Before Memorial Day kickoff to summer Kala and I caught the NCAA D1 men's lacrosse quarterfinal games and a nine @ Patty Jewitt. Kala's in the lead for the vaunted LaxBuddy '24 trophy but my bracket is busted as I took Lehigh but I can attest the M-43 is excellent and I haven't gotten rid of my short game error-ladden holes... we had fun.
Kala & I stole out to Summit Co on Fri AM early before the traffic ~ our newsfeeds suggested rental cars sales @ DIA were stronger than ever on Friday. We saw the weather forecast but what the heck... there would be a free bluegrass festival in Vail all weekend and Kala accepted the challenge. After a good southwest burger, onion soup, and "The Hazy" at Dillon Dam day 1 we caught up on "our shows" on the NestMT... Kala liked the updated system.
Saturday wasn't supposed to be a bluebird... but it was on our deck. After breakfast and some chores we jumped Vail Pass to Eagle Co for our first SpringFree Bluegrass Fest. Holy crap, we parked in the structure free!
While "I" came for the final 2 headliners on Saturday: Sierra Hull & The Infamous Stringdusters, there were to be four acts today and 1st and 2nd up were Colorado bands ~ awesome. We arrived just as Danger Mtn began. They are absolutely excellent and hail from Eagle itself. There were a number of locals in the crowd and they matched the lead's garb. Tie dye was everywhere, including on my bod'. Too, Kala & I matched today, and matched the dobro player in green plaid flannel ~ ColoRADo.
The weather was awesome through the first act but as they closed a fierce wind and rain ripped through Vail Village. We high-tailed it to VBC for a hazy beer. We met a cool retiring to Green Bay couple there (the pic didn't render well) and had a fine talk inside as the storm passed.
We headed back out to hear 10th Mtn as the weather waned. Funk/blues/pop vibe and 115dB at the soundman. Weather was fine but we did not prefer 10th Mtn's full electric and indistinguishable vocals. They were fine individually on sound check but were not preferred during their set. We left for lunch after 2 songs and hit the good El Segundo Mex spot on the Gore. Tasty tacos and margs and an oddly ebullient waiter.
Back to our spot near the soundman for Sierra Hull, though separated initially (no friends on powder days); decent weather returned. And, very good music returned. Sierra Hull was awesome and as strong and in control of her band as I have ever seen her. Her set was excellent in all ways... we saw, we heard, we liked. She's a TN songwriter & strings artist whose been performing forever and signed since 13 yrs old! She's strong and her band of musicians of Nashville were great... including her friend on guitar whose 1st show with the band was this... he was excellent (expected, though noted, as she can hire whomever she wants).
Kala & I got together through the crowd (yep, to my spot) and absorbed the full Sierra Hull & band set... completely spectacular IMO... 3 awesome covers & many, even better, originals. The musicality was forward during every step and song. See though how the guitbox guy had an iPad throughout... I mentioned I thought he was new and Kala duble-taked on the announcement of same. Still, he was spectacular. And the sound tweaked by the guy with the band, was excellent.
Sierra Hull & band were absolutely great. Kala rested her back while I reserved our spot for Infamous Stringdusters after her set. We reconnoitered @ 6pm for IS ~ as sleet and complete crushing wind & rain fell. Our mates in the 'hood said "I'm in" and we said "we're out" ~ as I read the Doppler ~ nothing good will happen hence. We missed 'em, if they played but NP, a great day in Vail Valley.
There are more concerts & festivals of which all should partake... go live when you can.
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