Michelle DeLateur

When it comes to Idaho autumn, people think of Hemmingway

A Ketchum legend that appreciated the “tawny and grey”

With a straightforward tone and a voice unequivocal

“Best of all he loved the fall,” says his memorial

As the temp drops and the leaves start to change

And sprinkles of snow dot the Sawtooth mountain range

There comes a reminder, it is undeniable:

While unexpected, and with color, fall is reliable.

And in just six months time, about half a year from today

The next Treefort Festival will get underway.

It’s colorful, too, and there’s always questions to tease:

There’s a music festival hosted in the City of Trees?

Over the years, Treefort has managed to snag performers

From all walks of life, and they fill every Boise corner 

The breadth and the depth is what fans appreciate:

The mixture of acts is what makes Treefort great.

Concert-goers have seen combos of acts established and new

From main stages to small stages, outside, inside too.

From Lizzo to Liz Phair, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings,

Japanese Breakfast, Run the Jewels…all amazing

The 2023 Treefort was no exception,

Margo Price and Ani DiFranco had quite the reception

Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and local band Built to Spill

Came through Julia Davis Park at the top of the bill

This year, among the graupel and shows

A clear theme emerged; somewhere in the prose.

For multiple reasons and through my thoughts that amassed:

2023 Treefort felt firmly rooted in the past.

Now, Treefort doesn’t just mean music shows

There’s so many forts now, from kids types to prose

Looking to try beer? Hack things? Eat something great?

Watch films? Bring the kids? Tell stories? Or skate?

Thirteen different forts happens during the fest

Not including the all the shows alongside the rest!

There’s no shortage of bands that you’re able to see:

Over the 2023 festival, there was a whopping 460

Before we deep dive, and before we forget

It feels right to share Idaho’s political climate

For Treefort to exist and to celebrate all 

Was a stoic response and something quite special

Just weeks before Drag Fort, which celebrates all things queer

Idaho lawmakers introduced something here:

A proposed ban on drag shows was introduced in this state

Just mere steps from The Balcony was this capitol debate

And so while this law was criticized and thrown virtual blows

(the full law didn’t pass, but minors can’t attend shows)

Dragfort continued as planned, proud and strong

Celebrating LGBTQIA+ culture saying we all belong

Highlighting queer culture, as well as the 90’s,

Became a theme in this festival in the city of trees

From Ani Di Franco vocals ringing in the Idaho dark

To TeZATalks, performing next to the skate park

I’ve worked with TeZATalks before on a music video shoot

Her different sound now has taken a new route

Giving Limp Bizkit’s cover of “Faith” a tone that’s brand new

(And the viral Idaho skateboarder/Fleetwood Mac lover was there too!)

“I think I’m just giving a younger generation something that was gifted to me by Limp Bizkit,” TeZATalks shared with The Knockturnal. Regarding her newer sound, especially explorations of color and shifts, TeZATalks additionally added that “I’m just putting more development to the characters that I’ve created within myself and introducing them in a way where I’m showing the emotions of their world.”

Despite the cold weather and the wintery crud

Revelers came to the park and tromped in the mud

Every artist had support, yells screams and shouts 

As people rocked on the grass and slipped about 

From the children’s bandshell where the mixture of sounds

Were future rock stars and musicians echoing around

There were bands rocking breweries, skate parks and hang outs

A temple, an outside deck, bars, and even the bus routes

The main stage was rocked by ferocious talented women

Margo Price and Ani DiFranco brought the crowds in

They sang with their idols, they lived in the moment 

The shows felt comfortable, accessible, intimate.

Somehow at the same time as everyone’s singing

(And you know that delicious feeling of ears ringing)

You can still find your friends, and make new ones too

You can take pictures, sing out, and drink local brew

When you step back and reflect on the impact of Treefort

From new friends to fun times, to discovery and support

From crafting to drag brunch, to getting brand new Fort gear 

There’s a reason patrons come back year after year

It feels like the best known secret, and an honor you keep

When you leave the fest, you carry it with you deep

You were at something special, a few favorite times too

Here’s to Treefort 2023, And May The Forts Be With You