Robert Plant appears at El Cosmico

There were rumors for about two weeks being whispered around the Permian Basin.

Would rock legend Robert Plant really perform in Marfa?

Thursday night, all rumors were put to rest.

Singer Patty Griffin appeared on stage and introduced her band, including one of the most famous lead singers in rock history.

“I'd like to introduce you to my dear, dear friend, Robert Plant,” Griffin said to an explosion of cheers.

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About 300 people from around the state gathered in Marfa for El Cosmico's sixth annual Trans-Pecos Festival of Music and Love, and the crowd seemed remarkably calm and quiet. Attendees and vendors gathered to listen to music, eat food and drink beer.

 Isadora McKeon, producer of the event, said the event was also helping those in need.

“Five dollars of each preregistration ticket sold will go to the Central Texas Wildfire Relief Fund,” McKeon said.

Preregistration was held from Sept. 8 until Tuesday and Cosmico owner Liz Lambert said she was not sure how many tickets were sold.

A pancake breakfast fundraiser is planed from 8 a.m. till noon Sunday to raise money for Marfa Public Radio, the only terrestrial radio station for many people in the area and one which played a crucial role when Far West Texas’ own monster wildfire ravaged more than 300,000 acres in the spring.

McKeon said Lambert, an Odessa native, started when the El Cosmico campground was still being built. What started out as friends coming together at the building's location, turned into a two-day festival of music, vendors and fun.

“I'm proud of what we created,” McKeon said.

Since its inaugural festival, the event has grown into three days, with a show added on Thursday, and it will continue to hold events such as the baseball game between Marfa and Austin on Saturday, and have numerous vendors selling art, clothing and food.

People have signed up to camp out on site and were allowed to bring their own camping gear and barbeque equipment.

Space is limited for people looking to stay in the area as hotels are completely booked. Vicki Bange, general manager of the Hotel Paisano, said she had two vacancies at her hotel due to sudden cancelations Wednesday night, but they were filled early Thursday morning.

“Whenever there is a big event, we get booked,” Bange said.

As a business owner herself, famously remodeling the Hotel San Jose in Austin’s South Congress district, Lambert said anything that draws large crowds to the area is a good thing.

“It's great when a lot of people come to Marfa,” she said.

People who attended the show said they were aware Plant would be at the show, but did not know for sure if he was really going to take the state.

Ric Bowden and Michelle Key, both of Austin, said they were more interested in hearing the Black Angels, who perform Saturday, but were excited about the possibillity of seeing Plant.

“We heard him during sound check; he sounded great,” Bowden said.

The event will end Saturday and will also showcase bands such as Black Angels, Mother Falcon and Ben Kweller. Tickets at the door are $32 for one day and $80 for the rest of the week for non-Marfa natives.

@OAgovernment