High Sierra 2014 Preview

Head way up in the mountains for High Sierra Festival, which comes to Quincy, California, Thursday to Sunday, July 3rd to 6th:

THURSDAY, JULY 3rd

Grandstand Stage STS9, 9:15 PM – 11:15 PM The acclaimed instrumental act combines numerous influences, including funk, jazz, psychedelic, and hip-hop. But they’re best known for their live concerts (QRO photos), which stretch to over two hours, and feature improvisational collaborative work not known in the jam-band community. Their festival performances, however, go even bigger (QRO photos at a festival), like at High Sierra 2012 (QRO photos).

Lord Huron, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Los Angeles label IAMSOUND is best known for electronic acts, but found a nice local indie-folk act in Lord Huron (QRO photos in Los Angeles), who return to High Sierra for a second year in a row (QRO photos at High Sierra last year).

Thao & The Get Down Stay Down, 4:45 PM – 6:15 PM Thao Nguyen (QRO interview) broke through in 2008 with We Brave Bee Stings and All (QRO review) and its fun, charming folk-rock, and followed it up the following year with Know Better Learn Faster (QRO review). After teaming up with Mirah for Thao + Mirah (QRO review), she since returned to the Get Down Stay Down (QRO spotlight on) with last year’s We the Common (QRO review). Her live shows (QRO photos outdoors) are, if anything, more engaging (QRO live review), whether in a college student center (QRO photos) or a massive converted warehouse (QRO photos).

Dead Winter Carpenters, 2:15 PM – 4:00 PM Lake Tahoe alt-country/progressive bluegrass band Dead Winter Carpenters (QRO photos in California) come to High Sierra (QRO photos at High Sierra ‘12) for the third time in four years. (also Friday @ Funk’n Jamhouse, 11:30 PM – 12:45 AM)

Big Meadow Stage The Budos Band, 9:45 PM – 11:15 PM Staten Island’s afro-soul instrumental ensemble bring their own spin on sweet sixties R&B to High Sierra for a second time. Part, maybe even the core, of Brooklyn’s Dap-Tone community (alongside the likes of Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – QRO live review), with anywhere between eleven to thirteen members, expect the stage to be packed when Budos Band (QRO album review) steps into the sun (QRO photos outdoors). (also Friday @ Music Hall, 1:15 AM – 3:15 AM)

*Also:* *Nahko & Medicine For the People, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM* (also Friday @ Big Meadow Stage, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM) *Sturgill Simpson, 5:30 PM – 6:45 PM* *Hey Marseilles, 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM* (also Friday @ Vaudeville Stage, 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM) *Sierra Hull, 1:30 PM – 2:45 PM)* (also Friday @ Vaudeville Stage, 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM)

Vaudeville Stage Turkuaz, 11:15 PM – 1:15 AM Avi Buffalo, 9:15 PM – 10:30 PM Long Beach’s Avi Buffalo (QRO photos at a festival) were only a few years removed from high school when their falsetto sound has already got people’s attention (QRO photos outdoors) with their 2010 self-titled debut. They come to High Sierra behind the upcoming release of follow-up At Best Cuckold. (also Friday @ Big Meadow Stage, 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM)

Scott Pemberton, 7:15 PM – 8:45 PM Scott Pemberton returns to High Sierra for a second year in a row (QRO photos at High Sierra last year). (also Friday @ Big Meadow Stage, 5:30 PM – 6:45 PM)

Typhoon, 5:15 PM – 6:45 PM Oregon’s eleven-member alt-folk collective Typhoon (QRO live review) come to High Sierra (QRO photos at a festival) behind last year’s White Lighter. (also Friday @ Grandstand Stage, 2:45 PM – 4:15 PM)

*Also:* *Shakey Graves, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM* (also Friday @ Big Meadow Stage, 1:30 PM – 2:45 PM) *Hollow Wood, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM* *T Sisters, 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM* (also Friday @ Big Meadow Stage, 10:15 AM – 11:25 AM)

