DelFest 2026 - Lookin Mighty Wet
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DeFest coming up this Thursday - Sunday.
Although the festival site (on the Potomac river dividing MD and WVA) is known for it's everchanging micro-climate and some rain is typical, this year looks like a non-stop wet one. And a little chilly.
Which is a bummer because besides the music, this festival is a laid-back social event centered around two outdoor stages. It's just not the same party when everyone is damp, muddy and bundled up. They do have music in one "barn." but it's not big enough for main acts.
I've always wished they would build a little performance area in the (somewhat big) grandstand, since it's where we usually sit out a passing storm under cover.
I feel most sorry for the tent campers. And somewhat sorry for all the families with kids that look forward to tubing, swimming and lounging riverside. And less sorry for me if I have to spend 4 days in my hotel, but still...
Anyone out there plan to brave the elements?
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Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Strangha
That's a bummer. Great
That's a bummer. Great looking festival lineup. I ALMOST pulled the trigger to drive from Utah, but didn't. My regret has been greatly diminished by the weather report. Best to all the intrepid festivarians.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
Yeah Slick - wish you were
Yeah Slick - wish you were making the trek but this might be a year to skip.
The buzz amonst the hippy "locals" this year is about Magoo -- who I just saw this past weekend for a set and at some points they reminded me of early String Cheese. But they play the bluegrass like a JRAD -- fast.
I believe they are out of Colorado. Anybody familiar with them?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: 5lb. Blocks of Cheese
we survived a mini-tornado
we survived a mini-tornado when we went. good luck all.
DELLYEAH!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: TommyGutt
Have only heard good things
Have only heard good things about Magoo.. go see em, yes from Co..
I remember Wet Rocks in 82, could we have gotten any wetter? Did see Van and Neil under a wet Dublin sky last summer good shoe but the weather was a bit of a downer, all that said GTTS, And have a great time
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: ParadiseWaits
That's a fine ass lineup.
That's a fine ass lineup. Sorry the rain is coming, but you never know, without rain there'd be no rainbows. I'll stop now, but good call getting a hotel room. Don't miss Sierra Ferrell with Watershower. She's incredible
Haven't heard Magoo yet, but the consensus is they're a lot of fun.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
Turtle - yeah, oh my god if
Turtle - yeah, oh my god if you are talking about 2009, the second DelFest (with Dark Star Orch on the schedule). We pulled up the day after, not knowing about the very localized devastation, and there was just a mangled wreck of EZ-ups and chairs and debris piled up in the middle of the field. And everyone walking around stunned. With crazy stories.
Tommy - If I was in Europe I'd go see David Byrne, even if you hardly ever listen to him outside hearing him on the radio (like myself). Or hardly ever attend song and dance performances (like myself).
Dise - ...but I'll feel like I'm cheating on Linsday Lou. Magoo was fun and their set conflicts with Sierra (who I've seen at Delfest before). Festival problems.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
Turtle - yeah, oh my god if
Turtle - yeah, oh my god if you are talking about 2009, the second DelFest (with Dark Star Orch on the schedule). We pulled up the day after, not knowing about the very localized devastation, and there was just a mangled wreck of EZ-ups and chairs and debris piled up in the middle of the field. And everyone walking around stunned. With crazy stories.
Tommy - If I was in Europe I'd go see David Byrne, even if you hardly ever listen to him outside hearing him on the radio (like myself). Or hardly ever attend song and dance performances (like myself).
Dise - ...but I'll feel like I'm cheating on Linsday Lou. Magoo was fun and their set conflicts with Sierra (who I've seen at Delfest before). Festival problems.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf
>>>Malpass brothers<<<
>>>Malpass brothers<<<
no joke
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Eddie
Sam Bush is here with Toy
Sam Bush is here with Toy Factory Project (unexpectedly for me). Right now it's delightful. Friday and Saturday look pretty wet, but I'll keep smiling.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: ParadiseWaits
The clips I've seen so far
The clips I've seen so far look worth the rain. Sorry you missed Sierra's set but it doesn't look like you can evade her at Del Fest
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: TommyGutt
Alan Did see David Byrne in
Alan Did see David Byrne in Paris a few months ago, Most excellent performance by he and his troup
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
Well I've never been to a
Well I've never been to a music festival in the United Kingdom, but I felt like I was at Bickershaw or Glastonbury, where you see pictures of people hanging out in the rain and mud for several days.
Unlike most DelFests where there is a passing thunderstorm in summer-like weather, this one was damp, drizzly and soggy from Thursday to Sunday. And somewhat chilly.
Surprisingly, the weather did not effect the fun factor -- people were in fact extra friendly, as we all had something in common -- we all were braving the weather. And all the music went on as scheduled.
We arrived Thursday afternoon after an unplanned stop at the North Face outlet to get some boots. Checked in to the nearby hotel and headed for the infield at the Allegany County Fairgrounds -- a dirt horseracing track with grandstand and outbuildings. The existing infrastructure at the Fairgrounds makes it fairly civilized.
First evening was Stringdusters and Toy Factory.
I thought Toy Factory was enjoyable but a bit overhyped if you've ever seen old Southern Rock. And honestly, I didn't think Oteil's bass stylings were best suited for this type of music if it was supposed to be Marshall Tucker-like. Yeah I know he was in th Allman Bros, but their repertoire didn't rally benefit from spacey, melodic harmonics -- it needed some plucky country bass to keep the beat. In my humble opinion the band has a bit of an identity issue -- they are trying to be too eclectic -- are they a Southern rock band? a jamband? Americana? Not that we need labels for good music, but it seemed a little hodge-podge.
Sam Bush sat in and he was the highlight for me.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
Friday's highlight for me was
Friday's highlight for me was at the second stage with Andy Falco doing Garcia. Those two guys sounded really good sonically.
DelFest has a "barn" for indoor music, but after 7 hours dodging the weather, we cut out early for the hot tub at the hotel.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
Saturday was fairly gnarly.
Saturday was fairly gnarly. Sunday was a little more tolerable.
The highlight of those days was Peter Rowan sit-ins with Sam Grisman, Marty Stuart, and Traveling McCourys.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
All in all, well worth the
All in all, well worth the trip. Will I be there next year? DEL YEAH!