Blue Ox Music Festival, one of the best weekends of the summer
- Suzy
- Jul 9, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Apr 26
My first experience at Blue Ox Music Festival, nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, was an enchanting one that would feed my music-loving soul! It was 2021, the first year back after Covid had put an abrupt halt to events, and I was a few months separated from my now ex-husband, ready to do all of the things I'd always wanted to. After a few magical days immersed in a vibrant tapestry of sound, nature and community - I knew I'd be back.
Billy and I went together in 2023 - our first summer together - and were back for the Blue Ox Music Festival's 10 year anniversary in June of 2024. I think we're both still on a high from having our senses enhanced in the most electric way! Read on for our highlights and takeaways from this most special festival.
🎶 A Celebration of Music and Community
First and foremost, Blue Ox is a celebration of music and community. It's renowned for its eclectic lineup, showcasing the finest in bluegrass, Americana, and roots music. This year's festival featured an impressive array of artists, from beloved headliners (Band of Horses, Sierra Ferrell, Sam Bush Band, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway) to emerging talents (Maygen & The Birdwatcher, Kassi Valazza, The Spooklights), and local favorites (Them Coulee Boys and Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, to name a few), each bringing their unique rhythms and melodies to the stage. As the music reverberates through the trees, you'll feel an undeniable connection to the performers and fellow festival-goers, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Everyone is very friendly, open and cool! It's the kind of music community that welcomes everyone, where inhibitions melt away and music lovers are invited to let the sound overtake them without fear of judgement. What I love about Blue Ox is that the festival is capped at 5,000 people. On Saturday, it definitely felt like there were 5,000 people there, but because everything is spread out among the pines and hardwoods, there is always somewhere to find a moment of solace if necessary.
But back to the music! Blue Ox takes place in the Pines Music Park (formerly Whispering Pines Campground) right on the outskirts of Eau Claire. There are three stages: the Main Stage, Saloon Stage and Backwoods Stage. The first two are in the main area of the bowl, and as the name would suggest, the biggest acts perform on the Main Stage. What's great is there is no real break in music because once the main stage act is done, the band at the Saloon Stage starts wailing. The backwoods stage is in one of the unreserved camping areas, a great location for late night tunes and debauchery!
There is also a family stage in the family camping area where lots of fun activities are planned for those with littles. And if you want to stay up really late, hit up the Potluck String Band campsite where the pickers are always playing, and musicians stop by to lend their talents.
Let's start with our Thursday music round-up. First, it's not possible to see every single band, except on Thursday when there are fewer acts on the Backwoods Stage, so keep that in mind. The first act on the Main Stage was Kazzi Valazza, who offered up her gorgeous vocals and acoustic guitar playing. Her haunting music would be the perfect soundtrack for a hip coffee shop, in fact she commented that the Main Stage was a bit out of her comfort zone. We really enjoyed when she brought out another musician to offer lead guitar to her tunes. Our only critique is it was a bit slow for the opening of the entire festival. I would have loved something more up tempo to really start things out with a lot of energy! But, not to fear - the energy was on the way
Lindsay Lou has been a regular at Blue Ox for several years, and it's easy to see why! Her voice is beautiful and strong, melodies flow effortlessly. Lindsay and her band were outstanding and I'm so glad I had been listening to her music before the festival to really appreciate it and sing along.
Our highlight of the night was Daniel Donato and Cosmic Country. We fell in love when they performed at Blue Ox in 2023, and were eager to dance to their cosmic country crunchy rock! Daniel is a guitar phenomenon, incredible with his unique sound. It's kind of hard to explain, but his music will make you feel amazing and you'll be dancing! He also joined Leftover Salmon for the last show on the Main Stage - and to nobody's surprise, they were amazing.
We are huge fans of The High Hawks, which is a band made up of members from the likes. of Leftover Salmon, Railroad Earth, Hard Working Americans and Horseshoes and Hand Grenades. They're super fun and we were stoked to see them after a fun gig at Whitewater Music Hall in Wausau. Unfortunately, as in Blue Ox tradition, it rained during their double set on the Backwoods Stage, so we stayed in our camp which was nearby.
Now on Friday, there was no need to worry about a slow start, because hometown heroes, Them Coulee Boys were first up on the main stage and they brought the fire! You could tell how proud they were to play for the crowd, and we were happy to dance along! I wanted to give a huge shout out to Maygen & The Birdwatcher who opened the Saloon Stage. I'd just started listening to the Minnesota-based band a few months before the fest and I was pleased to hear them pass my expectations.
