JJ Grey & Mofro with JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound live at the Pageant.

The temps may have been well below freezing outside, but things were hot inside the Pageant last night as Jacksonville, Fla. native JJ Grey and his band Mofro infused the packed venue with their special brand of swampy, southern blues rock.

Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival has a well-earned reputation for bringing together a wide variety of acts from all across the musical spectrum. Whether it's reggae, rock, bluegrass or dubstep Waka brings it all.

The Pageant was already filling up nicely with music fans spanning a wide range of ages as Atlanta-based openers Ponderosa took the stage Saturday night, a perfect pairing for the down-South flavor of JJ Grey & Mofro. While many opening acts are viewed as background music while folks get their beers, find their places and settle in, it was clear from the get-go that the musicians of Ponderosa were not going to accept this passive role.

All photos by Nate Burrell. See more at my Flickr stream.

On tour for Georgia Warhorse, his new album with Mofro, JJ Grey crosses rustic, poetic lyrics with rugged blues moxie, resulting in a style that's a throwback to Memphis soul and backwoods Florida roots.