What comes first: the music we listen to or the clothes we wear? Host Kyle Lamont explores this with GoldenOak's lead singer Lena Kendall as she gets dressed for a headlining performance. The episode showcases a Maine community festival, featuring mushroom foraging and band-served breakfasts. Chats with new festival friends about style, music, and place raise more questions about their interplay.
Hi, I'm Kyle Lamont, your host and wow, I had the incredible opportunity to spend time with Lena, the lead singer of GoldenOak, in her cozy she-shed as she prepared for her headlining performance at the Under the Oaks Music Festival in Western Maine. Known for her unique and stylish outfits, Lena walked me through her pre-show routine, sharing intimate details of how her fashion choices intertwine with her music. But it wasn't all serious - we had laugh-out-loud moments too, even roasting band members' outfits.
The experience was part of a two-day camping festival where I wandered through the woods on a mushroom foraging adventure along the Sandy River and joined fellow festival-goers for a pancake breakfast served by the band. Throughout the episode, I leaned into my curiosity about how fashion, music, and location influence each other, bringing in voices from fans who shared their thoughts on this fascinating interplay.
I invite you to push play on "Let's Go Festival," a podcast series on ConcertCast.live that transports you to community-focused music events, offering an intimate look at the intersection of music and culture.
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Thank you for listening!
Fashion is a cornerstone of concert culture, where our musical preferences shape our style, while on the other hand, experimenting with personal fashion can lead us to discover new music. At the heart of it all is self-expression. And for Lena Kendall, the lead singer of Golden Oak, it's also about transformation.
The second I put on my stage outfit that, like, helps me transform into I don't want to say persona because it still is me up there, but just that version of myself where I'm like, oh, now I'm Performance Lena. Like, I'm ready to go.
Hey, I'm Kyle Lamont, your host, and welcome to a new episode of Let's Go Festival, a rockumentary podcast series on Concert Cast Live that explores community powered music events. Today, we're at Under the Oaks, a folk rock music festival in Farmington, Maine. And just as there's a symbiotic relationship between fashion and music, there's a similar one between fashion and location. Take, for instance, my home state of Maine, where our style, for the most part, is all about function. I mean, you might see someone fresh from the farm, straight out of the woods, or just off a fishing boat at a concert. Our outfits reflect this versatility and allow me to go out on a pine tree limb. If Maine folk music was a person, I imagine they'd likely be wearing a well-worn flannel shirt, mud caked L.L.Bean boots, oil stained jeans, and a trusty Carhartt jacket.
I actually did go to a show once, and I was wearing my shirt and then the. I was talking to the musician afterwards and he's like, I also have that flannel shirt.
That's Konstantinos, who I met by the river, and we'll hear more from them later on.
Listen to that solidarity.
Because it's like, you know, in Maine, it's like we all have like the same, like four flannel plaid shirts.
But that's not the case with Lena of Golden Oak, a soulful folk band from Farmington led by sibling duo Lena and Zach Kendall, along with Mike Knowles on bass and Jackson Cromwell on drums. The band has gained a national recognition as lyrical advocates for climate action, drawing inspiration for their music and songs from Maine. Here's Lena from a previous interview with her.
I walk into the woods and that's just like where I really feel the most connected. And so that's like kind of what you tap into when you're trying to song write. You're like, where am I feeling connection? What feels important to me? Um, and like for Golden Oak, our whole last album was about the emotional and physical impacts of climate change, and really because that was just like what was on our minds. A lot of us were just like feeling very climate anxious and scared. And so like, that's what you tend to write about in those moments. Um, and, you know, it's just I think just growing up in Maine is a part of that. Like, we're just immersed. We're very lucky to be, like, immersed in this beautiful natural place and mountains, lakes, rivers, you know, forests. It's it's incredible.
