5 things to know at Boise’s first ‘normal’ Treefort in 3 years: bands, beers — masks?

If you’re a Treefort Music Fest veteran, you know the drill.

Or maybe not.

Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, downtown Boise’s (mostly) annual event was forced to make changes during the past two years. Notably, it went on hiatus in 2020, revived itself for a fall Treefort in ’21, then plotted a return to its normal spring time slot for its 10th year.

Which brings us to now: Wednesday through Sunday.

Even if you feel confident about your plan — party your face off all five days — it doesn’t hurt to brush up. Whether you’re heading down every single day, or just doing one evening, here are tips to make your experience optimal.

1. The COVID stuff

We’re going to see lots of smiling, unmasked faces this year at Treefort.

The festival is following the lead of loosened guidelines from the city of Boise, and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has lowered Ada County’s community COVID-19 level to “low.” Unlike last fall, festival-goers will not need to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to enter Treefort.

Because of artist requests, certain spaces and events will require masks, though, and even proof of vaccination or a negative test (e.g., Guided By Voices on Wednesday night at El Korah Shrine). Those are marked on the schedule on the Treefort app and will have on-site signage.

Like last year, Treefort will offer free vaccinations, testing and symptom screening on site. Organizers encourage all attendees to be vaccinated, boosted and have a mask on-hand at all times.

2. Walk-up tickets, free shows

Last year at Treefort, there were no walk-up sales for wristbands. Organizers cut off sales prior to the festival in order to limit attendance. Nor could you pay a single cover charge at a participating bar or club.

This year? You’ll find plenty of flexible options, whether it’s buying a Main-Stage-only pass or paying a single-venue, one-day-only charge at the Knitting Factory, Egyptian Theatre or Basque Center. There also are free, all-ages “second chance” shows all over the place — at locations such as The Record Exchange or The Hideout (a stage at Woodland Empire Ale Craft, 1114 W. Front St.).

“That’s the biggest thing I want to tell people,” says Festival Director Eric Gilbert. “It’s been three years since a normal Treefort. There’s a lot of opportunity just to walk in and take up bits of Treefort. You don’t necessarily have to have a five-day pass. Although that is the recommended way to do it.”

3. Three shows not to miss

With more than 500 acts performing — from 19 countries on 37 stages — want to make sure you don’t miss the obvious?

Here are three performers certain to be big draws. All will gig outdoors on the Main Stage.

▪ Durand Jones and the Indications (8:30 to 10 p.m. Friday): Playing R&B and soul, this group is “equally beloved for their energetic, joyous shows, dual lead singers, and thoughtful songwriting,” according to Treefort’s band bio. ”From an Indiana basement (where the band recorded their 2016 self-titled debut LP as college students), the band has catapulted into the soul limelight and onto an international stage.”

▪ The Regrettes (7:20 to 8:20 p.m. Saturday): PopMatters called The Regrettes “girl-group power-pop punk.” That seems fair. Fronted by talented singer and songwriter Lydia Night, the group has won praise from Rolling Stone, NPR, Billboard, Vogue and more. The Regrettes have performed at Coachella and on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and “Good Morning America.”

▪ Kim Gordon (7:40 to 9:10 p.m. Sunday): As co-founder of the influential alternative-rock band Sonic Youth, Gordon is punk rock royalty. “With a career spanning nearly four decades, (she) is one of the most prolific and visionary artists working today,” her bio says.

4. A la carte forts

Treefort is known for its multicultural mini-forts.

Quick notes:

▪ Alefort, the beer festival across from the Main Stage, is free and open to the public. That means all ages, but you have to show ID for a 21-and-older wristband to drink. Alefort will include wine again this year. There also will be an art gallery and a performance stage inside. Beer tokens cost $4. A taster costs one token, a full pint is two tokens. There will be more food options inside Alefort than in 2021, too. (Note: There is no official Treefort beer this year, Timber Giant fans.)

▪ Some of the other forts have expanded, relocated or are happening at multiple venues. Definitely check the Treefort website for details and updates. The long list of forts includes Alefort, Artfort, Comedyfort, Dragfort, Filmfort, Foodfort, Hackfort, Kidfort, Skatefort, Storyfort and Yogafort.

▪ Alefort, Artfort, Kidfort, Skatefort, Storyfort, podcasts and Music Talks are all free and open to the public.

▪ You can buy fort passes for Comedyfort, Dragfort, Foodfort, Hackfort and Yogafort.

5. Last call for Main Stage location

Now some bad news — or at least sorta sad news.

This is the final year that the Main Stage will be at its current location near 12th and Grove streets. Alefort, too.

“The deal is, those parking lots are going to be developed after the festival,” Gilbert says. “In fact, Alefort — they’re basically starting construction right after Treefort.”

So where will the Main Stage and Alefort be in 2023?

“We have some solid options,” Gilbert says. “We just haven’t settled on what we want to do just yet.

“We are very excited our 10th year is happening where it started. It just feels like a nice end to the chapter. We’re excited to close the book on 10 years and pivot to what the future will look like.”

This story was originally published March 22, 2022 at 4:00 AM.