The suspense of what The Waybacks together with the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera and guest vocalists were going to play at Riverbend finally ended when Joan Osborne began singing the Beatles’ song “Come Together.”
Steve Bowman was among the cheering crowd, but he was probably one of the few who had guessed they were going to perform the Beatles’ “Abbey Road” album.
“From the last clue in the (Chattanooga Times Free Press), I knew it had to be,” said the 56-year-old Chattanooga resident.
“It’s a really neat idea,” he said while the groups played the second song, “Something.”
“This is probably going to be the one time these performers do this album together,” added the Beatles fan.
The Waybacks are a San Francisco-based “jamgrass” band that has done full-scale versions of classic-rock albums in the past. Guest vocalist Osborne is perhaps best known for her hit “One of Us,” and John Cowan rose to fame when he became the lead singer for New Grass Revival.
For Kevin and Nan Wohl, of Dunlap, Tenn., just listening to the symphony was well worth standing in line at 4:20 p.m. on Sunday, 10 minutes before gates opened to the festival, to set their folding chairs right across from the Coca-Cola Stage.
Mr. Wohl said he liked the wide range of instruments and music the symphony performs.
“It fills the air,” added Mrs. Wohl. “Under the night sky it’s great to listen to.”
Despite temperatures in the 90s that felt like 100 degrees, medical emergency personnel reported that no one had been treated for heat-related illnesses.
“Ninety-five percent of what we do is hand out water,” said Lt. Tony Silvester with the Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services, and to be there just in case anyone needs medical assistance, he added.
But the heat didn’t stop festivalgoers from arriving as early as possible. By 4:45 a rainbow of folding chairs filled the main grassy areas across from the stage. The main act didn’t go on until 9:30 p.m.
“We religiously come every year and every night,” said Beth Hulbert, who was at Riverbend with her sister Kathy Moore and long-time friend Paulette Amsler.
The three purchased Club Riverbend passes, which is an exclusive member’s only area on the Chattanooga City Pier at Ross’s Landing for better seats and comfort.
Hours before the main performance, the three headed to the Bud Light stage to see the Choo Choo Chicks, but they were anxious to see their favorite, The Waybacks.
“We can’t wait, we are looking forward to it,” Mrs. Hulbert said. “We are really excited to find out what they are going to do.”
The performance was billed as a Mystery Rock Revue, and all organizers had said was that it was going to showcase a well-known classic-rock album.
“Everyone is speculating (what they are going to play), but I really don’t know,” said Mrs. Moore. “I think maybe a Beatles or something but with Joan Osborne I’m thinking maybe more rock.”
This was the second time for The Waybacks to perform at Riverbend, but back in 2006 they played in a side stage.