Watching Lena perform. Ah, okay. Whether it's in a backyard in Bar Harbor or on Portland, Maine's biggest stage, it's always a thrill. It's because her outfits, her movements, the way her hands and hips dance with the air, the way she closes her eyes and is in tune with something greater than herself. It's mesmerizing, almost witchy. She's like a millennial Stevie Nicks. And let me tell you what, she's the only person I've ever seen make playing a clarinet look sexy. Yes, she even plays the clarinet.
Where I was like, hey, you guys, I'm gonna bring my clarinet to band practice. And they were like, can you please not? And I was like, I'm going to.
And while Golden Oak delivers a consistently heartfelt, fun show, it's Lena's stylish outfits that many fans, including myself, look forward to seeing.
It's her energy. You know, the outfits and the energy and the gratitude.
And you just heard from long time fan Bonnie Argyropoulos.
I'm always excited to hear her play clarinet and see the the stylish outfits that she puts together.
I love that she's like down to earth, but like still fashionable.
All right, let me back up here real quick. Under the Oaks is a two day camping festival along the Sandy River in the western part of the state, and features a stellar lineup of New England based folk rock musicians. But that's not all. There's a pancake breakfast that the band serves to you mushroom foraging in the nearby woods, yoga classes, afternoon dips in the river, and songwriting workshops. It's a gathering of people united by their adoration for Golden Oak. Here's Zach, the lead singer and producer of the event, explaining why they started their own festival. A trend I expect to see other bands follow soon.
Not only are we able to, like, give something back to the folks that are in our community, but we're able to welcome people we meet all over the country into our hometown, you know, and it's it's so, you know, we travel a lot and people are always like, I've never been to Maine. And we were like, here's your reason to come. You know, like come hang out with us. We spend so much time in your homes, at your venues and your backyards, even during the pandemic, and like to be able to, you know, to welcome them sort of into like our backyard has been just so rewarding. I've said it a million times, it feels like a wedding, you know, it's like all these people that you are used to seeing in, like, you know, Michigan or like talking with your parents after the show. And it's like it feels it has that sort of that vibe of just like, wow, it's amazing to see all these people together in one place.
So if it's not obvious already by now, this episode is about festival fashion at Under the Oaks and the experiences that surround it with a focus on Lena. So it's only fitting that we meet up with her for a special get Ready with the Lead singer segment, a process which she describes as helping her step into character. Blending her true self with the persona she brings to the stage.
And up to the cabin slash green room. It's super cool.
Hey. Hey. All right, you both just. Getting ready. Yeah. I feel like you need rocking chairs. Actually, like these rocks. Oh, no no no no no.
I know, I was like.
I feel like this is.
Like an awkward people watching spot for us in binoculars.
There's definitely people peeking out there.
Like just watching us. Okay. People are starting to.
Roll in and set up their tents and.
Yeah, it's.
Just it feels good. It feels really.
Good. It's exciting. And you're about ready to transform.
I'm about ready to transform.
I was talking with two fans down by the water, and the sentiment is real. People can't wait to see what you're going to wear. It's so much pressure.
I will say it was like a three person effort. My mom, my sister and I this morning, I was like, please help me. I don't know what I'm wearing. Like, I just rolled my suitcase out and opened it up and I was like, does any of this work? And just, uh, trying on stuff and getting their input and trying, like, you know, a scarf for a top and seeing if that.
Worked.
And being like, how much fringe is too much fringe? Um.
Well, your mom's quite fashionable, too. Oh, she.
She really is. Honestly, a lot of the pieces of clothing that I wear on stage sometimes are like old vintage pieces that used to be hers. Um, like from the 70s, some from the 80s. And they're just like, those are the outfits I get the most compliments on because they're just unique. There's like this history behind them.
Speaking of history, let's get the quick backstory on Lena as a fashionista.
I have always loved dress up, even as a kid. Like that was one of my favorite things to do. Like, that's what got me to go to preschool. I would like cry every single day, leaving my mom because I was just that kid. Um, but I remember the thing that would, like, get me to go in the door was like, she'd be like, you can go play dress up. And I'd be like, okay, I can go play dress up. And I'd just, like, Zen out in the dress up area, like trying on different shoes, different tutus. Like, I just loved it. And she'd dress.
