Photos: Yonder Mountain String Band at Knuckleheads

May 15, 2024

Allison Scavo,

Yonder Mountain String Band. // photo by Allison Scavo

Yonder Mountain String Band
with MoonShroom
Knuckleheads Garage
Sunday, May 12

Yonder Mountain String Band has been a-pickin’ and a-hollerin’ since day one back in 1998, whether they knew how to or not, and figured it out along the way. Their bluegrass jam band had an immediate impact and gained followers as they toured. They have grown immensely over the years, hosting their own festivals and headlining others. It may seem like a short set with only seven songs on Sunday evening’s setlist, but each one was masterfully crafted to elongate the night with improvised free-flowing jams that bled into the next. It was as if time stood still yet sped up.

Local to Kansas City, Moonshroom opened for Yonder Mountain String Band Sunday evening. When singing the lyrics to one of their original songs, “I want to remember it all how it is right now,” lead vocalist and guitarist Lily looked out into the crowd, truly embracing the moment as it was. The band gave thanks to mothers for Mother’s Day, as all their mothers were in attendance while also giving an honorable moment to those who couldn’t be with us.

MoonShroom. // photo by Allison Scavo

Mushroom plays a spectrum of country music from backyard honky tonk country western to deep-rooted bluegrass twang with bouts of psychedelic jams. The vibe they set is quite harmonious and peaceful. If a beautiful spring day was a band it would be Moonshroom, embellished by an adorable crochet mushroom proudly displayed upon each of their instruments. As the setlist progressed, so did the tempo of the songs, as the southern gothic country was followed by a James Brown cover of “I Feel Good” into fast-paced bluegrass. Moonshoom is a hoot ‘n’ holler.

All photos by Allison Scavo

Yonder Mountain String Band