It was almost 40 degrees as I carried my tent through the woods looking for a campsite that was not on a beehive or a wasps' nest. The Pickathon farm site is not what I expected. It's mostly in a forest and it is expansive and labyrinthine and busy. Very. So it was a challenge to get my bearings and find the various stages.

Grandparents are a melodic six piece rock band with synths/keyboards from Portland who played on the tiny circular themed Treeline stage. Their set was animated but also relaxed and suited the chilled locale. A slightly droney rock/pop atmosphere with drought ridden yellow hills and evergreen trees behind them. The young crowd appreciated the dreamy repetitive tunes. So good.

Next was A Giant Dog, from Texas, who played their energetic rock on the much larger Mountain stage. Even this stage, though, was intimate and is covered by a beautiful airy canvas.

Joseph is a group of three sisters whose pretty folk music with many harmonies and a guitar had the Galaxy Barn captivated. And finally, the fabulous Summer Cannibals, a more punk outfit, also played the barn.

Braving the heat was worth it. Anyone interested in an authentic and varied music experience needs to try to visit Pickathon (or THE Pickathon as the people I stayed with called it). And it really is about the ambiance - the smiling people, the cool woods, the great sound and the creative stage-building.

More tomorrow.