DC101’s one day music festival, Kerfuffle returned to the woodlands at Merriweather Post Pavilion for its annual romp amongst the trees last Sunday. This year’s lineup featured a diverse mix of sounds ranging from electro-pop to straight ahead rock and roll.
At the top of the heap were the evening’s headliners, Greta Van Fleet. The four piece group from Frankenmuth, Michigan really added something special to the lineup. The outfit is made up of brother’s Josh, Jake, and Sam Kiszka along with drummer Danny Wagner. On top of being skillful musicians, the fellas couldn’t be more down to earth. We had the pleasure of taking them record shopping at DC’s Som Records in the midst of their US tour last year, and they couldn’t have been more humble despite their large scale success.
Although the band has been criticized for their retro sound, the truth is that Greta Van Fleet is making music their own way, garnering a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in 2019 for From the Fires and an iHeartRadio Music Award for “Safari Song” in the same year. They also grabbed Loudwire’s ”Best New Artist” award in 2017 and rock aficionado, Eddie Trunk of SiriusXM’s “Trunk Nation” on the Volume channel has said “they’re an important band and they’re keeping rock alive!”
Sunday at Kerfuffle, I thoroughly enjoyed their set. I’d even go as far to say that a few moments aside—they saved the festival from being an all out snooze fest. The boys really played their hearts out and gave their performance everything they’ve got. I walked away from their set still ringing from their heavy guitar tones and wanting more. They’re also incredibly fun to photograph because they’re having fun—something that’s missing from hoards of acts these days.
Besides Greta Van Fleet, the evening’s lineup consisted of several acts hand-picked by DC101. Young the Giant played a fantastic set and had quite the draw of their own. Lead vocalist Sameer Gadhia really gave it his all. The Revivalists had people singing along to their radio hits, “Wish I Knew You” and “All My Friends,” while Tom Morello started his set from the middle of the crowd.
It’s always nice to see Morello’s abrupt guitar technique in person. The former Audioslave and Rage Against the Machine guitarist certainty had the crowd on their feet during classics “Bulls on Parade,” “Guerrilla Radio,” and “Like a Stone” featuring Chris Cornell’s vocal track. Other hits included “Testify,” “Ghetto Blaster,” “Freedom,” and John Lennon and Plastic Ono Band’s “Power to the People,” its call echoing on the lips of everyone in the pavilion even after Morello left the stage.
The Blue Stones and DC’s Shaed kicked off the festival and got the evening started.
GRETA VAN FLEET
YOUNG THE GIANT
THE REVIVALISTS
TOM MORELLO
SHAED
THE BLUE STONES
