Telluride Bluegrass Festival 2025
This is the festival that I have personally had on my bucket list for as long back as I can remember. If you have never been to this part of the beautiful state of Colorado, I highly recommend going. Your eyes, body, and soul need this more than you will ever know. Telluride is located in the San Juan Mountains of Southwestern Colorado. It's rugged, and not a dull moment to be had. The fact that the mountains surround you in this town is simply put, Magical....at least that is the word I would personally use for describing this majestic place. The town itself is so welcoming to all, especially, if you are an artist looking for inspiration. You have a gondola, for those wanting to go up to the top of the mountain, bikes for all the activities that you want to get to in a hurry, and flowing water, fresh from the snowpack and not to mention, waterfalls. Like I said, this is a bucket list place. This Bluegrass Festival brings diverse music so you can freely dance under the sun.
The start into the first day (each day), and let me remind you that if you're a savvy runner wanting a great spot to put your tarp down to stake your spot, get in line and hopefully, you have a good number to go on. That's not a bad way to spend the morning, all things considered, you get to meet some amazing people. When the land rush begins, go, go, go! Get it done. You may even see a T-rex chasing a chicken! True story!!
On the first day being on a Thursday, the festival started off with, Chris Thile. He was so excited to being up on the stage and rightfully so. He was giving us all some history with his past experiences playing with others including his inspired iconic musicians. Busting out some old Nickel Creek songs as well as even some Radiohead is one way to get it all started. Walking around soaking in all the artists new and old seeing acts like, Olive Klug gives me inspiration to keep it going with music and art. Listening in on her music reminds me of all the traveling I have done. One of the band I was really getting into was, Mountain Grass Unit. These fellas are from, from Birmingham, Alabama. They were super stoked into being able to play at this festival, and you can really tell that they were into it. They actually got to play twice, one up on Top of the World, or you could call it, The Mountain Village, hailing at over 10,000 ft above sea level, then the next day, in the town park area. For the nostalgic side of things for me personally, I got to see, The Travelin' McCourys! That band brought some old memories from days past.
Walking around vibing on the crowd and hearing the sweet sounds of perfect harmony, was the band, I'm With Her, featuring, Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz & Aoife O'Donovan. what a relaxing fit. Being in total awe of how everyone in the crowd was in unison, the diversity of planning a musical journey would not be complete without a band called, Thee Sacred Souls. That was incredible. With all the things going on in this crazy world, these guys know how to be humble, powerful and well, they give you the tools to use for daily life. You know, that thing people say about, letting the music guide you. That was a hot set! Gillian Welch & David Rawlings was up next to cool the crowd down. There love is definitely one of a kind. That sets the stage up for, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. What a way to end the first of 4 days.....OR is it? Well, for some of us, we decided to go on up to the, The Michael D. Palm Theatre, for a night of Greensky Bluegrass. What a heater set they had!
Friday is a new day, so with the tarp run, and the anticipation for all the musicians far and wide looking for a spot to play on the main stage, a very worthy band competition is in order. So in town, we are listening to all the players rehearsing their songs in the hopes of winning. 12 bands, one winner....For me, it was joyful in listening to all who wanted that spot. Soon after, I found myself walking next to the creek, soaking in the Friday vibes, looking at the walls of mountains that surrounds the park, I strolled right up to the stages for, Tim O'Brien Band. You can really feel his inspiration comes from other musicians like, Doc Watson among many, many others. He was warming up the stage for, The Punch Brothers. It's always a good time to hearing Chris and the rest of the gang having a ton of fun on that main stage! Soon after we all got the special opportunity to listen in to, Dan Tyminski Band. I do believe that may have been my first time getting to enjoy their music. We all were acclimating to the altitude and staying hydrated I should ad and why do I say this, well I will tell ya....when you get to watch Lake Street Dive, followed by the one and only, Greensky Bluegrass, one should prepare by making sure you are ready to dance your boogies off!! We were getting down. Special appearances from folks like Bela Fleck and Sam Bush was such a treat! If you were there, then you know. Now the campgrounds were vibing just as hard. All you have to do is, make sure you have a hoodie on because once that sun goes down, boy does it get chilly. It may just be because the sun being out all day, you need the cool down.
Saturday was yet another tarp run, people having a ball, and the dust was all up in the air for what's to come. Another day of beautiful music starting off with, the band competition followed by, Still House String Band, Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms! Get on your country living dance boots cause it will be for a good cause. It's for your soul. Bela Fleck, Edmar Castaneda, Antonio Sanchez Trio was one of my personal favorites of the day. They showed us divers, loving music. I mean, a banjo, drums & harp. WHAT?? Yeah, you heard that right! That there was the perfect fit for this beautiful moment in time. The stage had been hopping all afternoon but it was showing no signs of slowing down. The crowd was getting really into it and the answer to the excitement was Yonder Mountain String Band. All I can say is this, the amount of marshmallows that was flying in the air was something kids of all ages would love to see. The hackysack Marshmallow is a trick that can only signify, a veteran could pull off. There is a video showing the skills of, Dave Johnston is truly impeccable. Soon after, Sam Bush would take the stage. Sam is no stranger to Telluride. He has literally played 50 of the 51 years of this Festival. Veteran I would definitely say. He was playing with quite a few different bands such as, the Toy Factory Project. All you Marshall Tucker Band fans out there got to rejoice through dance as we got to see, Paul T. Riddle, Oteil Burbridge, Marcus King, Charlie Starr, Josh Shilling, Jimmy(JR)Rector play on this magical night. Special appearances by Bela Fleck and Sam Bush took the night into overdrive. What a night!!
Sunday being the final day we had the pleasure of getting to see the band competition finals. Boston band Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light win the 2025 Telluride Bluegrass Band Contest. With all of the beauty that surrounds all of us, one would say that if you are feeling inspired to ask your loved one to get married, they will probably say yes! Well, you may run into a wedding....that's right! How would you like to have play at your reception other than the Rebirth Brass Band! That was icing on the cake for me!
As the weekend wrapped up for me, I will keep this short and sweet....I will be back next year. Join me, will ya!!
Review & photos by Justin Barnett
