Day 1
Sierra Hull
Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens
Day 2
Day 3
Nora Jane Struthers & The Party Line
Red Wing V dates have been announced! Mark your calendars for July 14-16, 2017!
Tag Archives: red wing
Red Wing Roots III
It’s the third year in and I’m not tired of it yet. Not one bit. I love the drive to Mt. Solon. I love the growing sound of banjos and harmonicas as I walk closer to the Chimneys. I love seeing all the familiar faces of Harrisonburg. I love meeting new faces. I love overhearing people gush about how beautiful this festival is. I love the running, smiling, happy children. I love being blown away by performers I never even knew existed. I love my dirty feet at the end of the day. I love watching the weekend through my viewfinder. I love when a moment is so perfect it pulls me from a conversation because I just can’t not take that photo. I love the blue skies. I love the gray skies. I love the food. Oh God, the food. I love working with photographers who are kind and respectful and fun. I love that next year, Red Wing Roots will return and I can do it all again. Aw sookie!
Below are a few of my favorite shots. You can find more on my Facebook page in the coming days and on Instagram at @bsomephoto.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Bands pictured in this post in order of appearance: Dr. How and the Reasons to Live, Locust Honey, Bryan Elijah Smith and the Wild Hearts, Mandolin Orange, Jon Russell, Chatham County Line, The Judy Chops, Scott Miller, Cahalen Morrison & Eli West, Missy Raines & the New Hip, The Barefoot Movement, Nikki Lane, Sarah Watkins – Sarah Jarosz – Aoife O’Donovan, The Steel Wheels, Possessed by Paul James, Billy Strings & Don Julin, Red Tail Ring, The Shook Twins, Spirit Family Reunion, The Honey Dewdrops with Caleb Stine, The Wood Brothers
Other relative links pictured: Lucas Roasting Company, Larkin Arts, South Fork, South Street Brewing, Eno, Friendly City Hoops
Red Wing Roots II: Day 3
It felt a lot like a Sunday when I parked my car on the third and final day of the second annual Red Wing Roots Music Festival. Time moves differently on Sundays. It ticks away and reminds us to notice the smells and colors and faces and light, to slow ourselves down and enjoy one last little morsel of, in this case, a mid-summer musical dessert. When I shut my car door, there were no echoes on this third day…no soft melodies or harmonicas bouncing off the Chimney’s. There was quiet. A little alarming, I admit, for a music festival…but I proceeded anyway, with curiosity and camera. As I moved towards the back of the seated, silent crowd, I heard Trent Wagler wailing out a line from his gospel set. It was an experience to be there in that moment, watching this community church under overcast skies, surrounded by beauty and bodies who needed this healing sound. People napped and recovered and carried themselves to the stage to wake up. Dang good way to start a day.
Next up was Willie Watson, who I found to be a pleasant surprise. I love watching passion pour from a face with each lyric…eye wrinkles forming in the delivery of a verse, veins bulging with blood pounding from an aching heart and a shaky esophagus to distract from a tear. I got to see this in Willie’s performance of Rock Salt and Nails, among others. I feel you man. But before I let myself get stuck in my own head, I wandered around to mingle and grab images of smiling faces. It was a good move, the sun joined us and the rest of the day came with a smooth, steady beat as each new band took the stage.
Above: Lucas Roasting Company saved the day for a lot of folks. Below: Year-old swag…we missed you this year Caleb!
Above: Blackfeather Furniture made taking a break look goooood.
Bryan Elijah Smith & the Wild Hearts
It was time to fill our tanks with some Hanks.
Townes Van Zandt Tribute Set packed the stage with a smorgasbord or festival talent.
Hayes Carll wrapped up the evening and the festival for the year.
See you next year, friends!
Didya miss Day 1? Click here to get caught up! What about Day 2?
This post is part of my year long series Celebrating Life.
Check out my photos from last year: Red Wing Roots Music Festival 2013! Day 1, Day 2, & Day 3.
Red Wing Roots Music Festival: Day 3
The third and final day of Red Wing was upon us. We stopped caring about the mud under our toenails, the sweat beads on our forehead, and the mild stench that was totally-that-dude-beside-me and not me. Right? We were all friends now. Rained on, shined on, danced together – friends. I was a little sad finishing these photos. Nostalgic even. They reminded me of this pocket of happy that existed in my summer. A pocket I’ll dig into again next summer only to rediscover it all over…just like that wrinkled up five dollar bill that’s surely waiting for me in my winter coat. ….winter…. Ah geez.
Robin & Linda Williams
Danny Schmidt & Carrie Elkin
Brian Patrick Band
Pokey LaFarge and all his amazing faces that I just couldn’t take enough photos of.
The Steel Wheels & Friends Tribute Set
See you next year, yeah?
Red Wing Roots Music Festival: Day 1
Red Wing Roots Music Festival: Day 2
Copyright © 2013 · Photos by Brandy Somers. All Rights Reserved · friendlycitylens.com & brandysomersphotography.com. This material may not be copied, downloaded, altered, cropped, reproduced, or printed without express written consent. Thank you for respecting my creative property.
Red Wing Roots Music Festival: Day 2
After all the memories made on the first day EVER(!) of the Red Wing Roots Music Festival, I was stoked to know that two more days were still in store. The views of the Valley as I drove to the Chimneys made me extra thankful that this festival was brought to such a beautiful (and close!) location. The day was sunnier with a promise of a cooling evening shower. Sunscreen. Check. Camera. Check. Klean Kanteen. Check. Raincoat. Check. Water. Check. Day 2. Let’s do this.
After grabbing some coffee and fully waking up, we headed to The Southern Stage to listen to the lovely Ana Egge
Over on the Local Roots Stage, Bryan Elijah Smith & The Wild Hearts drew a decent crowd.
Surrounded by happy campers.
Pearl & The Beard
For a little perspective, we hiked up to the top of the Chimneys. So so beautiful.
Back in time for a downpour and the sheer entertainment of The Wiyos.
If you haven’t seen these guys…add it to your list.
My night ended just right with The Steel Wheels.
…and still one more day to go…I could get used to this….
See also: Red Wing Roots Music Festival: Day 1
Copyright © 2013 · Photos by Brandy Somers. All Rights Reserved · friendlycitylens.com & brandysomersphotography.com. This material may not be copied, downloaded, altered, cropped, reproduced, or printed without express written consent. Thank you for respecting my creative property.
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