Grateful Web's elseFest Preview

Article Contributed by Carmen Cojocariu | Published on Saturday, June 16, 2012

“Ever dance to a fiddle?” That’s elseFest’s pick up line.

Well, have you?

Maybe you should give it a shot.

elseFest’s inaugural event will be held June 22nd and 23rd. elseFest is the greatest melting pot of Bluegrass, Jamgrass, and acoustic bliss that houses a plethora of instruments and sounds to make even the shyest of fans put on their dancing shoes.

With over twenty bands scheduled to play the festival, Grammy nominee, bluegrass band The Infamous Stringdusters are headlining with their banjos, guitars, and fiddles ready and tuned for your listening pleasure. With critical acclaim and sounding like no one else, fans will be moved as The Infamous Stringdusters give them a show they’ve never seen before.

Also scheduled, Todd Shaeffer (of Railroad Earth), David Mansfield, Andy Mckee, and twenty-two other artists will be jamming at the festival. Don’t forget to take in the sounds of Four Legged Faithful and The Vinegar Creek Constituency. Each band and musician brings their unique sound to the table.

What do you get when you put separately wonderful things together? A vortex of awesome that only elseFest can pull off for the first time at Grounds for Music.

elseFest is a BYOB, so be sure to bring your cooler filled with beer (or lemonade, if that’s your poison) to keep you hydrated (maybe some water, too). In between all of the dancing you’re going to be doing, the constant influx of music that your ears will absorb may be too much to handle.

Luckily, if you’ve forgotten to bring munchies, the many vendors can supply you with snacks and goodies (who doesn’t love snacks?).

And if you’re too tired for even snacks and dancing (blasphemous!), you could always lounge around; let the greatness of these artists sink in with a philosophical smirk as you lie in the grass and embrace the fact that you don’t get to see and hear great grassroots music every day.

If you haven’t heard of any of the bands scheduled to play, I can assure you that you’re missing out on the relaxing, yet energetic and lovely tunes these folks belt out via their instruments and microphones. The bands feed on the crowd’s energy as much as the crowd hangs on to every musical note that comes through the speakers.

Be sure to bring your camera, your drinks, your dancing shoes (though they will emerge on their own if you’ve forgotten them), and your energy; this is one festival you do not want to miss and these are the bands that you’re going to want to keep on your radar.