The Decemberists’ Colin Meloy Plays Instagram Live Show to Benefit Newport Festivals Fund
Like other musicians, Colin Meloy has taken to Instagram Live during the coronavirus outbreak. Signing on from his home in Oregon where he’s in lockdown with his wife Carson Ellis and kids, Hank and Milo, the Decemberists frontman has given tutorials, answered questions, and played weekly Isolation Sing-a-long concerts on Fridays at 3pm ET/12pm PT. His most recent show on April 3 was a benefit for the Newport Festivals Musician Relief Fund. During his set, he played a solo rendition of “Rusalka, Rusalka/Wild Rushes,” a song off the Decemberist’s 2018 record I’ll Be Your Girl. You can watch his rousing performance below.
In February, the Decemberists announced their Twenty Years Before the Mast 2020 Tour, which celebrates the indie folk-rock band’s 20th anniversary. Kicking off on July 28 in Missoula, Montana, the tour includes a New York City show at Central Park SummerStage on August 20 (tickets). Colin says he’s excited to get back out there, but fears the virus won’t cooperate. So far, the status is “wait and see.” The band’s last New York outing was in 2018.
While the 2020 Newport Folk Festival isn’t part of the Decemberists’ summer 2020 tour plans, the band have played the annual Rhode Island event in the past. Colin also did solo sets at the 2013 and 2015 editions. So, it’s no surprise that he would be on board to support an initiative launched by the festival’s organizers, the Newport Festivals Foundation. Especially if that initiative involves supporting musicians impacted by COVID-19.
The Newport Festivals Musician Relief Fund gives rapid micro-grants and full grants to musicians who have lost income because of the health crisis. All musicians can apply, but the fund gives priority to artists that are members of the Rhode Island community or have played one of the Newport Jazz or Folk Festivals. For more information about the grants or how to donate, visit the Newport Festivals Foundation website.
Colin’s Friday performances are informal Instagram Live affairs. His sets usually include a mix of covers and stripped-down versions of songs by the Decemberists. During his show on March 27, he did a rendition of Big Thief’s “Shark Smile.” We are also including it below. Colin announces his IG Live shows with wonderful illustrated posters by Carson that he posts on Instagram and Twitter.
Image courtesy of the artist