THE SECRET SISTERS & NICKEL CREEK PLAY CELEBRATE BROOKLYN!

Nickel Creek and The Secret Sisters packed Prospect Park as part of the Celebrate Brooklyn series on a magnificent summer evening. The early arriving crowd had spread themselves across the lawn with blankets and picnics while the seats were at near capacity before the opening act came on. The anticipation was palpable and the drinks were flowing as people came to party and dance to a different beat.

The Secret Sisters, a four piece band from Alabama, started the evening with some incredible up-tempo country, with just enough crunchy guitars to make it feel much different than the vanilla country music most of the region is force fed. What set this band apart was the tremendous, if not angelic harmonies that sisters Laura and Lydia Rogers create together while crafting smart and refreshing lyrics. The group, although a bit nervous, owned their set while telling colorful and funny stories to go along with each song. One song which we recorded a video for was prefaced with; “This is a dark song, it’s about runnin’ down to Mississippi to get hitched but in the end, we kill of all the characters”. The dramatic Luka spotlights everything this band is great at and if they stay true to their roots, the sky is the limit for The Secret Sisters.

After a short break Nickel Creek came on the stage just when the colorful sunset dropped, the crowd eager to start the fun, erupted in the first of many loud and prolonged cheers of the night. The progressive bluegrass band has been kicking around since 1989 and it is evident that time has been kind to this band as they may be one of the tightest folk groups in existence. Once again harmony was the theme for when Sarah & Sean Watkins and Chris Thile sing together-it’s magic. Having released their latest album, A Dotted Line this spring, the set-list was heavy on it and the crowd ate the mandolin and fiddle infused songs up like a late night snack. After nearly two hours of folk from the Grammy award winning band, the night ended with some of the loudest cheers ever heard in the park and the many folks headed home knowing they scored a great and free night thanks to Celebrate Brooklyn!

Article by: Shayne Hanley