Seems we're smack dab in the midst of a folk-rock revival around these parts—yup, again, I know. But it's undeniable, really: Between the four acts on this bill and many, many others (including standouts The Fox & The Bird and The Beaten Sea), neo-folk is everywhere around town right now. And the sure-to-surprise-you draw of this all-local show at Trees will only serve as further proof.
Just be prepared. If this show's like any others we've seen from these acts, there will be copious numbers of crowd members shouting along with the lyrics to each of these acts' songs. Which either means that someone's pulling a crazy elaborate trick on us, or this music's actually, legitimately getting to people. Assuming it's not the former, then that's for pretty good reason: Each of these acts, though all less than a year old in the local touring circuit, has shown off the ability to pen catchy, inherently familiar, folk-rock anthems.
Booked as part of KDGE-102.1 FM The Edge's The Local Show's weekly free concert series at the storied Deep Ellum venue Trees, this night's supposed to act as something of a competition; between at-the-venue and online voting, one of these bands will be moved onto the next round in this confusing competition until, finally, ultimately, a local act is crowned champion and given the dubious honor of opening up a future Edgefest concert.
Right. As if any of the neo-folkies on this bill will fit on whatever cock-rock lineup the station decides to next throw at its naïve listeners. But at least these performers have enough of a buzz behind them to put them on the station's radar. And at least the station had the good sense to invite them out to play at this ordeal. In The Edge's case here, it really is the thought that counts.
