Cruising into the MontBleu Casino parking lot on 4/20 one was immediately met with the sights, smells, and sounds of what was sure to be a festive night out in Lake Tahoe. April 20th means a lot of things to a lot of people, and the fans of Yonder Mountain String Band were out in full force taking over the Tahoe Casino floor-room from one end to another. The biggest challenge for concertgoers wasn’t necessarily how security was treating the actions of an Irie holiday crowd but rather what seemed to be a ridiculous maze of ticket holders trying to pick up their tickets at will call. Many show attendees missed a considerable portion of the first set due to the poor management of the venue, however once they found themselves inside all were treated to show that can only be described as nothing short of fire.

Having seen Yonder in the past, but never really leaving as blown away as some of the band’s many followers, this show was a true eye opener. Not only are the four core members of the band exceptional musicians, I still can’t figure out how they create such a full sound with only four string instruments. I’ve heard of several bands complaining about the sound and stage setup that comes with playing a show at the Mt. Bleu Casino (the old Caesar’s at Tahoe), although Yonder didn’t seem to have any problems on this night. The sound in the room was sharp and clear, while the lights perfectly connected with the music in a brilliant tone throughout the course of the evening.

The first set got off to a smooth jammy start (barring the many fans still waiting to deal at the will call line). However, it wasn’t until “Granny Wontcha You Smoke Some?” that the crowd seemed to lively themselves up a bit. A nice toast to the late great Martin Fierro was made by front man Jeff Austin, and a beautiful rendition of the Jerry Garcia classic “They Love Each Other” helped anchor the set. The jam in “Mental Breakdown” was also a highlight. It’s during a tune like this where the musicianship of the Yonder boys really shines. While they are for surely a band that plays bluegrass music, they sure aren’t a traditional bluegrass band by any means. Their ability to play off each other and improvise a jam, without a percussionist laying a beat, is something anyone that appreciates improvisational music should take in live at some point. Along with lead man Jeff Austin, Ben Kaufmann, Dave Johnston, and Adam Aijala create a very fluid textured sound that showcases many musical influences, and a uniquely layered sound that I’ve yet to hear replicated by any “similar” band in the greater jam community.

After fans had the chance to fully settle into their surroundings and soak up the scene of the shows Casino carnival during set break, Yonder came back out and threw down an amazing second set. By now everyone had been able to figure out their way through the will call situation, extra tickets were scored by those searching, and the venue space was at full capacity. Most importantly, Yonder did not disappoint.

After opening the set with “Looking Back Over My Shoulder,” “Death Trip” and “This Train is Bound for Glory,” the crowd started to come together with fans near and far getting down to some seriously sharp picking. The set peaked and found valleys, but whether Yonder was playing a gospel inspired old-school bluegrass tune, or jamming out an upbeat original the crowd seemed to lock in and loose any inhibitions that many have been lingering from set one. Towards the end of the set Yonder seemed to peak as they dropped into a high energy segue of “King Ebenezer” > “Snow on the Pines.” Somewhere in the middle of the segue a brief “Legalize It” jam surfaced that not only got the crowd fired up, but also brought out a few improv lyrical raps revolving around the holiday festivities and the plant so commonly associated with the day. The “King Ebenezer” > “Snow on the Pines” run then moved right into a solid “Free to Run” to end an incredible set of music. “Going Where They Don’t Know My Name” was shared as a quick encore before a satiated crowd of Yonder fans left the venue floor grinning ear-to-ear after what many described as “the best show of the tour.” Regardless of where this show sits in the ever expanding history of the band, it’s worth another listen, and I can honestly attest to the quality vibe and sounds created by Yonder on this night. I’m already looking forward to catching them again this summer, and if you haven’t already plugged into the superior music these four guys are putting out there, you should do the same.