With Billy Strings tearing up stadiums, bluegrass is undeniably experiencing a renaissance. And there are few bluegrass bands in New York right now on a hotter streak than Dirty Blanket. The Canandaigua-based act sold out their fifth-straight concert on New Years Eve, ringing in 2024 with a rowdy crowd at Three Heads Brewing in Rochester.
The band’s seamless blend of traditional and contemporary bluegrass, coupled with high-energy picking, had the audience jumping and shouting. The intimate venue provided the perfect setting for their energy, creating an unforgettable night of music and celebration.
Dirty Blanket is a five-piece consisting of Joel Fedkiw on banjo, Max Flansburg on lead guitar, Richie Colf on mandolin, Kevin O’Leary on guitar and Benny Bleu Haravitch on the upright bass. The band has been selling out shows all over the state and Flansburg just finished a weekend picking with the nationally-renowned Sam Grisman Project (not for the last time).
On New Years the impeccable musicianship was on full display, with each member contributing to the rich tapestry of sound that defines Dirty Blanket’s signature style. A lot of bluegrass bands have the instrumentals down but what sets Dirty Blanket apart from the pack is their vocal harmonization. The singing just sounds great. And the instrumentation is there – the synergy between the banjo, guitar, bass, and mandolin was nothing short of magic. Whether it was the lightning-fast fingerpicking or the soulful strains of the bass, every note resonated with precision and passion, captivating the audience.
The band started off the first set with a driving rendition of the Hot Rize song “Hard-Pressed,” before turning to crowd-favorite originals like “My Getaway,” and “Hobo Jones.” The first set also saw covers of Bob Dylan’s “It’s All Over Now Baby Blue,” and “Jack-A-Roe” by the Grateful Dead before ending with the original “Better Days.”
Set Two started with “New Disease,” and featured ten songs including covers of “On and On” by Bill Monroe and “The Shape I’m in by The Band. As the clock struck midnight and the calendar turned to 2024, the venue erupted in cheers and applause. To add a festive touch to the celebration, balloons cascaded from the ceiling, creating a visually stunning moment that complemented the wild atmosphere. Dirty Blanket seamlessly transitioned into a lively rendition of “Auld Lang Syne,” inviting the crowd to sing along and embrace the camaraderie of the New Year. The band swapped instruments to showcase Benny Bleu’s old time banjo playing for the first two songs of the encore before ending the night with a version of “Burning Love” by Elvis and sending the crowd home happy.
Three Heads Brewing provided the ideal backdrop for Dirty Blanket’s New Year’s Eve celebration. The rustic charm of the brewery, coupled with the intimate setting, created an environment where the music could take center stage. The great sound handled by engineer Hakeem Dodley enhanced the crispness of the instruments, allowing the audience to fully appreciate the nuances of Dirty Blanket’s performance. Everybody had a great time celebrating the new year, and this band gave just one more example of why if they play near you, you need to get a ticket.
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