04/06/2026
The spirit of 1969 was alive and well as we kicked off Saturday at Yasgur Road! Here’s a look back at the magic that unfolded during the first half of the day.
Rich Pell got things started on Max’s Stage, delivering a powerful solo acoustic performance layered with a wealth of immersive sonic textures. As a key figure in the DIY "Woodstock ‘89" gathering on the 1969 site, Rich brought that authentic history to life, performing hits that echoed the very songs played at the original fest.
The lineage continued with Laszlo Lang, son of Woodstock co-creator Michael Lang. Laszlo commanded the stage with a dark, heavy rock energy, weaving soaring live guitar riffs into a massive, studio-crafted wall of sound that filled the forest. With Michael Lang having personally given Yasgur Road his blessing on the 50th anniversary—stating we were carrying on the Woodstock spirit as true as anyone—it was a powerful, full-circle bridge to the festival’s past, present, and future.
GypsyFunkSquad brought a total vibe shift to Roy’s Stage. This power trio wove together a tapestry of global rhythms and a totally unique sound that had the crowd on their feet and their ears perked up. Their set was elevated by a flow artist whose vibrant fabric dancing added a splash of color and drew the crowd into the movement.
The future of the Bethel music scene arrived in the form of The Jamboni Sebastian Conklin. This young prodigious legend has essentially grown up on these grounds and has been performing here for over three years now. Accompanied by Roland Ramos on djembe, he delivered moving renditions of timeless classics like “The Day the Music Died,” proving the next generation is ready to carry the torch.
Frankie Dee and the Boys brought the heavy funk to Max’s Stage! This large ensemble of seasoned pros displayed incredible chemistry, fronted by the man himself, Frankie Dee—a true fan favorite who is always an entertaining spectacle with his signature charisma and sharp fashion. He once again found himself welcomed home, leading the crowd in his famous rallying cry: “Into the woods! Woooooooddddddsssstooooccckkkk!” The air filled with bubbles and groove as they brought the house down with a set including staples from Woodstock '69 icons like Sly and the Family Stone and CSNY.
As the sun began its slow dip toward the horizon, the energy was only just beginning to peak. Stay tuned for Part II to see how the rest of Saturday night unfolded!