It seems as though there is light at the end of the tunnel: this Tuesday, Railbird Fest announced the return of live music here in Lexington, Kentucky, signaling the end of the year-and-some-change-long hiatus for concerts.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many live acts were forced to either cancel or postpone their 2020 tours and performances, not only to the dismay of fans, but to independent artists who relied heavily on that income. Only a few well-established names (The Weeknd, Taylor Swift, the usuals) were able to successfully roll out full-length albums and profit. Some artists chose not to take the gamble, namely Kendrick Lamar and Frank Ocean -- whose Coachella performance from 2020 we're still anxiously awaiting -- and postponed album releases for the foreseeable future. Consequently, artists were forced to make money elsewhere, creating an unprecedented demand for vinyl record pressings and a shortage of vinyl.
But all of that is in the near past, now, and this summer promises to be a soft-reopening of live music. While mask restrictions for festivals like Railbird have yet to be announced, nonetheless we can expect a slow return to normalcy. Be sure to come prepared!
And what a festival Railbird promises to be: the annual two-day event centered at the Keeneland horse park, sponsored by Kentucky bourbon and West Sixth beer is always something to behold. But the 2021 event is something of a homecoming, chock-full of Kentucky voices in their first live performances since early 2020.
Favorite alt-country son and southern rocker Jason Isbell and his band the 400 Unit share the top-billing on the second day with dad-rockers Dave Matthews Band.
Up-and-coming indie-folk band Bendigo Fletcher is a perfect addition. Recently signing to Elektra after some member shifts, lead-singer Ryan Anderson will return to his hometown for a much-anticipated performance as the group expands their brand and ready for their first major-label debut.
Which makes their pairing with Louisville, Kentucky natives My Morning Jacket go together like bourbon and burgoo. Jim James and company released the Waterfall II, a follow-up to the 2015 album of the same name and recorded during the same sessions, in mid-2020. Expect slow-burners and all-out jam sessions as they groove through a dense catalog that is now 20 years old (what???).
Our highlights for concert-goers:
- The eponymous Black Pumas debut album is still gaining awards and recognition almost two years later, and their live performance is guaranteed to melt your face.
- Bendigo Fletcher is a MUST.
- Japanese Breakfast is soon releasing their 3rd studio album and if the single "Be Sweet" is anything to go by, they should be a top priority for attendees.
- Dave Matthews Band? Duh.
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Are you planning on attending Railbird Festival 2021? Let us know in the comments below or shout us out on Twitter!
- Ritter
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