Me up as a kid, too. I mean, there were so many times where, you know, I'm the younger brother, so there's a million photos of me in, like, you know, a skirt and cowboy boots and a top hat that Lena dressed me up in, you know, kind of thing. A life size, you know, doll. So, um, there was a ton of that. She's always been into dressing up and coordinating my outfit, and she still does it to this day.
And here's Alex Belliveau. He's a longtime friend of Lena's ever since they met at a house party at the University of Maine in Orono.
So talk to me a little bit about how Lena dressed.
Lena dressed in college, uh, flowy, Bedouin boho style, I don't know.
Even, like going to class and stuff. It wasn't like sweatpants and t shirts.
No, no, no, I don't think I've ever seen Lena in sweatpants stick out to me. Sun dresses. Sun dresses. Something with a wide array of something with flow and volume to it. You know, not like a baggy kind of outfit vibes.
Lena has always had good style and she's always, like, tried to push the boundaries of the band's style, you know? She's definitely, I feel like has always been sort of leading the way in, like pulling us all into a more stylish direction. It's like she sets the bar and we're like, okay, we probably shouldn't wear shorts and flip flops on stage, you know?
So we're like, in a shed.
We're let's call it a she shed.
It is your shoe shed. We have I love like this set, a.
Very random vanity mirror, I will say. Okay. This shed, um, before today was just full of tents and equipment, and the boys actually went about making sure it was cleaned out and putting that vanity mirror in here so that I can actually have a place to.
Get ready with camp lights. Yeah, with camp.
Lights, which feels very fitting.
Staples didn't work. What do we have here?
I've narrowed it down, essentially. We're going beige gold. I don't want to call it beige, so let's call it gold. Um, kind of like a high waist skirt that goes down. It's like a little mini skirt, I'd say. And I think I'm just pairing it with, like, a simple black crop top, um, that has, like, a little cinch, a little tie. And then I wanted to, like, add some kind of pizzazz. So I have kind of like a long, sheer shawl that also has, like, some sparkles, cape ish. It kind of feels like a cape. I will say. I'm a big fan of, like high waist crop top and then some kind of like flowy layer on top to add like something.
Um, because you love movement.
I love movement, and so I think about movement a lot when I'm like choosing my show outfits, because I want it to be something that is going to like, catch the wind or like I do a lot of like arm movements. So like something that flows with me and just creates, I don't know, something interesting to look at while, um, while we're performing and singing.
It's like your necklace. Your necklace is giving fringe to.
Oh, yeah. Yeah. So. So since tonight's outfit felt like a little more low key, um, I wanted to pair it with, like, some jewelry. Some, like, bigger jewelry. I also just love jewelry.
How would you say your style has influenced your music or vice versa? Does your style influence your music or does the music influence the style?
I almost feel like the music influences the style a little bit more. And even looking back to, uh, like some of the music I've listened to and the styles of like, those people have, like, found their way into my own style, like Stevie Nicks, for instance. You know, like like I love Fleetwood Mac. And then, like, all of her kimonos, all of her fringe, like all of her boots, like her hair, everything. Like, it's just it's fun. And I find myself, like, emulating a lot of 70s styles. But sometimes it can be versatile. Like when I choose, like that fun shawl to put on top of something I can quickly, when I get off the stage, kind of take that piece off and be able to like, move our equipment like pack up the van, be a little bit more versatile with my movements versus just being dressed up in my stage outfit. But I do find that the second I put on my stage outfit that, like, helps me transform into that. Like, I don't want to say persona because it still is me up there, but just that version of myself where I'm like, oh, now I'm performance Lena. Like I'm ready to go. And something about, like stepping into that stage outfit. It's like literally putting on, like, your costume. Um, and it just, like, helps me transform mentally as well as physically where I'm like, yeah, no, I got it now.
