Welcome to “At the Festival,” a blog series where I will be sharing my personal music festival experiences, with a focus on the performances of women and gender-diverse artists (that means I’ll be there early and might just completely skip the headliners). I’ll also be connecting with fellow festival-goers and sharing their stories, giving a crowd-sourced perspective of what makes each festival special. The goal is twofold: to share and spotlight often-overlooked artists, and to illustrate the power of music festivals in bringing people together and fostering communities.

Full disclosure: I’m not a writer and I honestly don’t read much music writing. I’m not interested in criticism and I’m far too emotional about music to be objective. I’m probably going to break a lot of ‘rules’ and I don’t have an editor LOL. So, if you’re up for a the first attempt at music journalism by a not music journalist, let’s head to Greenfield, MA to kick this off.

Green River Festival is held annually in Greenfield, MA, a small city in Western Massachusetts. Its origins come from two events held in 1986 (a balloon fair and a radio anniversary party) that subsequently merged and grew into the four stage, 40+ artist event it is today. In 2021, the fest was moved from Greenfield Community College to the historic Franklin County Fairgrounds, allowing more space and adjacent camping. Past headliners include Emmylou Harris, Tedeschi Trucks Band, and Lake Street Dive.

This year, 64% of the acts feature at least one woman or nonbinary musician. A count of all individual musicians reveals 33% women and 2.5% nonbinary folks on stage — a well above average number for 2024.

FRIDAY, JUNE 21st

We had a heat wave in Massachusetts this week, which inevitably means thunderstorms. So that’s how my festival experience started, with a shelter-in-place order in effect at the grounds. After a bit of a delay, the events were restarted and shuttle buses running again. With everyone returning at once, I opted for the 20 minute walk from downtown to the fairgrounds (nobody told me about the hill). During my walk, I looked at the updated, compacted afternoon schedule. Usually, I make a vague plan of who I want to see, leaving space for inspiration or detours. With three sets now completely overlapping, I threw my plans out and left it up to fate. The festival has four stages this year - the Greenfield Savings Bank Main Stage, the Dean’s Bean Stage (both outdoors), the Back Porch Stage (a covered but open-sided barn), and the Round House. I didn’t know which stage was where or who was performing on which, so when I entered the gates I walked straight ahead into a tall, round, red building.

JULIA PRATT — WEBSITE INSTAGRAM SPOTIFY APPLE

As it turned out, the round building is called the Roundhouse and held the Round House stage, which I suppose may have been predicted. Already on stage were a pair of musicians, Julia Pratt with an acoustic guitar and her guitarist Eric with an electric. There was a small attentive crowd already standing in the old wood building. The stage was adorned with flowers and grasses, giving it an appropriate state fair feel. Assuming I missed two or three songs, the first I heard floated between a gentle falsetto and Julia introduce was “Backseat”, which she said was about “realizing that you hate your significant other.” Her voice was at times gently floating and at others powerfully emotive. The audience continued to build through the set as people got back through the gates and entered the circa 1899 Roundhouse. Julia asked if we were getting any airflow in the crowd because on stage, they were not (we were not). And wrapping up her set with everyone already sweating, she introduced “Michael,” an intense song about her father from her recently released EP Family Feud. “My mom says it’s brutal,” she told us. It was, but it was beautiful.

After the set, I spoke to a fan named Chelsea, who I noticed was singing along. She told me she first heard Julia’s voice through a collaboration with Mt. Joy (“A Little Love”) a band she already loved. So when the Green River lineup was announced and she saw Julia’s name, she dove into her entire catalog. I myself have probably started listening to dozens and dozens of artists by seeing their name first on a lineup. That’s one of the reasons I love sharing festival posters in the way that I do: I get to make the small names stick out a bit more.

COMBO CHIMBITA — WEBSITE INSTAGRAM SPOTIFY APPLE

Leaving the Roundhouse, I set off deeper into the grounds in search of the Dean’s Beans stage. I realized quickly that I didn’t need to look at the map, because I could already hear the voice I was listening for drifting powerfully across the field. A bit closer and I could hear the rest of the band’s energy. Combo Chimbita is a four-part band formed in Brooklyn with roots in Colombia. Their sound is rooted in cumbia, but contains elements as wide-ranging as afropop, spanish trap, and garage rock. Vocalist and guacharaquera (the guacharaca, is a Colombian percussive instrument known for its bird-call like sound) said that this was their first show of the year, but there was no evidence of rust. The energy was palpable and inspired lots of dancing, yelling, and call-and-response from the crowd. Singing of their ancestors and tradition, current social fears and protest, and the necessity for a fearless, revolutionary new world, Combo Chimbita’s performance transcended language and time, so even a speaker of only English like myself could feel their stories.

