Guest Blog submitted by Grant Golden, regional talent buyer for Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance
Arson Daily
If you’re not familiar with these no-frills indie rockers (above photo by Kendall Atwater) then you’ve likely been living under a very dense rock. Arson Daily nearly stole the festival when they played last Shakori and they’ve been swiftly building steam ever since. They land somewhere between alt-rock, blues, garage rock and indie and they’re liable to switch their energy up at the drop of a dime. These boys started out playing the front porch stage with a suitcase as their kick drum, won the band competition, and now have become one of the most anticipated acts of the festival. You’d be foolish to miss one of their two sets this year.
Grove Stage, Friday, 7:15 p.m.
Dance Tent, Saturday, 9:15 p.m.
Victoria Victoria
This Triad-based crew represents everything good and pure about pop music. Vocalist Tori Elliott’s lyricism is focused on self-reflection, body positivity and self-love and it delicately glides atop creamy soundscapes that bounce between R&B and folk leaning structures. It’s easy to get lost in their sounds, and what better place to do so than the Meadow Stage on a Friday afternoon?
Meadow Stage, Friday, 3:30 p.m.
Young Bull
If you’ve ever been to Shakori Hills before then you know that once the sun goes down, something magical fills the air on our 72-acre farm. Folks dance a little harder, cheer a little louder, and the bands have a way of connecting with that energy to make for unforgettable moments. That’s why I couldn’t be more excited to have Durham’s Young Bull close out the Friday festivities for us. Young Bull is an eclectic hip-hop crew with R&B and Soul leanings. Bouncing seamlessly between smooth ear-worm melodies and swiftly spat bars, Young Bull will compel the Shakori crowd to bounce, shout and sway along to their silky smooth grooves.
Cabaret Tent, Friday, 11:30 p.m.
www.youngbullmusic.bandcamp.com
Chris Frisina
Every good festival attendee knows that your weekend is a marathon and not a sprint. You can’t be boogeyin’ and jiving the whole time, so it’s important to wind down every now and then. I can’t think of a better way to do so than by catching one of Chris’ two sets this festival. Whether it’s his Saturday morning jaunt on the Meadow stage or if you plop yourself down on the Dance Tent floor on Sunday morning, you’d be remiss to miss one of these sets. Frisina’s work is timeless, it’s steeped in country and folk tradition but still feels contemporary and authentic.
