There’s “magic in the meadow,” says Nicole Nicoletta, executive director of Rocky Mountain Highway. If you’ve been to the MeadowGrass Music Festival, you know there’s definitely something unquantifiable that keeps folks coming back year after year to this particular meadow in Black Forest. This year’s MeadowGrass 2023 marks the 14th year of the popular festival. If you’ve never been, here’s a preview of what the pixie dust is all about.
The annual MeadowGrass Music Festival serves as the unofficial musical kickoff to summer over Memorial Day weekend — this year May 26-28. Set at La Foret Conference & Retreat Center in Black Forest, the festival showcases live music along with a beer fest, food trucks, yoga, vendors, kids’ activities and much more.
“The first-timer should be prepared to be hooked,” Nicoletta says. “Hearing the stories and checking out social posts is one thing, but when you experience the meadow, it becomes part of your story. You can’t help but put it on your calendar every year.”
Steve Harris is the talent manager for the festival, booking impressive musical lineups for MeadowGrass since 2009. Back then, Harris and the organizers aspired eventually to book arena bands.
“I’m not disappointed that hasn’t happened,” he says. “I love working with generally younger bands. They’re not jaded. They’re excited for the opportunity to play in front of our audience. Our audience comes for the music. They pay attention.”
And the word has spread — about the audience and connections bands build with them, about the positive interactions between bands and about the overall MeadowGrass experience.
“We have a lot of credibility with bands and agents,” Harris says. “There have been several times when someone else has told a band: You need to play MeadowGrass. The word is out for sure.”
Harris has a knack for booking bands that are on the cusp of stardom. Nathaniel Rateliff, Dawes, the Fruit Bats, Gregory Alan Isakov, Big Richard, Judah and the Lion, and Marc Broussard have all played MeadowGrass. So who’s playing this year? Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the bands who will be performing on stage as part of this year’s festival, plus insider tips to help you fest like a pro.
MeadowGrass 2023 Lineup
Friday, May 26
The Headliner: JigJam – 8:15 p.m.
JigJam, from Ireland, will bring foot-stomping bluegrass music on opening night. Based on their bio, it should be an entertaining ride: “When virtuoso Irish playing jumps the pond running naked through the wide-open fields of bluegrass/Americana, JigJam is born.”
That’s just the start of what should be “the most bluegrass-y day” of this year’s festival, according to Harris. Chain Station, Damn Tall Buildings and Twisted Pine will bring the strings to the Friday lineup as well.
Saturday, May 27
The Headliner: Donna the Buffalo – 8:30 p.m.
Harris first saw Donna the Buffalo in the late ’90s at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. He’s been trying to get them to MeadowGrass for a while, and this is the year it finally came together. The band is from upstate New York, and will bring what Harris calls “a melting pot of American roots music” with them to Colorado. Look for a fun, intriguing mix of Americana music from this band.
“It’s been too long since coming out to Colorado!,” says Tara Nevins, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist for Donna the Buffalo. “It’s exciting to come out in the spring and to experience a new festival, crowd and community. We’re hoping to see some familiar faces, meet some new folks, and share our music with the crowd and the other fine artists.”
The Commonheart – 6:30 p.m.
After being invited to the pandemic-canceled 2020 festival and unable to return in 2021, The Commonheart finally make their way to MeadowGrass in 2023. Harris says to keep an eye peeled moving forward: “This could be another band that we get to look back and say ‘Yeah, we had them.’”
Sunday, May 28
The Headliner: Cha Wa – 8:15 p.m.
Bringing what Harris terms “a modern funk flair to New Orleans music,” Cha Wa received a Grammy nomination in 2021 for Best Regional Roots Album with My People. Prepare to get funky.
Backyard Tire Fire – 6:15 p.m.
Backyard Tire Fire takes the stage right before Cha Wa, with what Harris anticipates will be a high-energy set — and a rare treat for music fans. “They don’t tour much anymore, so there’s not very many chances to see them at this point,” he says. “They have intricate and not formulaic songs and songwriting.”
Late Night Performances
One of the perks of MeadowGrass is that the music doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. The late-night performances bring local artists to the fore, and these shows also have costume contests with themes that match the bands.
- Friday: Moon Veil with a Space Cowboy theme
- Saturday: Armadillo Ranch’s Battle of the Bands competition winner with an ’80s Hair Don’t Care theme
- Sunday: Ponder the Albatross with a Spirit Animal theme
Local Artist Lineup for MeadowGrass 2023
From the beginning of the festival, Harris says they’ve tried to reserve two-thirds of the slots for local or regional bands.
“It’s important to support local bands,” he says. “And we try to spread them out throughout the festival because we have so much talent.”
GregJ has been a longtime MeadowGrass volunteer, and now he’s performing, kicking off MeadowGrass 2023 at 1:30 p.m. on Friday. Well-known local musician Joe Johnson returns to the festival, this time as a solo act, opening Saturday’s performances at 11 a.m. Dani Cichon of South for Winter went to Cheyenne Mountain High School, and she’ll be playing Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Many other acts, such as Red Moon Rounder (Sunday at 11:45 a.m.), have Colorado roots and flavor.
Pro Tips
- Come prepared for all weather: sun, rain, wind, snow?! The stage is covered, but the iconic yellow tent is a thing of the past. We’re on the verge of summer, but this is Colorado after all — so be prepared. And check for what you can and cannot bring with you into the festival.
- Walk around and visit the vendors. It’s a great excuse to stretch your legs, and you’re likely to discover a new gem among the food and retail options.
- Kids 12 and under get in free with a paid adult. Bring the family!
- Make friends. Everyone is there to have a great time and listen to great music.
- Roll down your windows when you arrive. The large pine trees of La Foret insulate you from the hustle and bustle of the outside world, even though the outside world is still close. Inhale the fresh pine scent, exhale and enjoy.
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