While it literally started with a bang and a whole lot of rain, Green River Festival 2021 was a good time for all and full of so much incredible music.
People danced away to bands like Cuba’s Cimafunk and Underground System from Brooklyn on the Main Stage and the Dean Beans stage, while quieter folk musicians such as Charlie Parr dominated the Artifact Cider stage. I noticed one woman walking through the crowd with “I Needed This” written in black magic marker down her arm. It was a sentiment shared by many and one that essentially summed up Green River Festival 2021.
This year the festival moved to the last weekend of August instead of mid-July and this schedule change was one of the many firsts that marked this year’s festival.
It was the first time that many of us had experienced a large -scale musical event like this since 2019. It was the first time that some of the musicians had performed since the pandemic hit. Retro-rocker JD McPherson announced from the stage that this was his first time on stage in 18 months. It was the first time that many of the artists, from Twisted Pine to Bella White, were performing material off records that were released during the time when there was no live music.
It was the first time Paste magazine came to to the Green River Festival to film some of the performers playing in the round house at the fairgrounds. Whether you were at the festival or not, I highly recommend you check these performances out on the Green River Festival Facebook page or YouTube. And as Jim Olsen pointed out, it was the first time a Black Sabbath song was played at the festival — that came courtesy of Ghost of Paul Revere’s cover of “War Pigs.” I should also mention it was the first time I remember wearing a sweatshirt at the festival, which is what I was reaching for by the time the Drive-By Truckers came on and closed the festival on Sunday night.
But the biggest first was it was the first time the festival was held at the Franklin County Fairgrounds instead of their long-time home on the lawn of Greenfield Community College. It was a move that came out of necessity because GCC wasn’t available, but it proved to be one that worked out for the best. The fairgrounds provided much more space and was simply easier for concert-goers to get around and to comfortably sit on the lawn. There were more places to sit, including the grandstand and the picnic tables that were scattered about including by the Dean’s Beans stage.
And this setting was so much more accessible. Having attended the 2013 festival while recovering from a broken knee, I can tell you that the hill that separates the stages at GCC can feel like Mount Everest if you have mobility issues. This year I noticed people using canes, walkers, and even some wheelchairs moving about the crowd.
there was so much music to soak up, and as usual, some great discoveries were made.
The strong harmonies and fierce acoustic sound of Ghost of Paul Revere made them a new favorite as did the gospel-influenced roots music of Ranky Tanky. The Grammy-winning band from South Carolina won over the crowd with its high energy sound.
And a special shoutout to the artists who came from New Orleans — The Rebirth Brass Band, Ani DiFranco, and show stopper Jon Batiste. These artists were total professionals who gave their all into their performances while their homes, friends, and family were in experiencing the wrath of Hurricane Ida.
Overall thanks to Jim Olsen and Signature Sounds for another fantastic Green River Festival. It was great to have you back and to join in on the chorus. I needed that.
There will be more music at the Franklin County Fairgrounds when the Franklin County Fair kicks off on Thursday, Sept 9.. All of the music you hear at the fair is provided by local musicians with a heavy emphasis on acts that play some of your favorite covers.
There have been some changes in the schedule that is posted on the fairground’s website. The Greenfield-based Love Crumbs, who were slated to kick the music portion of the fair off with a show on Thursday at 4 p.m., have had to cancel. Matt Kim’s Rock Shop kids, whose appearances at the fair have become an annual tradition, have also had to cancel. Matt Kim will also not be appearing with his band Ulta Mammoth. Instead Thursday night will feature the music of Tracy and the Valley Revival led by Tracy Odle the group has a great repertoire to draw from will be playing some of your favorite rock and Southern rock tunes.
Tracy and the Valley Revival will return Friday, Sept. 9 at 2 p.m. and then at 4 p.m. it will be Opal Canyon, the folk-rock group led by vocalist Debra DeMuth and guitarist Dave Houghton. The band is a Valley super-group that also includes Ray Mason on bass, Jason Smith on drums, along with multi-instrumentalist Bob Hennessy. Their recent scheduled appearance at the Heath Fair was canceled due to Tropical Storm Henri and the band is currently working on a new album, a follow-up to 2019’s “Beauty and Loss.” Friday night will feature the music of Alana & DUH Band who will play popular tunes from the ’60s to the ’90s at 7 p.m.
The music starts early on the weekend with music by the band Decades starting Saturday off at 11 a.m. They will be playing all the hits from the ‘50s and ‘60s. Then it’s the roots rockin’ country music of Bill Knittle and the Flying Sparks at 2 p.m. followed by the ’60s Experience and their faithful renditions of songs from 1960 to 1969 at 4 p.m. The music will wind down on Saturday with the classic rock sounds of Chickenwire at 7 p.m.
Sunday starts off with the Americana sounds of Opel (not to be confused with Opal Canyon) at 11 a.m. and will be followed by the popular bluegrass band Seven Mile Line at 1 p.m. Scott Kuzmeskus and friends will bring their own brand of soft rock and folk music to the stage at 4 p.m. The weekend of music wraps up at 6 p.m. with the always enjoyable classic country and honky tonk music of Rosie Porter and the Neon Moons.
The music is free with the fair admission. Advance tickets are on sale now and available at FCAS.com.
Sheryl Hunter is a music writer who lives in Easthampton. Her work has appeared in various regional and national magazines. You can contact her at soundslocal@yahoo.com.