The 8th year of the Borderland Festival took place at the Know Farm State Park in East Auora over this past weekend. Due to our heavy schedule, we were only able to attend the festival on Saturday. We were able to take in Jack White, Pixies and up and coming band called Flipturn.
The Saturday portion was completely sold out. The organizers run everything so smoothly. That is everything from where to pick up the golf carts to the ADA parking area to how and where the vendors are set up. There are so many options for the attendees. Camping is an option. People are able to bring their own chairs & blankets to set up on the extended lawn areas to watch the shows from a distance. Were there long bathroom lines? Of course, they were at times. But they moved quickly. Nothing will ever be perfect but, how everything is handled overall, other festivals can and should take notice. They had more VIP areas than I noticed in years past and they also added a kid’s zone. There were more kids attending than I’ve seen in the past. Things are evolving and Borderland are trying to make this a more family friendlier event too.
As for the bands we saw, we will go in order. We got there mid-day so the 1st band we saw was Flipturn. This band hailed from Fernandina Beach, Florida. They released 3 EP’s and 2 LP’s. They seemed to make some traction as delivered an energetic 1-hour set. Lead vocalist and rhythm guitar player Dillon Basses was all smiles while moving about throughout the band’s performance. “Sad Disco” and “Rodeo Clown” were some of the band’s highlights.
Next up was the Pixies. The band is celebrating its 40th year together. The Pixies also had an hour-long set. The band went back to their 1989 ‘Doolittle’ album for their opening track in “Gouge Away.” This was the 1st time that I got to see new bassist Emma Richardson as she took over for Paz Lenchantin back in 2024. I thought she was solid and fit in with what the Pixies are and what they are trying to do. My favorite track by the Pixies was played early in the set in “Here Comes Your Man.” There were a lot of fans who were there for the Pixies and didn’t walk away disappointed. A solid set was performed by the Pixies.
Closing the Saturday portion of the festival was the newly minted Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jack White. White’s band consisted of Bobby Emmett on keyboards/organ, Dominic Davis on bass and Parick Keeler on drums. This was my 1st time taking in White, so I didn’t know what to expect? White started his set with a White Stripes song in “Black Math.” The set comprised mostly songs from his former bands The White Stripes and The Raconteurs and his solo work. White was very energetic throughout and ensured he addressed the crowd not as NY, but as East Aurora. A nice direct touch that I’m sure appreciated! He also had fun during the The Dead Weather song “I Cut Like a Buffalo.” He had fun with the word “Buffalo” as he emphasized it a bunch of times during the song’s performance. White didn’t say much at all and let the music do the talking for a 2-hour set. White constantly switched out guitars throughout the show too. He did an elongated encore performing 5 songs. Of course, he ended the show from what you can say is his most well-known song in “Seven Nation Army.” The crowd got into the chant “Oh, oh-OH-oh-oh-OH-ohhh, ohhh” mirroring the song’s bass line.” So, it was perfect way to end a fantastic set.
It is impressive to see what Borderland has become. It’s not affiliated with Live Nation. Co-founder Jennifer Brazil has really built its own community that now is becoming a preferred destination for acts. She is really building something here in the WNY area and it is just keeps getting bigger and bigger.
Jack White Setlist:
Black Math (The White Stripes song)
Old Scratch Blues
G.O.D. and the Broken Ribs
Hotel Yorba (The White Stripes song)
Love Interruption
Broken Boy Solider (The Raconteurs song)
It’s Round on Rats (If You’re Asking)
Neighbors Blues
I Cut Like a Buffalo (The Dead Weather song)
The Hardest Button to Button (The White Stripes song)
Derecho Demonico
Delta Bound (Rosetta Howard & The Harlem Hamfats cover)
Lazaretto
There’s Nobody There
Freedom 21
Steady, as She Goes (The Raconteurs song)
Encore:
Fell in Love With a Girl (The White Stripes song)
Dollar Bill
Ball and Biscuit (The White Stripes song)
/Train Kept a-Rollin’ (Tiny Bradshaw cover-snippet)
Archbishop Harold Holmes
Seven Nation Amy (The White Stripes song)
We would like to thank Zachary Keller and Kiera Shanahan from the Borderland festival for the credentials to review the festival.