Moscow Bluegrass Festival: The start of an annual music tradition 

On Saturday Jan. 20, Hunga Dunga Brewing Co. was packed with a lively audience of Bluegrass fans, listening and dancing to a lineup of six local groups and the sounds of fiddles, guitars, banjos and bass. The music started at 5 p.m. and continued until well past 10, with performances from The Pond, Moscow Mules, Steptoe, Ice Cream Band, Pine and Dead Set.  

This was the second annual Moscow Bluegrass festival, and it was announced that they hope to continue the tradition for years to come, with hopes for a summer Bluegrass festival as well. The night started with a performance by Pine Bluegrass, and the energy continued to build as Steptoe hit the stage soon after. 

Steptoe was followed by one of the newest Bluegrass bands in Moscow, the Ice Cream Band, whose upbeat tunes had everyone stomping their feet. Next was Dead Set, who played Bluegrass versions of Grateful Dead songs. 

Following the Dead set was the Moscow Mules, playing their bluegrass twists on classic rock songs. The Moscow Mules were voted 2023’s Best of Local Bands in the Argonaut’s Best of Moscow, and they upheld their reputation with a set that had the audience dancing and singing along. 

The festival finished with a set from The Pond and was overall a night to remember for everyone who showed up. More information and a list of upcoming events at Hunga Dunga can be found here. 

Grace Giger can be reached at [email protected]