Flapping tarps and Bach mandolin launch 40th Telluride Bluegrass Festival

11:50 a.m. June 20, Telluride Town Park – On the longest day of the year under crystalline blue skies, Chris Thile stands lost in the music, playing Bach solo on the Fred Shellman Memorial Stage. The mandolin prodigy came of age here years ago with Nickel Creek and then the Punch Brothers. The first time I saw him play was on the street in Telluride.  “This is like musical Christmas to me,” he says to the assembled Festivarians arrayed on tarps.

Only a quiet murmur comes from the crowd – it’s respectful, learned and appreciative as if it were a classical recital. I – and many of the musicians – say this is the best audience on the planet. That said, it will get loud later for Steve Martin, Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell, and Richard Thompson. Martin, with Edie Brickell (yes, the New Bohemian) and the Steep Canyon Rangers, are filling in as solstice headliners for Mumford and Sons who had to cancel because of illness. String Cheese Incident will fill the Mumford slot at the New Sheridan Theater. When I was backstage before the crowd ran onto the field, I filled my water bottle surrounded by robed, smiling Drepung Monks. It’s going to be an interesting weekend.

Next up: String band, blue- and newgrass variations with Elephant Revival, Milk Carton Kids and Greensky Bluegrass.