At the end of the set, I approached a young couple that I noticed dancing near the stage for much of the set. Mae and Caroline told me they had seen Combo Chimbita once before and became instant fans. They bought a record immediately and dance to it at home all the time. They said along with indie-pop band Lawrence, Combo Chimbita was the main reason for them deciding to attend Friday at Green River Fest. Matching some of my takeaways of the set, they told me they were here: “for the vocals and the vibes!”

LAWRENCE — WEBSITE INSTAGRAM SPOTIFY APPLE

I next made my way to the Main Stage for the first time and found a younger crowd than earlier sets waiting for the next set: Lawrence. Led by brother/sister duo Clyde and Gracie Lawrence, the 8-piece band features a horn section and a prominent keyboard which add some funk and soul into their modern pop sound. They may be best know for their 2021 song “Don’t Lose Sight,”but Friday served as a celebration for the group’s fourth record Family Business which was released that same day. When asked how many had listened to the new songs already, there were plenty of hands raised, and the crowd and band seemed equally excited to experience them live for the first time. Despite getting no sound check due to the rain and never having played the songs on stage before, the new material sounded great and went over well with the fully-engaged crowd.

I hung around after the set, looking for someone who might have already been a Lawrence fan. I noticed, as the band was breaking down, that Gracie had her attention on someone in the crowd and was walking to the side of the stage where they were waiting. She threw a pick out to the small crowd that was left and leaned down for a picture. I made my way over to the recipient of the souvenir and saw that it was two young girls with their family. Amelia (12) and Abby (9) have been listening to Lawrence nonstop, and at Green River Festival, had just got to see them perform live for the first time ever. Amelia told me they listened to the brand new album in the car on the way to the festival that day. The excitement she spoke with reminded me why I’ve kept up with Book More Women for all this time. I asked if they planned to see Lawrence again, and looking to her family, Amelia told me: “I hope!” I hope so too!

SATURDAY, JUNE 22nd

Unfortunately the storms came through once again early on Saturday. I was able to see a few songs by local 7-piece band Love Crumbs on the Back Porch stage when I arrived. Soon, the rain joined in with the band, clanging loudly off the tin roof. When it was apparent more severe weather was close by, the audience was asked to seek shelter. This was a bit of a longer delay, so I left the grounds, dried off, and turned on my notifications. Once we got the all-clear, I returned to the Back Porch stage for one of my most anticipated sets of the weekend.

WONDER WOMEN OF COUNTRY — WEBSITE INSTAGRAM SPOTIFY APPLE

I first saw the collaboration of Kelly Willis, Brennen Leigh, and Melissa Carper at the Station Inn in Nashville during Americanafest 2022. At the risk of sounding a little naïve, I will admit I had never heard of any of the accomplished songwriters until then. But their set blew me away, with the three women alternating lead with incredibly well-written songs, hilarious banter, and an obvious joy for making music together. At Green River Fest, they brought the same formula, this time with an official group name and a newly-released EP: Wonder Women of Country. Each took turns singing lead on songs from the EP and their extensive catalogues, while the other two filled in with harmonies and a classic old-school country sound. While the music was transportive, and harmonies excellent, the songs were the real stars. All three women are masters of their craft, and have a dry humor and wit that ties them together perfectly. Carper late in the set, admitted she hated to follow up Leigh’s “Outside the Jurisdiction of Man”, a beautiful ode to the freedom of the prairie and un-touched nature, with a song about dirty underwear that was “based on a true story.” But of course, she did anyway. Fittingly, the three ended their set with a cover of John Prine’s “I Have Met My Love Today.”

After the set, I raved over it with Tori and Jordan, who had a similar story to mine. They first saw the trio at Back Porch Fest in nearby Northampton, MA last year and instantly fell in love with the group’s dynamic. Despite not having a big country music background and knowing nothing about any of the three women’s illustrious solo careers, seeing the obvious joy they had for playing together turned them into instant fans. Appreciation of the group led to them diving into each of their solo efforts and Kelly Willis even became Jordan’s most-streamed artist. I was excited to be able to share their story because it reminded me of one of the best things about music festivals: the discovery of the new. Sometimes the best thing to do is to step out of your comfort zone and let your senses guide you. You might just find your favorite new artist.

