed it. Like a ritual, almost like being baptized, the river is the saint and I am the sinner. I do it almost every year. Once we finished repenting and drying off, it was off to the country store for ice. (We missed the ice truck that came by the day before.) With our bikes, Patrick and I were able to strap the 20 pound bag on the back rack of his bike and we made our way casually back to 80 Acres.

Today was the day! Saturday November 1st, and the time will change tonight, giving us an extra hour to enjoy Hulaween! Since 2013, I have never missed a Saturday night Cheese set. Something always draws me back, even if some years it was only for 24 hours. Tonight, I will continue the tradition with some OG Hula Fam and new! My schedule got a bit mixed up during the day, and I decided to roll with the punches. But I knew we had to make it to Arc De Soleil at the Hallows Stage and we made it happen. Their groovy bass lines and smooth melodies were hypnotic. We enjoyed the show not far from the rail and reveled in the sun, as we and the music became one. Up next, Cheese!

We were in position. Left of the sound board, but much closer to the stage tonight. They kicked it off with some bluegrassy, “All We Got.” Eventually SCI led us into 3 of my favorites. “Bollymunster,” “Sirens,” and Tinderbox. I love the rhythm heavy, worldly sounds along with the homage to hiphop of Sirens. The lyrics get me every time. Sirens does from dark melodic sounds into a happier, upbeat chorus that becomes a sing along, every time. “I just want to say I love you. Make sure you’re feeling it every day. ‘Cause if today had been my last chance, it’s just something I wanted to say.” Then they melted right into “Tinderbox,” from the same album as Sirens, Untying the Not, probably my favorite SCI albums. I was enjoying the moment of awe when I realized that they were done and we needed to book it over to Franc Moody for a good spot! We gathered the troops and managed to weave and bop our way through the masses from stage right of the Meadows to stage right of the Hallows. We all made it, thanks to our distinct costumes and the height of our gang. The sinners and saints came out to play.

Photo by: Larry Fox

Franc Moody was incredible. There was plenty of “Space Between Us” to dance and groove. Rosetta Carr was playing bass for this London based duo, keeping the groove and rocking a Carmen Sandiego look, absolutely slaying. The whole crowd was moving and grooving. Everyone was getting a nice dose of “Dopamine” with their disco dance synth-pop, smooth harmonies, and catchy infectious songs. They played “Waiting for the Punchline” off their most recent release and it sounded SO good live. It was no trick and they are no joke.

And like that, it was time for the Big Cheese Finale for the weekend. This was the first year String Cheese decided not to play Sunday, and I applaud them for that. They started early this year with a Thursday set. I am blessed to have been able to make both this year. We navigated our way back over to the stage, still as a group of about 10 of us or so. Duck Confit Club had a duck totem, but we were not with them at this time, so this was quite impressive.

We were transported to Club Transylvania and String Cheese Incident kicked it off with a bang and a bit of pyrotechnics with “Le Freak,” and we got our freak on. They stuck with the theme of halloween, and the theme of the night, sinners and saints. With covers like ”Murder on the Dancefloor” “Dracula’s Wedding” and “Staying’ Alive” everyone was dancing and singing along. It wasn’t until the cover, “I Will Survive” that I realized that Kanika Kay Kay Moore was belting her heart out and then she strut down the catwalk to be surrounded by all of us ghouls and gals. Once I digested that, we were hit with back to back to back bangers. “Sympathy for the Devil” is one of my favorite Rolling Stones songs and always will be. I love when Cheese plays this song. The rest of Hula did too. “People are Strange” was a perfect follow up followed by “Hungry Like the Wolf.” We were all howling at this point. “Dragula,” the Rob Zombie cover, was mashed into “Hungry Like the Wolf,” and Jason Haan was front and center stage, setting the whole place a blaze. It was a powerful spectacle. I especially loved Kanika singing Lady Gaga’s, “Zombie Boy.” I couldn’t help but sing to Frank the whole time. Patrick was Frankenstein and I was the Bride of Frankenstein. I did my best to keep him in line. A stunning aerial artist was now suspended from the Meadow Stage’s rafters and it was so great to see so many elements happening at the same time and coming together, absolutely perfectly. String Cheese’s cover of “Celebration” had us all at “a party goin’ on right here, A celebration to last throughout the years. We brought our good times and your laughter too. We’re gonna celebrate your party with you!” Hulaween is String Cheese Incident’s party. This best party of the year, every year. They closed out their set with “Hi Ho No Show.” Of all the shows at Hulaween, this is the one to go to. Wow. They said their thank yous and goodbyes, and we were off to see Glass Beams at the Hallows next.

