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All photos by Sammy Braxton-Haney – @sammyeventphotos
Jon Langford has been performing at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass for many years and with many different bands. This year, to start off the second day of the festival, he brought the rough-and-tumble band Far Forlorn, featuring wicked violin stabs, aggressive mandolin picking, and loud electric guitar. It was the perfect setting for the Mekon‘s mainstay, as the band ripped through “Over the Cliff”, “Zombie”, and “Memphis, Egypt”. Sally Timms, also of the Mekons, brought her unfailing energy to “I Love A Millionaire”.
Portland, Oregon quintet Fruition played at the Swan Stage, and by the time they came on, the heat had already eclipsed the previous day’s high. The folk/roots/rock band featured two lead guitarists and a rock-solid rhythm section. Playing songs from their most recent recording, How To Make Mistakes, Fruition had the crowd on their side from the start as they ably moved from the laconic “Get Lost” to the upbeat “Saturday Night”. Later in the day, three band members played an impromptu acoustic set under the shade of the trees as delighted fans sang along.
Robyn Hitchcock played a stellar set at the Swan Stage, featuring songs from many parts of his career including “Madonna of the Wasps”, “Queen of Eyes”, and “Element of Light”. His band, featuring bassist Pete Straus and Kelley Stoltz on drums, really shone on the covers, which ranged from “See Emily Play” to “Waterloo Sunset”. Robyn’s voice was strong, his picking impeccable and his wit undimmed as he charmed the crowd in the oppressive afternoon sun.
Carlene Carter is a third-generation Carter, the family widely acclaimed as the bedrock of country music. Playing at the Rooster stage, and following a rough beginning with some technical difficulties, Carter found her feet and played an upbeat and soulful set. She told the story of her mother encouraging her to write a hit, and so she did just that, and the result was Emmylou Harris‘ version of Carter’s “Easy From Now On”, which sounded gorgeous.
Mavis Staples commanded the Banjo stage and her energy never flagged in the heat. The 85-year-old artist growled through “City in the Sky”, gave an impassioned reading of “I’m Just Another Soldier”, and brought the crowd to their feet with “Respect Yourself”. A veteran of the festival, her presence was electric and her optimism infectious. Backed by a sympathetic rhythm section and two additional singers, this may have been Mavis’s best performance ever at the festival.
