Music

Boise's Treefort Music Fest kicked off Wednesday night, as thousands of music fans descended onto downtown. On Thursday, we headed out into the field to get some sound from the second day of the festival. 

The Treefort Music Festival just kicked off its eighth opening day and more than 400 bands will come through Boise this week. Those in the local music scene say the festival has given a boost to bands and venues alike.

It can be daunting trying to figure out which of the 400+ bands playing Treefort to see and on Wednesday's Idaho Matters, we makes it easy for you. Boise State Public Radio's Frankie Barnhill joins guest host George Prentice to help you focus on which bands you should see play and which ones might get a pass.

Hundreds of bands are descending on downtown Boise for the eighth Treefort Music Festival. Spanning four days, the 2019 edition of the festival is bringing over 400 music acts to the City of Trees. Among the panoply of artists spanning genres is Liz Cooper and the Stampede.

Cooper's style of Americana and roots music has been described by critics as a "gorgeously arranged and performed bouquet of psychedelia-tinged folk rock." Cooper is performing Wednesday evening at an intimate show co-sponsored by Boise State Public Radio and The Record Exchange.

As Treefort attendees go from venue to venue, watching band after band, it is important to know that three straight days of loud, live music can be detrimental to your hearing. Idaho Matters talks about protecting your ears with Idaho Elks Hearing and Balance Center audiologist Dr. Kate Savage.

Kirk Siegler began reporting for Montana Public Radio in 2003 and moved up to NPR's national desk in 2012 to cover the American West. He will discuss his coverage of last year's Camp Fire in California at Storyfort and he talks with Idaho Matters about reporting from the fire lines.

The Fort of Drag joins the plethora of "forts" this year at Treefort and events include performances, panel discussions and a drag queen story hour. We talk with Fort of Drag creator and director Cole Calvin and community liaison Gabrielle Davis about using Treefort to connect with the area's transgender community.

Idaho Power has a green power initiative that allows people to purchase wind and solar energy for their homes. Now, this week’s Treefort Music Fest is getting in on the program. 

Each March for the last eight years, Treefort Music Fest has taken over downtown Boise. The five-day festival starts Wednesday, and will feature headliners Vince Staples, Liz Phair and Toro y Moi alongside hundreds of other musical acts. 

Treefort keeps growing and programming for kids and families is the next Fort-frontier. Idaho Matters speaks about booking all-age shows and events for kids with Nathan Walker of the Boise All-Ages Movement project and Briana Moore of Treefort.