rye whiskey makes the band sound better, makes your baby cuter
August 10, 2010
I think Lollpalooza and Coachella could learn a thing or two from the Newport Folk Festival. Now in its fifth decade, the festival offers its patrons such luxuries as re-entry, decent and affordable food, and proper restrooms. (Although, I will say I find Sasquatch Festival’s use of Honey Bucket porta-potties simultaneously hilarious and gross.) There are also an abundance of artisan booths, the allowed use of “professional” DSLR cameras, and the weather’s great to boot.
Sam, Piotr, Vina and I left the apartment at about 7:30 AM, went through the expected traffic, and arrived at the festival grounds shortly before 1 PM. We each went exploring in search of food and met by the main Fort Stage’s sound tent just prior to Brandi Carlile’s set at 1:40. I like Carlile’s music, but I think her real strength lies in her lyrics and especially her vocals. She has a sort of sweet, but growly, voice that doesn’t sound like anyone I’ve heard before. And the fact that she can rock out a Johnny Cash tune is a major plus. What made her rendition of “Folsom Prison Blues” even more memorable for us though was the fact that during the song a bee attempted to pollinate the flowers on Sam’s sunglasses. I held on to them while she and Vina, both terrified by everything creepy and crawly, squirmed and huddled together a few feet away. I sang along with Brandi and laughed at them.
At the Fort Stage, patrons prone to taking pictures are allowed into a small barricaded area right in front for the first three songs of each band’s set. You have to be taking pictures and you have to get out after the third song. One of my favorite bands, Calexico, was on after Brandi Carlile, so we made our way up to the front for prime spots in the center. This was my third time seeing them live and they never disappoint. Joey Burns is as charismatic and engaging a frontman as one could hope for, and as a band their love for their music and their audience is palpable. They played one of my favorite songs too, one I had not heard live, called “Guero Canelo.” Better than on the record.
Next up was Doc Watson, folk guitar legend, at the smaller Harbor Stage. I persuaded Piotr to join me and I do believe he’s been converted to Watson’s traditional and soulful music. He played with two other musicians, on bass and banjo, during the first part of his set before going it solo for a time. Between songs they told stories about haunted stoves, among other things.
The last set of the day was another folk heavyweight, John Prine. He took the Fort Stage a little late, but made up for it by, well, just playing his songs. He also came back for an encore, bringing with him to the stage Jim James from My Morning Jacket. Prine also played a slightly slower version of “Angel from Montgomery,” which was all I really needed to hear that entire day.
Earlier in the day, while walking to Doc Watson’s set, Piotr and I ran into the walking band, the What Cheer? Brigade. They are, essentially, a street punk marching band; just imagine Gogol Bordello and Beirut going back to high school to shake things up in band class. They start playing and people start dancing. What Cheer? is infectious. After Prine wrapped up the day, they were entertaining everyone waiting for the busses to take them back to the parking lots. Indeed, most people, including us, ignored the bus line and gathered around the Brigade. While playing they mixed in with the audience, once asking everyone to lay down and create a human “puzzle” with them. Unfortunately they had to leave before we did, and so we spent the time in the dark and cold waiting for busses that were caught in festival traffic. (Note to self: bring a jacket the next time you go to this festival.)
Our hotel was across the state line, technically making Massachusetts my 29th state. It was nice to able to shower and sleep in a real bed. (My last festival was 2009′s Sasquatch, a three-day, two-night camp out with shower lines so long it wasn’t even worth it.) We left earlier in the morning to get good seats at the Harbor Stage, where the Punch Brothers were slated as the second act.
Piotr and I walked over to the Fort Stage to check out some of Tao Seeger’s set. He’s the grandson of Pete Seeger and his music isn’t half bad. One song had a distinct Latin influence . . . and he sung it in Spanish, which kind of gave it away. When they shooed out the photographers we went back to our seats, saved by Sam and Vina, and caught opener Cory Chisel’s performance. He and his band played well and had some good songs, but nothing that really grabbed my attention. I also felt like Chisel lacked charisma and a real connection with the audience, which is unfortunate considering it’s a small stage with close proximity to the audience.
This was especially evident once the Punch Brothers took the stage. In the middle of a tour in support of the their album Antifogmatic, they looked understandably worn out while sound-checking. That weariness was forgot though as soon as they started playing. By their second song, band leader and mandolin player Chris Thile had broken a G string. They cracked jokes and moved with the music like they hadn’t been playing the same songs every night. Thile waltzed (while playing) during their song “Next to the Trash.” My opinion? They were the best band at the festival. Two standing ovations can’t be wrong.
And then I met them and got a picture. Maybe I’m a little biased.
The rest of the day was pretty much wide open for wandering since I didn’t know any of the other bands playing. Sam and I got crepes (Crepes! At a music festival! Fine dining!) and with Vina we checked out the third, and smallest, Quad Stage. Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three were in the middle of their set. They reminded me a little of local Austin, TX, band The White Ghost Shivers, except LaFarge and band were decidedly more old-tymey and less, I dunno, crazy pirate. I liked it.
Next, Vina wanted to check out the Swell Season at the main stage. The frontman is Irish and therefore his banter was hilarious and his songs melancholy. I think that’s the way all Irish singer-songwriters are. Except for Bono. He’s never funny.
The final act I caught was last-minute replacement Elvis Perkins in Dearland. I’d heard one of their songs and liked it, and now I’m really happy I went to see them. Not only was their set fantastic, but they were joined at the end by the What Cheer? Brigade. And, as they are wont to do, ended the song by walking offstage and into the crowd. Elvis Perkins joined them as they led a small parade around the courtyard surrounding the stage. At the end of the song, they paused for a few minutes to let the Magnetic Zeroes finish their set at the Harbor Stage. They then proceeded to lead the audience in a march back to the middle of the festival grounds. This march took us through a brick tunnel where their brass and drums echoed tremendously. I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to a better festival.
Many of the (whole) sets can be heard or downloaded for free at NPR. Of course, I highly recommend Punch Brothers, Calexico, John Prine, and Pokey LaFarge.
-amelia
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