Greensky Bluegrass Brings The Twang At Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival
By Katie Karpowicz in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 19, 2014 7:00PM
When Chicagoist interviewed Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival organizers Michael Berg and Mike Raspatello earlier this month, the one band they couldn't recommend catching enough at the 2014 edition of the fest was Greensky Bluegrass. We're so glad they did.
Not only does Greensky Bluegrass perfectly embody the essence of CCB Fest, but they also possess all the elements needed to find success in a contemporary bluegrass scene—classic folk melodies and song composition, seamless jam sessions on stage and enough pop sensibility that has brought bands like Mumford and Sons and The Lumineers to the forefront of mainstream music in recent years.
Last night's performance also proved the band's stamina. Seventy minutes into Greensky Bluegrass' first set, the members announced they'd be back for round two soon. They returned to the stage at 12:30 a.m., launched into a 10-minute version of their latest album's opener, "Don't Lie," and didn't wrap up until close to 2 a.m.
We just wish more of last night attendees would have read Chicagoist's guide to not being a jerk at concerts or at least remembered that talking at the top of one's lungs throughout the entirety of a concert has an adverse effect on fans standing in your general vicinity.
There's nothing wrong with wanting to have a good time but it was a shame that many of the more delicate moments of the band's songs were completely lost to white noise and chatter coming from the other side of the stage.
Still, this writer cranked up one of Greensky Bluegrass's CDs just moments after returning home, hungry for more. It's official, CBB Fest: we're fans.