On my way across the fields after the set, I was forced to stop due to some people traffic. I heard and then saw the source of the traffic was the Green River Festival Parade, led by the soul-funk-party band Snacktime, and featuring professional and kid-made puppets and signs. It was just one of the activities that weekend that I saw intended for children and families. The art garden barn was full of art supplies and repurposed material, I was really close to stopping inside myself. In addition, early programming in the Roundhouse and on the dedicated Kidway stage featured inspirational music and entertainment for families and kids.

JOY OLADOKUN — WEBSITE INSTAGRAM SPOTIFY APPLE

Once the parade wrapped up, I walked back to the Main Stage to do the opposite of what I suggested earlier, and got deep into my comfort zone. I could go on and on about Joy Oladokun as an artist and a person. Her song “Keeping the Light On” is my second most-streamed song over the three-plus years since it was released. The authenticity and openness in her songs are invitations. She sings about mental health, death, and how we’re all just doing our best to get through life as if they’re conversations: she says “this is how I felt,” asks us if we’ve ever felt the same, and offers hope in that darkness. On stage, the realness is just as evident. With one missing due to a new baby, Joy and her two bandmates first ripped through a few of her more sonically upbeat songs including the self-proclaimed Bill Wither’s rip-off “if you got a problem” in which she offers her helping hand to any who are in those darker places now. In the middle of the set, the band stepped aside and Joy played a run of songs solo, interspersed with parts from “I’ll Follow You Into the Dark” and “My Girl.” The sincerity of her songs and the goofiness between them (this time referring to herself as the “queer Kermit the Frog”) has always astounded me and the way she authentically shares herself on stage makes it so easy to connect to her. Later on, she played a new song that she recently successfully pitched to one of her all-time favorite artists. She told us that her intention at the beginning of her music career was to be a songwriter and not necessarily an artist, given her introversion. And while I can’t wait to hear literally anything Joy has written, I am so thankful she felt the calling to share her music with us first-hand.

S.G. GOODMAN — WEBSITE INSTAGRAM SPOTIFY APPLE

I suppose the juxtaposition of sincerity and humor may have been the theme to my Saturday, as the next artist I saw was S.G. Goodman back at the Back Porch Stage. Calling small-town Kentucky home, Goodman has frequently written about contrasting images of the South, of misinterpretations and personal tragedies. Her music roams from tender, emotional country-tinged folk to bouncy, jangly rock. At Green River Fest, the five-piece band had plenty of time to explore all of these sounds, bound together by Goodman’s vocals, at times haunting and others clear and urgent. Between songs, Goodman often shares anecdotes from the road, delivered with a dry wit that is unmatched in my experience. This time, she told us about an experience at Luck Reunion (which she called one of the best festivals around) when artists were given a gift bag that included three joints made with Willie’s Reserve. She had big plans for these - one would go to her band, one to a close friend, and the other she would keep. She gave them all to the band to drive home in the van with the condition that they could smoke the one. She would keep the last one until she was a Mamaw with a grandchild at the kitchen table trying to hide that they were high. It was then that she would break out the last joint and grant it to her grandchild, instantly becoming the coolest Mamaw in history. But when the band arrived, Goodman found all the joints were gone. She asked the band and all they could say was “…the weed’s gone…” The band then launched into a cover of Waymore’s Blues by Goodman’s favorite outlaw, Waylon Jennings.

Most of the crowd then rushed over towards the Main Stage to see Fleet Foxes, who had just began their headlining set. On my way over, I spoke to an S.G. Goodman fan named Gary and asked him what drew him to her music and performance. He said it was essentially everything — the style of music distilled from a variety of influences, her humor and wit, her political ideas and the intelligence with which she spoke of them, and how fun and on-point the band is. Goodman was his number one reason for attending Green River Festival. He had seen her and the band before, and plans to see them whenever they are in his radius again.

SUNDAY, JUNE 23rd

On Sunday, the rain came overnight and held off all day with the exception of a few sprinkles. Of course the entire state was under a tornado watch, but besides that, the weather was much better on the final day. I wondered from stage to stage early on, catching bits of pieces of several sets. Everyone I encountered seemed to be in a great mood and the positive vibes were everywhere — perhaps most of all at the Dean’s Beans Stage at 1:30.

