While the main stage buzzed with excitement for pop machines Carly Rae Jepsen and Maroon 5, the festival's tented area transported attendees back to a golden era of pop music. Although the stage wasn't exactly swarming with festivalgoers, those who spent $120 to see ragtime revivalist Pokey LaFarge were more than rewarded. Joined by his four-piece band, LaFarge looked dapper in his black suit and slicked-back hair.
Kicking off with "So Long, Chicago" from his new LP, Rhumba Country, the Bloomington, IL musician showcased his charm. Strutting back and forth with his Fender Jazzmaster, he flashed an Elvis-like side snarl while changing the lyrics to "Hello Ontario."
Moving through a set featuring new material alongside tracks from 2021's In the Blossom of Their Shade, LaFarge's band was able to show off their goods. Erik Miron wowed the audience by playing guitar and pocket trumpet simultaneously during "For a Night," while keyboardist/organist Hank Mehren engaged in a dirty duet with Pokey on deep cut, "Don't Let It Go."
Returning for a highly demanded encore, LaFarge responded to requests for "Fuck Me Up" from 2020's Rock Bottom Rhapsody by sharing that he could no longer perform the song: "playing that song almost killed me, I have to leave it behind."
Instead, he closed the rowdy night with a rowdy rendition of Lonnie Johnson's 1927 classic, "Sweet Potato Blues." As Pokey's legend continues to flourish, it takes little effort to ignite his crowds into a frenzy — he still gave them every ounce of energy.
