TRAMPLED BY TURTLES REMIND US WHY FOLK MUSIC WILL ALWAYS EXIST

As Red Sox fans piled into Fenway Park on July 22, 2026, fans of the modern American indie-folk scene shoveled their way through the downtown crowds and into MGM Music Hall. Richy Mitch and The Coal Miners warmed up the crowd with their beautiful songs and reminded us all of the reason why people crave live music, especially when the world seems like it’s on fire (it is). They shared that they have raised over forty thousand dollars for Colorado wildfire relief with their live album Colorado’s on Fire Again. Richy Mitch takes a diaristic songwriting approach and fills the room with warm, familiar feeling tones. They write the songs that you listen to a million times but can still get something new out of the lyrics on each play. Their intensity live exceeded their recordings - always an indicator of a talented band. Though their recordings make you feel like you’re in the room writing with them, their live show proves that these musicians are right where they're meant to be and have created a beautiful thing together.

Upon arrival, I questioned the compatibility of Richy Mitch and the Coal Miners opening for Trampled by Turtles. As soon as the acoustic ensemble slowly flowed into their set with nothing but their voices, I knew it was the perfect transition into what would become a boot-stomping, country dancing kind of night. Born in 2003, Trampled by Turtles is full of musicians who can all run circles around each other, and the bluegrass they play will have you stomping around in circles yourself.

Between bands, the stage sat empty with only six microphones evenly spaced up front. Trampled by Turtles are a fully acoustic band consisting of mandolin, fiddle, guitar, bass, cello, and banjo. The band stuck true to folk music tradition with a subtle but powerful protest by placing a small hand-painted “Ice out” flag on stage, which hung from the cello player's microphone. Trampled by Turtles is not a concert you go to in hopes of hanging out and listening to background music - you won’t be able to keep your eyes off of these guys as they put their whole heart and soul into their songs.