Back in the Spring, going to Willie's Outlaw Festival in the amphitheater in New Hampshire seemed like a great idea. Live music was back! But as mentioned in the previous posts, being around crowds of people has become dangerous and scary again. We went anyway. It would be outside, we'd wear masks, and hopefully others would be too. As it turned out there were very few people wearing masks, but we survived and had a great time, what a show!
This year's tour has a changing cast, but on September 10th they were going to open with Margo Price, then Government Mule, then Sturgill Simpson, and then Willie. Good enough, to put it mildly! Sarah and I loaded up the chairs, sandwiches, and our summer concert tailgating stuff and headed North at around 2:00 for a 5:00 show.
Wonderful weather and lots of fun sitting around the parking lot and talking to the other concert-goers, some of whom had seen DeadCo recently like us, and some of whom were planning to see Phil Lesh in the Fall, like us (we hope). Government Mule t-shirts/gear predominated, surprisingly, though a good number of people were dressed in Western regalia, as was Sarah. Soon it was time to go in. We passed the three checkpoints (vaccine proof, metal detector, and then tickets), got our water bottles filled, and headed to our seats, which were exactly three rows behind where we'd been for TTB, next to the soundboard.
Margo came on first and from the start this was such a well-produced show! She had a lead guitarist, a bassist, a drummer, and a rotating cast of backup guitarists who filled in very professionally, picking up her guitar part when she was singing, swapping instruments with not a wasted motion, and disappearing when they were not needed. Margo concentrated on newer songs but did the great Four Years Of Chances, Tennessee Song, and Don't Say It. Great opening act and nice split-to-here dress and boots.
Government Mule was on next and I'd never seen the band, though of course I'd seen Warren Haynes in other combos. They also were very professional and in control of their sound. Haynes stood in the middle of the stage and was the man, lead guitar and all vocals. He was surrounded by a simple but rocking combo of bass, drums, and keys, though the keyboard player switched to a second guitar for some songs. Here's their setlist:
- Traveling Tune
- Banks of the Deep End
- Stoop So Low
- I'll Be the One
- Dreams
- Revolution Come, Revolution Go
- Broke Down on the Brazos
- Tributary Jam
- Soulshine
The stage crew were working feverishly, but I was a little confused by their setup for Sturgill Simpson. Here was this cosmic country guy (whom I'd never seen before) who favored lots of guitars, horns, and effects, and they were setting up for a bluegrass band. He had put out a few bluegrass-tinted covers of his own songs lately, but I was not prepared for the amazing, full bluegrass band he came out with. He announced this was their first show together. They're incredible and will be more so with some practice. Mark Howard on guitar, Miles Miller on drums, and (wait for it) ... Sierra Hull on mandolin, Mike Bub on bass, Tim O'Brien on guitar, and Stuart Duncan on fiddle!!!
They were great, and Hull's mandolin was the lead instrument. She was wearing a white pantsuit and silver boots and playing like she was dueling the devil. O'Brien, Duncan, and Bub are also some of the greatest bluegrass players around and showed it when they got a chance. But the main attraction was that Simpson guy in the middle with an acoustic guitar and that great, sonorous voice. He was the most riveting player of all on stage and he made that amphitheater ring. Here's his list:
- Brace for Impact (Live a Little)
- Long White Line
- I Don't Mind
- Life of Sin
- All Around You
- Living the Dream
- Shamrock
- Sometimes Wine
- Juanita
- Railroad of Sin
- Oh Sarah
- Breakers Roar
- Sam
- Call to Arms
Whew, that was three great acts, especially Sturgill! Time for another quick bathroom and beer break (and trying to avoid the unmasked minions).
When we last saw Willie in Bangor (back in 2019 when the world was young) they had taken a long time to get him set up, but this time he had a very basic show and he came out pretty soon. He *is* 88 years old and in the middle of what must be a grueling tour. He had the family with him, his sister Bobby on grand piano, a drummer, his son Micah sitting right next to him and trading licks, a bassist, and Mickey Raphael on harmonica. Here's an incomplete setlist:
- Whiskey River
- Still Is Still Moving to Me
- If I Die When I'm High I'll Be Halfway to Heaven
- Everything Is Bullshit (Particle Kid)
- On the Road Again
- Keep on the Sunny Side
- Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys
- Good Hearted Woman
- Will the Circle Be Unbroken? / I'll Fly Away
- It's Hard to Be Humble
A very enjoyable set, not leaning as much toward a "greatest hits" setlist as when we'd seen him last, but still including a bunch of his most popular songs. And his guitar work was as great as ever, he gets such a unique, warm but edgy sound from the acoustic he's played for years. And speaking of sound, Bobby tinkling the grand piano and Mickey blowing the harp was timeless, the band could have played anything!
And speaking of playing anything, Willie the dad had apparently made up his mind that he needed to teach son Micah how to be a bandleader. He had Micah sing a few songs, including his "Bullshit" song, which Willie played with a straight face. Micah was great and filled in some guitar licks that Willie didn't get around to. BUT ... we were there to see Willie and so the concentration on Micah was a little much.
Anyway, great set and I think everyone in the crowd was totally satisfied. I know we were. To see four fantastic acts like that from great seats, produced seamlessly, was a lot of fun. And I've decided I like the small (8K seats, including a tiny lawn) amphitheater in Gilford NH (currently named the Bank of NH Pavilion). There's such a mellow vibe, beautiful scenery, and it's not a crowded madhouse like others we've been to, particularly in Hartford.
Easy stroll back to the car and we had another sandwich and beer while the parking lot thinned out. Very soon we got packed up too and got out of there and back home with no problem. What a show I say again!
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