Valerie June’s Dream Performance
Grammy-nominated Valerie June recently ticked a significant box on her performance wish list. The Evanston Folk Festival welcomed her, much to her surprise and delight. June, known for her eclectic blend of psychedelic folk, indie rock, Appalachian bluegrass, and soul, took one of the three stages on Saturday evening. The festival featured a stellar lineup of over 30 folk artists, attracting thousands to Evanston’s lakefront.
Festival Attendance and Weather
The third annual event brought 12,000 visitors to Dawes Park over the weekend. Jake Samuels, director of music at 16″ on Center, highlighted the attendance, with more than 6,000 on Sunday and over 5,000 on Saturday. Despite scattered showers on Sunday, guests remained enthusiastic, staying through the headliner set featuring the Indigo Girls.
Headliners and Notable Performers
The festival’s headliners included Trampled by Turtles and the Indigo Girls. Kathleen Edwards, Josh Ritter, Tift Merritt, Sierra Hull, and James McMurtry also drew large crowds with their performances.
Emily Saliers and Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls expressed their love for Evanston, having played there multiple times. They appreciated the invite and the opportunity to perform alongside many talented artists.
Kathleen Edwards enthralled thousands with her music, sharing that choosing eight to nine songs for a 45-minute set can be challenging. For her performance, she included crowd favorites like “Asking For Flowers,” reflecting on its personal significance and widespread resonance.
Community Connection & Artist Insights
Festivals like these unite people from diverse backgrounds and beliefs, as noted by Josh Ritter. He emphasized the beauty of coming together for shared musical experiences.
Tift Merritt shared her preference for small festivals over larger tours, valuing community connections over commercial circuits.
Visitor Experiences
First-time attendee Betsy Storm and her friend Chris Johnston praised the festival’s organization and ambiance, describing the atmosphere as perfect.
Jenny Schevers and her husband journeyed from Wayne to witness Josh Ritter live, despite inclement weather. Schevers, a self-proclaimed folk music lover, appreciated her husband’s support.
Inspiration Behind the Festival
The festival’s origins stem from the success of local listening rooms and a desire to spotlight folk music. Jake Samuels noted the lack of festivals focused solely on folk and singer-songwriters in the Chicago area.
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