Pictures from the opening day of the inaugural Telluride Ride Festival. The all-star lineup on Saturday included Lucinda Williams, Ben Harper and Colorado's own Big Head Todd & the Monsters.
Presented by Telluride's own funky community station, and friends of KUNC, KOTO - the Ride Festival kicked off with Matthew Curry and the Fury and climbed from there. Early afternoon highlights included a solo set from David Lindley and a tearing set from the North Mississippi Allstars.
The weather held until the late afternoon when the skies opened and the rain fell just as JJ Grey and Mofro took to the stage. The downpour didn't dampen the experience as the scenery certainly sunk in on Grey, who described angrier past days and spoke of how now the beauty in the canyon spoke to him. Concert goers who weren't bothered by a little falling water got a treat. Luther Dickinson from the North Mississippi Allstars came out on stage guitar in hand to jam with Mofro in the set.
The evening close out started with a set from Big Head Todd, the second of three sets for them during the weekend, then Lucinda Williams. Williams finished her set, the final of her current tour, with a rollicking cover of Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World."
Ben Harper closed out day one of the festival tearing through "Diamonds on the Inside", "Burn to Shine", and "Faded" as the three song opener to his set. A highlight had to have been the inspired cover of "Atlantic City."
Day 2 of the festival features appearances from The Lumineers, The Wood Brothers, Los Lobos, and Big Head Todd & the Monsters.