Music Hall Greensky Bluegrass, 1:15 AM – 3:15 AM From Kalamazoo-zoo-zoo comes the progressive Greensky Bluegrass for a third time at High Sierra (QRO photos at High Sierra ’12) – and yes, they play bluegrass (this ain’t File Under: Easy Listening…). (also Friday @ Big Meadow Stage, 9:45 PM – 11:15 PM) *Also:* *The Travelin’ McCourys, 11:30 PM – 12:45 AM* (also Friday @ Vaudeville Stage, 3:00 PM – 4:15 PM)

Funk’n Jamhouse BoomBox, 1:30 AM – 3:30 AM From the center of Southern Rock in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, is BoomBox (which includes Zion Godchaux, son of Grateful Dead members Keith and Donna Jean Godchaux). (also Friday @ Big Meadow Stage, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM) *Also:* *Dopapod, 11:30 PM – 1:00 AM* (also Friday @ Vaudeville Stage, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM)

FRIDAY, JULY 4th

Grandstand Stage Ms. Lauryn Hill, 9:30 PM – 11:15 PM Welcome back, Ms. Lauryn Hill (QRO photos)! Originally a member of nineties hip-hop/soul breakthrough collective The Fugees, Hill broke out on her own in a huge way with 1998’s solo debut The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which debuted at number one, swept the Grammys, and made Hill an international celebrity. However, all that attention took its toll, and after 2001’s far less acclaimed or successful MTV Unplugged No. 2.0 Hill’s appearances and releases became sporadic and erratic, and she still has yet to release a proper solo follow-up. Things seemed to hit a nadir a few years ago, when she not only infuriated fans by showing up hours late to her own shows, but was convicted of tax evasion and served a three-month prison stint. But since then Hill has majorly bounced back, on-time and out there, and with that she comes to headline Friday at High Sierra (QRO photos at a festival in California).

Punch Brothers, 7:15 PM – 8:45 PM Progressive bluegrass band Punch Brothers (QRO photos) have lately been hitting it big in today’s bluegrass revival, from festivals (QRO photos at a festival) to performing on Austin City Limits (QRO photos).

Carolina Chocolate Drops, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM From Durham, North Carolina, Grammy Award-winning roots American act Carolina Chocolate Drops return to High Sierra. (note: not to be confused with The California Honeydrops – see below)

Typhoon, 2:45 PM – 4:15 PM Oregon’s eleven-member alt-folk collective Typhoon (QRO live review) come to High Sierra (QRO photos at a festival) behind last year’s White Lighter. (also Thursday @ Vaudeville Stage, 5:15 PM – 6:45 PM)

*Also:* *Nahko & Medicine For the People, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM* (also Thursday @ Big Meadow Stage, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM)

Big Meadow Stage Greensky Bluegrass, 9:45 PM – 11:15 PM From Kalamazoo-zoo-zoo comes the progressive Greensky Bluegrass for a third time at High Sierra (QRO photos at High Sierra ’12) – and yes, they play bluegrass (this ain’t File Under: Easy Listening…). (also Thursday @ Music Hall, 1:15 AM – 3:15 AM)

BoomBox, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM From the center of Southern Rock in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, is BoomBox (which includes Zion Godchaux, son of Grateful Dead members Keith and Donna Jean Godchaux). (also Thursday @ Funk’n Jamhouse, 1:30 AM – 3:30 AM)

Scott Pemberton, 5:30 PM – 6:45 PM Scott Pemberton returns to High Sierra for a second year in a row (QRO photos at High Sierra last year). (also Thursday @ Vaudeville Stage, 7:15 PM – 8:45 PM)

Avi Buffalo, 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM Long Beach’s Avi Buffalo (QRO photos at a festival) were only a few years removed from high school when their falsetto sound has already got people’s attention (QRO photos outdoors) with their 2010 self-titled debut. They come to High Sierra behind the upcoming release of follow-up At Best Cuckold. (also Thursday @ Vaudeville Stage, 9:15 PM – 10:30 PM)

