Concert Review: MerleFest, Day Two

Scythian
BY MARK DOLEJS

With more than 30 artists playing on the second day of this year’s MerleFest, it made it really hard to pick and choose who to watch and listen to. Friday was the second day of the four-day event, held on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilksboro, NC.

Big Richard
I managed to walk over five miles as I ended up taking in more than a dozen acts. My day started with venerable favorite, Jim Lauderdale & The Game Changers, followed by Big Richard and Rev Robert Jones.

Rev. Robert Jones
Big Richard was super fun, mainly attributed to an extremely animated Bonnie Sims on mandolin and vocals. Rev. Robert Jones is an excellent musician as he skillfully pulls out tunes on his guitar, mixed in between fascinating storytelling.

Mattie Schell
Next up was Mattie Schell. “This is my first time at MerleFest, I’m a little nervous, I’ll have to be honest.,” Schell explained after starting a song in the wrong key. Despite the brief mistake, these guys were fantastic, Schell often reminded me of Janis Joplin with her fantastic vocals.

Mattie Schell
I liked Schell and her band so much, I took in their second set a little later in the day as well. Between the two sets, they played all of the songs off their latest record, Everything Means Nothing, which was officially released on this day. They played a couple of rockin’ covers as well, including the Grateful Dead’s “Fare Thee Well” and Bob Dylan’s “When I Paint My Masterpiece.”

The Kruger Brothers made their MerleFest debut in 1997 and are a crowd favorite for those that attend year after year. Originally from Switzerland, they relocated and made their home in North Carolina in 2003.

Scythian
Scythian is always a favorite for me, a band that I make sure I don’t miss. This year we were honored with Alexander Fedoryka’s wife, Catie, as she was brought on stage to sing “Virginia.” The real treat was that she brought with her their 13-month-old son, Lesyk. He seemed right at home in her arms, wearing headphones, as the band played around he and his mother.

Sweet Megg
Other highlights during the day were Ella Hennessee, East Nash Grass, I’m With Her, Sweet Megg and headliner Bonnie Raitt. Hennessee’s vocals were beautiful and Sweet Megg takes command of the stage with a great mix of Americana and Western swing. And she dresses to impress! Speaking of vocals, I’m With Her, a trio of singer-songwriters, blends vocals so well, that it is hard to tell one from another.

Bonnie Raitt
Raitt was well worth the wait as she took the stage just after 9pm. Playing a mix of her original songs like her 1989 hit, “Nick of Time,” along with covers from several different bands. I’m With Her joined her on stage for a tribute to John Prine, with his song “Angel From Montgomery.”

Damn Tall Buildings
One of my favorites of the day was Damn Tall Buildings. This trio consists of Max Capistran on guitar, banjo and vocals; Avery Ballotta on fiddle and vocals; and Sasha Dubyk on upright bass and vocals. This Brooklyn, NY, based group exudes fun every second they are on stage, constantly stomping and moving to the music. And their facial expressions make them a joy to photograph.

Stephen Wilson Jr.
But, my absolute favorite of the day was Stephen Wilson Jr. This man is a genius behind the microphone, with his guitar. His songwriting pulls you into the stories that he weaves so intricately. Wilson played several songs off his 2023 album, søn of dad, including “Calico Creek,” “Billy,” “Year to be Young 1994,” and “The Devil.”

Stephen Wilson Jr.
Wilson introduced “Father’s Søn” with a story about how he said goodbye to his father while talking to him on the side of the road on his iPhone 8. He said, “I am Stephen Wilson Jr., I am my father’s son.”

Wilson, who was a microbiologist before changing careers, stepped on stage and took the audience by their ears and didn’t let go for 45 minutes. A bit quirky, his song “Cuckoo” had the crowd, and me, singing along. His set made my day well worth the long hours and many steps.

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MARK DOLEJS

Photography is an avenue that Mark Dolejs uses to learn about the people and places that cross his path. After more than 30 years as a photojournalist, Mark enjoys concert, macro, and roadside photography. Follow Mark on Instagram at @solidrockpix.

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