I love it. No, 100%. While that clothes can do that, and I love how you've chosen just to be. Yeah. Embrace that and to step into it.
Oh, I love it. And I find myself like, if I am feeling confident in, like, what I'm wearing or really, like, excited or inspired by, like what I've worn, like, it's like a piece of art on my body or something. Then I just feel better. I think it like makes me perform better because I'm just feeling confident. I'm feeling like I'm feeling myself. I'm like, yeah, I look good. And so it just helps you, like, project that out there into the world.
I just love how you play the clarinet. Come on. Oh my.
Gosh. Yeah. That's.
You make it so sexy and fun.
Well Thank you. That one started as a joke, um, where I was like, hey, you guys, I'm gonna bring my clarinet to band practice. And they were like, can you please not? And I was like, I'm going to. And, uh, I just brought it one day. And then, like, somehow they didn't, like, kick me out of the band.
So there's something so fun and carefree about the ritual of women dressing up for an event together, especially before a concert, sharing compliments, admiring outfits, and just general gabbing. Lena's sense of humor and laid back attitude make it feel like we could do this all night. But with a glance of the clock, I knew it was time to break the girlish spell. Okay.
And so what now?
Um. So I think I'm going to keep this same necklace I had on.
Yes, love.
I'm gonna put on some bigger earrings.
Yes. Wow. Rings on every finger. Every finger. Does that. Does that get in the way of instrumentation or anything or. I don't even think about it.
Only one of them does it, actually. Every once in a while I have like this spikier one, which every once in a while I've like gone to like play my clarinet and it like has gotten in the way. But I love it so much that I don't care. And I'm like.
It'll be fine. Okay, hair's coming down out of the claw clip. Here we go.
I know this is my biggest. Sometimes I find that my hair is the hardest thing to do while on the road. I brought my little curler with me. I might try and, like, maybe do, like, a half up with a clip, maybe curl some front pieces. I'm gonna say we also wear in-ear monitors. So then that's like another thing to try. And just like there's just always a lot going on around my face.
So I don't know, sometimes I just.
Like the hair.
I'm like, I.
Don't, I don't know.
And then makeup, which Lena keeps pretty simple. Shimmery eyeshadow, bronzer, blush. Lipstick and clarinet.
They really don't mix well. Yeah.
No, it's like all over your face afterwards. Oh, my God, that's so funny. Like clown. Like. But like you're just like, pretending.
And I have no idea what would be happening. So I'd just be out there, like. Like, yeah, I have a great red lip that I love to wear for other events, but not not for shows. Yeah, usually I'll literally just put chapstick on because again, playing the clarinet like it's disgusting. But I basically have to be constantly making out with the reed because you have to keep the reed wet in order for the clarinet to make a sound. So I'm just like constantly like licking it like it's I'll usually just do like a clear, like gloss or like clear chapstick, something that's just like not going to be obvious if it literally starts to get everywhere.
Yeah. All right. Shoe time. Yeah.
I think I'm going, um. Some, like, black strappy clog sandals. These are gross. Probably, like, I've literally had these sandals for years, and they're really comfortable. And I also love them. And I've worn them like.
Fabulous so.
Many times.
On this brand.
Honestly they're danskos.
Of course they are. Yep.
That work?
Do you ever.
Have performances where.
You're not satisfied with the look, but you have no time to, like, really change for sure.
They're like, no, we need to go now. Like we're going. And I'm like, just not totally feeling myself. But like, in those moments, that's actually when my bandmates are amazing because they'll be like, you look great. Like, oh my God, get out of your head. You look awesome, you know? And that is just sometimes, like, if you can't, I'm usually pretty good at telling myself I look great. But like, every once in a while, when you can't just to, like, have someone who loves you and supports you to be like, no, you look great. You're like, okay, okay, I'll be all right.
