College students attend FreshGrass Pageant at MASS MoCA, get pleasure from bluegrass music – The Williams Document

Fall in North Adams means one factor — bluegrass. The FreshGrass Pageant returned for its eleventh iteration as hundreds flocked to MASS MoCA for 3 days this previous weekend. 

Previous Crow Drugs Present, Gary Clark Jr., and Taj Mahal headlined an intensive lineup. With a number of efficiency venues starting from Joe’s Subject for the most important attracts to intimate tents for up-and-coming artists, there was not often a silent second on the competition. 

Native meals and artwork distributors arrange store on the Mass MCA campus for what was a fine addition to the North County financial system. 

The opening night time of the present, Friday night, was anchored by Previous Crow Drugs Present. The string band gave an lively efficiency led by frontman Ketch Secor. When the band launched into its most well-known tune, “Wagon Wheel,” the group rowdily sang alongside.

One spotlight of the set was when Secor declared the band would play a Ukrainian people tune in help of the nation’s battle in opposition to Russia. 

“We’re going to have a marriage between my boot and Putin’s ass,” Secor mentioned. Blue and yellow stage lighting enhanced the Ukrainian patriotic spirit. 

Band members leaned closely right into a Nashville twang in between songs, repeatedly referring to their pleasure to be in Western Massachusetts. “It feels nice to be right here in New England on the shores of the Hoosic River,” baby-faced guitarist and banjoist Mason By way of mentioned.

The final act of Friday night time was Trampled by Turtles, a Duluth, Minnesota-based bluegrass band. Up on the secondary No Despair stage, the band performed at their typical excessive tempo. Dave Simonett’s lead vocals have been sturdy, as was Tim Saxhaug on the bass. The band engaged in much less pageantry than Previous Crow Drugs Present, resulting in a extra uncooked, lifelike sound. Crowd favourite “Wait So Lengthy” was a very participating second of the set.

The numerous courtyards inside Mass MoCA have been stuffed with merchandise cubicles, efficiency areas, and meals and beverage distributors, lending life to an area that may in any other case really feel empty. Many Spring Road mainstays have been current as distributors at FreshGrass, together with Spice Root, Ramunto’s, and Tunnel Metropolis. MASS MoCA’s galleries stayed open throughout most performances, permitting competition goers to modify between the paintings on the partitions and stay music exterior. 

Many college students from the Faculty went to the competition on Saturday due to the Residential Life Workforce, which distributed 75 free tickets to college students and ran a steady shuttle from the Faculty to the competition grounds all through the weekend. Many Faculty college and employees have been additionally noticed on the competition, together with William Outing Membership Assistant Director Dave Ackerson and Dean of the Faculty Gretchen Lengthy.

Julian Spiro ’24 and Sasha Tucker ’24 attended the competition on Saturday. “My favourite act was Sierra Ferrell due to her stage presence,” Tucker mentioned, additionally complimenting Skip Marley’s backup singers.

Spiro was a fan of the Jerry Douglas Band due to the excessive tempo of their fiddle and mandolin taking part in. It was not Spiro’s first time attending FreshGrass, however this one was a extra pleasing expertise. “I skilled an intense allergy episode once I attended final yr however was in a position to attend this yr sniffle-free,” Spiro mentioned. 

Tucker, who additionally attended Friday’s performances, was notably keen on Trampled by Turtles. Tucker described herself as solely an occasional bluegrass listener earlier than she first went to the competition. “I had unintentionally listened to Sierra Ferrell earlier than and was actually completely happy to hearken to her stay,” she mentioned.

Different highlights of the competition included Yola, an English singer-songwriter who was nominated on the Grammys for Greatest New Artist.

Sierra Hull, who lately appeared on Sturgill Simpson’s bluegrass albums as a part of his backing band “The Hillbilly Avengers,” performed a solo set on Saturday.

Tucker mentioned she is happy to return to FreshGrass subsequent yr. “It’s turn into a spotlight of the autumn semester for me,” she mentioned.