Mountain Fest 2013: O.A.R., Chanman Roots Band, Deadlocks, Lazy Eyes
(An excerpt of this piece was published in Planet JH Weekly)
If you’re looking to go big on Mountain Fest weekend and catch the wave of free music that will ricochet off the Tetons this weekend, the Village has much to offer.I didn’t realize how mainstream poppy headlining act O.A.R (Of A Revolution) has become until I spun their latest single “Gotta Be Wrong Sometimes.” A revolution? More like an evolution of a band in the throngs of the industry machine, and a questionable fit for an end-of-season throw down in Jackson Hole (albeit a better fit than 2007’s headliner, The Wreckers).The New York Times described O.A.R. as “Matchbox Twenty plus Maroon 5 plus UB40,” with no mention of jamband as they were once associated. But it’s worth stating that even die hard O.A.R fans (they’ve sold two million albums since 2001) have acknowledged the band’s sway into new pop doesn’t deter them from loving the band’s best material, like “Crazy Game of Poker” and “Untitled,” which led them to sell out Madison Square Garden more than a couple of times. O.A.R., 5 p.m. Saturday March 30 in the parking lot of Teton Village. Free, all-ages. New local rock band, Black Mother Jones opens. JacksonHole.com. Fireworks follow the show. 
Before the show: Stay lazy with local cover band Lazy Eyes, 3 p.m. Saturday under the Tram. Free, all-ages.After the show: If you need a miracle every day, scoot over to Grateful Dead cover band The Deadlocks, 9:30 p.m. Saturday at the Mangy Moose. $10. MangyMoose.com.The day after Mountain Fest: Honoring the late and legendary skier and Marmot Athlete Doug Coombs (1957-2006), an after-party for the 5th Annual Coombs Classic will feature Chanman Roots Band playing thumping roots-reggae at 2:30 p.m. on the deck of Nick Wilson’s Café. Free, all-ages. Also, read the preview and stream the interview with Deer Tick, who is also playing on Sunday March 31.