Merlefest was last weekend, and here are a few favorites I saw:
The Teskey Brothers - They are from Australia, and their sound is that of soul music like you would hear on the Stax label. The lead singer's voice is fantastic.
Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real - Lukas gets better each time I see him.
Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway- They were entertaining, and Molly Tuttle is an excellent guitarist. Back in 2017, she won the International Bluegrass Association Guitar player of the Year. She's the first woman to win that. Doc Watson would be proud of what a great flatpicker she is.
Larkin Poe - These two sisters used to be called the Lovell Sisters when their third sister was with them. The third sister played the fiddle, and they were more Americana as the Lovell Sisters. As Larkin Poe, they are more a blues rock band, and they rocked the festival. Their electric blues was great. They did go back to their roots, and do some acoustic songs on mandolin and the dobro. Their supporting band was good.
Steep Canyon Rangers - They are always full of energy and a lot of fun. One of NC's finest bluegrass bands.
S.G. Goodman - This Kentucky girl was great. Her music is somewhat like Lucinda Williams, but with a different voice.
Old Crow Medicine Show - Just like the SCR, they are always fun. Willie Watson, who used to be with the band and a founding member, played with them. Willie Watson also did his own set, and his folk music is very good.
Uwade - Her set was short since she hasn't been around for long, but her voice stood out. I think she has a bright future.
Chatham County Line - This NC band is a mix of Americana and bluegrass, and always a pleasure to hear.
Shinyribs - They are a horn driven, funky, fun band. They are fun to dance to.
Bela Fleck - He is one of the best banjo players out there.
Chatham Rabbits - They are a NC duo that do roots/folk music. They are partners in music and in real life, and the banter between each other is funny, and their music is good, too.
Buffalo Nichols - He is a bluesman. He does his blues old school. He seemed to be living the blues, too, cause in his banter he seemed blue. Maybe that's why he did the blues so well.
The Sensational Barnes Brothers - These guys did gospel soul and r&b. A lot of people were grooving to them on Sunday afternoon.
Twisted Pine - They were good. Their music is bluegrass that was sometimes poppy, jazzy, and funky.
The Hillside Album Hour this year was Stevie Wonder's album Innervisions. The Waybacks performed it with special guest Lamont Van Hook.
- There were a lot of other acts, and I saw a bit of Turnpike Troubadours and Nickel Creek. Jim Lauderdale, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Peter Rowan, The Kruger Brothers, Donna and the Buffalo, and Scythian perform every year at the festival.