FreshGrass | North Adams 2024: A Perfect Soundtrack to Perfect Weather

Right around where the traffic starts to thin on the drive from New York City to the Berkshires, the colors of the trees lining the Taconic Parkway start to change drastically — from green, to yellow, to fiery orange and red. Fall has officially hit the Berkshires, which means that it’s FreshGrass Festival season.

The weather cooperated perfectly this past weekend (a welcome change from last year), and it was great to see familiar performers like Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway and The Devil Makes Three. The FreshGrass Foundation, which publishes No Depression, also hosts annual instrumental competitions at each edition of its North Adams festival; this year, the winners included Jacqui Armbruster on fiddle, Ettore Buzzini on banjo, G Rockwell on guitar, and the band Catfish in the Sky. All together, the music created a beautiful soundtrack for the long weekend.

Staff from No Depression and the FreshGrass Foundation were on hand to cover the festival and contributed their highlights below.

Friday

FreshGrass Concertos with Béla Fleck, John Reischman, and Cynthia Sayer

There’s no better way to kick off the festival than with the FreshGrass Concertos. Tasked with reinterpreting the classical form, Cynthia Sayer, John Reischman & The Jaybirds, and Béla Fleck presented the audience with a full course meal of undeniable bluegrass chops, with Fleck playing tunes he’d been working on for more than 20 years. What an introduction! — Matty Jackmauh, Communications and Development Assistant, FreshGrass Foundation

Shakey Graves

Back in 2013, I proclaimed Shakey Graves as “The Best of What’s Next” and it’s been so exciting to watch him grow into that designation. Over the last decade-plus, Alejandro Rose-Garcia has gone from recording and playing solo — accompanying himself with a handmade suitcase kick drum — to releasing three LPs on Dualtone and performing with a full band. FreshGrass fans were treated to a mix of songs and styles from across Shakey Graves’ career. — Hilary Saunders, Managing Editor, No Depression

Hanggai

Friday closed out with Mongolian folk-punk group Hanggai, who brought the high energy and good vibes to get the energy back up for a late-night set. By incorporating throat singing, horsehead fiddles, and topshurs, along with the more contemporary guitars, bass, and drums, they proved there’s truly no one like them out there. — Adam Kirr, Chief Operating Officer, FreshGrass Foundation Foundation

Saturday

FreshScores: Silent Film with Live Music

This unique opportunity features short films with live scores commissioned by the FreshGrass Foundation. For the first time, FreshScores featured original (versus archival) visuals and music. This year’s grantees included four original productions: filmmaker Billy Luther with music from Olivia Komahcheet; filmmaker Kirsten Johnson with music from Adia Victoria; filmmaker Mariano Dongo with music from Forrest Gray; and filmmaker Zinzi Gugu Johnson with music from Andrew Yee. — Adam Kirr

The Langan Band

The Langan Band brought an incredible energy to the courtyard with a rollicking set. Their Scottish charm and exuberance were more than welcome in North Adams, stating before playing their tune “Leg of Lamb” that there should be more “meat vengeance ballads” in folk.  I’m now inclined to agree. — Matty Jackmauh

Béla Fleck, Edmar Castañeda, Antonio Sanchez Trio

We love banjoist Béla Fleck here at the FreshGrass Foundation and No Depression, as exemplified by his already getting a mention in this recap, as well as his role as the honorary guest editor of the Summer 2024 issue of the journal. But as a classically trained harpist, I was especially excited to see Fleck perform new works with Colombian harpist Edmar Castañeda, and Mexican drummer Antonio Sanchez. Their jazzy instrumentals set a new precedent for unexpected musical collaborations. — Hilary Saunders

Drive-By Truckers

The only other time I’d seen Drive-By Truckers was about a year ago, in the pouring rain, in New York City. This time, I was grateful to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the crisp New England night to witness these No Depression legends play 90 minutes of moody, timely, Southern, American rock. — Hilary Saunders

Sunday

New Dangerfield

This new supergroup — comprised of Jake Blount, Kaia Kater, Trey Wellington, and Nelson Williams (even if Williams was double-booked this weekend) — was the perfect way to start a FreshGrass Sunday. With a mission of preserving and progressing the Black string band traditions, New Dangerfield is setting a high precedent for whatever recordings come next. — Hilary Saunders

Sister Sadie

After Sister Sadie’s set on Joe’s Field (underscored by a fitting fall breeze), it came as no surprise to learn that they had been nominated for eight IBMA Awards, including Player of the Year nominations for more than half of the group. Their velvety vocal blend and instrumental virtuosity rounded out what was a great weekend in North Adams. — Matty Jackmauh

Here are photos from the weekend by Hilary Saunders. Click on any to enlarge and view as a slideshow.