*Also:* *Shakey Graves, 1:30 PM – 2:45 PM* (also Thursday @ Vaudeville Stage, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM) *SambaDa, 11:50 AM – 1:20 PM* (also Sunday @ Vaudeville Stage, 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM) *T Sisters, 10:15 AM – 11:25 AM* (also Thursday @ Vaudeville Stage, 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM)

Vaudeville Stage The Chris Robinson Brotherhood, 11:15 PM – 1:15 AM In 1996 Chris Robinson broke through in a major way fronting The Black Crowes (QRO photos at a festival) with debut Shake Your Money Maker. They easily slotted into being a southern jam band everyone could love. His band took a break in 2002 as Robinson went solo with a few different backing bands (and played High Sierra ’04), but The Crowes returned three years later, including playing High Sierra in 2010. That same year the band went on another hiatus, and Robinson formed another solo project band, The Chris Robinson Brotherhood (QRO photos), who played High Sierra the following year, and now return. (also Saturday @ Grandstand Stage, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM)

*Also:* *The Polish Ambassador, 9:00 PM – 10:30 PM* (also Saturday @ Funk’n Jamhouse, 11:30 PM – 1:00 AM) *Dopapod, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM* (also Thursday @ Funk’n Jamhouse, 11:30 PM – 1:00 AM) *Jonathan Wilson, 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM* – QRO photos at a California festival (also Saturday @ Grandstand Stage, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM) *The Travelin’ McCourys, 3:00 PM – 4:15 PM* (also Thursday @ Music Hall, 11:30 PM – 12:45 AM) *Hey Marseilles, 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM* (also Thursday, 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM) *Sierra Hull, 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM* (also Thursday @ Big Meadow Stage, 1:30 PM – 2:45 PM)

Music Hall The Budos Band, 1:15 AM – 3:15 AM Staten Island’s afro-soul instrumental ensemble bring their own spin on sweet sixties R&B to High Sierra for a second time. Part, maybe even the core, of Brooklyn’s Dap-Tone community (alongside the likes of Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – QRO live review), with anywhere between eleven to thirteen members, expect the stage to be packed when Budos Band (QRO album review) steps into the sun (QRO photos outdoors). (also Thursday @ Big Meadow Stage, 9:45 PM – 11:15 PM) *Also:* *Afrolicious, 11:30 PM – 12:45 AM* (also Saturday @ Big Meadow Stage, 1:30 PM – 2:45 PM)

Funk’n Jamhouse The Mother Hips, 1:15 AM – 3:15 AM San Francisco rock band The Mother Hips (QRO photos in the Bay Area) play High Sierra for a fifth year! (also Saturday @ Vaudeville Stage, 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM)

Dead Winter Carpenters, 11:30 PM – 12:45 AM Lake Tahoe alt-country/progressive bluegrass band Dead Winter Carpenters (QRO photos in California) come to High Sierra (QRO photos at High Sierra ‘12) for the third time in four years. (also Thursday @ Grandstand Stage, 2:15 PM – 4:00 PM)

SATURDAY, JULY 5th

Grandstand Stage Beats Antique, 9:45 PM – 11:15 PM World fusion electronica act Beats Antique (QRO photos) not only fuses styles of music, but also styles of dance, including that of the belly (QRO photos at a festival). They come to High Sierra for a third time. (also Sunday @ Music Hall, 1:15 AM – 3:15 AM)

The Chris Robinson Brotherhood, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM In 1996 Chris Robinson broke through in a major way fronting The Black Crowes (QRO photos at a festival) with debut Shake Your Money Maker. They easily slotted into being a southern jam band everyone could love. His band took a break in 2002 as Robinson went solo with a few different backing bands (and played High Sierra ’04), but The Crowes returned three years later, including playing High Sierra in 2010. That same year the band went on another hiatus, and Robinson formed another solo project band, The Chris Robinson Brotherhood (QRO photos), who played High Sierra the following year, and now return. (also Friday @ Vaudeville Stage, 11:15 PM – 1:15 AM)

The Del McCoury Band, 5:15 PM – 6:45 PM The Del McCoury Band has been in existence since 1967, but they’re anything but relics, having won the Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album just back in 2006 for The Company We Keep (after being nominated in 2004 for the prior It’s Just the Night). Oh, and they play High Sierra for a four year!

