So despite being completely free, you still couldn’t afford to head out to San Francisco’s Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival this past weekend. It’s okay, we understand. Accommodations and airfare weren’t included in the price of admission. But, hey, that’s why you read this site anyway, isn’t it? To get all that musical goodness you couldn’t get any other way. Well, loyal reader, CoS has got your back once again.
Boasting what has to be one of the most ridiculously full lineups of a free festival in recent memory, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass celebrated its tenth anniversary over the weekend at the Speedway Meadow in Golden Gate Park. With a bill that featured acts like Jenny & Johnny, T Bone Burnett, Indigo Girls, The Avett Brothers, and Hot Tuna Electric, to name a few, those who did manage to get to San Fran undoubtedly got a hell of a show. As for you, check out this video of Conor Oberst and The Felice Brothers performing “Poison Oak” from Bright Eyes’ 2007 album, I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning, below.
Having been his backing band for a micro-mini-tiny tour, the Brothers joined Mr. Bright Eyes himself during his set on Saturday, and YouTube’s got the video to prove it. While Greg Farley spends much of the time cradling his violin unused at his waist, you’ve gotta love a big man like James Felice behind an accordian. Note around the 2:22 mark when Oberst practically eats his mike, only to literally dump it for the twin standing next to it. Also keep your eyes on the right hand bottom corner – worth an ironic chuckle.
One of the beauties of the festival scene are those rare, once-in-a-blue-moon collaborations like this one. Okay, so this one actually toured for a bit. But whenever bands you might never even think of in the same sentence end up on stage together, the result is always going to be worth remembering. Or at least posting online. Check out the clip below