Last October, I attended my first ever Champaign-Urbana Folk and Roots Festival. Have I lived in CU my whole life? Yes. Why had I never attended the Folk and Roots Festival before last year? I have no idea. I have always enjoyed folk music, but it was not usually the first genre I sought out when listening to music. Perhaps I thought that the festival was going to be the same kinds of performances over and over again — someone playing acoustic guitar and singing.
However, I was pleasantly surprised by the festival for many reasons. One, the acts on the lineup were incredibly diverse, with artists playing folk, bluegrass, jazz, funk, gospel, rock, latin, and more. Two, the festival felt incredibly welcoming, perhaps due to the events happening all over Urbana, or maybe because of the workshops and singalongs that anyone could partake in, as well as everyone I ran into being incredibly kind and welcoming.
Starting today, the Folk and Roots Festival is bringing back their Winter Weekend festival. The event was first held in 2017 and ran every year since – minus 2021 for obvious reasons. Now the festival is back, with another wonderfully diverse lineup. All performances are at the Rose Bowl Tavern. You can purchase tickets here. Proof if vaccination against COVID-19, or a negative test within the 72 hours prior to attendance is required. Read on to get a preview of the artists performing.
THURSDAY, February 10th
Dennis Stroughmatt and Friends, 5 p.m.
Dennis Stroughmatt is an award winning fiddle player and an expert in French Midwest Creole music and history. There is a large Midwest Creole community in parts of Southern Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri along the Mississippi River. He is the founder of et L’Esprit Creole, a group made up of fiddle, guitar, and bass. He has performed all over the country, from The Smithsonian Folk Life Festival, to The Kennedy Center, to the Library of Congress. This will no doubt be an entertaining show, and I imagine Stroughmatt will be providing a few history lessons along the way.
Hobnob String Band, 8 p.m.
The Hobnob String Band is a CU staple. They’ve been around for quite some time, performing folk and bluegrass. Cody, Charlie, and Sam have their hands in numerous projects around town, but Hobnob is always a lovely group to catch. They play instrumental tunes, as well as breaking out some vocal harmonies here and there. You can expect some great fingerpicking, as well.
FRIDAY, February 11th
Castle Finn, 8 p.m.
Castle Finn is a psychedelic, rock, and indie group from Champaign-Urbana. Led by Patrick Murphy on vocals and guitar, the group blends some funky bass grooves, subtle vocal harmonies, and some great guitar work to create instantly memorable tunes. The group put on our favorite virtual performance of 2021, which is saying a lot, as it can be hard to translate live energy to a virtual space, but Castle Finn shined.
Candy Foster and Shades of Blue, 9:30 p.m.
What else can be said about local blues legends Candy Foster and Shades of Blue. They’ve been performing for years now, and always provide a great time. Blues, funk, soul, and more, Candy Foster will have you singing along, dancing, and wanting more. Check out the video below of their performance at the Iron Post, and tell me it doesnt bring a smile to your face.
SATURDAY, February 12th
The Young and The Fretless, 4 p.m.
Guitar, bass, fiddle, and banjo come together and groove. The group has been gracing the stages of Champaign Urbana for years now, playing old-time tunes that get toes tapping and will have you wanting to get up and dance.
Joe’s Truck Stop, 7:30 p.m.
This is a group I was actually unfamiliar with before writing this article. I watched some of their live perfomances on Youtube and quickly came to the conclusion that this Kentucky-based band will be one to catch this weekend. High energy, some dang good plucking, and great harmonies. Check out “Kindness” below.
The Landovers, 8:30 p.m.
The Landovers are a newly formed band who came together during the pandemic. Led by Nicholas Stine and featuring a killer lineup of musicians, the group put out one of my favorite EPs of last year, titled Labor Dazed. They play old time country and honky tonk, blending guitar, bass, pedal steel, drums, and piano to create their own unique sound. Check out “I Can’t Complain” below.
Los Texano’z, 9:30 p.m.
Los Texanoz from Arcola provide Conjunto and Tejano music, adding a nice variety to the festival weekend, and the group is great way to close out the weekend. With guitar, bass, drums, and accordion, Los Texano’z music will give you a taste of Mexico. They performed at the Folk and Roots fest in 2021, so in case you missed them, now is your chance.