Two weekends ago, the small town of Telluride, CO was host to the Telluride Bluegrass
Festival for the 38th consecutive year. As is tradition, the festival’s line-up featured
popular acts from varying genres, as well as the finest names in the bluegrass game.
Among the impressive 2011 line-up were Mumford and Sons, Robert Plant and the Band
of Joy, Steve Earle, Béla Fleck, Old Crow Medicine Show, Punch Brothers, Trampled By
Turtles, The Decemberists, Railroad Earth and many more.

Aside from the spectacular list of artists billed to play Telluride’s main stage, a feature
called Night Grass was equally exciting. Night Grass is a series of individual concerts
held at small venues around the town of Telluride. This opportunity to see artists such
as Yonder Mountain String Band, Mumford and Sons, and Punch Brothers in very intimate
settings had most shows selling out at almost the same rate as festival tickets.

Among the Night Grass shows this year, the 3½ hour set from Golden, CO band, Head for
the Hills’ stood out distinctly. The quartet (with the addition of James Thomas on
keyboards) hit the stage with enthusiasm and the ability to prove themselves at one of
modern bluegrass’ paramount events. Inside the completely packed basement tavern,
Fly Me to the Moon Saloon, the dance-floor was literally hopping. Whether this was
due to the fans’ frenzied jumping and jigging, or my preference for whiskey with my
bluegrass, or the fact that the floor at the Saloon is just very poorly built, is unimportant.
HFTH delivered an impressive onslaught of original tunes, traditional standards, and
oddball covers. Originals, “Telluride Song” and “Goin’ Down” exemplified the band’s
always solid grip on composition as well as improvisation. The original songs
showcased during the set captivated the loyal audience as much as the crowd-pleasing
covers.

The enthusiasm for the original compositions is saying quite a lot considering
that the band expertly covered Paul Simon’s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,”  and
Talking Heads’ “Life During Wartime,” among others, as well as great renditions of
bluegrass staples. For loyal fans, bluegrass enthusiasts, or even those unfamiliar
with either, Head for the Hills put on an incredible show. At the end of the night, the
group’s musicianship, compositions, and infectious energy, led me to the conclusion
that there was next to nothing separating them from an opportunity to play Telluride’s
main stage at next year’s festival.

Nearly every show I saw at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival proved to be a fantastic
concert and a one-of-a-kind experience. From Robert Plant to Punch Brothers to
up-and-comers Oakhurst, the folks at Planet Bluegrass put together yet another
“festival of the universe” (as one festivarian called it).

With all of these amazing acts, it is a wonder that Head for the Hills stood out so
profoundly. You could say that, being from the same town as most of the members,
I might have a small bias for supporting the hometown talent. This may or may not
be true; but the sheer tenacity and raucous energy that the band filled the Saloon with
would have been impossible for anybody in attendance to forget.

Any of the acts on this year’s bill for the Telluride Bluegrass Festival would be a great
bet to see if they come to town. If you want my advice, take a chance on the somewhat
lesser known names. These hard working bands are constantly touring and progressing
their sound to become tomorrow’s headliners.

–Jordan Wallis, KRCL Intern