4 Acts to See at the 43rd Annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival

4 min read

Magical, mystical and a little bit boozy, the time of year has come when we welcome back the annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival into our wide open arms. If you haven’t swiped your tickets by now, there are still one-day passes waiting patiently for your musical heart to grab them here. But maybe you were on top of your festival game, and bought them all the way back in December — good job, and now you can rejoice with fellow music lovers in the mountains. Here are some Main Stage acts you’ll want to make sure you don’t miss out on.

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Photo courtesy of Telluride Bluegrass Festival

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones

Brilliant with the banjo, charismatic with the crowd and energetic with brass, you won’t mind all the mud that’ll be slapping your legs when they take the stage at 7 pm. Jammin’ together since the 70s, this band has successfully sunken into the bluegrass scene, melting funk and bop into their sound as well. Like a positively obsessive ex you can’t shake, this band has broken up and gotten back together again numerous times — but us music fiends will always accept their relationship. They have only promised this summer at Telluride to be together, so don’t miss this lively show.

Also check out:

Houndmouth @ 1:45 pm

Del McCoury Band @ 3:15 pm

Friday, June 17, 2016

Greensky Bluegrass @ 10:30 pm

This quintet will also be at Red Rocks in July, but these are two completely different venues and you’ll want to dance under the Telluride stars with Americana blasting in front of you. Since winning the Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Competition all the way back in 2006, they have become a staple of the scene and have formed a strong relationship with fans. Dobro player Andres Beck stated that while they play acoustic instruments, they put on a rock n roll show. End your night under the stars and pass out in your tent feeling refreshed with their spin on bluegrass.

Also check out:

Sara Watkins @ 10 am

Punch Brothers @ 6:30 pm

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Mandolin Orange @ 12:15 pm

While the dear men of Leftover Salmon will be taking over at night, start off your beautiful afternoon by catching this nostalgia-inducing band. The duo of Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz bring structure and refinement to folk music with their intertwined vocals and steady rhythms. Having formed in 2009, they bounce from one festival to the next, delighting in the community of bluegrass. With their voices so fluid with another, it’s easy to close your eyes and drift into their guitar picking. Go pick some dandelions, grab your person and head on down to Mandolin Orange’s set for a peaceful ride into music.

Also check out:

Yonder String Mountain Band @ 3:45 pm

Sam Bush Band @ 8:00 pm

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Photo courtesy of Telluride Bluegrass Festival

Infamous Stringdusters featuring Nicki Bluhm @ 3:45 pm

Alas, the last day has sadly arrived. Your hair is tangled, your clothes are tinged with beer stains and your skin is starting to peel from all the sunshine. But you are still needing your bluegrass thirst to be satiated. The groovy call of this quintet is beckoning you — answer and dance along before the festival ends. Having just released their album Ladies and Gentleman in February, there’ll sure to be new music blaring from the speakers, showcasing their modern spin on this traditional genre. Step into their layered and intricate sounds to properly say goodbye to the 43rd Telluride Bluegrass Festival.

Also check out:

Shane Koyczan & The Short Story Long @ 11 am

Telluride House Band @ 9:00 pm