Date: 04 to 08 August 2010Venue: Gallagher Park
Who: Niki & Scott
Co Starring Shelley
With Guest Appearances by Ute, Kathy, Jill, Shannon & Tiago This was our first year as volunteers for the Folk Fest. It was a lot of fun, but it was also exhausting and a lot of work. Scott and I were on Liason Security duty, which involved walking around helping people, searching for lost parents and children, patrolling off limits areas for fire codes, and waking up passed out patrons when it's time to go home. One of the perks, apart from catching lots of awesome music and being a part of the festival, was the food they serve. Delicious!I didn't have a chance to attend any of the after parties, but maybe next year. I also got to play with large metal tent poles in a thunderstorm to take down after the festival :)
Basia Bulat:
An amazing artist from London Ontario, I first saw her in March at the Starlite room. Very mellow and folksy, with a very distinctive voice. She is very down to earth and sweet, and definitely someone to keep an eye on in the years to come.She plays the piano, guitar, hammered dulcimer, ukelele, and the Autoharp, which matches her distinctive vocal sound. Her brother Bobby plays drums and Alice supports on the violin, which really make the sound rich.
In the Night
Gold Rush
If Only You
Run
Snakes and Ladders
FUN FACT! Before I Knew was in a Subaru Outback commercial last year.
From Hudson, Quebec, I'd actually heard of Patrick Watson from two different sources: My sister and Kyle Lanyon... but it took me until now to realize they were one in the same. I fell in love with the song: "To Build a Home" by the Cinematic Orchestra about a year ago, but didn't clue in that it was Patrick Watson singing until Scott pointed it out.... I just thought that he did an awesome cover. He also sings "The Great Escape", which has been featured in Grey's Anatomy and One Week, as well as that tropicana commercial...
He was the lead on a couple workshops we attended, I think because he's used to many collaborations. He didn't play any bicycles or spoons, but they did some interesting collaborative improvisational songs.
Brandi Carlile:
Definitely the surprise favorite moment of the festival. I had never heard of this Washington singer until the festival, and she rocked the main stage. Her original stuff was pretty good, but when she played Mad World and Folsom Prison, the hill just rocked. It was amazing.
Colin Hay:
Mr. Hay comes from a land Down Under... and he put on a great show. His new material was great, but when he played his Men at Work... really fun. From his new stuff, I love I Just Don't Think I'll Get Over You from Garden State, and Beautiful World, from when he was on Scrubs as the troubadour (although, Overkill was a Men at Work song... I prefer the acoustic version... in the supply closet).
Ben Harper: He put on a great show! I was on security at the time, so I was a little preoccupied with keeping the rowdiness under control, but it was a great concert none the less. Favorite songs: Diamonds on the Inside and Steal my Kisses.
Dala: A band that Shelberta recommended, they were very sweet and I really liked the way the harmonize their vocals. They won best new vocal group for the 2010 Canadian Folk Music Awards. Their song, “Lennon and McCartney", was my favorite, because of the sweet story behind it. Apparently, Sheila once dressed as John Lennon at a Halloween party as a teenager. The boys were a little turned off, inexplicably.
Colleen Brown: To add to Dala's Story about Halloween, apparently Colleen Brown dressed as Elton John for Halloween. Not just once, but a could years in a row. If you though John Lennon wasn't popular with the gents... try Elton John... Wonderful stage presence, Edmonton local, Love You Baby was all over CBC 2 last year, and Boyfriend is also a good'er. Sarah Harmer: I'm really liking the Oh Little Fire Album. Captive and Late Bloomer are my two favorite tracks. She was an integral part of my favorite workshops.
Corb Lund: He wasn't slated to play, be we caught a set he snuck on with Ian Tyson. Maybe this Alberta thing is sinking in, but this is the kind of country music I can stand behind, it's fun, with the train rhythm like Johnny Cash than twangy pop. Listen to Hair in my Eyes like a Highland Steer or The West Just Fades Away.
Tanya Tagaq and Celina Kalluk: Inuit throat singing was amazing, and kinda hot. It was amazing the sounds they can make. We just heard a couple songs, but it was a great experience!
