Opening the show was Pert Near Sandstone, a five-piece newgrass band from St. Paul Minneapolis. Consisting of Nate Sipe on mandolin and fiddle, Kevin Kniebel on banjo and lead vocals, J Lenz on guitar, Eric Struve on upright bass and Matt Cartier on clogs and washboard, Pert Near Sandstone impressed the crowd with classic sounding bluegrass with a twist. While drawing heavily on classic bluegrass sounds, Pert Near Sandstone was able to incorporate their own distinguished sound. Songs were carried by vocals that were soulful and powerful, often deviating from the usual layered vocals of classic bluegrass. On top of the different vocals, Pert Near Sandstone brought something to the stage missing at many bluegrass shows: a charismatic stage presence. With Matt Cartier dancing and beating his clogs on the stage all night, stage right resembled that of a punk show, as Cartier flailed his arms and raised his legs waist high, slamming them on the stage. The highlight of the set was a Pert Near Sandstone original song, "20 Cups of Coffee," which featured an awesome stomp "solo" by Andy. The combination of rollicking bluegrass jams with a unique sound made Pert Near Sandstone a great opener.
While a charismatic stage presence was appreciated with Pert Near Sandstone, no such theatrics were needed with The Travelin' McCourys and Billy Nershi. Incredible instrumental virtuosity and an impressively tight sound was more than enough to carry the band through it's set. The Travelin' McCourys consist of Ronnie McCourey on mandolin, Robbie McCourey on banjo, Jason Carter on fiddle, Alan Bartram on bass with special guest for the night, Billy Nershi, on guitar. The McCoury's and Nershi have collaborated a number of times previously, lending to the impressive cohesiveness of the group. The highlight of the set was undoubtedly a cover of Doc Watson's "Southbound." As Robbie tore into the banjo riff, Jason began singing "I've been here a month or more, stuck in this old city. The people that have to call it home they're the ones I pity, Lord, I'm homesick, and the blues are the only songs I ever seem to pick." Nershi came in with an impressive solo, with much of the crowd boisterously "wooing" and applauding. As Ronny took over with a banjo solo, the floor shook with the crowd's stomping of feet and raucous dancing. To the delight of crowd, Adam Aijala and Dave Johnson, of the Boulder-born Yonder Mountain String Band, joined The McCourys, providing backup guitar and banjo, respectively. With 7 stringed instruments strumming, the band played "Pockets" and "Shenandoah Breakdown." Other highlights of the set include "Lonesome, On'ry and Mean," an awesome rendition of "Shady Grove," and a cover of The String Cheese Incident's "Jellyfish," featuring Nershi leading nearly the entire crowd in a singalong of "My brain is just a jellyfish in the ocean of my head, 'Cuz I drank too much tequila, and I woke up seein' red."
Pert Near Sandstone and The Travelin' McCourys with Billy Nershi put on a fantastic show for all in attendance. While Pert Near Sandstone offered a taste of newgrass, The McCourys and Nershi erupted with classic, fast paced bluegrass shredding.