DOBET GNAHORÉ — WEBSITE INSTAGRAM SPOTIFY APPLE

Dobet Gnahoré’s name is one of those that I first read on a festival lineup poster. From there I learned that she is a not only a Grammy winning singer, but a revolutionary dancer, and accomplished percussionist and songwriter. Born in Côte d’Ivoire, Gnahoré sings in seven different languages. Her seventh studio album ZouZou is set to be released less than a week following her set on June 28, 2024 and focuses on themes of resilience, unity, and the power of community. This new album also serves as the launch of a new orphanage project she is developing in Côte d’Ivoire. Introducing her songs in English to the Green River Festival crowd, threads of hope were woven through the set. Her powerful vocals were the instant focal point, though the tight three-piece band behind her too radiated joy and talent. In the first five songs, Gnahoré played five different percussive instruments, adding to the infectious beats. Once her breathtaking dance moves were added to the mix, the crowd was in a total uproar. Later in the set, there was a small group in the front of the crowd chanting what I assumed to be a particular song title or word in one of the regional languages she speaks. Once Gnahoré made out the message, the surprise and excitement from the artist was contagious and emotional. The crowd danced from beginning to end of Gnahoré’s set and in that time, the unity and connectedness she sings about felt alive.

As dozens of smiling faces left for their next adventure, I stopped to speak with two sisters, Jenny and Kerry. They are long-time attendees of Green River Festival, always buying their tickets pre-lineup announcement. Neither knew Dobet Gnahoré intimately before-hand, but had a great time during the set. In fact, Jenny told me that the first time she heard Gnahoré’s music was just two days prior when listening to the festival’s official playlist. When a song stopped her in her tracks, she ran over to pause it and write down the name. Gnahoré became a priority set for the sisters. As it turns out, Jenny had studied African dance during college and along with Kerry attends dance classes regularly. Inspired by the performance and the fun they had in the crowd, the two made instant plans for another class, deciding it had been too long.

JOBI RICCIO — WEBSITE INSTAGRAM SPOTIFY APPLE

My final set at Green River Festival 2024 would be back at the Round House stage. Because of an incoming storm, the headlining set of Gregory Alan Isakov was moved a bit earlier, unfortunately overlapping it with one of my most anticipated sets. This left a small but mighty crowd to witness the genius of Jobi Riccio in the Roundhouse. I first heard of Jobi when she was granted the second ever John Prine Fellowship by Newport Folk Festival and the Prine Family. The honor celebrates John’s legacy and impact and is given yearly to a young songwriter who embodies John’s spirit. Jobi’s first album Whiplash was released last fall and has an overarching theme of coming into your own as a young adult. She introduced the title track and centerpiece of the album as “a Joni Mitchell song if she was more of a horse girl.” Playing solo, she commanded the full attention of the crowd with her voice and words both cutting right to the heart. More than maybe any other artist at the moment, I cannot wait to see where Jobi’s music and songwriting go. At one point she told us she had once considered quitting music to become a farmer. Turns out she wasn’t a great farmer and I am so thankful for that.

After the set, I left the Roundhouse and spoke with Kristina, a volunteer in her fifth year at the festival, whose responsibility was traffic at the back doors. We talked for a while as Gregory Alan Isakov was finishing his headlining set in the distance. I told her about Book More Women and my plans for writing about the festival. I told her how I wasn’t really sure how the piece going to turn out, and I’d probably just retell it as it comes to mind and recount the stories shared with me. She told me that was exactly what I should do because stories are how we learn. By listening to other’s stories or by telling our own is how we learn to relate to each other. We can’t hope to overcome these huge systematic issues without empathy and understanding.

I thought about all the stories I heard from the musicians on stage this weekend, within their songs and between songs, and about the stories I was told by fellow fans. And maybe that’s the point of this whole thing. I don’t want to hear the same stories again and again. At Green River Festival, I heard some truly unique stories from artists like Combo Chimbita, Dobet Gnahoré, and Izzy Heltai, and from the people they’ve inspired with their music. Personally, those are the types of festivals I want to attend.

Although the weather provided a challenge, causing two shelter-in-place orders and even a tornado warning, I had a great time at Green River Festival. I was impressed by how the delays were handled, keeping everyone safe while also maximizing the amount of music that was played. I really enjoyed the Back Porch and Round House stages, both distinctive stages that were booked well with artists who fit into the unique environments. The music was great, and I had the opportunity to see a good mix of artists I already love and artists I’d never heard before seeing this lineup. The staff and volunteers were excellent, whether directing people through the confusion of finding shelter, or cleaning the grounds, which were in as good condition as possible, given the rain. The crowd was a joyful one despite the weather, a large part of it made up of long-timers and families of all ages. All together, my first Green River Festival experience was a good one, and I will definitely return in the future.

Thank you to Green River Festival and all the fans who were gracious enough to share their stories with me!

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