Photos: Trampled by Turtles brought high-energy bluegrass to The Truman

7 hours ago

Allison Scavo,

Photo by Allison Scavo

Trampled by Turtles brought the kind of emotional, evocative energy a band can create by honoring traditional bluegrass with a contemporary twist. With mandolin, fiddle, banjo, guitar, and upright bass driving the music, the Minnesota-based group has perfected their lightning-fast picking and a willingness to let acoustic instruments get loud. The strings chase one another, trade melodies, and build momentum until the music feels like it’s barely holding itself together. Beneath that speed is a more reflective side, with Dave Simonett’s songwriting bringing a thoughtful, sometimes melancholy edge to songs that can turn an entire room into a singalong. That balance between introspection and outright musical abandon has helped Trampled by Turtles move beyond the bluegrass scene and onto stages shared with artists across the Americana, folk, and rock worlds.

Trampled by Turtles have never needed elaborate production to make an impression. Their strength lies in the chemistry between the musicians and the precision that makes such intricate arrangements sound effortless. There is a beautiful tension in watching a band play this fast while staying so connected, with every instrument contributing to a sound bigger than the sum of its parts.

Trampled by Turtles

Wild Horses brought their blend of Americana, folk, and rock to Kansas City, delivering the kind of performance that reminds you why live music is about more than just the songs. The Minnesota trio, Jed LaPlant, Ariana LaPlant, and Landon Pahl, has built its sound around rich harmonies, thoughtful songwriting, and the chemistry that comes from years of making music together. With guitar, fiddle, keys, and bass working together, their sound moves between rootsy melodies and driving rhythms without losing the warmth that makes their music feel personal. Wild Horses has a road-worn honesty, a sense that these musicians have put everything into chasing the music and are right where they belong.

The band delivered an incredibly special encore, performing a completely acoustic song with nothing plugged in, not even microphones. It took a collective understanding between the band and the crowd to make it work. The crowd had to agree to stop all noise, creating a rare moment of shared respect in a room full of people we otherwise deem complete strangers. It was a fitting reminder of what makes a live performance actually matter: the connection between the people onstage and the people who came to listen.

Wild Horses may be traveling the country one show at a time, but their harmonies, musicianship, and genuine approach to the music give audiences a reason to remember them long after the stage goes dark.