Event Review: Great River Folk Festival 2023 in La Crosse, Wisconsin
This long-running nonprofit festival delivered tons of fun while respecting and expanding upon the traditions of folk music. Read about it and see a gallery of photos from the event!
Great River Folk Festival. Photo credit: Keely Zynda.
Great River Folk Festival in La Crosse, Wisconsin is the state’s longest-running nonprofit music festival, and it has been organized and operated by an all-volunteer team since it started in 1976. Folk legend Pete Seeger himself even played it in 1978!
Now all that sounds noble and commendable, but does it sound…fun? Is there still appetite enough for folk music in 2023 that it can sustain a three-day festival in a smaller market? And can such a festival be respectful of history (both the fest’s own and that of the genre it celebrates) while still feeling relevant and contemporary to modern music fans?
A tall order and big questions for the team (who again, are all unpaid volunteers) that crafted this year’s fest, but to their credit, the answer to all of the above is a resounding “YES.”
Great River Folk Festival. Photo credit: Keely Zynda.
Throughout the weekend, large crowds from a wide array of ages populated the grounds of the festival, and judging by the smiles, sing-alongs, and dance moves from attendees, it was an altogether fun time.
That said, the music played in the tents and on the main stage never shied away from addressing political realities and existential issues as folk music is known to do, and many of the songs and performers would’ve fit right in on stage alongside Pete Seeger circa 1978. In other words, it was a good time for families and folk purists alike, and it’s clear that GRFF has a reverence for folk traditions while still being willing to push the boundaries a bit with different types of music that, as GRFF board member (and performer) Esther Gvora puts it, “expand the definition of folk and create a more diverse and unique experience.”
Esther Gvora. Photo credit: Keely Zynda.
This is not an easy balance to strike, but GRFF has succeeded in doing so by truly embracing a collaborative spirit. “As a young person on the board, I feared that I wouldn’t be accepted. I was so wrong,” says Gvora. “I lost count of how many times I was pulled aside to be told how excited someone was that there were younger people helping to bring new life to the fest. So much joy from all people embracing the growth and change.”
This collaborative spirit carries forward to the stages and performances too, with artist song swaps being an integral part of the fest. The song swaps are where a few artists occupy the stage together and alternate talking about and playing their own respective tunes. It’s an interesting and intimate way to get to know the performers for both the audience and the other artists.
The Sweet Lillies with The Lavender Project. Photo credit: Keely Zynda.
One of the most talked-about of these sessions featured The Sweet Lillies, whose set on Sunday for the “Women in Folk” song swap ended with them inviting Cassie Magpie and Jasper Lepak to play “None of Your Business” by Salt n Pepa. It received a standing ovation. The Sweet Lillies likewise bridged hip hop and folk by inviting locals from The Lavender Project to join their main stage set on Saturday night for an uplifting performance that celebrated love and belonging.
Robbie Fulks with fiddler Shad Cobb. Photo credit: Keely Zynda.
For fans desiring a more traditional folk performance, Robbie Fulks was no doubt a highlight. Accompanied only by a fiddle player, Fulks started the set un-mic’d and walking around in the audience. Later into his set he launched into a riverboat song in honor of the La Crosse Queen sailing by the festival, which is perfectly placed alongside the Mississippi—a river that has inspired and appeared in so many songs old and new.
Songwriter Contest winner Sarah King. Photo credit: Keely Zynda.
Another unique feature of the fest is the annual Songwriter Contest. This year’s competition started online in May, with 12 finalists chosen from all entries received. A second round of judges brought the 12 down to a top three—Annie Bacon, Sarah King, and Alex Toast—who all got to play the festival. Judges ultimately picked King as this year’s winner, who was awarded cash, studio time, a Mini-Taylor, the opportunity to open for last year's winner Andy Baker, and an invitation to play next year's festival.
High & Rising. Photo credit: Keely Zynda.
These were just a few of the many great performances that took place over the three days of the festival, with the likes of Jerrika Mighelle, Them Coulee Boys, Luke Callen, Susan Werner, Good Morning Bedlam, High & Rising, Lou Shields and many more playing Friday through Sunday. The festival also featured an art market to browse and food trucks to enjoy.
It all added up to be a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and the fact that GRFF is a true labor of love with all kinds of handmade flourishes (all artist hospitality was home-cooked instead of catered, for instance) really comes through for attendees—especially since most of the board and organizers could be seen front and center throughout the fest singing and dancing along with everyone else.
“I am not exhausted, I’m excited and hopeful. It was a damn privilege to get to put that weekend together for the people of La Crosse and beyond,” says Gvora. The sentiment is clearly shared by the entirety of the GRFF team, whose enthusiasm and passion led the 2023 festival to be the most successful financially since it launched!
Exciting news indeed, especially given the current musical landscape that is so dominated by the likes of Live Nation and Ticketmaster. Amidst corporatized venues taking merch cuts from the artists and radio waves being consolidated under the iHeart banner, a 100% independent and nonprofit music festival feels not just refreshing but increasingly vital and even downright rebellious. The ceiling for such a festival when helmed by this forward-thinking team is high, and seems set to grow into something that will draw wider and wider support as it continues to further establish itself as a true destination event.
Great River Folk Festival. Photo credit: Keely Zynda.
Gallery: Great River Folk Festival (all photos by Keely Zynda)
Jordan Duroe. Photo courtesy of the author.
Jordan Duroe is the host of Farewell Transmission, a weekly alt-country and indie folk show on Converge Radio 101.9 FM—an independent station based out of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Farewell Transmission airs new episodes every Monday from 5-6 PM, and replays on Sunday nights at 8:30 PM. It can also be streamed live at these times via the TuneIn app or by going to ConvergeMediaEC.com.
Keely Zynda. Photo courtesy of the photographer.
Keely Zynda is a professional photographer based in Duluth Minnesota who travels throughout the Northland doing festivals and events. Besides capturing concerts, her specialties include band photos, wedding photography, and family and individual portraits.
