Dark Star Jubilee will feature host and headliner Dark Star Orchestra for six sets over May 22-24, 2020. Held in Thornville, OH, Dark Star Jubilee has evolved into a celebration of the music of the Grateful Dead, as well as a reunion of performers in the broader Grateful Dead scene.
Announced acts for the festival include Oteil & Friends, Galactic (featuring Anjelika Jelly Joseph), Zero (featuring Steve Kimock, Gregg Anton, Pete Sears and Melvin Seals), The Infamous Stringdusters, Jorma Kaukonen, Keller Williams, Marco Benevento, Jeff Mattson & Friends and Holly Bowling. Also performing are Rumpke Mountain Boys, Mystic Bowie’s Talking Dreads, Dino English & The Progfusionals and Katie Henry Band.
Dark Star Orchestra will close out 2019 with two nights at The Palace Theatre in Albany over December 28-29 and head to The Wellmont in Montclair, NJ for two final nights. More info and tickets can be found here.
Mountain Jam has announced the festival will return to Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in 2020. Dates for the festival are May 29-31, 2020 with lineup and more information coming in the new year.
Crowd favorites Umphrey’s McGee and moe. will return to headline the 2020 edition of Summer Camp, each band playing all three days of the weekend-long festival. Ween, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Billy Strings, Rezz, STS9 and Tipper are among the bands announced to play. Joining them will be The Wood Brothers, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Lettuce, Twiddle, The New Deal, Spafford, Andy Frasco & The U.N, SunSquabi, Keller Williams, Kyle Hollingsworth Band and Dirty Heads.
Three-day Passes, VIP Upgrades, Thursday Pre-Party Passes, and RV campsites sales are on now. Summer Camp will be May 22-24, 2020 (Memorial Day Weekend) at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, IL.
Governors Ball may be moving to the Bronx in the future, relocating from Randall’s Island to Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. While the festival has been denied a permit to move locations in 2020, the company behind the festival made a pitch to members of Bronx Communty Board 8 last week.
Concerns over the event’s size and duration were part of turning down the move in the past, but organizers are now appealing that decision. With 50,000 people expected to attend the June 5-7 festival each day, a relocation would need to factor in the strain on local infrastructure caused by the arrival of the GovBall crowd.
Recently, a new age policy was revealed, as well as an updated VIP experience. The festival says regarding raising the minimum age from 18 to 21, “In a change from previous years, for the 2020 festival all persons 18 and over are welcome at the festival, but a valid proof of ID is required for entry. All persons aged 17 and under MUST attend with an adult who is 21 or older. Each adult must have a valid form of ID and may accompany up to TWO ticket holders aged 17 or younger.”
Governor’s Ball also unveiled an updated VIP experience, offering access to special viewing areas, as well as air-conditioned, flushable bathrooms; a private wi-fi network; a separate lane at ferry docks and shuttle pick-up points; free water at VIP areas and more.
The Great American Irish Festival has announced that it will be relocating and has changed the dates for next year’s festival. The festival has traditionally been held on the last weekend in July at the Herkimer County Fairgrounds in Frankfort. After 16 years in Frankfort, the festival will make its new home at the new Irish Cultural Center in the Brewery District of Utica on the weekend of Sept. 18-20.
The festival’s original intent was to raise funds to establish a state of the art cultural center highlighting the rich Irish heritage in the Mohawk Valley. With the opening of the multi-use facility on Columbia Street in July of this year, that goal has been met and the decision was made to move the event from Frankfort to Utica as its permanent home.
The new 23,500 square foot venue boasts an event center, an authentic 19th-century Irish pub, Five Points Public House and a museum dedicated to Irish culture.
The move to the Brewery District means there will no longer be camping available to attendees nor will the popular Highland Games be held.
“We recognize the fact that a change of venue may present some short-term challenges and adjustments for our guests and volunteer staff,” organizers stated, “but we encourage your support and good-natured Irish spirit as we make this monumental transition.”
The festival has developed relationships with many of its new Varick Street neighbors, including the F.X. Matt Brewing Company, the Celtic Harp, Nail Creek Pub and Brewery and the Sanctuary, which will allow for more performance spaces.
