Indie-rock stars the Decemberists wowed a packed audience at the Nelsonville Music Festival Friday evening with their musical talent, but honestly, the real star of the show was a mild-mannered NMF volunteer named Dan.
Decemberists' lead singer Colin Meloy's voice wasn't doing so hot Friday, seeming like he was sick recently. So, he brought up a lucky audience member (Dan) to sing the epic, 8-minute-plus-long ballad "The Mariner's Revenge." And Dan (last name Hinderliter, we caught up with him Saturday) did not disappoint, basically singing the entire song from heart while swaying in time with the band, winning both the crowd's heart and the band's.
Hinderliter, 26, said he's been a big Decemberists fan since early high school (he lived in Athens for a few years but moved awat recently). He added that he got to hang out with the band afterward, who showed him a lot of love. They basically told him he "saved the tour" for them despite Meloy being sick.
"It was like a dream come true," he said.
While "Mariner's Revenge" (complete with a big, tough-looking whale float brought out into the audience) was definitely the highlight of the evening, there were plenty of other great moments. Combo Chimbita – from New York – brought their smooth, lovely brand of "tropical futurism" to the Porch Stage Friday evening and to NMF's campground stage after midnight. Late in the afternoon, Australia's up-and-coming Middle Kids also likely made a lot of new fans with a great set.
Three-piece psych-rock/stoner-rock band Earthless closed out the Porch Stage Friday with an impressive display of stamina, basically slamming out 30-plus minutes of squealing guitar and heavy, driving bass and drums.
There's plenty more to look forward to today, with legendary funk act George Clinton & the Parliament Funkadelic headlining the main stage, following up some great acts in Tank and the Bangas (who are also playing a short, intimate set at the Gladden House stage at 3:15), Toronto's Alvvays and Kevin Morby
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