(Editor’s note: This is part of The Know’s series, Staff Favorites. Each week, we offer our opinions on the best that Colorado has to offer for dining, shopping, entertainment, outdoor activities and more. We’ll also let you in on some hidden gems).
For more than 50 years, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival has been a must-hit destination for music lovers. Those willing to make the trek to this remote enclave of Colorado are rewarded with an endless supply of A+ talent, stunning mountain views and convivial vibes that are so magnetic they’ll draw you back year after year.
But don’t just take my word for it. Many artists return to play the fest multiple times because of the atmosphere.
That’s true of Colorado’s own Yonder Mountain String Band, which marked its 24th appearance at Telluride Bluegrass Festival this year. The 52nd annual event took place at Telluride Town Park from June 19 to 22, and to suggest it might feel like old hat after performing two dozen times is almost offensive.
“Yeah, totally… if by ‘old hat’ you mean ‘dream gig we’d mud wrestle each other to play every year,’” said bassist Ben Kaufmann in an email interview. “It’s Telluride – there’s nothing else like it.”
The town of Telluride and its unique setting in a box canyon, surrounded by 13,000-foot-plus peaks, is certainly an obvious draw for musicians and fans alike. The members of bluesy pop outfit Lake Street Dive, who performed Friday night, took turns describing it in an interview at the festival grounds: “Beautiful,” “majestic,” “utopia,” and “sublime” were just a few of their choice words.
Singer Rachael Price added that the festival is unique because of how “artist-friendly” it is. The musicians who perform can also access the VIP seating area to watch other bands they know and love.
“That’s a really kind thing to do because I think it makes all the artists wanna support each other and we’ve seen such incredible sets here over the years,” Price said.
This year was the band’s fourth time on the bill, and its set featured favorites from its newest album, “Good Together,” alongside excellent covers. In true Telluride Bluegrass form, there were a few surprises. Lake Street Dive collaborated with other musicians on the lineup to reimagine its funky hit “Party on the Roof” as a bluegrass tune before welcoming legendary banjo player Béla Fleck to the stage for a soulful cover of Hall & Oates’ “Rich Girl.”
That collaborative spirit is one thing that keeps performing interesting and exciting, said drummer Mike Calabrese, likening the culture to that of the renowned Newport Folk Festival.
“Be ready to be asked to play with other people and be ready to ask other people to sit in with you,” he said.
Artist comingling doesn’t just happen on stage. Lake Street Dive bassist Bridget Kearney and keyboardist Akie Bermiss recounted playing Dungeons & Dragons with the banjo player from Sam Bush Band and several sound engineers.
“It was a blast, it was battle royale,” Bermiss said.
Though New Orleans’ Rebirth Brass Band has played in Telluride before, 2025 was the first year it joined the bluegrass festival. Co-founder Keith Frazier – who plays the bass drum with a cymbal mounted on top, using a screwdriver for the latter – said he’ll take any opportunity to perform in the mountain town because of how supportive the fans are.
“The community really comes out to support. Whatever music they have, they come out and support,” Frazier said. That was perhaps no more evident on Sunday afternoon, when attendees commandeered the “standing only” walkway near the front of the stage during Rebirth’s set and transformed it into a massive dancefloor.
“If you want to be a part of it, you have to really want to be here. If you’re not from here, it’s a long drive,” he added. “So people come and they really want to be here.”
Artists, like folk singer Ken Pomeroy, noticed that from the stage, too. “One thing I find so special about this festival is you guys are so quiet, until you need to be,” she said. “I’ve never ever experienced that at a festival. Only in Telluride!”
That confluence of factors has inspired traditions unique to Telluride Bluegrass Festival, such as sleeping in line overnight to be the first for the morning tarp run and brunch picnics at the main stage. During Yonder Mountain String Band’s set, fans throw a barrage of marshmallows at the members on stage. Kaufmann said the genesis of that tradition remains “one of those great mysteries.”
“It’s endearing, it’s distracting, and somehow it keeps you from overthinking the enormity of the gig — because instead of nerves, you’re busy dodging 20,000 airborne marshmallows,” he said. “That said, we definitely feel for the stage crew. Pretty sure we owe the festival about 20 new carpets.”
Always a crowd favorite, we’ll wager that won’t keep them from receiving an invitation to next year’s event.