September 2021
Concert Reviews
Vocalist and guitarist Andrew VanNorstran of the folk and roots band Faux Paws took time to answer this essential music question. Which five concerts/performances have you attended that moved you for the musical ability and skill of the artist/or band? What was it about the show that still stays with you?
Wild Asparagus - Ashokan Fiddle & Dance Camp - 1999
My first time experiencing contra dance music! It blew my mind. I was eleven years old and everything was just so new. I remember watching how the band would build dynamics and create this special connection with the dancers. More than twenty years later and I still can't get over that feeling.
![ConcertsDaveMatthews](concertsdavematthews.png)
Dave Matthews Band - Saratoga Springs - 2005ish
Maybe cliché but it was a very special night.
![ConcertsMammals](concertsmammals.png)
The Mammals - Champlain Valley Folk Festival - 2007ish
This show absolutely changed my life. It was folk music but it ROCKED so hard! Completely shifted my whole concept of what the fiddle and banjo were capable of.
![4aConcertsDonnaTheBuffalo](4aconcertsdonnathebuffalo.png)
Donna the Buffalo / The Horseflies - Various Festivals - 2010ish
I forget exactly where and when it was but the first time I heard Donna the Buffalo, it was like something inside my musical heart was filled that I had no idea was missing. Their complete dedication to the vibe, the groove, the beat, the feel; it was incredible. Nothing else mattered. And it was right around the same time I heard The Horseflies and again, it was totally fascinating, addictive and transformative to experience music that felt that good.
![ConcertsTheMilkKids](concertsthemilkkids.png)
The Milk Carton Kids - Caramoor - 2019
A beautiful night, with beautiful music, in a beautiful place. Everything just came together so well and it reminded me how good live music can be. Thoughtful, well-crafted, perfectly executed. Well done gents.![](endmark-3-3-3.png)
Wild Asparagus - Ashokan Fiddle & Dance Camp - 1999
My first time experiencing contra dance music! It blew my mind. I was eleven years old and everything was just so new. I remember watching how the band would build dynamics and create this special connection with the dancers. More than twenty years later and I still can't get over that feeling.
![ConcertsDaveMatthews](concertsdavematthews.png)
Dave Matthews Band - Saratoga Springs - 2005ish
Maybe cliché but it was a very special night.
![ConcertsMammals](concertsmammals.png)
The Mammals - Champlain Valley Folk Festival - 2007ish
This show absolutely changed my life. It was folk music but it ROCKED so hard! Completely shifted my whole concept of what the fiddle and banjo were capable of.
![4aConcertsDonnaTheBuffalo](4aconcertsdonnathebuffalo.png)
Donna the Buffalo / The Horseflies - Various Festivals - 2010ish
I forget exactly where and when it was but the first time I heard Donna the Buffalo, it was like something inside my musical heart was filled that I had no idea was missing. Their complete dedication to the vibe, the groove, the beat, the feel; it was incredible. Nothing else mattered. And it was right around the same time I heard The Horseflies and again, it was totally fascinating, addictive and transformative to experience music that felt that good.
![ConcertsTheMilkKids](concertsthemilkkids.png)
The Milk Carton Kids - Caramoor - 2019
A beautiful night, with beautiful music, in a beautiful place. Everything just came together so well and it reminded me how good live music can be. Thoughtful, well-crafted, perfectly executed. Well done gents.
![](endmark-3-3-3.png)