Heading Out To See the Punch Brothers

festgrrl is hitting the road this weekend to see sublime musicians The Punch Brothers at the Florida Theater Friday night in Jacksonville. If you haven't bought their album Antifogmatic, you really ought to.

I thought we could warm up with this choice little tune by these seriously talented lads:

A Pickers Paradise

The Tennessee Firearms Perform In the Music Hall

In its 15th year, the Suwannee Springfest festival at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida this past weekend delivered a fresh sound and impeccable organization.

The longtime bluegrass festival was run for the first time this year by Big IV Productions, the team of Paul Levine and Lyle Williams. The duo produce a number of music events and festivals, most notably the funkified Bear Creek festival held at Spirit of the Suwannee in the fall.

There were a lot of worries among the crowd last year that the Suwannee Springfest would change when longtime bluegrass promoters Beth and Randy Judy bowed out. But the worries were for naught. Beth and Randy were present this year, with big smiles. Both hit the stage as performers themselves.

Levine and Williams added a fresh sensibility to the lineup. They had bluegrass legends Larry Keel, David Grisman, Joe Craven, and Jesse McReynolds. They preserved festival faves Donna the Buffalo, Dread Clampitt, Jim Lauderdale, Ralph Roddenberry, Sloppy Joe, Tornado Rider, and the Mosier Brothers.

They also added hot newgrass acts -- The Avett Brothers, Emmit-Nershi Band, The Honeycutters, Danny Barnes, Steep Canyon Rangers, Josh Phillips Folk Festival, Cornmeal, Greensky Bluegrass, and Trampled by Turtles.

The new twists came with kick-ass danceable additions like the funky horn-heavy Motet, the high-energy Holy Ghost Tent Revival, and the absolutely astonishing avant-garde Surprise Me Mr. Davis. Surprise Me Mr. Davis is a super group with singer Nathan Moore, the members of The Slip and pianist Marco Benevento. They delivered, hands down, the best shows of the weekend, and some of the best music I have heard at a festival - period.

What is beautiful is to watch this event grow in new directions while elegantly honoring the traditions that make people return year after year to see their fest families and their favorite acts. Once again, we managed to build a beautiful, loving paradise among the live oaks along the Suwannee.

You can catch some great videos from the weekend here and here and here


Here is a great song by Surprise Me Mr. Davis. Enjoy!

Springfest Gives Special Break this Weekend!

Let's say you procrastinated and didn't get your advance tickets for Suwannee Springfest this weekend in Live Oak, Fl....

Well, providence is shining on you, festivarian, the gate price has just been cut by $30 for two-day weekend passes. The Sat/Sun pass, which includes two nights of camping, is just $115. On Saturday, music starts at 10 am and runs until 9 pm Sunday.

Sweet!

Verlon Thompson At Springfest

Verlon Thompson is one of the best performers at Suwannee Springfest this weekend, if you ask me. He's just a straight ahead fantstic singer and songwriter, without a lot of extra flash and hullabaloo.

Here's a little video to get you ready for the show!

The Avetts!

One of the hottest acts at this year's Suwannee Springfest, The Avett Brothers, are really something to see live. They will be amazing playing in the tree-filled ampitheatre at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Fl. Here's a little show to get y'all psyched up -- Enjoy!

What if the Beatles Were Irish?

Happy St. Patrick's Day! If this doesn't make you laugh your ass off, there's something bad wrong with you!

Full Moon Festival This Weekend near Gainesville!

Just a reminder that the Farm to Family Full Moon Festival happens this weekend, March 18-20, outside Gainesville near Ginnie Springs. Such a lovely time to be had with fine folks for a mere $20 advance and $25 at the gate.

Read my previous festgrrl post about it and go if you can, you'll be glad you did!

Besides, you can do a little shakedown cruise for your camping gear to make sure you've got it together for Suwannee Springfest March 24-27!