Jonathan Wilson, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM One of the major figures in reviving the Laurel Canyon music scene for the present day, Jonathan Wilson (QRO photos at a California festival) on his own brings psych-rock into now (QRO photos). (also Friday @ Vaudeville Stage, 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM) *Also:* *Ashleigh Flynn & The Back Porch Majority, 12:45 PM – 2:15 PM* (also Sunday @ Big Meadow Stage, 12:15 PM – 1:30 PM)

Big Meadow Stage Incidental Animals, 9:45 PM – 11:15 PM (also Sunday @ Funk’n Jamhouse, 11:30 PM – 12:45 AM) Ernest Ranglin & Avila, 7:35 PM – 9:05 PM The eighty-two year old Ernest Ranglin (who played High Sierra back in 2011) helped establish the original ska sound (which predated reggae, as any two-toned mod will tell you) in Jamaica in the sixties.

Bill Frisell, 5:25 PM – 6:55 PM One of the leading jazz guitarists in America for decades, Bill Frisell comes back to High Sierra for a third time – and this time his performance is billed as ‘Guitar In the Space Age’.

Bombino, 3:25 PM – 4:45 PM From the vast Sahara comes guitarist Bombino (QRO mp3 review), who had to flee his native Niger more than once following rebellions by his Tuareg compatriots. At one point, the government banned guitars among the Tuareg, as it was a symbol or rebellion. But peace has more recently come to Niger, which included a massive concert by Bombino (QRO photos at a festival).

*Also:* *Afrolicious, 1:30 PM – 2:45 PM* (also Friday @ Music Hall, 11:30 PM – 12:45 AM) Steve Poltz, 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM – QRO photos at High Sierra ’12 (also Sunday @ Vaudeville Stage, 2:15 PM – 3:30 PM)

Vaudeville Stage Hard Working Americans, 11:15 PM – 1:15 AM High Sierra welcomes rock ‘n’ roll supergroup Hard Working Americans (QRO photos), which includes Todd Snider, Dave Schools from Widespread Panic (see below), Neal Casal of Chris Robinson Brotherhood (see above) and more.

*Also:* *Moon Hooch, 9:15 PM – 10:30 PM* (also Sunday @ Music Hall, 11:30 PM – 12:45 AM) *Darkwave, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM* (also Sunday @ Funk’n Jamhouse, 1:15 AM – 2:45 AM) *The Mother Hips, 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM* – QRO photos (also Friday @ Funk’n Jamhouse, 1:15 AM – 3:15 AM) *Stanley Jordan Trio, 2:45 PM – 4:15 PM* *The Duhks, 12:45 PM – 2:00 PM* (also Sunday @ Big Meadow Stage, 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM) *Heather Maloney & Darlingside, 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM* (also Sunday @ Vaudeville Stage, 4:00 PM – 5:15 PM)

Music Hall Lettuce, 1:15 AM – 3:15 AM Get funky with Lettuce, who play High Sierra for the second time in three years. (also Sunday @ Grandstand Stage, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM)

The California Honeydrops, 11:30 PM – 12:45 AM From the subways of Oakland (QRO photos in the Bay Area), The California Honeydrops fuse all sorts of American roots into their music, as they play High Sierra for the second year in a row (QRO photos at High Sierra last year). (note: not to be confused with Carolina Chocolate Drops – see above) (also Sunday @ Big Meadow Stage, 4:00 PM – 5:15 PM)