All right. Zach, what are you thinking? Oh, no.
Zach, Zach's literally just started getting ready. Now, this is how it usually goes. I'll get ready. And then. Did you hear him? What did you say? Zach, that's not true.
I picked my outfit out this morning, and I knew that you were going to be wearing something dark, because it's a nice night, and I'm going black. Black.
Nice. There you go.
I think Zach has, like, his own personal style, for sure, that he does very well. Like, it's definitely, like, simple. More simple than my style is. But like, he does it very tastefully. Like he'll just have like a really nice, like, all black shirt with like, interesting buttons or an interesting collar and like, a nice hat, he can really rock a brimmed hat.
You got to fix the brim of your hat. It's it's fucked up, dude. Yeah. You look like a witch with it on right now.
What's wrong with that?
Nothing. But Zach doesn't. It does get terribly squished in the tournament. Flatten it out. Does the hair down thing though. Well, that's what I'm saying. Like with the weird brim and the hair down, you look like a witch. Stop! Thanks, Mike.
Dude, I can't. It's the confidence he needs.
I also feel like witchy is part of my aesthetic.
Yes.
Your hair looks great.
It's clear that roasting each other is their love language, and their collective humor makes it easy to be in their company. But before I know it, dress up time with Lena has come to a close. Wah wah. The rest of the guys start circling her, looking for feedback. Tonight they're all donning darker colors. Zach has ditched the hat, but together they're cohesive, rugged yet chic, timeless, yet each with their own personal twist.
So it's like nail polish. Like a superstition. Or just because you enjoy it. Does it help you feel confident on stage?
I think it looks awesome. Yeah.
And I like the idea of, like, playing bass and having, like, really dark fingernails that.
People can see and be like, look, look, look, look, look. Not that I moved that fast, but I think it looks awesome.
Well, there you go. Show. Ready? Nice. Yeah. Look, it's sharp.
But it's Lena who truly dazzles head to toe, blending in effortlessly with the group while standing out as the vibrant front woman that she is. Then we all walk across the field together. The sun is setting and the crickets have begun their evening chorus. In the distance, we hear the gentle notes of Ben Cosgrove's keyboard guiding us towards the stage bend. Piano music inspired by the natural world feels perfectly at home here. Lena grabs a show beer and lingers in the back of the house, soaking in the atmosphere. Meanwhile, I find a spot by the fire pit. Yes, that's right. At this venue there are fire pits everywhere. It's such a sweet, cozy vibe. People are ordering drinks and food settling into the evening, and the general look of the audience is laid back, warm, dressed for the elements. There's a slight tinge of fall in the air. So flannel has made an appearance before long. Lena and the band jump on stage.
Cool water swimming. Beat through from the band. Truth is, I think I found the one. Smooth soul and a whole lot of fun. Living by the water treats us well. The C has a whole lot to tell.
Their comfortable, proud and kind greeting everyone with gratitude. They hit all the highlights of their extensive catalog, showcasing a musical range that can take you from dancing and grooving to deep contemplation.
In the forest. They're. Thrown into the fire.
Zach and Lena have incredible chemistry. Their stage banter is both funny and introspective. What I really love is the sense of equality between them. There's never a hint of sibling rivalry. They perform as a unified force, Love Lena and her outfit glow under the amber stage lights. Her shawl is draped gracefully around her. It's giving New England sexy charm. Her dancing is sultry and almost gypsy like, as if casting spells with every step. Yet she remains approachable and inviting, never intimidated. Her voice ah, it lingers, haunting and powerful. They end the evening with a tribute to Stevie Nicks, a perfect homage to the mystic energy. Lena channels on stage.
He wants to wrap around your dreams and help you dream. He'd like to sell dreams of loneliness like a heartbeat drives you mad and spirit realm. Bring what you have, what you've done, what you have and what you've done. Thunder only happens when it's raining. Players only love you in their pain.
And then comes the encore. A group sing along where they step off the stage and into the crowd. In this life.
