Review & Photos | WinterWonderGrass Tahoe | Olympic Valley

Words by: Ian Stone
Images by: Sterling Munksgard

WinterWonderGrass California :: 03.20 -22.15 :: Squaw Valley :: Olympic Valley, CA

Read Ian’s review after the gallery.

It’s become ever more difficult to standout when it comes to putting together an enjoyable music festival these days, as they seem to be everywhere. Historically, festival season began in early summer and ended in late fall, but one new comer to the festival circuit, WinterWonderGrass, is pushing the boundary into late winter and early spring with a bluegrass-centric lineup and an emphasis on stress free awesomeness. I’ve been to many music festivals over the years and am a longtime High Sierra Music Festival veteran – and I have found most festivals don’t come close to matching that vibe. WinterWonderGrass did that for me, and although there is certainly room for improvement, it is quite obvious this festival is here to stay.

We started out on a Friday at Squaw Valley, with slightly grey skies and a ski resort littered with bluegrass aficionados getting their turns in for the day. It was slightly icy on the backside over at Shirley Lake, but the frontside provided smooth creamy turns like you would expect from spring skiing. Not wanting to miss a beat, we packed it in early and began getting ready for the festival. Doors opened early to allow everyone ample time to get inside and visit one of the many craft breweries pouring free beer. Not a typo, yes, they gave away beer at this festival as part of your day’s ticket, and three-day pass holders also received a commemorative Kleen Kanteen metal pint cup to help reduce waste over the weekend. This was something that everyone was very conscious of, with volunteers at trash stations to ensure the proper separation of recyclables and compost.

Dustbowl Revival started things off early on the mainstage, as festival attendees began trickling in, some wearing tank tops while others donned heavy ski jackets and sweaters reminiscent of the early 1990’s. Luckily for those sleeveless, the grey skies began to clear offering rays of sunshine as the Brothers Comatose performed in the second slot on the mainstage. This was when the crowd really started to settle in and get loose, while the Brothers delivered a fantastic version of “I’ll Never Grow Old,” singing about whiskey, old age, and trying not to get old. They closed the set with “Feels Like the Devil,” a crowd favorite.

As the sun began to tuck itself behind the mountain peaks flanking the stage to the left, Dead Winter Carpenters, who call Tahoe home, took the stage. They came right out of the starting gate with a heavy and deeply dark energy on a tune called “Cabin Fever.” Intensity grew as darkness set in and the lights began to shine, a cover of Warren Zevon’s “Lawyers Guns and Money,” had the crowd going nuts, singing along to the familiar tune. After moving through some standard bluegrass song, they played another cover, Johnny Cash’s “Big River,” which whipped the crowd into a frenzy. They ended their set with a mellow ballad as everyone swayed side-to-side and the stars twinkled overhead.

Other acts performed in the side tents between mainstage sets and prior to The Infamous Stringdusters’ mainstage set, there was a final chance to catch Dustbowl Revival as they played their third and final set of the evening. Yes, third set of the evening. Each band was given multiple slots during the festival and mainstage acts also played on the side stages. The multiple stage appearances offered a great way to catch your favorite band twice in different settings. This was the perfect backdrop to fill a beer and get some water from one of the free water fill stations (another nice touch) located at the outer edges of the tent.

The headliner Friday night was The Infamous Stringdusters and they surely lived up to their name. Fast picking with traditional bluegrass harmonies and vocals, they came out with high energy and the crowd didn’t waste any time getting down. Although the temps were dropping, it seemed like the Tahoe crowd was just getting warmed up. “Like I do” sounded very influenced by The Beatles, reminding me of “Dear Prudence.” Sam Bush joined in on a couple of tunes, including an amazing version of “Uncle Pen,” a bluegrass staple by pioneer Bill Monroe that capped the first night of the inaugural fest. For those itching for more there were multiple late night shows to choose from directly following the festival. Dead Winter Carpenters continued their jams at the Olympic House, stumbling distance from the festival grounds while Brothers Comatose packed the house at Moe’s BBQ down in Tahoe City.

After some much needed rest, day two got going on the slopes packed with bluegrass fans meeting on the lifts, in the bars, and of course, at the high-camp hot tub. The hot tub was a meeting center where the best songs from the previous night were debated over delicious Bloody Marys and craft brews. It was the first day Squaw Valley opened the high-camp hot tub, located at the 8,200 ft. elevation center and overlooking the upper mountain peaks. After a quick tram ride down to the base, and a 40 yard stroll, we were in the festival grounds again tasting delicious free beer. There were many great breweries to choose from. Sierra Nevada was the staple on hand, but other breweries I really enjoyed were Rubicon Brewing, Great Basin Brewing Co. and Magnolia Brewing.

