7 Must-See Folk Fest Sessions
Hidden in the Edmonton Folk Music Festival’s massive weekend schedule are some real gems – mini-concerts you’d never see anywhere else, on six side stages strewn across the Gallagher Park site. The best might be overlooked if you’re not in the right place at the right time.
They used to call them “Workshops,” but that just sounded like work, so they changed the name to “Sessions.” That’s better.
It’s impossible to pinpoint all highlights, for if all are special, then none are. But here are a few we think you won’t want to miss:
Con Brio
The name means “with vim and vigour,” or words to that effect, and while one can detect the aroma of music college training from this slick and horny combo from San Francisco, they have a nice Bruno Mars vibe, and pack their show with frisky grooves that actually have a pulse.
Sat 10, Aug 10, 3:05 pm, Stage 1
Ani DiFranco
Wait, what? Ani (AWW-nee) DiFranco (top photo) isn’t on the main stage? It’s no accident she’s one of the biggest folk music stars of our time – her music is captivating, distinctive (plus she’s got a new book), and her fan base is legion. Expect hill-top standing room only at this show.
Saturday, Aug. 10, 3:05 pm (90 minute set), Stage 6
Peaks and Valleys
Some sessions are stand-alone concerts, and some have “themes” with several acts – like this one – which basically amounts to the musicians taking turns playing their songs. But get a load of the names here: Bahamas – who’s just one amazingly talented guy named Afie Jurvanen – and the legendary Blue Rodeo, which should be appointed the festival house band since they’ve been here so much. Also on the bill are Pieta Brown, and The Ballroom Thieves.
Saturday, Aug. 10, 4:30 pm, Stage 2
Kevin Welch and Dustin Welch
Stone cold fer-real Americana-Bananarama in these guys, black gold, Texas Tea! Kevin of course is well known for his extraordinary rootsmanship – and now’s his formed a new act with his son Dustin. That’s so sweet. “‘When you coming home, dad?’ I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then, you know we’ll have a good time then” – and now they are!
Saturday, Aug. 10, 5:05 pm, Stage 7
Noura Mint Seymali
Wakey wakey! Lively West African “praise” music is the foundation of this Mauritania artist who got her start singing with her mother’s band – and now writes, records, and tours the world with a fusion of “Moorish griot” and what sounds like funky American rock ‘n’ roll. The cultural trade routes run both ways.
Sunday, Aug. 11, 12:50 pm, Stage 5
Colter Wall
Another stone-cold fer-real outlaw country guy. It ain’t Texas Tea, but it might as well be – this time from the wild (and surprisingly un-rednecky) Land of Saskatchewan. Cut from the same cloth, more or less, as Corb Lund – with a speck of Tom Waits, and formidable guitar chops ta’ boot – Colter is known for clever, gitty songs that pull no punches, and has found himself an honest-to-goodness “sound” that should make him a huge star. At least a folk fest main stage headliner next time.
Sunday, Aug. 11, 5:50 pm, Stage 6
Dr. Nativo
In terms of exotic fusions of worldbeat styles and socially-conscious lyrics, this guy makes Michael Franti look like Def Leppard. OK, that’s not fair. Franti is pretty good; so maybe call Dr. Nativo the Central American Franti. That’s better. JM Martínez (given name) is a native Mayan who grew up in Guatemala, and for years has been honing his distinctive take on the traditional sounds of his home, spiced with hip hop. Cultural trade, brother! Dr. Nativo’s latest album Guatemaya seems to have poked a hole in the North American mainstream.
Sunday, Aug. 11, 4:25 pm, Stage 1
