Treefort Roaming Saturday and Sunday (Better Late Than Never)

The thing about Treefort is you want to spend time roaming, not writing, so this is my Saturday and Sunday captain’s log, and it isn’t finished until Thursday. You may feel free to whip me now.

All I can say is that it was damn cold (the coldest Treefort ever), but damn worth it. To all of the performers that performed through the cold and had their hands feel like they were being pierced by icicles, I salute you. You were all fabulous.

Saturday

Saturday was a new experience that I am grateful to have had. Along with my buddy Tim and his two five-year-old twins, Sydney and Dillion, I got to experience Boise’s unique festival from a kid's perspective. I am happy to report that Treefort is truly kid friendly.

We began by walking down the Greenbelt to the park with Uncle Brian, regaling them with\ stories about the kid-eating trolls that hide outside the tunnels. Five-year-olds love collecting swag, and they did, most notably little cow key chains from Simplot company, but Kidfort was their jam.

I had no idea. Kids get to color their own t-shirts, volunteers show them musical instruments and how they are played, and it’s generally excellent kid mayhem. While we only checked out a few bands in the park, and eating the best corndog ever was spectacular.

Getting Out of the Cold

Once kid frivolity time was over and we returned to the car, it was time to drop me off downtown and get out of the cold. One of Boise’s most favorite venues was plenty warm for a guy totally unprepared to freeze. Nuerolux never disappoints, and it was a reverb day. Perfect.

I went for Disco Doom, a fantastic band out of Switzerland, but caught 20 minutes of Boise-based Porcelain Tongue. To my liking, Porcelain Tongue brings it loud and is undoubtedly a tremendous local act to see if you like to feel your reverb and watch it cause ripples in your friends’ beers.

Switzerland-based Disco Doom released its first new album in eight years, Mt. Surreal, in September 2022, and it was well worth the wait. The band has toured with such greats as Dinosaur Jr, Built-to-Spill, and the Breeders and was a worthy addition to Treefort.

Like so many Treeforts, Disco Doom doesn’t fit in a simple box. Between the guitar distortion on their new album’s title track and the infusion of electronic elements, these guys are outstanding. Gabriele de Mario’s lyrics are laid back amid pulsating sounds, kind of like a grittier version of Beck.

I hope to see these guys again.

The Jackpot

With some time left before going to watch the disaster that was the Gonzaga-UConn basketball game, I stayed to watch You Said Strange, who I’ll be emailing and checking in on today.

I love these guys! Hailing from Normandy, they were pleased when I told them the next day that they were 2023’s Radiohead. Their guitar work is outstanding, with a psychedelic twist. It’s glorious reverb with incredible lyrics and vocals from Eliot.

Even better, they’re fantastic guys! I couldn’t wait to watch them again on Sunday at the Hideout Stage. With their full-length album on the way, I genuinely believe they have the potential to be much bigger and will undoubtedly be doing a longer and larger U.S. tour next year on bigger stages.

Older

As I get older, the nights out until 2 am become far fewer, but after watching a Zags game that nearly brought me to tears, I was off to spend the night at the Olympic, and watch Joe Hertzler and the Rainbow Seekers.

The Olympic is an outstanding venue for any band, but especially those bands that just emanate fun, and that’s Joe Hertzler. If you’re ready to groove, this is your opportunity. The lyrics are fabulous, and the saxophone is spectacular. 

Fun, dancing, and smiles resulted from 70 minutes of Bliss. Let’s hope they’re back in town soon.

That’s a wrap

It was time to head home and sleep for what would be a cold Sunday.

Sunday

Sunday wasn’t just cold; it was freezing and the coldest Treefort I’ve ever experienced. Oh man, I felt for everyone playing outside. Having missed my Seattle friends Smokey Brights set, I’m still tempted to email them and ensure they survived.

Heading back for round two of You Said Strange, I started with Plastic Picnic on the main stage. This incredible Brooklyn-based band made up of PNW transplants froze their asses off for our pure enjoyment. How any band could lose feeling in their hands and keep going is beyond me.

Plastic Picnic is dream rock at its finest, navigating happiness and sadness with aplomb. You couldn’t help but just dig in for every song and feel the expressions of love, anxiety, and sorrow. The lyrics can be haunting, the harmony between members is outstanding, and Emile Panerio’s vocals are outright angelic.

Round Two

It was time to watch my new favs, You Said Strange, a second time, and I was so fortunate to spend quite some time with them in the artist’s lounge after. Regardless of whether or not I get to help them develop their North American presence, it was an honor.

I cannot encourage you enough to check them out.

By the way, the free patty melts we ate (I had mine earlier) were so damn tasty. I never knew we get free food!

Finally

Leikeli47 was phenomenal and more than deserving of placement as the ending Main Stage act.

Fun, cheering, dancing, and positivity surrounded you as the crowd pulsed with her totally original rap that felt like a celebration. If there is a fantastic artist that I’d love to meet, she’s it. Please give her finalized trilogy of albums a listen.

Home

Freezing wears you out. A little walking and checking in on the incredible sounds of Space Moth at the new Treefort Music Hall was an excellent finish before heading home to sleep off the cold.

Just a note on the Treefort Music Hall, it’s spectacular. Almost perfectly designed for music, with 180-degree viewing and excellent acoustics. Love it!

As I think about this year’s Treefort, Boise has developed an outstanding music scene. We’re the friendly city where everyone participates and loves to jam. There are no barriers to enjoying the music and no crowd of any certain type or age. It’s everyone, and it’s outstanding.

As I start Psycho Gecko Talent Management, I can’t think of a better city in which to do so.

Brian McKay is a founder of Zenruption Media, a professional writer, and has recently founded Psycho Gecko Talent Management to advance his passion for music. Treefort is his favorite yearly event.