One positive of the pandemic’s impact on live music schedules – yes, we’re looking hard for silver linings these days – is that we’re getting two Old Settler’s Music Festivals in a six month span. With warm memories of October’s OSMF still lingering, the lineup for its usual spring slot now emerges.
An initial artist list for the 35th installment of the roots music gathering leans heavily into OSMF favorites. Smiling bluegrass elder Del McCoury, who’s reportedly scaling back his normally touring schedules in 2022, has opted to spend the weekend of April 21-24 in Tilmon, TX alongside his sons Ronnie and Rob. Other eternal Old Settler’s fan favorite hitting the campout are progressive bluegrass/folk mystic Peter Rowan – who’s Free Mexican Airforce band will be souped-up to include San Antonio’s Los Texmaniacs, funky bringers of bacchanalia Shinyribs, Southern soul/blues rockers JJ Grey & Mofro, and Cajun-spiced bluegrass euphoria bringers Leftover Salmon.
“Normal” isn’t a word you’d use to describe the eclectic folks who camp out at Old Settler’s every year as a way of life, but with “normalcy” sounding especially good after a rollercoaster two years, there’ll be a distinct comfort in those tried n’ true things like a moonlit Shinyribs dance party or hearing Rowan’s spiritual yodel over the festival speakers.
A-list mandolinist Sierra Hull, who played OSMF in 2016, makes a welcome return to Old Sett’s – her first since the event moved out of Driftwood to the 140-acre plot near Lockhart. Other acts rounding out the early-dozen are jam funk force Galactic, acoustic rockers Railroad Earth, BJ Barham’s acclaimed folk project American Aquarium, “Celtgrass” quartet We Banjo 3, horn-heavy R&B outfit California Honeydrops, plus NC bluegrassers – and Steve Martin collaborators – Steep Canyon Rangers.
Multi-day wristbands and camping passes for the family-friendly fest are on sale now. Single and short stay options are forthcoming as will be the rest of the music lineup.
This article appears in January 14 • 2022.