Welcome back, neighbors.
Check out this week's show in the video below. This is Part 2 of my recap of Billy Strings Renewal Music Festival at Cottonwood Meadows in Buena Vista, CO. You'll see the full venue tour as well as interviews with vendors, campground jams and live performances from The Renewal Family Band - a collaboration of all of the festival's heavy hitting musicians to cover for Billy while he traveled home to be with Ally for the brith of his son. If you haven't already, make sure to subscribe while you're here.
What's inside Episode 11 of Music Festivals Podcast
The 2024 Billy Strings Renewal Festival took place from September 27, 2024 - September 28, 2024.
Nestled in the heart of Buena Vista, Colorado, Cottonwood Meadows is a stunning venue that has been hosting concerts for over a decade. Known for its pristine views of the Collegiate Peaks and nearby outdoor recreational activities like White Water Rafting, Hot Springs, Mountain Biking, Kayaking, and the obvious ski-resorts nearby, this venue is one of the most picturesque festival venues I have ever visited. The 277-acre property is surrounded by tall cottonwood trees, golden Aspens on the mountainsides and plenty of open meadow spaces, It's truly an amazing place.
This is the official map of the campground and venue at Cottonwoods Meadows produced by the production company. You'll find these large posters hanging throughout the venue for reference while you are there. And for the first day, you'll need it. It's a big place. I estimated that I walked at least 4-5 miles to visit and document the various camping areas.
Below shows you a glimpse of Friday early day activities. Kids and families like to wade and swim and paddle board in the on-site lake (which is guarded by both beach and Kayak floating lifeguards), while you see 11am campground Yoga in the background.
This is a glimpse of the line leading into the venue on Saturday afternoon. The line can stretch for what seems like a mile, but it trends to move quickly once the music venue gates open. Security checks are easy with separate lines for those carrying bags and brining wagons. You are allowed to bring in chairs, blankets and other comfort items, but be advised that no alcohol form your campsite is allowed in the concert venue. It's Colorado, so you don't have to stash your weed.
Ladies and gents, meet Royal Masat, Bass virtuoso for Billy Strings on the main stage during Friday afternoon's Q&A session. This shot was taking during a short demo of "Escanaba" from the new album Highway Prayers. Before playing the song, Bill goes into how the main riff was developed from a jazz arpeggio exercise he was working on with his guitar teacher (yes, he actually still takes lessons...). Escanaba, commonly shortened to Esky, is a small port city in Michigan, located on Little Bay de Noc in the state's Upper Peninsula
Photo Credit: @NeighborN8Fests
The photo below is the art installation in the concert venue, taken just before a quick and hard thunderstorm paused Friday afternoon's festivities. When it rains in the mountains, it's best to head to second stage towards the back of the venue for shelter and some tunes.
Good ol' Bill during the Q&A session on Friday afternoon, fileding questions about Highway Prayers just before leaving the festival for home.
A shot of my favorite campground bluegrass jam session at the Sturgeon Moon area of the campground. you'll see ibn the video that this particular group enjoyed jamming in various animal costume PJs.
At Renewal, tokens and small gifts are plenty. This poker chip (which I love so much) was given to me by a kind young gentleman who was sporting a T-Shirt that simply said "Owsley". I made a comment that I loved his shirt, and with very wide eyes grin crossed his face and he handed me what you see below.
If you know your Grateful Dead lore, Owsley Stanley was a fucking genius and the guy who essentially funded the early Grateful Dead band, lived with them for a while. Owsley is also cited as being the first to archive live concert recordings which is in part why we have all the archived shows. He also engineered what we know today as modern concert sound design for large venues. On the side, he produced some of the very best LSD ever known to man. I think the fella who gave me this poker chip was on a really good trip.
The shot below was taken Thursday night with my GoPro12 on a selfie stick during the opening Renewal community meet and greet. It was a packed event and a great first night crowd.
Photo Credit: @NeighborN8Fests
Don’t forget to subscribe to to the YouTube channel to get on-site footage of more music festivals and festival venues. I'm heading to CaveFest in Grundy County TN next, and I hope to be your neighbor there!
NeighborN8