Oliver Anthony Provides Laidback Soulful Set in Marshfield
This past Saturday we had the honor of going to Levitate Music Festival to review some bands and the festival. The Levitate Music Festival is an annual music event held in Marshfield, Massachusetts. It features a diverse lineup of artists across various genres, including rock, indie, folk, and reggae. The festival aims to promote community, sustainability, and good vibes, and it often includes not just music but also art installations, food vendors, and activities for attendees. It's known for its laid-back atmosphere and scenic location near the ocean, making it a popular destination for music lovers in the New England area. What an event. If you have never been we highly recommend going. Well organized, unlike Connecticut’s disastrous Capulet Fest. Food was great. Music was great. Sun, not so great.
Oliver Anthony was a must see for us over here at Boot’s and Whiskey. His sudden shot to fame for his hit song ”Rich Men North of Richmond” became an instant viral anthem for people across the country. The song debuted number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 2023. The crowds really piled in right before he was to go onto the Stoke Stage a Levitate. Oliver opened with “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked” and the crowd went crazy. He immediately reeled the crowd in hook, line, and sinker. We had previously heard that his shows can be rather boring so we were paying close attention to the festival crowd. The crowd ate up Oliver Anthony on this hot and steamy day. We walked around and watched the show from different vantage points while photographing, everywhere everyone was singing along. The atmosphere was beautiful. One of the most striking aspects of Anthony’s performance was his authenticity. There were no flashy theatrics or overproduced gimmicks; just a man, his guitar, and a genuine passion for music. His humility and down-to-earth demeanor endeared him to the audience, making the concert feel more like a gathering of friends than a formal event.
One portion of the show Anthony does take out his phone to read a Bible verse. We expected to hear many boos and words of disagreement but we didn’t. It did change the vibe of the show and did kill the vibe for the portion but it’s something that he always does. We were surprised that he didn't lose the crowd despite feeling like most of the participants in the festival seemed to be of the free-spirited and of open-minded kind. We could have done without this part of the show.
Oliver teased the crowd saying “We hear you screaming Free Bird, we aren’t going to play that” just to go into playing it. We know from prior set-lists that he often does cover this Lynyrd Skynyrd classic and iconic song. Just like any band to ever cover “Free Bird” the crowd went insane. No matter who covers this song it’s always just lovely to hear. This song complimented the festival perfectly. Close your eyes and you were taking back to the 70’s.
Overall, we were pleased with Oliver Anthony's performance. His voice sounded timeless and classic and complemented the festival perfectly. We would love to see him again in a different venue to see if it holds up. The only part of the show we could've gone without was the passages of the Bible being read. If Olive Anthony is performing anywhere near you we suggest grabbing a ticket and checking him out. Prior to him playing we were able to spend a few minutes backstage with him for a conversation. He was down to earth and engaging. The man is authentic just like the music he plays. If you are into him and a big fan BUY. THE. TICKET. If a casual fan maybe hold off until he releases another album.