Unknown. You're either a mountain, a river or a stone.
In this life unknown. You're either a mountain, river or a stone.
Oh my God, your voice was amazing.
Oh. Thank you. Yeah.
How did it feel?
It feels good. Um. Now I'm on like that high. And also I feel like I'm like, oh, now I have to go, like, do all these things, but, um, no, it felt really good. And just like, it's so nice playing a hometown show like this, where you look out in the crowd and you, like, recognize people. Like there were people that were like my high school teachers, you know, and then like, really great childhood friends that are here. And then also a mix of like new fans that I'm like meeting for the first time. So it's just it's really nice.
And particular song you enjoyed tonight getting into honestly.
Just singing that last singing dreams felt good. It felt really good. And the last song like the encore song where, like the audience sings along. It's just like it feels like this moment where we break that barrier between the stage and like, the audience and like by walking into the audience and like singing acoustically and having everyone join in, it just like creates this, I don't know, it's just like this other feeling this it's it's so inclusive. It's it felt really nice.
Slinging merch, slinging t shirts. Lena is pimping the shirts, making sure they look all pretty cool.
Want us to bring you guys up separate or all together? Oh, cool.
Here's Lena describing the festival t shirt design that was inspired by a poster on her wall.
Okay, what if we had this, like, bouquet that kind of gave, like, almost like this vintage feel flowers that are found around this area and maybe like around this time of year and then also like, have our little instruments poking out of the bouquet.
Then they pulled in Malia Demers, a local artist and regular collaborator, to help complete the design.
And then she came back with this incredible, like, beautiful brush painting that she had made. And it was like, beyond what I expected and like, so much more beautiful than I thought of.
And then their friend Josh Marciano ran with it to help create the whole brand of the festival. The image was then screen printed onto a t shirt, which is silky and soft. No wonder there's a massive line of people waiting to get one. I jump in line behind three really fun chicks named Meredith, Carly and Olivia, who happens to be here all the way from Texas.
I love your outfits. To tonight. Yes. Do you think of Lena's outfit?
We loved it. It was gorgeous. She always.
She has her own style.
I know, and her earrings, too, were so cool.
Do you feel like you sort of have to dress up when you come to a golden oak show? Yeah.
I feel like there's definitely, like, a vibe that you have to match. Not so much like being, like, super fancy, but just, like, kind of going with the vibe. I definitely tried more. Yeah.
Nice. What about you? I love your poncho.
I got this at home at the rattlesnake roundup, so I thought this was a good occasion to wear my poncho.
She think.
She's beautiful. What a beautiful outfit. Like it looked like.
A beautiful New Year's outfit. It was like gold on the bottom. And it had, like, little like, like shiny stars on top. It seemed like beautiful.
I'm paying less attention to what she's wearing and more attention to the things she's doing with her arms and how she's, like, moving across the stage.
The evening winds down like the embers in the fire pit. Merch sales come to a close and I head back to my car, under a sky so bright with stars that I don't even need a flashlight.
To find my way.
A mix of church bells and chickadees will likely wake you up here. And to me, there's nothing better in this world than brushing your teeth in a field overlooking mountains. And then I take a quick three minute walk into town, which takes me past an estate sale where I couldn't resist checking out some antiques before checking out the famous farmers market, eventually ending my morning stroll at the park in the center of town where the band was hosting a pancake breakfast.
Pancakes on there for you. Then you pass the plate to me.
Okay. How are you guys doing?
All right, we've got sausage, we've got bacon, we've got veggie sausage, or you can mix.
There you go. Lena stands out as always. She's wearing gaucho pants with yellow and white swirls paired with brown strappy sandals. Her round purple glasses scream Ken Kesey and that denim vest, the one that I've been eyeing since its Instagram debut, completes the look.
Honestly, I got it when we were in Denver, so we were in Colorado and I just, like, came across it in a little thrift store and I was like, mhm, I'm getting the denim. Let's go.
