Fairly Local

2016 Fair live tunes lineup reflects Eugene scene

Marv Ellis & We Tribe
Marv Ellis & We Tribe

Survey Oregon Country Fair 2016’s music schedule and find African blues rock ‘n’ roll with Portland’s Dusu Mali Band (featuring Ibrahim Kelly, nephew of legendary Mali blues guitarist Ali Farka Toure) as well as homegrown indie rock from Eugene’s Ferns (featuring world-class guitar work from Jake Pavlak, like a red-bearded mix of Johnny Marr of The Smiths and Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath. Unconfirmed rumor has it Ferns are on hiatus after this show, so don’t miss ’em!)

Dusu Mali Band plays 11 am Friday and Saturday, July 8-9, and 2 pm Sunday, July 9, on the Monkey Palace Stage. Ferns play only once at 11 am Saturday, July 9, on the Hoarse Chorale stage at Chela Mela.

Those looking to keep their OCF experience EUG-centric should look into these other locals: Popular Eugene reggae act Sol Seed plays 3 pm Saturday, July 9, on the Hoarse Chorale Stage, and Marv Ellis & We Tribe brings its brand of uplifting post-hip-hop, soul, funk and jazz to Monkey Palace Stage 6 pm Sunday, July 10. Both Ellis and Sol Seed are making big inroads regionally and beyond, becoming some of Eugene’s biggest musical exports.

Speaking of local exports, how about a whole new style of music? Eugene’s High Step Society presents their Eugene-innovated sound called “electro-swing” 6:15 pm Friday, July 8, on the Kesey Stage.

In a similar vein, Alcyon Massive makes the trip north from Ashland, bringing his “backwoods hip hop” and “roots reggae” to the Front Porch Stage 6 pm Friday, July 8, and again at that same hour Sunday, July 10. Also, don’t miss Afrolicious: the Bay-area act plays Afrobeat and Brazilian break-beat funk with an electronic edge at 6 pm Friday, July 8, on the Main Stage.

A couple familiar Portland acts make their pilgrimage to the fair this year. Popular, twin-powered folk-rock act Shook Twins perform 2:55 pm (yes, 2:55 pm — why not? It’s the Fair) Saturday, July 9, on the Main Stage. And like a Portlandia skit run amok, MarchFourth! returns with a kaleidoscopic mix of funk, rock, jazz, Afrobeat, Gypsy-brass and big band. MarchFourth! performs twice: 6 pm Friday, July 8, at the Monkey Palace and 6 pm Saturday, July 9,  on the Main Stage.

Dumpstaphunk

And for funky Fair fans, New Orleans Dumpstaphunk plays Main Stage 4 pm Sunday, July 10. On the acoustic-string band tip, don’t miss Vince Herman (Leftover Salmon, Great American Taxi) 5:50 pm Saturday, July 9, on the Blue Moon Stage. And Scott Law performs with Scott James and Cosmic Twang 2:50 pm Friday, July 8, on the Main Stage.

For a complete schedule of live music, including times and stages, visit oregoncountryfair.com or get a copy of the “Peach Pit,” the official program for OCF available around town and on Fair grounds.