Fresh Grass Returns September 19th to 21st
Bluegrass Festival at Mass MoCa
By: Philip Kampe - Sep 07, 2014
The first time the term ‘Fresh Grass’ was mentioned to me, the discussion centered around the new crop of marijuana that was hitting the area. Well, that shows you where my mind was at that time in my life.
Since having the wrong misconception of the statement, I thought it would only be fair to explain the true meaning of ‘Fresh Grass’. The term literally means the joining of both traditional and cutting edge bluegrass and roots music into one sound, aptly titled for the festival ‘Fresh Grass’.
Mass MoCA, home of the infamous WILCO festivities, is host of this years ‘Fresh Grass’ Festival.
Three days of music, pop-up concerts indoors and out culminate as the featured bands play rain or shine on the outdoor meadow stage. When the organizers mean rain or shine, they mean it.
Several years ago, on opening night, WILCO, played for 90 minutes while one of those typical, torrential summer rainstorms hovered overhead for the duration of the concert. Not only did the concert goers get drenched (me included), but our lovely picnic was lost to the rain Gods.
Let’s hope the weekend of September 19th fares better than we did that night.
The line-up for the festival features The Duhks on opening night, Friday, September 19th. Their set begins at 10:30pm.
Gates open at 5:30pm. Michael Daves & Tony Trischka open the show at 7pm, followed by Aoife O’Donovan at 8pm. Featured guests, the Carolina Chocolate Drops follow at 9:05pm, followed by The Duhks, a Canadian band whose music ranges from their northern roots to southern gospel and cajun zydeco.
Admission for the three day event is $92 for adults, $82 for students and $48 for kids 7-16. Kids 6 and under are free.
Single day tickets may be sold closer to opening day.
Gates open at 10:30am on Day Two, which features The Deedle Deedle Dees at 11:30am, followed by The Novel Ideas, Cricket Tell The Weather, Claire Lynch, Haas Kowert Tice, Berklee All Stars, The Gibson Brothers, Alison Brown, Valerie June, Sam Bush and Railroad Earth. Closing the show, The Infamous Stringdusters take the stage at 10:30pm.
The final day, Sunday, September 21st, features The Salvation Alley String Band at 11am, followed by Liam O Maonlai, Michael Cleveland & Falmekeeper, Sam Amidon, Hurray For The Riff Raff, Darol Anger, The Davis Grisman Sextet, Martha Redbone Roots Project and the infamous Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn at 4:15pm, followed by featured performer, Emmylou Harris at 5:45pm.
The three days of events take place at Mass MoCA, located in North Adams, Massachusetts, a few miles east of Williamstown, known for Williams College and the Clark Museum. Performances will take place inside museum galleries, on its indoor stage (first come-first served) and the urban music meadow, located behind the museum. Fresh Grass will host bluegrass music clinics, as well as contests for the musicians,which include musical discoveries in three categories: Best Band, Best Duo and Best Banjo.
As in the past, there will be a bounty of fresh Berkshire food and spirits. If the same rules apply as they did for the Wilco Solid Sound Festival, your pass will allow to enter and exit the Festival. What this means is that you can eat or drink on your own or visit one of the many North Adams restaurants and bars that will cater to concert goers.
Visit www.FreshGrass.com to purchase tickets for the 2014 Fresh Grass Festival.