REVIEW: Rock the Dock Sets The Tone For Summer Festivals
07/12 @ Lake George Steamboat Company
Photos by Tom Miller
“From start to finish, the 2025 edition of Rock the Dock was one of the most memorable shows of the summer.”
There’s a special brand of nostalgia that hits when I walk along the shore of Lake George in the summertime—something I’m sure is not unique in the region, but absolutely is unique to this gem of a lake that has been ranked among the most beautiful in the entire country. As the crowd lined up down the street across from Fort William Henry on the southern shore eagerly awaiting entry to the Lake George Steamboat Company’s pier, that picturesque backdrop looked down on them in the kind of summer weather that makes the lake seem like you’re stepping into a postcard: sunny skies with a “feels like” of 93 degrees.
When the gates opened at 4PM, they began to filter through and onto the pier making their way to its end where the Steamboat Company’s three ships (the Mohican, the Minne Ha Ha, and the Lac Du Saint Sacrament) were docked on each side and open to all guests complete with all bars and decks open for seating. Kicking things off were hometown heroes The Switch, who brought all the best blues-funk jams to set the tone for the night ahead. The band played mostly from their original catalog, featuring material from their 2017 EP, Slim Pickins, as well as a couple of covers to warm up the audience. In their fifteenth year performing in the region, they’ve cultivated a loyal local fan base and a community that has grown with them which made this performance feel cathartic, complete with a spirited rendition of the Beatles’ “I’ve Got a Feeling” that was ripe with emotional delivery.
Following The Switch was Chestnut Grove, a band who, while hailing from the city of brotherly love, has also cultivated a strong and loyal fan base in the Lake George and Glens Falls region throughout their career. They’ve become a fixture at events like Rock the Dock and GEM Fest, to the point where it feels like they’re one of the area’s own. When they take the stage, it’s like seeing a family friend show up to the party who you may not have seen for a while because they live in another state, but the second you meet again you pick up right where you left off. In this case, that is with some bona fide funkin’ and groovin’.
Their set spanned crowd favorites like “Can’t Stand the Music” as well as new, unreleased material. Frontwoman Dee Gerhart is bound to be one of the more energetic and charismatic performers in any lineup, and the band does their part to match her energy as bandleader to an irresistible degree. The set also included a cameo from Wild Adriatic’s Mateo Vosganian on drums, with drummer James Daniels switching over to lead vocals for “Whiskey Hand”.
That cameo was appropriate since Wild Adriatic would follow, kicking off what just might be their last-ever performance in the Lake George region following a recent announcement that they are using their recent album release and return as a way to go out on their own terms; this year’s Rock the Dock was their first in a final run of gigs to end a fifteen year run. As such, this appearance was flush with nostalgia and fond memories, with stories of humble beginnings putting on DIY performances at the Queensbury Uno’s Pizzeria and hoping that would net them the money to invest in a van and go on tour. Their set was characterized by their trademark tightness and precision grooves, and their live energy and performance chops are every bit deserving of their reputation as one of the premier live bands to come out of the region. Travis Gray showcased raw vocal power to match the group’s powerful stage presence and hard-hitting funk rock. While the crowd had been swelling throughout the day to this point, it was during this set that they began to really pack it in around the stage area for a truly classic set by the band against a scenic hometown backdrop.
Following them was the acclaimed musical tribute to Pink Floyd, Talking Heads, and Phish appropriately known as Pink Talking Fish. They were instantly a band after my own heart, opening up with Pink Floyd’s “In the Flesh?”. At this point, the previously sunny skies had given way to an aggressive set of clouds and strong winds blowing in across the mountains, and as they began their set so did the rain. It would not matter; nothing could dampen these vibes. The crowd remained enthusiastic and full of wild and carefree dancing, leading the band to exclaim, “For all of you not taking cover: Fuck yeah!” The downpour would subside after a brief tirade, and morale would endure. Many crowd-pleasing songs from the band’s three inspirations were present in an excellent set, but my personal favorite was the inclusion of “Fearless” from Pink Floyd’s pre-Dark Side of the Moon album, Meddle. Nobody ever plays anything from Meddle!
As the sun set, the stage lights began to bathe the pier and the ships surrounding it while the crowd buzzed with excitement for headliners Umphrey’s McGee. Opening their set with “Day Nurse”, the energy was immediately palpable as the light show and ambience immersed us all in the feeling of jam-rock euphoria. This set was a treat for any fan of UM or the genre overall, flush with intricate, interwoven parts that took the audience on a trip through sound before landing them at the next phase of the music, ready for more. Performances of songs like “Bridgeless” and “Women and Wine Song” highlighted their funk prowess, and they closed the night with a wild rendition of The Who’s “Baba O’Reilly” complete with a cathartic amount of singing along from those in attendance.
From start to finish, the 2025 edition of Rock the Dock was one of the most memorable shows of the summer. The sheer joy of the performances was palpable all night long, and it was a pleasure to witness. Against the stunning scenery of Lake George looking out toward the Adirondack mountains, this festival promises to continue to reach new heights for many years to come.
