When the biggest band in modern folk-rock decides to hold a 12 band festival 13 miles from your house, you'd better buy a ticket, pour on the sunscreen and get your handle-bar mustache out there!
Guthrie, OK, the festival's location, is a little town north of Oklahoma City. It's the original State Capital and home to a bluegrass and banjo festival--no wonder it caught the attention of Mumford & Sons.
Having started last night, Saturday's line-up includes the headliners Mumford & Sons, Yacht Club DJs, and Vaccines. Guiltily, I am really here to see Alabama Shakes (shh! Don't tell anyone!) Those guys are ready to blow up, I'm telling you.
Right now the temp is in the high 90's, and why not? Shouldn't an outdoor fest be smokin' hot? But the crowd is calm and polite, there are free water stations and the music is awesome. What's a little extra sweat when so much awesome is in the air?
There is a really cool atmosphere that the event planners put together--banners, flags and decor. There are wandering actors hired by the organizers who put on demonstrations of pugilism, interact with the crowd and create a turn-of-the-century feel.
My favorite detail has been the passport they distributed with the tix. It is made to create a feeling like you are off the train and a visitor in town. As one visits various stores and stations, there are agents to stamp your passport, giving you a fun keepsake that doesn't cost extra. I've heard that there is even a "secret" stamp that if one presents to the right agent will yield a prize. Sweet!
So enjoy the pics and your air-conditioned offices--I'm gonna put on my sun hat and dance like a crazy old man to a band named Half Moon Run.
POST CONCERT UPDATE:
As much as I loved the vibe of the festival, all the day bands combined represented a sliver compared to the might oak which are Alabama Shakes and Mumford & Sons. Brittany Howard has such amazing range and emotion in her voice. I could listen to her sing Ikea instructions. The crowds condensed for their set, which lasted about 50 minutes. I would have liked them to have played more songs with an upbeat tempo (after 7 hours in the heat, it would have helped), but all fatigue and dehydration disappeared the instant Mumford & Sons struck their first chord. They gave one of the most energetic, talented and diverse performances I've seen ever. Even with their full band on stage, eleven musicians produced a wall of sound. Most impressive was when the four core members were on stage...a keyboard, a guitar/vocalist/bass drummer, a banjo and a bass...and their sound was just as full and massive. If you ever get a chance to see M & Sons live, sell the comic book collection and get tickets!
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