Valerie June Shines at Evanston Folk Festival

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Valerie June fulfilled a long-held dream by performing at the Evanston Folk Festival. The festival, a prominent event on her ‘performance wish list,’ provided a unique opportunity for her to showcase her genre-bending style, which incorporates psychedelic folk, indie rock, Appalachian bluegrass, and soul.

The festival returned to Evanston with over 30 folk artists participating, drawing an impressive crowd to Dawes Park on September 12 and 13. Jake Samuels, director of music at 16″ on Center, indicated that more than 12,000 attendees enjoyed the festivities, including 6,000 on Sunday despite scattered showers. Guests remained engaged throughout the event, sustaining enthusiasm as iconic duo Indigo Girls headlined.

The lineup featured esteemed performers like Trampled by Turtles, Indigo Girls, Kathleen Edwards, Josh Ritter, Tift Merritt, Sierra Hull, and James McMurtry. Emily Saliers and Amy Ray of Indigo Girls expressed their excitement about returning to Evanston, mentioning the pleasure of performing alongside various talented artists.

Kathleen Edwards captivated the audience with her compelling performance. She discussed the challenges of selecting a set list for short sets, emphasizing the importance of performing songs that best represent her work. Her popular track ‘Asking For Flowers’ remained a consistent choice, resonating deeply with both new listeners and longtime fans.

Festival artists highlighted the communal spirit inherent in live music events. Josh Ritter, who performed on Sunday, and Tift Merritt both stressed the significance of gathering people from diverse backgrounds to enjoy music. Merritt praised small festivals for fostering community over commercial touring.

The event drew attendees from various regions, including first-time festival-goer Betsy Storm and her friend Chris Johnston from Evanston, who praised the festival’s organization and atmosphere. Jenny Schevers, a visitor from west suburban Wayne, expressed enthusiasm for Josh Ritter’s performance, despite inclement weather challenging some visitors.

Samuels emphasized the festival’s creation as a platform for singer-songwriters, inspired by successful listening room events and a desire to spotlight folk music. He noted the scarcity of folk-dedicated festivals in Chicago, recognizing Evanston’s unique position to meet this demand.