It was such a quaint, season long picnic tables adorned with paper placemats, vases of wildflowers, and of course, conversation with new friends. After breakfast, it was time for mushroom foraging. I headed to the designated meeting spot, where a large group of people were already waiting for Louis Giller, a guide from Norsepower, which is a Maine based company that provides premium mushroom growing supplies and is the number one resource for all things mushrooms.
You know, I knew we shouldn't have met here. I was telling my wife that there wasn't mushroom. Oh, man. I gotta start writing these down.
After chuckle at the pun filled introductions, Louis shares with us the fungi mental importance of mushrooms and what to expect during our walk. Two can play at that game.
Louis, remember that this is an entire kingdom of life and there are so many facets to mycology. Um, literally, it can touch every aspect of life.
And then we were off nearly a hundred of us walking towards the woods. I've been to my fair share of festivals before, but this was the first time participating in an organized experience. It felt like I was back at summer camp, complete with the quintessential beautiful Maine summer weather. But while others were foraging the forest floor, I was foraging for fashion.
Tell me your name. D'andrea. And what are you wearing? I'm wearing green overalls with lots of pockets on them. Good for foraging. Yes. Very good. And I love your hat. Thank you. Yeah. It's, um, an orange hat. You've got lots of ventilation on it. Like a sun hat. It feels like you wear it a lot, too, I do. Yeah, this is like my beach, you know, going outside, walking in the woods. Hat. It's awesome. Okay. Are you ready for foraging? Yeah, I'm ready for foraging. How? How did you like last night? Last night was amazing. And what did you think of Lena's outfit? I loved Lena's outfit. I also love how she repurposes a lot of her outfits. I love that she's, like, down to earth, but, like, still fashionable and reuses everything while.
On the sun dappled trail. Yes. Under the oaks, I spot two women whose style stands out in a really cool way.
You two are bringing it right now. I love your outfits. Thank you. We just. The hats. We didn't have a hat and we stopped in at the thrift shop and just found, like.
Courtney and Hannah, friends from Belfast and Farmington work as USDA soil conservationists. Yet their outfits reinforced the beauty of unique expression they were giving what my friend Heidi calls agro glam.
What are we wearing on our nature walk here, guys? Boots. Gotta have some good boots. Uh, yeah. You have. I wear blundstones every day of the year, and I wear Doc Martens every day of the year. I love your space buns. Thanks, thanks. What do we have here? Like Anne of Green Gables? Yeah, it's kind of like going on prairie. Prairie shirt with, like, puffy sleeves and loving patterned pants. Flowey. Flowey. You have flowy pants, too, with pockets. That's good for all your mushrooms. Yes. You bring a basket. So. Yeah, but I got a backpack. So do you enjoy watching, like, musicians who dress up on stage? They have to have a good outfit. I have to, right?
They have to.
So they don't have to. But it's so great when they do.
Drawn to the Sandy River, I break away from the group, eager to see who might be enjoying the water's edge. Like how I met Konstantinas and Rosalie here last night. Long time Golden Oak fans who've been road tripping across the country in their Prius. As often happens with new festival friends, we exchange compliments on each other's outfits.
Love your chain here. Yes, black shorts, but practical shoes. Yeah, gotta have that. I also am sporting my live fully slogan and so I'm living fully by the river.
I have a buzz cut and it's because when I had hair, I was looking a bit shabby all the time.
And then it doesn't take long for me to bring up Lena. And I love.
How she really takes a lot of time.
To.
Think about what she's going to wear. Do you guys appreciate that or think about that?
I have been this past year thinking more about like, outfits and the choices that people make.
I like when people.
Dress up regardless.
But do you guys.
Like.
Seeing bands.
Dress up.
And band?
Sort of like.
I don't know. Does that add to.
The concert.
To you?
Is it about the clothing or is it about the their performance, or are they? Are they mixed?
