The Sidepony Express Music Festival started 14 years ago. They missed two years because of the pandemic, so this year was the 12 edition. It was the second Sidepony for Karla and myself.
Thursday
Sidepony had an official kick-off on Thursday, November 6 at the Bisbee Grand featuring Fatigo and Mariachi Pueblo Viejo. When we got to the grand a little after 7:00, Fatigo had already started. They were the first band on the new stage. Fatigo is a fun band with a rotating cast. On Thursday they had seven people on the new stage.
When Fatigo was done, we talked with the band a little and tried to buy a t-shirt, but they didn’t have my size. We left the Grand for a bit and went on a walk through Bisbee. We stopped in Gene’s and listened a little to the Celtic Jam, and the walked back to the Grand.
When we got back the mariachi band was playing. They had ten people on the new stage including five violins, two trumpets and three guitars (three different sizes). Everyone took turns singing the lead and everything was exceptionally executed.
It wasn’t too crowded but there was a good group for the kick off. We didn’t stay too late and headed back to Sierra Vista.
Friday
For Thursday night we were only in Bisbee for a few hours, but for Friday and Saturday, we got a room at the Hotel La More. I had to work some Friday morning, but we got to Bisbee around noon.
We walked to Bisbee Badassery for lunch and had disappointing burgers. Shantih was playing outside, but we were seated in Bigfoot’s cave, a separate space up the hill. We heard him a little but couldn’t see him. We heard the next band Biiiuh start, but we didn’t stay.
On our walk to Poco, we saw our friend Frankie. We mostly talked with Frankie while I Am Hologram played. We listened some. He kinda looked like a surfer. Just solo on a guitar with some interesting songs. There was some screaming at the end of a few song that I found annoying.
After Poco, Frankie went home and we walked to the Old Bisbee Brewery. We went outside, got some drinks and found a place to sit in the hot sun. The Whiskey Lickers were playing and they are a fun jugless jug band. They were missing their washboard player. All the sets at the brewery are extra long so we did not stay until the end.
A little before 3:00, we walked over to Porky’s. Alex Wilkerson and Owen on electric violin started a little early. Just some singer songwriter stuff with spacey violin. We both got texts from the Hotel La More that we could check in, so we only stayed for half of Alex’s set.
On our way, we walked past Gene’s and Smooth Hands was playing. We stopped in for 30 seconds but we really didn’t have a good place to stand and I wanted to keep going. I liked what I saw. They were really rocking.
After we checked in and were settled, we went to the Copper Queen for Cornelius deVallance. I wanted to go there because Cornelius was in JFA. This was their first show as a duo. They had a drum track that played straight through. They had a song about open bowling and a song ice cube trays. Kinda fun. We don’t stay until the the end and walked back over to Poco.
Danbert Nobacon was on his last song. Roger! was next and almost everyone left. We thought they were great. They ended with a cover of Overkill by Men at Work and added some “hold on loosely” lyrics at the end of the song.
Next, we walked to Carly’s for BEAR DOWN BEAR at 6:00. It was noisy, and the bathroom behind the stage was odd. After the table in front of us left, we moved closer to the stage. I think we were the only ones paying attention to the husband and wife duo. They didn’t hold my attention, but they thanked us later on the street for staying until the end.
It was around 7:00, and without any plans, we decided to grab some food at the BBQ food truck on Main Street. I ordered a pulled pork sandwich with baked beans while Karla got double nachos. After a short wait, we took our food to the Courtyard where Haley Green was performing to a good size crowd outside. We found an open couch inside—a perfect spot to eat. There was a line for drinks, but once it eased, I got a Stone IPA and Karla chose red wine.
When we finished our food, we got another round and went to the outside courtyard. Carol Pacey and the Honey Shakers were setting up. We found a place to sit and wait. When they started, we stood for most of their songs. When they were done, we said hi to Carol and Andy.
It was a little before 9:00 and we walked over to the Silver King. There was a long line for drinks so we skipped that and went to the patio. Deejay P Phunk was finishing and there was a good crowd. It stayed about the same for 20 Ft. Neon Jesus. He is fun and funny with his irreverent hip hop/rap.
When Jesus was done, we were getting a little tired and did not have a lot more that we had to see. So we went over to Gene’s for Mogley and the Zoniez. I got a Hamm’s and we hung out for a while. Big hair rock. We did not stay until the end.
We walked over to Chuckleheads and the Move Out Party was finishing. We found a couch and and rested for a bit. We moved to the bar and listed to The Maybe Next Years. I don’t remember a lot, but I think we kinda liked them.
At 11:00 we made one more trip to the Silver King for Barefoot on Bumblebees. It was a duo with a light up banjo and drums.
Roger! was going to play the last set at the Silver King but we were too tired to stay. On our way out, we saw the band coming in and I asked if they had any t-shirts. They said they didn’t bring them because of all the stairs at the Silver King. I said I understood and would try to catch them another time.
We walked back to the hotel and I was soon asleep.
Rob & Karla 