On my way to see Matt Meyer and the Gumption Junction play at Blue, I made sure to get there on time. For me, walking into a full house at Blue, while the band is playing, brings back bad memories of middle-school insecurity, like entering a classroom late and everyone stares at you. But the turnout was low, which said nothing about the talent and ability of the band, and actually made the experience more fun — "take off your shirt" heckles, bad puns, lots of laughs and smiles between songs.
Meyer, the lead singer/frontman, used a music stand for the band's opening set of original tunes, which surprised me. Maybe it was the attendance, but it seemed like the band lacked confidence in the first half. In the second half, though, the music filled the room in a way it had not before, and it was much more engaging. They played a range of Appalachian traditionals and banjo-fronted bluegrass, but the highlights of the night were definitely the sea shanties. For Halloween next year, I hear they'll play out as Burlesquey Martin and Wood.
Related:
Stone Soup at 30, Marie Moreshead + Ellen Tipper at Blue, January 28, I wanna Jamericana, More 
- Stone Soup at 30
The earliest people on the planet probably built bonds of community when they pounded on goatskins. That same sense of creative wonder existed among a young group of musicians and music lovers back in 1980, when Joyce Katzberg, Bill Harley, and Debbie Block, Katzberg (Kate) and Snyder (Stephen), and Rick Brooks decided to form a "coffeehouse," by passing the hat in various living rooms.
- Marie Moreshead + Ellen Tipper at Blue, January 28
The dual CD-release party for Ellen Tipper's The Juggler and Marie Moreshead's self-titled full-length album was a stripped-down affair, which was a relief because Blue was packed to the gills.
- I wanna Jamericana
For some of us, the title of Dirigo's debut album makes perfect sense. But I can't tell you how many times I've been asked: "So, it's like Jamaican reggae, but played in America?"
- Photos: Wanda Jackson + Justin Townes Earle + M. Ward at the Newport Folk Festival
Wanda Jackson, Justin Townes Earle, and M. Ward perform at the Newport Folk Festival on July 31, 2011.
- Photos: Tegan and Sara + Mavis Staples + The Decemberists at Newport Folk Festival
Tegan and Sara, Mavis Staples, and The Decemberists perform at the Newport Folk Festival on July 30, 2011.
- Photos: Gogol Bordello + Ramblin Jack Elliot + Pete Seeger at the Newport Folk Festival
Gogol Bordello, Ramblin Jack Elliot and Pete Seeger perform at the Newport Folk Festival on July 30, 2011.
- Photos: Jonny Corndawg + Middle Brother + Emmylou Harris at Newport Folk Festival
Jonny Corndawg, Middle Brother, and Emmylou Harris perform at the Newport Folk Festival on July 31, 2011.
- Photos: Seeger Clogging Allstars + Trampled by Turtles at the Newport Folk Festival
Seeger Clogging Allstars and Trampled by Turtles perform on the Quad Stage at the Newport Folk Festival on July 31, 2011.
- Travelin’ Man
Wows were issued to us all the way from the muddy banks of Dodds Farm, New York, where local bluegrass dude PUTNAM SMITH was the only Mainer to play in last weekend's 21st annual Falcon Ridge Festival.
- Photos: Bon Iver at the House of Blues
Bon Iver performs at the House of Blues on August 5, 2011.
- Photos: Freelance Whales + Delta Spirit at the Newport Folk Festival
Freelance Whales and Delta Spirit perform on the Quad Stage at the Newport Folk Festival on July 30, 2011.
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Topics:
New England Music News
, Music, Bluegrass, folk, More
, Music, Bluegrass, folk, concerts, Blue, Blue, banjos, Less
