A festival, despite whether it is know for a certain genre or even has one in its title, should have a little something for everyone. Be it stretching the boundaries of what bluegrass might be at certain festivals by including folk bands that just so happen to have a mandolin or banjo player. Perhaps its having modern day rock n’ roll royalty back to back with some of the finest roots musicians out there on the road today? There is a certain balance to be struck in a line up that makes what might be a good festival, a great one. With the announcement of the 2018 Green River Festival today, well I do believe that greatness is looming for us in mid-July of this year.
I’m With Her : We fell in love with the trio of O’Donovan, Watkins and Jarosz a few years back at a different festival appearance and while they have been popping up here and there in video format and doing their own solo endeavors, it seems that on the back of a recent full length release under the band name they will hit the festival and touring circuit hard in the coming months…and we are all better for it. Well crafted songs, expertly performed instrumentation and harmonies that will take your knees out from under your body.
Robert Earl Keen : As a kid there were a few tapes sitting underneath the TV in the living room I would sit down with headphones on and listen to for hours on end. My old man instilled a lot of good things in me growing up and just another was a distinct respect for Texas songwriters and REK was one of those tapes I played over and over again (until I had to take a pencil to rewind the tape back into the plastic cassette case and hope it would play again). Real excited to see such a legend and hero of my formidable years on this line up. “Gonna ride, ride, ride” my way to the front of this set and plant myself firmly to listen intently.
The Ballroom Thieves: We’ve been following these sweethearts of folk since their earlier years in and around Boston. Hard work and finely tuned songcraft…plus an incredibly energetic live show…have solidly placed the Thieves at the front of pack for bands that are out there touring and performing today. A performance at GRF is just another instance in which they will melt your heart, and then melt your face, with their always entertaining and riveting performances. Prepare to have the stage set on fire.
Molly Tuttle: I think Molly Tuttle is set on taking over the entire world this year. Last year’s Rise momentum is still going strong (and landed her on our favorites of 2017 list), she was awarded the 2017 IBMA Guitar Player of the Year Award and the Country Music Hall of Fame just featured her in their ‘American Currents’ exhibition alongside Sierra Hull, Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires. For someone as talented on her instrument and with a voice of gold, he demeanor is never over the top or in your face. Its that balance of pure energy in her playing and a calm, collected presence that makes seeing her play so entrancing.
The Brother Brothers: We were lucky enough to meet up with twin virtuosos and harmonizing angels, Adam and David Moss for one of the earlier Old Spruce Sessions on a hollow, Autumn day here in Vermont. Their music immediately sank its hooks into me. The kind of songs that really move you in incredible ways and occasionally to tears if you really let yourself into it. They have been hitting things hard lately and from now until the summer time show no sense of slowing things down. If you dig beautiful string arrangements and the blending of vocals only possible through siblings singing together, well you reached the jackpot folks.
The entire line up is already a total blow out. You really can’t go wrong trying to discover something new or listening to old favorites. Get your tickets now. Its going to be a heck of a ride that weekend.