This year’s festival was headlined by Enter the Haggis, We Banjo 3, The High Kings and the Young Dubliners. Further information on the 2020 festival will be released in the coming months.
We Banjo 3 spoke with NYS Music’s Kathy Stockbridge at the 2018 edition of the festival. View that interview below.
Festival organizers have released the names of the first three headliners for the 2020 Rochester International Jazz Festival. They are Nile Rodgers & Chic; A Celebration of 50 Years, Garth Fagan Dance with Monty Alexander Sextet; and Spyro Gyra. Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 6 at 10 a.m. at RochesterJazz.com . Three and nine-day Club Passes are also on sale now.
The 020 Rochester International Jazz Festival will be held June 19 to 27, 2020 in multiple indoor and outdoor venues in downtown Rochester. All headlining shows are held at 8 p.m. at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre.
Nile Rodgers & Chic take the stage on Friday, June 26. Garth Fagan Dance will celebrate 50 years of dance at the CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival performing with long-time friend, Monty Alexander and his Sextet,on Wednesday, June 24. And returning for the first time since 2003 is contemporary jazz icons Spyro Gyra.
The Governors Ball Music Festival, held annually on Randall’s Island in New York, is instituting an 18 and over age policy for festival attendees beginning in 2020. The 10th edition of the festival will be held June 5-7.
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs perform at the 2018 GovBall
Festival attendees 17 and younger must have a valid photo ID and be accompanied by someone 21 or older in order to gain entry to the 2020 festival. According to the new policy, “All persons aged 17 and under MUST attend with an adult who is 21 or older. Each adult must have a valid form of ID and may accompany up to TWO ticket holders aged 17 or younger. All individuals must arrive together, via the same entrance, and all individuals must have valid wristbands/tickets.”
Festival co-founders Tom Russell and Jordan Wolowitz stated, “The changes we are implementing this year come directly from fan feedback and conversation. We are always listening, always evolving, and always trying to give our fans and our City the best festival they could ask for.”
In addition to the new age policy, the festival also announced new VIP perks. The VIP Experience allows access to all VIP viewing ages at all four stages, specialty food vendors, shade tents, cell phone charging stations and comfortable seating options. New to the 2020 festival is a separate lane for transportation pick up points, private Wi-Fi, free water and air-conditioned bathrooms. VIP areas will be 21 and over.
This year’s GovBall was fraught with weather issues. Organizers were forced to cancel the entire final day of the festival due to severe thunderstorms. The cancelation nixed performances by The Strokes and Nas along with 25 other acts.
The 2020 lineup should be rolled out after the first of the year. For more information, follow the festival’s Twitter feed here or the website here.
The Tanglewood 2020 season has been announced with a range of festival favorites and brand new faces. The 12 programs start on June 19 and run through the entire summer, wrapping up on Aug. 30.
The BSO’s $25 tickets for attendees under 40 will be available during the 2020 Tanglewood season for select performances; these tickets are available starting at the end of May on a first-come, first-served basis through www.tanglewood.org
Each program is made up of multiple acts that take place over multiple days. Some of the incredible acts to catch at Tanglewood summer of 2020 include Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Judy Collins, Arlo Guthrie, Brian Wilson performing Pet Sounds, Trey Anastasio with the Boston Pops and other Tanglewood favorites like Emanuel Ax, Susan Graham, and Yo-Yo Ma.
Tanglewood is nestled in the hills of the Berkshires of Lenox and Stockbridge, MA and has been the home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1937. The festival was founded and created by Serge Koussevitzky (BSO Music Director 1924-1949) and is not only a place for music but for a variety of performances and multidisciplinary activities from dance troupes to trivia nights. It’s got a little bit of everything.
Year-round Berkshire County residents of Massachusetts may purchase a Berkshire Resident Season Lawn Pass priced at $100. Local residents must show a valid Massachusetts license which is required to obtain a photo ID pass.
There is also an array of choruses and orchestras to catch of course playing everything from classical to pop culture recreations. With acts like Andris Nelsons-led program with Augustin Hadelich performing Beethoven’s Romance No. 1 and Dutilleux’s L’Arbre des songs to Two Boston Pops concerts led by Keith Lockhart: a film presentation of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, with the orchestra performing the score on August 21st Tanglewood covers all the orchestra bases.
