In anticipation of this year's Blue Ox Music Festival, and produced by Converge Radio 99.9, The Metro in downtown Eau Claire hosted an installment of the "Road to Blue Ox Tour" on Friday, April 19 – featuring Pert Near Sandstone, Them Coulee Boys, and Barbaro. Hailing from Minneapolis/St. Paul, Pert’ Near Sandstone plays American stringband music that melds old-time sensibilities with modern song craft. Them Coulee Boys' (Eau Claire) live shows are energetic affairs, with a constant passion and sincerity evident in each song they play. Minneapolis-Winona quartet Barbaro kicked things off.