The Subdued Stringband Jamboree differs from other comparable music festivals in a couple of noticeable ways.
The local tradition is coming up from Aug. 8–10 at the Deming Log Show Fairgrounds, and I thought this would be a good time to do an introduction to some of the things that make it so special, as well as a guide to this year’s performers.
The event’s three-word name provides important clues for how to think about it. The term “jamboree” correctly implies that a lot of the magic comes not from the big time main stage performances, but from groups of friends gathered around campsites. The festival has a strong family reunion vibe to it, and the jams go until late in the night. There’s even a prize for the coolest campsite.
The “stringband” part of the name is mostly accurate, with acoustic guitars and fiddles abounding, and lots of the music landing somewhere in the spectrum from folk to old-time, Celtic and country. There are typically some fun exceptions to this, though. This year that variety includes zydeco from Louisiana’s Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots, and reggae with the Yogoman Burning Band.
It’s also worth noting (because I’ve seen people be confused about this in the past) that there isn’t actually much straight-ahead bluegrass at this festival. (If that’s what you’re looking for, you want to wait for the North Cascades Bluegrass Festival, taking place at the same location over Labor Day weekend.) Because there are so many performers, and many of them perform more than once, it’s worth taking a look at the lineup before you go and identifying who you want to be sure to catch.
Finally, the “subdued” part is really up to you. On one hand, this festival is much more family-friendly than many, with some music just for kids, and features like a kids’ parade, kids’ chorus and circus performances. There are plenty of quiet places if you want to take it easy, but you can also party more or less all night if that’s what you’re into.
One highly recommended feature of the festival are the late-night stages, where some of the main stage performers play un-amplified sets after midnight for rapt audiences. One lesson many of us learned the hard way is that, if you’re there for the whole thing, you really do need to think about pacing yourself. The combination of late-night revelry and bright summer sun can take a lot out of you, so make sure to get some sleep and stay hydrated!
Jesse Stanton's music column, The Beat Goes On, appears weekly. Reach him at jsbhammusic@gmail.com; @JSBhamMusic. Check with individual venues to make sure events are still taking place as scheduled. Live music events in Whatcom County: http://www.cascadiadaily.com/category/living/arts-and-entertainment/music/music-calendar