It's interesting to me because I am a lover of understated, practical clothing. I think important context here is that I am from rural Maine. I am from the woods. Um, I'm just I'm a woods boy. As something I've been saying lately, I totally will see a musician play in jeans and a t shirt and I'm like, yeah, like you're just like a guy, a member of my community or a member of some community somewhere. And it's like, you're like a nice and normal guy, just like us.
Just like us. Yeah.
The relatability.
I like the relatability.
For me, I feel if there's enough of genuine care about performance, it's enough for me.
And I think that if you're too theatrical about it, then sometimes it's like, okay, so.
He's not looking for the performance, he's looking for the connection. And so he likes a simple, yeah, a simple outfit to reflect the desire for connection.
Except for Lena I'm heading over.
For soundcheck here.
And the group is all staying together. It's really cool.
How. We can build, who we can build, who we can build to.
The end of their soundcheck marked the beginning of a new energy. Because all of the bands performing tonight started to arrive. Before I leave, I catch Zack and Lena for a quick chat here. Their eyes sparkle as they talk about their fans and the festival's progress.
Last night We came backstage after the show and we were so exhausted and we sort of, like, peeked over the corner here in the green room. And there was like all these fans, like having a cozy time by the fire. And we were just like, oh, they're all hanging out with each other and they're becoming friends. And so there's been a really just like a lot of that. It's really fun to see this. Like these groups, group of fans grow into a community and like get to know each other. And, you know, we and like, you know, come together in that connection of like knowing our music but then like build bonds beyond that is like it's beautiful.
I was just looking out and witnessing like our fans all becoming friends and like mingling with each other. And it was just so cute for.
Me as an audience member. And I'm an avid live music audience member. It's all about that relationship between the artist and the audience and that sense of gratitude.
Though I won't be able to watch Lena's headline performance tonight, her description of her outfit is making my imagination run wild.
It's like a black dress and has black and white fringe along all the sleeves, and the fringe just moves like so well. And I feel like that's just going to like, look very cool up on the big stage and movement wise. So I like literally was like wearing it and just like practicing in the mirror a little bit, just like movement. And, um, I just think it's gonna look really fun.
Our clothes and the music we listened to reveal our identities within our concert communities at Under the Oaks, fans embodied Maine's nature in their attire, each with a unique touch I've never seen elsewhere in my travels. This experience has deepened my interest in festival fashion across genres and locations. The unspoken dress code, shopping and packing all contribute to the overall experience of the culture of concert going.
Getting dressed is just like a way to, like, express yourself without speaking. You know, and it's just like you can say so much about yourself. And just like by the by the top that you choose to wear that day, you know, and like based on my mood, like, my outfit will look different and I love it.
It's all about that wonderful fashion and flair and it brings the energy with it. I mean, look at that girl.
When it came time for me to leave, I sought out Lena to say goodbye. I found her backstage, broom in hand, preparing the green room or in this case, a massive pop up tent for the night's performers. It struck me then how deeply invested she and her brother are in every aspect of this festival, from headlining act to custodian. Lena embraced it all with grace as I watched her sweep. I couldn't help but smile. Even in this simple task, she embodied the festival spirit of hospitality and community. And somehow, in true Leena fashion, she managed to make even sweeping look stylish. Move! For your chance to experience Under the Oaks Music Festival, visit Golden Oak band.com. This episode was produced, written, recorded and edited by yours truly me. Kyle Lamont. To listen to more podcasts exploring concert culture, visit Concert Cast Live and make sure to tell your favorite concert buddy about our show and a rating and review would mean the world to me too. Special thanks to Lena and Zach Kendall and to everyone in the band. To all my new Festy friends in this episode, to the owner of the venue, John Moore, and to my longtime friends and mentors Heidi Stanton drew and Mark Takushan. And thank you for listening.
How to make a face I believe with all these mirrors pointing at me, I've come to witness the things I can't see. I've come to witness the passing.
Of the tides.