There is also ‘Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!’ NPR’s weekly news quiz hosted by Peter Sagal with judge and scorekeeper, Bill Kurtis, and the annual John Williams’ Film Night is coming back hosted by Mr. William’s himself. There’s definitely a little something for every music lover out there even if it’s not just music.
Tickets go on sale Sunday, Feb. 9, at 10 a.m and regular-season ticket prices range from $12-$132 on average. For tickets and more information visit Tanglewood’s website or call 888-266-1200.
LOCKN’ returns for its eighth year at Infinity Downs and Oak Ridge Farm in Arrington, VA on June 19-21, a shift from it’s usual dates in late August. This year’s festival will be extra special as LOCKN’ has put together a star-studded celebration of Phil Lesh’s 80th birthday. Lesh is best known as a founding member and bass player for the Grateful Dead.
“I am honored that Peter and the LOCKN’ family are throwing me the most special kind of birthday bash this year!” says Lesh. “It’s perfect because I’ve had so much fun there over the years — not just playing, but also getting to hang out and spend time with good friends and collaborators, some of whom I have just met and others whom I have been playing with since this all began. We are going to have a lot of fun.”
Lesh at 2016’s LOCKN’
Festival co-founder Peter Shapiro stated, “We’re going to celebrate Phil’s 80th the LOCKN’ way.” He continued, “He means so much to all of us, and we really are determined to give him the best party he’s ever had. We want to celebrate the man and his music in the best way possible. No better way than on our farm in that setting.”
LOCKN’ 2020 has pulled out all the stops for the celebration. Attendees will be able to experience for the first time ever at the three-day event the option of adding the Thursday before. Dubbed as “Steal Your Thursday” attendees can start the party early with a “Jerry Dance Party” on June 18. Expect a psychedelic audio/visual experience that celebrates the music of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead. If that is not enough LOCKN’ for you, there is an option to come on Wednesday that gives you early access to the farm.
LOCKN’ LUMNI tickets will be available beginning Friday, Nov. 8 at 8:08 a.m. For complete ticket information and much more, please visit the LOCKN’ website here.
This past weekend, October 25-27, saw the annual Voodoo Music and Arts Experience took place in the city of New Orleans. The festival, in its tenth edition, boasted a genre spanning lineup that included Guns Nâ Roses, Beck, Post Malone, BrandiCarlile, The National, Interpol, Big Gigantic, and Young theGiant. The three-day weekend married the close of the 2019 festival season and featured some creepy crawly Halloween festivities.
In what seemed to be a Voodoo tradition the first day was plagued by a great deal of rain, leaving the grounds of the beautiful City Park under water and a swampy mess. The dismal weather did not deter the voodoo faithful from kicking off the weekend festivities costumes and all. Sets from up and coming artist Hobo Johnson & The Love Makers, and the amazing Bishop Briggs paved the way for a rainy serenade from Brandi Carlile, and an absolute heater from Guns Nâ Roses. The world-famous rockers treated a wet and rowdy crowd to a three-hour career spanning set culminating with a perfectly timed November Rain as the light mist turned back into a steady rain shower.
As day two arrived so did the sunshine as if summer was peaking in one more time before the winter months took over, allowing festival attendees to dawn their best costumes. This was a full music day that included sets from Young the Giant, The National, and Bassnectar with the ever-talented Beck closing out day 2 with his unique dance party sound. He paid homage to hometown favorites The Meters with a soulful version of Cissy Strut showing just how much love so many musicians have for the city of New Orleans.
The final day of the festival featured an array of new bands and artists that certainly should be on any music fan’s radar. Temples, a psych rock band from England, proved that British rock is still alive and thriving, blending multiple different styles to create a unique hard rock sound. Minnesota native Hippo Campus brought their billowy melodies and concisely written songs for an amazing afternoon performance on the main stage. The array of great music culminated with a powerful performance from Post Malone. The 24 year old rap star closed this amazing weekend with such stage presence and cockiness. Closing the festival with his hit song “Congratulations” exclaiming to the NOLA faithful âLive your life, live your dream, live your truth, be what you want to be, donât ever let anyone fuckinâ stop you.â A perfect motto for the attitude that the gritty city of New Orleans exudes everyday.
