A high-energy, head-banging performance combined with a surprise guest appearance creates an unforgettable night of progressive bluegrass from Trampled by Turtles in Grand Rapids.
A head-banging, thrash-y performance from a bluegrass band might sound almost impossible to the uninitiated but few other bluegrass acts can get fists pumping in the air and heads moving back and forth quite like Trampled by Turtles. The Duluth, Minnesota-based, six-piece gave the sold-out Intersection crowd an incredible 25-song performance that featured greatest hits, killer covers, and even a cameo appearance from fellow Minnesotan Alan Sparhawk.
Trampled by Turtles formed in 2003 when frontman Dave Simonett started the band as a side project after having all of his gear stolen apart from an acoustic guitar. That left Simonett exploring the acoustic world and teaming up with other unplugged rookies: fiddler Ryan Young (who used to play drums in a speed metal band), bassist Tim Saxhaug, mandolin player Erik Berry, and Dave Carroll on the banjo. They quickly found their own vibe, mixing fast and energetic rock & roll influences with bluegrass sounds.
Their performance was truly memorable and offered something for both classic bluegrass fans and newcomers to appreciate. Trampled by Turtles opened with “Bloodshot Eyes,” from their 2010 album Palomino. The slower pace, with Simonett alternating his harmonica between lyrics with Berry’s strumming mandolin, created an ideal sonic foundation.
From there, it was all business and very little banter. Simonett and co reached into their catalog to serve a sample platter of songs from six different albums before finally reaching “You Never Let Me Down” from their 2024 EP Always Here. This song was more classically folk with mellow strumming and catchy lyrics, which was a bit of calm before the storm that was soon to follow.
Shortly after, one of the standout songs of the night came when Trampled by Turtles brought the house down with the fan-favorite “Codeine,” from 2005’s Blue Sky and the Devil. Heads bobbed to the lighting fast mandolin and banjo while the packed crowd belted out the chorus.
The unforgettable moment of the night was when, without announcement, a guy took to the stage strapped with an electric guitar. There weren’t too many in the crowd who recognized him but it was Alan Sparhawk from the indie-rock legends Low. He joined his fellow Minnesotians to perform his new song, “Heaven,” from his debut solo album White Roses, My God. This was followed by a performance of Low’s “Days Like These,” which merged Sparhawk’s slow but heavy electric distortion with the headliner’s heavy rock-influenced acoustic to jaw-dropping effect.
The surprise appearance served as a heartfelt tribute to Alan’s late wife, Mimi, who was both the drummer and vocalist for Low. He had performed occasionally with Trampled by Turtles earlier this year, and has an album coming out with them in 2025.
After a brief encore, the already incredible show was pushed to another level with the final three encore songs. The first was “Cold Rain and Snow,” a classic folk song that was a The Grateful Dead staple. That was then followed by Trampled by Turtles crowd pleasers “Whiskey” and then “Wait So Long,” with the latter offering fans one last taste of the band’s signature heavy folk (thrashgrass?) that caused heads to bang and even a few bull horns to be thrown in the air.
Even the most breathtaking and awe inspiring performances have to come to an end but fans can be encouraged by the fact that Trampled by Turtles already has shows booked through until June 2025. Fans of folk, bluegrass and yes, even heavy metal, would do well to put them on their concert list for next year.
