This weekend saw the inaugural year of The Hudson Project kick off in Saugerties, New York. It’s about a hour and a half drive from my home in Rockland County, so probably a little over two hours for those of you in the city. I only managed to make it up to day 1, and based on the rain and issues yesterday, this seemed like a good decision.
My day started with a rock solid performance from Philadelphia’s finest, Dr. Dog. Believe it or not, it was my first time catching the band since I saw them open up for The Raconteurs back in September of 2006, which seems like a lifetime ago now. I don’t know how I let it go that long, but I finally made up for it at the festival.
It was like seeing the band for the first time. They’ve come a long way since then. Gone was the wacky rowdier ramshackle version of Dr. Dog that my fading memory recollects. In their place was a tighter, more polished band who are suddenly veterans on the scene. This is a band who deliver mature harmonies and songs that were perfect for a sunny afternoon at a music festival. Singer/guitarist Scott McMicken wasn’t sure what year of the festival it was (until the crowd told him it was the first), but he hoped that they would someday be invited back.
The fate of The Hudson Project may be up in the air, but the future of Dr. Dog is as solidified and steady as they come. I can’t wait to see them again soon and sure hope it doesn’t take another eight years.
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