It was hard to beat Friday of Bristol Rhythm and Roots 2024, but Saturday worked hard at it!
Day Two of a festival often starts with some relaxed, smaller acts helping crowds wake to the day and slowly shake off the sleep to get going. Saturday of Bristol Rhythm and Roots didn’t wait long before blasting off, jumping right into the meat and potatoes -memorable, dynamic sets that wowed.
Here’s a rundown of some of Blank’s favorite Saturday happenings:
Cedar Valley started things off with some lovely mainly instrumental bluegrass on the Country Music Mural Stage.
Adam Bolt brought the big band jazzy country rock style a la The Band to open the day on the State Street Stage, with members of Virginia Ground and The Craig Street Ramblers helping in his rowdy, ebullient backing band.
Jared Stout Band, a soulful touring Southern jam-rock act out of Roanoke, started the party on the Cumberland Square Park Stage with a a stellar, dynamic band including harmonica virtuoso Robby Carden as a highlight of the set on a memorable mashup medley of “Can’t You See” by Marshall Tucker Band and “Midnight Rider” by Allman Brothers Band. Also, interestingly, the band seemed to end their final song, then broke into a hard alternative rock breakdown of at least a minute to end the set with a smiling snarl.
Josh Hedley and his band brought vintage jazzy hot country licks over warm, gently-sung tales of modern woe on the State Street Stage.
Hippies and Cowboys brought a rowdy ruckus to kick off the Piedmont Stage.
Lauren Morrow crooned from the Paramount Stage in a gentle yet powerful set.
Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley showed in a packed Paramount Theater why both men in the duo are multiple IBMA-award winners, this year Hensley recently being voted the Guitar Player of the Year. Blistering interpretations of classic roots and rocks tunes in virtuosic harmony–it’s amazing the amount and complexity of sound generated by one acoustic guitar and one dobro, but they filled the theater with it.
Vaden Landers had a rootin’-tootin’ good time on the 6th Street Stage, sharing old-time stylings and popular covers of beloved acts like Hank Williams with notable guest players like Bailey George of Bailey George and the Oscillators on fiddle. The crowd was eating out of Landers’ hand with a peppy band and clever, winking stage presence, creating a fun rapport with the band and the crowd throughout the set. It felt like the crowd was shaking off their early-afternoon malaise and starting to get in the party spirit.
Holy Roller rip-roared through a wild set at the 6th Street Stage. A strong segment of folks seemed to know a lot of the words and the dancing was full-swing.
Silverada brought the rip-roarin’ country rock to the Piedmont Stage just as the primetime section of the evening began.
Donnie and the Dry Heavers out of Kingsport brought dynamic, crispy improvisational jazz-inflected blues rock to the Machiavelli’s Outdoor Stage.
The Wallflowers and 49 Winchester delivered strong headlining sets, offering the choice between one of hottest acts in roots right now and one of the 1990s’ most enduring acts with a few of that decades’ biggest hits and a string of critically-acclaimed albums ever since.
Molly Tuttle glimmered in a shimmery country dress and led the crowd in a late night hootenanny on the the Cumberland Square Park Stage after showing up with AJ Lee and Blue Summit earlier in the day.
Today’s recommendations:
A Jamen Denton Tribute will open the day at Cumberland Square Park at 1:30 to memorialize the late, regionally-beloved Virginia Ground front man and solo act focusing friends and collaborators.
Cruz Contreras hits the State Street Stage at 3pm.
The Corklickers bring their rowdy, old-time dance party to Borderline Billiards at 3:30.
Jim Lauderdale and the Game Changers and Sam Bush make powerful one-two punch on the Piedmont Stage at 2:15 and 4:15, respectively.
More Photos:
Here’s a few more shots from our student intern, Viera Machuga from Dobyns-Bennett EXCEL:
Just wanted to know why there is never any mention of the Children’s Stage at Anderson Park. It is free.