Day 2 – Sunday Life is Good Festival
Photo by Suzanne Davis McMahon
After a full day of food, fun and fantastic tunes, I got up only to do it again. But this time, the big names were coming out to play.
When it comes to virtuoso guitarists these days, you’d be hard pressed to find a more unique example than Robert Randolph. Sitting behind his pedal steel, the man manages to pick and bend the strings in his dirty rock fashion. While I honestly haven’t been taken by the songwriting, Randolph’s chops on the guitar make the songs entertaining. He was a great way to kick off day two.
The most exciting individual performer of the weekend was clearly Levon Helm. Now even though Helm didn’t sing much on his own (he sang harmonies and a powerful version of the weight). His presence was enough to raise the spirits of any true rock and roll fan. He flashed his pearly whites and he energized the crowd. Many of the younger audience members seemed a bit oblivious to the legendary figure playing in front of them. His miraculous return from throat cancer was on display.
The headliner, Ray Lamontagne, continues to push in a more rootsy direction. His voice always has an R&B sound but the new songs had a much more twangy sound. He was able to pull together the best elements of his early albums. Songs like “Beg Steal or Borrow†and “Old Before Your Time†embody a blue-eyed country soul that feels dark in Ray’s capable hands. It’s woodsy and disturbing and natural. The pedal steel lines add the perfect accent.
Photo by Suzanne Davis McMahon
While I haven’t been to too many music festivals, the Life is Good Festival and its good vibes really felt different. Knowing that a million dollars was raised to help children puts the whole thing in perspective. The bands really felt the vibes too. It’d be hard to leave a concert like that and not feel like you’re part of a community that can do good things. Oh and the music was great too.
And my personal highlight, Avett Brothers electric performance.
About the author: Jeff is a teacher in the Boston area. When not buried correcting papers, Jeff can be found plucking various stringed instruments and listening to all types of americana music.