FARM AID 2021 – LIVE AT THE XFINITY THEATER
This past weekend Farm Aid returned to the Xfinity Theater in Hartford. It was just three years ago that the venue hosted the audacious event. Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp organized the first Farm Aid concert in 1985 to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on the land. Dave Matthews joined the Farm Aid Board of Directors in 2001. Farm Aid has raised $60 million to promote a strong and resilient family farm system of agriculture. Farm Aid is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to keep family farmers on the land.
I attended the last Farm Aid in Hartford and was amazed how well organized and how important this concert is. Keeping the family farm as a viable contributor to the world’s agricultural and eco systems is not only critical but necessary to sustain our way of life. Living in an agricultural section of Ct., I see the hardships and tribulations first hand. This year’s crops have fallen way short due to our heavy rainfall and the extreme heat.
The local farming community have lost countless valuable fields to flooding and have experienced diminishing production. Yet they plow through. The local farmers (Beaumont Farms, Farmer Joe’s Garden and Geremia Farms to name but a few) continue to supply the community with fresh wholesome food and vegetables. They are a major source of my family’s daily dietary consumption. These extremely hard working toilers of the land are eventually going to disappear if not for organizations such as Farm Aid. In their place you will find strip malls and apartment complexes.
As Joni Mitchell sang in “Big Yellow Taxi”:
That you don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
I arrived at Farm Aid just in time to see Particle Kid which is Micah Nelson’s avant-garde musical project. Even though he only played three songs his set was quite memorable. Neil Young opted out of this years event due to Covid concerns but Micah opened with “After The Gold Rush”. His totally original style of music is experimental and unique. A little folk, a little rock and a lot of jagged edged soundscapes. Right up my alley.
Up next was one of my favorite performances. I didn’t know much about Allison Russell but she absolutely blew me away. She was accompanied by four other women whose instrumentation was singular and they played and harmonized beautifully. Russell’s voice was exceptional with textured organic tones. Her songs were aggressively lush and awe inspiring. Her whole demeanor was a perfect reflection on what Farm Aid is all about, a determined grace.
Farm Aid staple Jamey Johnson performed next. His outlaw country and somber tunes hit a appreciative note with the audience. His amazing song, “In Color” drew a loud response as well as “Lead Me Home”. Johnson is a true wordsmith whose music is pure poetry.
One of the acts I truly wanted to catch was Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real. His style of incendiary country rock really resonates with my inner spirit. Not only are their compositions adventurous but they also have a tenacious quality to them. The group’s eight song set was full of engaging music. From opening song “Die Alone” till closer “Entirely Different Stars”, the crowd was on its feet. “Fool Me Once” and “Four Letter Word” were also highlights. I recently learned that the drummer, Anthony LoGerfo, is a surfing buddy of my son-in law Drew which brings the band even closer to home.
Next up was R&B legend Bettye LaVette. Her soulful renditions of several musical standards were sublime and forceful. Opening with the Bob Dylan cover, “Things Have Changed”, the venue knew it was in for something special. Other high points of her performance included The Beatles’ “Blackbird” and Lucinda Williams’ “Joy”. Ending with a rousing version of “A Woman Like Me”, LaVette destroyed the audience. She was full of fire and spicy attitude and practically stole the show. For a woman of her maturity, she still had the moves.
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats was another entity I wanted to experience. I’ve seen Rateliff several times and it’s always a party. It was no exception at Farm Aid 2021. From the opening notes of “Shoe Boot” till freshly released closer “Love Don’t”, the Xfinity Theater was a rockin’. Rateliff is a determined showman whose gritty vocals matches the exalted funk of The Night Sweats perfectly. The band is tremendously talented and spunky. The Farm Aid patrons ate it up. Another new song, “Survivor” hit the mark and the addictive “S.O.B.” hit the crowd with an explosive hail of sonic cannon fire. Lukas Nelson joined the band for a brassy version of the Band’s “The Shape I’m In”.
I’m sorry I had to leave after Nathaniel Rateliff but I had other commitments. I know Tyler Childers, Margo Price, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, John Mellencamp and the monumental Willie Nelson gave the audience a monstrous show. Hopefully the Xfinity can host another Farm Aid in the very near future.
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To learn more about Farm Aid, check out their website
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