I was blown away by Glass Beams. I hadn’t known about these cats before they were announced for Hulaween 2025. Their transient and mystical nature allowed them to flow in and out of middle eastern style synths and sounds to radiant songs of chanting, native flutes and shadows. A drummer, guitarist, and producer Rajan Silva, all do so much with their sound. Rajan was center stage with a deck to his right and a deck to his left. Each member was adorned with masks of jewels and chin links. This was such a unique show. Then Frank wanted to see some of Zeds Dead. I followed him, and what an adventure that became. He was using his normal Frankenstein tactic of both arms straight out in front of him, groaning through the crowd. Normally it works, but this crowd was so thick that instead we got pushed back up through the center, not knowing if we’ll ever find a place to stand and enjoy. I just had to apologize to everyone he groaned at, as we scooted along. Finally, we found a spot. We were pretty close to where we were the night before for DJ Pee Wee. We may have taken the path of the most resistance. Frank and I rocked and danced next to a beautiful, sweet couple who had no problems sharing some of their space with us. The bass was insane along and perfectly in time with the light show, and the crowd was hyped. I’m glad we were able to appreciate some of this set. Then I realized it was past time for Parcels! We bid our new friends adieu and made our way back over to the Meadow Stage.

Parcels were something else. They were so sweet and upbeat and just so happy to be performing for us up on stage at Hulaween. This Aussie boy band captured the hearts of everyone in the crowd. With their upbeat songs, beautiful harmonies, and positive energy the whole crowd left feeling something different. Their range of style and piano vibes “Got me feeling like” I was so excited, and that I was invited. Quite the opposite of what that song is actually about. “Lighten Up” got us all up with its beats and catchy lyrics. At one point, the boys sat down at the edge of the stage and wanted to just express how grateful they were and that this was their first time in Florida, let alone, Hulaween. They thanked us for being there and being a part of this whole magical event. It’s moments like these that connect bands and musicians to their fans and it will leave a lasting impression. I was so content. I was happy to head back to camp for the evening. So was Frank. We zombie walked our way back and met the rest of the camp by the fire, cooked up some soup and caught up on our days, filled with music, laughter and even some tears. Then it was time for bed. Truly grateful.

And like that it’s Sunday, day 4 of Hulaween. Bitter sweet. I had only two shows on my agenda for the day, due to outside responsibilities; JRAD and Goose. I was sad to see my partner in crime have to leave, Patrick (Frank & Wario). We drove separately due to our work schedules, but he was able to bring our bikes. We spent the morning cooking the rest of our food, breaking down our tent, packing up our cars then saying goodbyes. Luckily Patrick was able to give our other good OG 2013 Hula friend a ride home and didn’t have to drive back by himself with FOMO.

Before I knew it, it was time for Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, our favorite Grateful Dead cover band. We had good vibes dancing and singing in the sunshine. Songs like “Estimated Prophet” and “Playing in the Band” reminded me of simpler times. I took in all I could, as I should. They even threw in “Les Brers in A Minor” an Allman Bros. cover. JRAD ended their familiar set that makes me feel home with “Throwing Stones.” Such a lovely Sunday afternoon set. We were now listening to JRAD from the Meadow, for a good spot for Goose and wound up meeting @goosethebandfans photographer through DJ RisKays extensive network, and you know we got a crew photo.

JRAD ended. Then I started to hear it… gooooooooose goooooose. We were “so ready for this,” and got shot with “Arrow” first. What a great way to kick off their first set! “My Mind Has Been Consumed by Media” was a great and relevant cover to choose to play. Goose kept with the spooky and weird theme of Hulaween by playing covers like “Somebody’s Watching Me.” Dressed in their track suits and a bit of makeup, these boys were bringing the energy this crowd needed and wanted. Before I knew it, it was set break.

We all chatted and waited patiently. It was dark now. Luckily they didn’t make us wait too long and warmed us back up by serving some “Hot Tea,” and I felt that familiar feeling of home again. Steeping in their harmonies, I let loose at Goose. Unfortunately, this was the last of the dancing and singing of this festival for me. Goose tumbled into a “Mad World” cover, and we all joined in song. “Slow Ready” was next and I was slowly getting emotionally ready to leave Hulaween, a place filled with so much music, magic and beautiful people. This melded into hints of “Spin me Right Round” and then the boys closed it out with cover, “Don’t Leave Me this Way.” I was in tears by the end of the show. It could have been a mixture of the set and the fact that I have to head back over the river, through the woods, across the rainbow and back into the real world. I said my goodbyes to the rest of our Goose gang, wishing I could stay for Daniel Donato and the Cosmic Country at Spirit Lake and spend one more night at Hulaween. Luckily, Jenn and Kirby were planning on walking back to camp after Goose. We made the journey back to Confit Duck Club on the path that was now proven to be the fastest. I gave my final hugs goodbye, got into my already packed and re-parked car, and hit the dusty trail heading back to my own bed, ready to sleep, knowing that it was not all just a dream, it was a dream come true! Thank you Suwannee Hulaween for all you do! Many more thanks to Shows I Go To for allowing me to share and re-live our weekend with you! I do my best to take the love, open-mindedness, and acceptance of the Hulaween magic with me everywhere I go. <3