Excited to hear the rest of the lineup!!
I’ve been thinking about this Mumford vs. no Mumford conflict of late, and I find it really interesting in a lot of ways. First, a lot of people FELL IN LOVE with them just three fests ago … people who had never heard them before and who were hearing them pre-hype, etc. Now, because of “the hype”, so many people don’t want to see them.
Obviously having a band back three times in four years is contrary to a lot of Telluride traditions with new bands. The mindset is obviously not one where PB needs a draw – the festival never has a problem selling out – which makes me feel like PB really loves M&S and considers them a new part of the family. I trust them in that, and think M&S will do cool things, even if they haven’t sold everybody just yet.
That said, I would much, much, much rather see them on the Shelman Stage among a crowd of people who are largely there for the festival, not for one band, than in any other setting.
I was one of the people who, at first, wished they wouldn’t play this year for various reasons, but I’m game either way now.
I don’t believe it’s really a “conflict” (in the same light that some people really don’t like tarps), but rather a reflection of different tastes in music. I would never say that M&S don’t deserve to be at bluegrass, nor that anyone who really digs them is crazy … I just can’t get into them year after year as an arrangement based ensemble vs. a group which is much more grounded in or incorporates improv (which bluegrass naturally lends itself to) as a fundamental component.
Stepping outside of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival for a second, there’s a reason I can see multiple shows in a row by bands such as Furthur, SCI, Panic, Phish, Panic, RRE, Younder, LOS, etc. … they shuffle the deck each and every time. On the other hand, there are bands which I’ve LOVED for years such as The Who … which will play the exact same setlist verbatim … and even with The Who, I could only see them a couple times in a row and would become somewhat board. I’d throw M&S in the latter camp and simply a have a low tolerance for repetition … whereas I’d favor such slots to be used for creating something new. I’m sure they’d have new songs and maybe some different arrangements for existing songs, but it’s still the same dance as far as I’m concerned. I don’t intend this is a criticism of M&S … since a lot of musicians try to do what they’re doing & a lot fans enjoy it … just not my cup of tea.
But Billy is right, at this point what’s done is done for the most part.
Well said.
I think most folks are reacting to the perceived “Mumford Effect” on getting tickets.
It’s easy enough to go walkabout if a band is playing which isn’t your cup of tea. Go into town for some Chai. Hike up into the gorgeous mountains. Take a nap beside the river. Whatever.
But when it’s a band, that’s not your cup of tea, that appears to make it very difficult to get TBF tickets at all. Well, it’s a little harder to have a “Live and Let Live” attitude about them.
That being said, there are a lot of folks/bands at Telluride that are so much more awesome when they “sit in” with other bands.
And the Mumfords appear to love to sit in with everyone. Which is pretty cool and makes for some awesome listening and dancing. I loved it when they played with Old Crow and Punch Bros.
…AND…if they play a nightgrass show and you get tickets, you should be able to parlay that into a trade for just about any other show you might want to catch…like Punch Brothers closing night at SOH! Woot!
Of course, who am I to say 
I just keep repeating my mantra, “hotrizehotrizehotrizehotrizehotrize” :thumbsup
Couldn’t have said it better myself. :cheers I do like Mumford; I have both of their albums and I do want to see them back again at some point, but 3 times in 4 years is a bit excessive in my opinion (if they are one of the two secret bands). And, as Zach said, Telluride is definitely the place to see them. I’m sure they’ll be back at some point, but if they close a night out this year, I’ll probably look for a good nightgrass show to attend. Possibly The Stringdusters?
As a side note, please don’t let the Dusters’ nightgrass (assuming they’ll get one) coincide with Leftover’s main stage set. That would be too stressful a decision for me personally to make. One of my new favorites vs one of my old standards. It would be impossible to choose.
And about that Sam Bush guy… He needs to take a few years off, people are getting tired of him.
Son, you’re standin’ in a heap of trouble there. Best mind yourself and get with the T’ride notion of a good time had by all when they were Howlin’ at the Full Strawberry Moon. It’s gonna happen, and happen in a VERY BIG WAY in 2013! :thumbsup
In spite of your post… welcome the Festivarian Forum.
Auntie Hope :festivarian2 :green
After only being at two festivals I don’t think you have a leg to stand on. :lol
I don’t know who you’ve been talking to, but Sam is and always will be the “King of Telluride”, period! :thumbsup
I know of two people that will be at every Telluride Bluegrass Festival until the day they die. Me and Sam! :cheers
You can add Bela, Jerry & Edgar to that list.
:lol
Even if hope and Tom didn’t, I got the sarcasm. Well played, sir! :cheers
:medal
…It’d be cosmically awesome if Willie Nelson and his band were to be the unannounced Thursday night headliner … just say’in. After all, in Light (pun intended) of the recent law change regarding the whole Mari-J thing, ya know ;).
Yes indeed, I was just making fun of some of the anti-Mumford posts. Sam Bush is great, love his music, in fact he was the highlight of last year’s festival for me. And Yonder Mountain’s Wednesday set at Mountain Village. So the two highlights were Sam Bush and Yonder, last year. And John Fogerty.
Evidently, you didn’t catch all the sarcasm. :evil :lol :evil :lol :evil
Yup, I kinda figured you were pullin’ our leg but I wanted to let you know where I stood any way. You gotta take each post with a grain of salt if you’re going to survive on this forum. :flower
:cheers
Ha!
Or because he messed up and let too easy of a clue slip…anyway, M&S is a possibility- their European tour ends in April without another date listed until July. It would also be logical that they would be interested. Since last time was so cold and wet that I was more focused on staving off hypothermia, I’d have no problem seeing them again.
Just for fun- other possible/not possibles that would 1) sellout Red Rocks 2) basically ask to come play
Neil Young: not possible (unless he now posseses the ability to travel thru time and space, Germany 6/22)
Yo Yo Ma: possible, all other Goat Rodeoers would be there
Robert Plant and Band of Joy: possible
Wilco: possible, but not likely
Zac Brown Band: possible
Bob Dylan: possible, but not currently touring
Taylor Swift: not likely… just seeing if you’re paying attention
Willie Nelson: possible
That’s all the guesses I’ve got for now…what’s yours?
Where did you see that Neil Young is playing in Germany on 6/22? His website doesn’t show any shows between the 17th and the 23rd.