The Devil Makes Three is such a fun, sexy band! It's impossible not to bob your head and tap your feet to their electric troubadour punk sound. They absolutely killed. We were huge fans of Frogleg closing out the Backwoods Stage Friday night too.
Nothing quite compared to the incredible display of music and a culmination of exactly what Blue Ox should be so much as Saturday. Del McCoury Band was the crisp, classic bluegrass that you want to hear. Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway absolutely smashed that stage! Billy kept saying Molly is like a female Billy Strings and I have to agree. Sam Bush Band proved why he's invited back year after year after year.
Like everyone else standing among us, we have a huge crush on Sierra Ferrell! She is the cutest thing you'll ever see up on stage, but her voice is so effortlessly vibrant and perfectly accompanies the jazzy bluegrass country sound. She was totally mesmerizing, and it's no surprise that the clouds began to break and the sun finally shone once Sierra hit the stage. Her music is so fun, I really loved singing along to Fox Hunt, Silver Dollar and Dollar Bill Bar. But when she sang American Dreamin, I couldn't help but tear up, it was just so beautiful, and in that moment with the gold-lined clouds glistening behind Ms. Ferrell I felt truly grateful for my life. What a gift it was to be there!
Tan & Sober Gentlemen were super fun and high energy on the Saloon Stage, and then it was Pert Near Sandstone's turn to shine again. The host band has quickly become one of our favorites to see live, and I will jump at any chance! We saw them very up close and personally at the Midwest Telefest in the Porcupine Mountains last February. They played at the American Legion in White Pine, Mi and it was absolutely insane absorbing their incredible talent on that tiny dance floor. Anyway, they were incredible on the Main Stage, showing the crowd so much genuine appreciation. They brought up friends from Them Coulee Boys, Kyle Tuttle, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, Sam Bush, and some others and absolutely brought the house down!
We were stoked for HHG who were closing out the bowl on the Saloon Stage. They brought the energy and charisma we've grown to love more and more over the years. We just love these dudes! It's always fun bumping into singer and guitarist Adam Greuel, who we ran into earlier in the fest. After, we listened to the Burbillies, a mish-mash of musicians who played 80s cover bluegrass - it was absolutely mind blowing and so much fun! Perfect ending to the most magical few days of foot-thumpin' tunes amidst the pines.
🌟 Family-Friendly Fun
Blue Ox is a family-friendly festival, welcoming attendees of all ages. You will find all ages at Blue Ox, from the tiniest little humans to those who've seen some things in their lifetime! We love that Blue Ox is family-friendly without being kid-centered. We would be very comfortable bringing children to this festival, but it sure is fine to let loose as adults too! The Kids’ Zone offers a variety of activities to keep the little ones entertained, from arts and crafts to interactive workshops, and lots and lots of bubbles! With plenty of open space for children to run and play, parents can relax and enjoy the music knowing their kids are having a blast in a safe and engaging environment.
🍴 Culinary Delights and Artisan Wares
Indulge in a diverse selection of food and beverage options that cater to every palate. From local food trucks serving up mouthwatering dishes to craft beer and cocktail vendors, there’s something to satisfy every craving. We were very pleased with the non-alcoholic options under the tent. There were two NA beers on tap, plus cannabis-infused sparkling water from Honeybee Cannabis Co. As non-drinkers, we truly appreciated all of the options!
Additionally, the festival's marketplace features a curated collection of artisan crafts, clothing, and unique souvenirs, allowing you to take a piece of Blue Ox magic home with you. Blue Ox merch this year was fantastic! We picked up a couple of hats and shirts which we'll proudly adorn.
🌌 Unforgettable Nights Under the Stars
As the sun sets and the stars begin to twinkle, Blue Ox transforms into a magical nighttime wonderland. With campfires crackling, lanterns glowing, and spontaneous jam sessions springing up around every corner, the festival’s nighttime ambiance is truly something to behold. Share stories, make new friends, and let the music carry you into the early hours of the morning.
All camping at the pines is considered primitive, with reserved and unreserved camping, but there are amenities including very clean porta-potties, a building with (warm this year!) showers, and electric capabilities. We decided to camp early and arrived on Wednesday to find the same spot we'd secured the year before in the general unreserved area. We were up on a little ridge, with the Backwoods Stage in our downhill back yard. It was a great spot, and we were pleased to perch ourselves up on the ridge between the music acts.we couldn't miss.
Blue Ox Music Festival 2024 was a celebration of ten years in the pines, an unforgettable weekend of music, nature, and community. Whether you’re a seasoned festival veteran or a first-time attendee, you’ll find your place in the heart of this vibrant and welcoming celebration. See you at Blue Ox next year!
Comments