This evening we decided to dip our toes into the bluegrass folk musical pool and see if we would like to jump further in.  Thus far our tastes had only gone as far as Mumford and Sons in this genre, so we decided to check out Old Crow Medicine Show at the Easton State Theatre. 

OCMS has been around since 1998, though the group’s members have switched and changed significantly during that time. The only constant band member has been Ketch Secor. 

This evening’s show brought founding member Willie Watson to open for the band and enhance the experience. Since leaving the band, Watson has enjoyed a solo career touring, and releasing two albums. He played songs that will come out on his third album in the fall. He also played some old folk favorites. His approach was sincere, tame, and intimate with the audience, which I greatly appreciate. He got better as the audience warmed up to him. 

With so much experience and history as a group, I expected the concert to follow a traditional, safe, concert approach. I could not have been more wrong. 

The first word out the gate: “cocainnnnnnneeee!” and that might have been the most mild part of their concert. The audience did not need to bring any energy as the band brought plenty to share. I loved this. Many bands beg for the audience to get involved (“I can’t hear you.”) OSMC didn’t do that —  they just brought everything they could, within twenty minutes the audience matched their energy. I wish all bands took a page out of this book. 

After a song inviting us all to go skinny dipping in the Delaware, they informed us we were all sinners and they took us to church. They sang and played like they didn’t have a care in the world. They ended up being funnier than many comedy acts I have seen. I would come back and watch them again in a heartbeat. 

I think one of the defining aspects of the band is their comfort with uncomfortable topics and feelings — they moved between melancholy songs of loss, to ruminating on meth, and alcoholism all while maintaining tight harmonies, complex folk chord progression and original challenging pieces. They are to folk what Radiohead is to alternative. Brilliant, but perhaps not for everyone. 

So come on in, the water is fine! But — maybe don’t pay to close attention to what the other swimmers aren’t wearing. 

The State Theatre in Easton continues to host experienced musical groups and master performers for a great price. 

It was nice to arrive at the theater while it is still light out, as the city is much more inviting before the sun goes down. After the show, the crowd nearly all went to the public parking (which was free for theater patrons). The state theater continued to meet the patron needs through helpful and courteous volunteers who seemed happy to contribute to this cultural icon in their city. 

The theater itself is fully equipped to handle nearly all the common traveling shows: comedians, concerts, symphonies, musicals, and other creative acts. Shrek the Musical is coming here in a couple months and we already procured tickets for the family. 

If you are in the area, check out their package deals to fill your weekends with worthwhile escapes from doom scrolling and streaming services.

^{*we were invited to facilitate a feature, all opinions are our own*}