Funk’n Jamhouse The Floozies, 1:30 AM – 3:30 AM Brothers Mark & Matt Hill (drums & guitar, respectively) combine top-notch electronic production with party-rock energy. (also Sunday @ Big Meadow Stage, 9:45 PM – 11:15 PM) *Also:* *The Polish Ambassador, 11:30 PM – 1:00 AM* (also Friday @ Vaudeville Stage, 9:00 PM – 10:30 PM)

SUNDAY, JULY 6th

Grandstand Stage Widespread Panic, 8:00 PM – 11:15 PM After Jerry Garcia’s death, The Grateful Dead could no longer be the greatest road-warrior jam band out there (despite pseudo-reforming as just ‘The Dead’ – QRO photos). That status was taken up by Phish (QRO photos), but then they went into their cycles of break-ups & getting-back-togethers. Neither is currently working the road like the band you could most point to as their successor, Widespread Panic, who play their umpteenth festival at High Sierra (which they’ve played three times, going back twenty years!). Widespread Panic is such a hard working act that they’re playing two back-to-back sets to close out High Sierra ’14!

Trampled By Turtles, 5:45 PM – 7:15 PM From frigid Duluth comes the warm jam-folk of Trampled by Turtles (QRO photos), who are hitting up High Sierra again after doing a number of festivals last summer (QRO photos outdoors).

Lettuce, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM Get funky with Lettuce, who play High Sierra for the second time in three years. (also Saturday @ Music Hall, 1:15 AM – 3:15 AM) *Also:* *One Big Guitar, 1:30 PM – 2:45 PM*

Big Meadow Stage The Floozies, 9:45 PM – 11:15 PM Brothers Mark & Matt Hill (drums & guitar, respectively) combine top-notch electronic production with party-rock energy. (also Saturday @ Funk’n Jamhouse, 1:30 AM – 3:30 AM)

*Also:* *Wheeland Brothers, 8:00 PM – 9:15 PM* *Fareed Haque & Friends, 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM* *The California Honeydrops, 4:00 PM – 5:15 PM* – QRO photos from High Sierra ’13 (also Saturday @ Music Hall, 11:30 PM – 12:45 AM) *The Duhks, 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM* (also Saturday @ Vaudeville Stage, 12:45 PM – 2:00 PM) *Ashleigh Flynn & The Back Porch Majority, 12:15 PM – 1:30 PM* (also Saturday @ Grandstand Stage, 12:45 PM – 2:15 PM) Sunday Morning Gospel Session, 10:15 AM – 11:30 AM – QRO photos from High Sierra ’13

Vaudeville Stage *RonKat Spearman’s Katdelic, 10:00 PM – 11:15 PM* *Sensations, 8:00 PM – 9:15 PM* *SambaDa, 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM* (also Friday @ Big Meadow Stage, 11:50 AM – 1:20 PM) *Heather Maloney & Darlingside, 4:00 PM – 5:15 PM* (also Saturday @ Vaudeville Stage, 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM) *Steve Poltz, 2:15 PM – 3:30* PM – QRO photos at High Sierra ’12 (also Saturday @ Big Meadow Stage, 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM) *Steep Ravine, 12:30 PM – 1:45 PM* *John Craigie, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM*

Music Hall Beats Antique, 1:15 AM – 3:15 AM World fusion electronica act Beats Antique (QRO photos) not only fuses styles of music, but also styles of dance, including that of the belly (QRO photos at a festival). They come to High Sierra for a third time. (also Saturday @ Grandstand Stage, 9:45 PM – 11:15 PM) *Also:* *Moon Hooch, 11:30 PM – 12:45 AM* (also Saturday @ Vaudeville Stage, 9:15 PM – 10:30 PM)

Funk’n Jamhouse *Incidental Animals, 11:30 PM – 12:45 AM* (also Saturday @ Big Meadow Stage, 9:45 PM – 11:15 PM) *Darkwave, 1:15 AM – 2:45 AM* (also Saturday @ Vaudeville Stage, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM)