read all about ROTHBURY Day 1, ROTHBURY Day 2, and ROTHBURY Day 3!
Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band with Tony Rice // Ranch Arena
Having grown fairly accustomed to bongos, fireworks, and loud hippies until 5AM, then the early risers from 6AM on, I managed to sleep in on Sunday, making it to the festival grounds in time to catch the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band with Tony Rice. Most notable in the jaunty and wildly entertaining set were the literary references, namely those referencing Poe. I was impressed that such upbeat music could associate itself with the dark writing of Edgar Allan Poe.
Toots and the Maytals // The Odeum
I didn’t stick around Ranch Arena for Peter Rowan long – I didn’t want to miss any of Toots and the Maytals at the Odeum. My boyfriend introduced me to the Toots, which surprised me because his taste is dominated by electronica. I had to make sure I saw Toots and the Maytals, not only to rub it in to boyfriend that I caught them, but because I was genuinely interested in seeing their live show after hearing their lively recordings.
I did arrive to the stage after they’d started, and I walked up to hear the band covering John Denver’s “Country Roads”, putting the Toots lively reggae rock touch on it, and making it just as much fun as the Me First and the Gimme Gimmes version.
Sam Roberts Band // Sherwood Court
Canadians Sam Roberts Band stormed the Sherwood Court stage with a very rock and roll sound that held the audience rapt. Their motherland following is wildly loyal and enthusiastic as displayed by many shirtless dudes running around draped in the Canadian flag, or other accessories adorned by the red maple leaf. It’s no wonder, with how energetic and tight that Sam Roberts Band is, that their fans would follow them to the States for ROTHBURY.
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals // Sherwood Court
A friend of mine went to college with Grace and clued me into how amazing this woman is years before I’d ever heard of her. I was beyond stoked to catch the sizzling blonde at ROTHBURY and was impressed by her masterful, jazzy piano work and sultry vocal work. Her sexy stage presence is enough to seduce you just halfway into the first tune.
The Hold Steady // Ranch Arena
I’ve never caught on to the Hold Steady craze. I don’t dislike the band, I just haven’t gotten swept up in the Hold Steady mania. I’m pretty sure many other ROTHBURY attendees are in my same shoes: they performed to a modest crowd on the Ranch Arena stage, though I would have pegged them for a Sherwood Court band, since that stage seemed to feature the less jammy, more rock or experimental outfits. Either way, I stuck around for the entire set and was impressed with their performance. I was pleasantly surprised to find accordion, harmonica and keyboard played Franz Nicolay killing it after I’d caught his solo show last Fall and had to leave halfway through the set because I found it to be that unbearable. The Hold Steady’s set was a mix of songs from both of the band’s records and I had a lot of fun taking in what the Hold Steady was dishing out.
Matisyahu // Sherwood Court
I missed out on Matisyahu’s performance as I stuck around for all of the Hold Steady and moved right on to Willie Nelson. By chance, I did get to see Matis as he hung out with his son and entourage in the media area, his son playing some kiddie instruments that were in a basket next to the Ice Cream Man’s truck. It was just adorable!
Willie Nelson & Family // The Odeum
Willie Nelson is a legend. He was soft-spoken, though jaunty in his music, playing classics like “On The Road Again”, “Hey Good Lookin’” and “Georgia On My Mind” to an adoring audience. Performing for more than 50 years, at a healthy 76, Willie Nelson isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Matisyahu, over on the Sherwood Court stage, was so loud it almost overpowered Nelson’s unusually quiet set, but this had no effect on Nelson’s solid performance.
Ani DiFranco // Sherwood Court
I once told a friend that I’d never listened to Ani DiFranco and she, without a moment’s hesitation, told me, “That’s because you’re not a lesbian.” I was taken aback by the answer, but took it and laughed, unsure of what to make of it. Needless to say, I was intrigued to see what the lovely Ms. DiFranco was actually like and was afforded the opportunity to do so while at ROTHBURY. I was delighted to find her sweet, folky sound wonderful and confused as to my friend’s aforementioned answer as to why I wouldn’t have ever listened to Ani before. So maybe I just don’t get it, but I’m solidly pro-Ani.
Bob Dylan and His Band // The Odeum
When I’d seen Bob Dylan at last summer’s Virgin Mobile Festival, I was disappointed with the performance. Dylan is a legend, and with that comes wild expectations, which just weren’t met last summer. Thankfully, Dylan’s ROTHBURY performance this summer was a knockout. I hadn’t been expecting too much, considering last year’s let down, but there was no way I was going to miss another chance to see this living legend.
The passion exhibited in his performance was amazing to see, especially at the ripe old age of 68 and 50 odd years of performing. It was clear in his voice that he still means every word of “Spirit on the Water” off 2006′s Modern Times as he sang, “You’re always on my mind…I can’t sleeeeeeep.” His scratchy vocals were precise and emotion filled. Amongst the expected classic Dylan songs played was a slow and jazzy version of “Blowin’ In The Wind”, a very impressive rendition thanks to the arrangement of His Band.
Dylan didn’t allow any photography for his set, but check out a bootleg video of “Tangled Up In Blue” here. You can also check out some shots of Dylan by a guy who had a great telephoto lens and was really close to the front here and watch “Thunder on the Mountain” below.
“Thunder on the Mountain”
On the whole ROTHBURY was an amazing time. Here’s to ROTHBURY 2010.
ROTHBURY: website | interview with
Photos: Jon Gitchoff
