Treefort at 45

I'm a month late with my Treefort post, but oh well. Just in case you were wondering, I did, in fact, survive Treefort (and the mud and the wind and the freezing temperatures and the snow —yes, snow), and, most notably, I survived it at age 45. 

Last year, I caught COVID at Treefort. But this year, I've gotten COVID twice, and I've received every shot and updated booster available to humans right now. I was pretty sure I would dodge another bout of COVID this time around. 

Spoiler alert: So far, so good.

 

A music festival like Treefort, with its 500 bands and other arts-related activities, can be daunting. I worry about my stamina every year, and I voice this over and over to my husband, Dan, for several weeks prior to the event. 

 

So Dan advised me, "Just set a goal to see one band per day."

 

It's a good goal. I usually surpass it because I'm an overachiever. By the time the day is over, I've seen about six bands and/or performance arts groups, and I roll into our hotel room around midnight. Then Dan goes to one more show because he has to stay out later than me to prove that he rocks harder or something.

 

(Yes, even though we live in Boise, Treefort headquarters, we get a hotel room close to the venues because we're ride or die.)

 

Recently, I read an article entitled "I went to Coachella as a 29-year-old and realized I'm too old for it." Give me a break. Obviously, the author is not a tough GenXer like me.

 

 

DAY 1

 

The Paranoyds

 

Guitarist extraordinaire Doug Martsch (Built to Spill) was standing near us at one concert, stretching out his wrists and hands in a manner that has become very familiar to me as a middle aged musician suffering from tennis elbow (in both arms nowadays). I felt like I was in good company.

 

Yep. Dinosaur Jr. Only the cool kids understand how awesome this is.

 

Some of Boise's Local Scene: WEND and The French Tips

 

DAY 2

 

illuminati hotties

 

 

Grocer

Built To Spill. Also only for the cool kids . . .

 

By the second day, I wore Under Armour and flannel to brave the frigid weather. It was the coldest Treefort I ever experienced. 

 

One of the highlights of Day 2 was seeing my former student perform at Treefort. Seeing them perform around the valley is always a #proudmusicteachermoment, and I truly admire this beautiful and powerful performer and human.  

 

Madisun Proof

 

 

DAY 3

 

Then it snowed and kept snowing at random intervals.

 

Blvck Hippie

On Day 3, we walked by a young guy running a booth in the park on our way to the main stage.

 

"Whoa! Thom Yorke!" the guy said. "Hey, you look like Thom Yorke!"

 

Dan always gets compared to rock star doppelgangers at Treefort. Usually, it's Kurt Cobain or the guitarist from Maroon 5. Thom Yorke was a new one.

 

"Thom Yorke? I've never heard that one before," Dan muttered. 

Margo Price

 

DAY 4

 

More snow. And lots of guitar tuning . . . extra challenging in these temperatures . . . 

 

More of Our Local Scene: Blood Lemon

That evening, we saw Ani DiFranco. I convinced Dan to see her for nostalgia's sake. She is an icon for us '90s feminists, after all.

 

"Don't you want insight into college Becky's dorm room days?"

 

Ani DiFranco! 

 

By the end of the evening, Dan admitted he was hesitant because he thought she might be too mellow for him, but (and I quote), "She actually rocks!"

 

Dan has a thing for short girls with acoustic guitars.

 

 

DAY 5

 

Oruã

Interview with Ani DiFranco at the Idaho State Museum

 

On our final night of Treefort, Dan asked me what I would remember most this year.

 

"How cold it was," I replied.

 

"Freezefort," Dan said. (I'm not sure he originated this term.)

 

However, as you can see from this post, Treefort was memorable, and it wasn't just the frigid temperatures.

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