Walking up to the Main Stage early afternoon, I was immediately captivated by the sca sounds erupting from Social Green. It was a warm, buttery temperature outside, and I felt delightful as I sipped on my cold beer and nibbled my hot dog. My delight was soon heightened as Social Green began rearing into their first song producing a nice, beachy sound, and the reaction I had was akin to hearing a Beach Boy’s song on a summer’s day – pure, unadulterated happiness.

I looked in my CityBeat IndieFest music guide and read that the boys called themselves “reggae” combining a blend of “unique, eclectic dirty ska, funk, hip hop, and rock reggae.” I had never experienced a band so mixed, but what I was hearing at the moment was an assortment of sounds perfectly fused to make music everyone can bob their head too. Their music is like a milkshake, made sweet and smooth by mixing in all your favorite goodies.

One song was so mellow, so rhythmic, so cool I was transported to a Caribbean island sipping  on a pina colada. The beat’s tempo was at just the right speed, making you want to relax and dance at the same time. While hard electrics were rolling, spine-tingling piano arias danced out the speakers, and the vocalist belted out a combustion of confident swagger, making him instantly likeable.

I liked this band a lot. I didn’t even contemplate leaving the stage till they had finished their entire line up. Every song was different, and more enjoyable as they progressed. At one point the vocalist told the crowd, “I’m about to get really dorky” and proceeded to rap. Not sing fast, or talk into the mic on beat, but literally rap. He spit fast, venomous rhymes that stung instantly upon contact.He definitely wasn’t dorky, he was amazing.

I enjoyed Social Green so much – I was apart of the annoying crowd that chanted “Encore, encore!” and was sincerely disappointed when officials reminded us the bands were on a schedule. Their melodious, calming dips made for breathtaking, harmonious highs that got me excited and invigorated. Their overall performance exploded with masculine ferocity and I liked looking at them as much as I liked listening. Social Green has harnessed the “it” factor and I recommend seeing them before their ticket prices skyrocket.