On Saturday Scott Law & Tyler Grant got things started on the mainstage after a brief set by Brothers Comatose, who would also appear at the Haystack Stage multiple times over the evening, switching off with Scott and Tyler. This gave the late comers a chance to catch all of the acts they wanted, without sacrificing precious skiing or hot tub time. The California Honeydrops were up next, and the crowd really started to fill in and get in to it. With a mix of horns, bluegrass licks and jazzy improvisation they got things started under gorgeous sunny skies and puffy white clouds. On the Jubilee Stage in the other tent, Head For The Hills took the stage for the second time at the festival. Their fiddle player Joe Lessard seemed to be the standout at the time, but I would later learn these guys all have impressive chops. They played a cover of the “Super Mario Brothers Theme” as well as a couple of originals. One that stood out was “A Poor Boy’s Medley,” a song about a man who left the mountains for a woman, containing the lyric, “I cursed the day I left this mountain,” which was particularly fitting among the scenery.

Next up, Elephant Revival brought their original sound to the stage and led the crowd through a number of their tunes. The M.V.P. of the festival, Sam Bush, sat in with the group who expressed how humbled and honored they were to play with the bluegrass legend, mentioning they are half his age and he’s still going strong. After Elephant Revival’s set the evening’s headliner, Trampled by Turtles, took the mainstage. I was really looking forward to this set but I found the playing to be a bit too mellow and subdued for a Saturday night headlining slot at a bluegrass festival. Nonetheless, it was very romantic and heartfelt set they delivered, ending with a cover of “Hallelujah,” by Leonard Cohen. Many eyes were tearing up under the starlights. Again there were more late nights to choose from if you wanted to keep the party going. Greensky Bluegrass at the Olympic House was completely sold out and packed with people as fans danced into the late night hours.

On day three the weather looked a bit unsettled, with fast moving grey clouds and wind gusts whipping through and the occasional sun poking beyond the clouds. Fruition started things off on the mainstage for their first of three sets of the day, and really got the crowd going with their favorite, “Never Again.” A smoking set start to finish, the end saw Sam Bush emerge on fiddle for a take on “Labor of Love.” While sipping on free beer, T Sisters took the stage with their soulful sounds and had the crowd instantly swaying back and forth, drawing in those gathered with an acapella call-and-response tune.

As the clouds began to get darker, Head For The Hills ripped up their mainstage slot with a healthy mix of covers and originals. Some excellent covers included “Take Me Home” by Phil Collins, “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)” by Kenny Rogers and Phish’s “Buried Alive.” Currently I don’t often buy albums, but when I do I make them count, and I did leave the festival with a copy of Head For The Hills’ newest, Blue Ruin. At setbreak Fruition played on the Jubilee Stage and the skies began to open up with a mix of hail and heavy rain. Some festival attendees huddled in the tents for warmth and sanctuary from the storm, while others reveled in it and howled at the sky.

With the tent flaps open on the sides, Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers took the mainstage and started their set without missing a beat, despite the dropping temps and balls of ice falling from the sky. They played a bunch of their originals including the fan favorite, “Little Too Late,” which really got the crowd dancing and singing along, despite the buckets of rain pouring down. They also busted out some covers, including “Somebody To Love” by Jefferson Airplane. I overheard multiple people say, “She sounds just like Grace Slick” which I wholeheartedly agreed with. As soon as the set ended the already crowded tents were filled with people looking to escape the weather. I happened to be in the Jubilee Stage tent and was graced by the sounds of Fruition for the third time of the day.

As a light break in the storm saw the rain clear momentarily, I caught the perfect opportunity to get up close for the final set of the festival, Greensky Bluegrass. This set was likely the highlight of the festival and it couldn’t have ended on a better note. Despite the weather the band prevailed, kicking off the set with a high energy cover of “Atlantic City” by Bruce Springsteen. Sam Bush joined the foursome for almost their entire set, dubbing the performance “Greensamsky Bluebushgrass.” Bush switched flawlessly from song to song between his mandolin and fiddle, performing on both Greensky originals, as well as covers. They played one of Bush’s originals, “Same ‘Ol River,” which had amazing harmonies and a mandolin duel featuring Bush trading licks with Paul Hoffman. They closed the set with “Into the Mystic” by Van Morrison –a fitting way to end an incredible festival under the stars, as the rain-drenched crowd began the retreat to their cars.

The first WinterWonderGrass was a resounding success and I certainly hope they bring it back next year. A few improvements like clearer signage will only make the experience better. I’m looking forward to it, and can’t wait to see what they bring for the second annual WinterWonderGrass in Tahoe. Oh and while I’m asking, could you please bring us more snow next year?

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