Boise Sets the Stage for How to Rock in Respect at Treefort Music Fest
Despite national headlines about Idaho’s dismal record on Covid vaccinations and predictable overcrowding in emergency rooms, Boise’s Treefort Music Fest may be a model for how to bring out the best in people in the ongoing aftermath of a global pandemic.
Simply caring for one another and following health protocols was a guarantee that the funk was fat, the punk packed a punch, and the Avant dropped its guard. TMF has established itself as the gold standard in the rebirth of post-pandemic events.
While typically scheduled for March, the festival organizers decided to hold an interim festival with amped-up safety measures that were strict yet politely enforced. It was a simple choice; kick up a fuss about masks and vaccinations and get no music or jump through a few hoops and then kick out the jams for five days straight.
“They’re being really positive about putting their masks back on,” says one of the many friendly volunteer security guards who respectfully asks attendees to pull up their masks or show their “Corona Clear” wristbands. Occasionally they also instruct guests to finish or dump their alcohol cups before heading out of the main stage area to the streets of downtown Boise. After that, it’s party time in a remarkably drama-free festival.
“We had a scraped knee that needed a band-aide,” says volunteer nurse Carri Cardoni. “That’s all I’ve seen today.”
If there were any drunken brawls or other mishaps that one would expect at a festival, it was most likely so minor that it didn’t hit the radar. Clearly, Treefort was not going to be Woodstock ’99 .
Consider the multi-step refreshment process. Fans lined to pay $4 each for festival-specific tokens of equal value to stand in line again for the chance of getting a sparkling Rosé. A bubbly pain-in-the-ass? Well, yes. But, like most procedures at the festival, it was thought through.
“Think about it this way,” says Lindy Craine at El Korah, the local Shriners Hall, to hear Seattle-based rockers Smokey Brights. “This venue wouldn’t be able to serve drinks to people outside the Shriners’ members if it wasn’t for this system.”
To Ms. Craine’s point, the place was packed with fans clutching their cups with a ubiquitous attitude of understanding. The festival’s success was largely due to the simple fact that attendees respected and cared for one another. The jokes about yoga pants, tree-hugging, and quinoa-lined streets can’t take away from that. Because of this collective consciousness, the give-and-take between performers and music lovers was both magical and musical. Not an Anti-Vax’er in sight.
Yet, perhaps most importantly — the festival will be held again in March, the original festival date. That’s right, as a counterpunch to Covid’s shenanigans, the Treefort Music Festi of Boise, Idaho, will be held twice.
Take that, you humorless virus.
Don’t miss out. https://www.treefortmusicfest.com/
