Whew, Bonnaroo. It was great being back after these few years away, not that it isn't an endurance test. Notable this year was the amount of roots music infiltrating the line up. So cool to see so many of our Americana brethren getting time in the sunlight. Hayes Carll, Justin Townes Earle, Abigail Washburn, Band of Heathens, Ben Sollee, Bela Fleck, Wanda Jackson, Del McCoury, way more, and then there was the highlight for me, the reunion of Buffalo Springfield. Nirvana.... obviously not the band, the state of enlightenment. Getting to see bands that you have read about all in one place is a total treat. Live music is so cool, especially when it is at this level of artistry, and everyone BRINGS it, because, after all, it is Bonnaroo.
Who knows, maybe one day, Music Fog will get to set up on a bus at Bonnaroo! Fingers crossed for the future. We still haven't even brought you every artist we taped during our 44 band Music Fog Marathon at Threadgill's WHQ in March. Maxim Ludwig & The Santa Fe Seven, for instance. They are playing a date in a month at the ubercool Levitt Pavillion in Pasadena, California. The band is based in L.A. Maxim is infused with the ghosts of folk music past, but brings it into today with fresh passion. Here he is with 'Seven' members Ben Reddell, Jorge Balbi, and Chris Vos, with "Nothing At All."
-Jessie Scott