Get the lowest price tickets to Front Porch Fest 16, Aug. 28-Aug. 31, at SpiritHaven Farm before the first lineup drops! Save money on VIP, General Admission, RV and Car Camping by purchasing early.
Front Porch Fest is a four-day family-friendly music festival held in Patrick County, Virginia, featuring local, regional and national touring acts. Produced by One Family Productions.
For tickets and more information, visit this link.
Labor Day weekend 2024 marks the 15th annual Front Porch Fest, held on the Front Porch of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Patrick County, Virginia. The festival will take place Aug. 29 – Sept. 1, 2024, at Spirithaven Farm and musical acts include Larry Keel’s Electric Larry Land, Yam Yam, Afrobeta, Big Daddy Love, Erin & the Wildfire, Into the Fog and The Judy Chops.
This four-day family-friendly music festival held in Stuart, Virginia, features local, regional and national touring acts. In addition to 30+ bands, Front Porch Fest offers an array of children’s activities, yoga, campsite jams, on-site camping, delicious craft brews and foods, and more!
No charge for children 12 years and younger, though children are required to have a ticket in their name.
For volunteer, vending, and sponsorship opportunities please visit www.frontporchfest.com.
Front Porch Fest is produced by One Family Productions, a nonprofit working to support community enrichment and growth. Proceeds from this event are donated to local charities such as the Patrick County Food Bank and Caring Hearts Free Clinic of Patrick County and others.
One Family Productions also produces the Patrick County Christmas Parade, First Friday Summer & Fall Jam Series and is a co-producer of Bushels & Barrels Local Food, Beer and Wine festival. Learn more at http://www.onefamilyproductions.org
| Front Porch Fest set for Aug. 29 – Sept. 1, 2024, has announced its initial lineup for the 15th iteration of the live music festival that has become a much-loved Labor Day Weekend tradition in Patrick County, Virginia. |
| According to organizers, the first round of the Front Porch Fest 15 musical lineup feels like a fresh bouquet of talent ready to bloom alongside cherished FPF favorite performers. Get ready to dance, sing and bask in the love-filled atmosphere provided by artists who are sure to cultivate an unforgettable festival experience: Larry Keel’s Electric Larry Land Afrobeta Big Daddy Love Erin & The Wildfire The Jared Stout Band The Judy Chops Jon Tyler Wiley & His Virginia Choir GOTELua Flora Slick Jr & The Reactors The Freeway Jubilee Couldn’t Be Happiers Oh, Christopher The Brown Mountain Lightning Bugs Borrowed Earth White Rose Motor Oil Fluidity Performance Troupe FPF Family All Star Band In addition to music, Front Porch Fest features an array of children’s activities, yoga, campsite jams, on-site camping, craft brews and foods, and more! Make plans with some friends, the family, or join us solo if you’d wish! TICKETS 4-Day General Admission: $125 4-Day VIP: $350 [selling fast!] 4-Day VIP – TEEN: $250 Car Camping: $75 RV Pass: $150 [1 LEFT!] Premium RV Pass: $325 [SOLD OUT] Parking: $10 The festival is a family friendly event and children 12 and younger are free! Please add (1) 4 Day GA (Child 12 and under) ticket to your order per little one. Volunteer and vendor opportunities are available. Find out more about FPF15 at frontporchfest.com. |
Editor’s Note: This story originally ran in the Wake Weekly newspaper at this link.
As summer winds down, Labor Day weekend is heating up with a variety of outdoor music festivals from western North Carolina to Virginia. What better way to celebrate the social and economic achievements of American workers than hanging out with friends and listening to some old favorites, as well as being introduced to some new artists?
Following are just a few festivals featuring a variety of musical genres and activities to choose from:
The Earl Scruggs Music Festival
The Earl Scruggs Music Festival in Mill Spring, North Carolina, Sept. 1-3, is a celebration of the defining bluegrass banjo player Earl Scruggs. It features about 30 bluegrass, folk and Americana acts on two stages, including newgrass band Into the Fog, which has its roots in Wake Forest, where lead singer and band co-founder Brian Stephenson calls home, and Raleigh’s Tray Wellington Band. Other acts include Emmy Lou Harris, Del McCoury Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, The Earls of Leicester, Pete Wernick,Greensky Bluegrass, The Jerry Douglas Band, Della Mae, Darin and Brooke Aldridge, Zoe and Cloyd, Rissi Palmer, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper and the Jon Stickley Trio. The festival also hosts a collection of food trucks, children’s activities, free horse jumping demonstrations and trail rides for a fee. The festival debuted in 2022 and is a collaboration between the Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby and WNCW FM at Isothermal Community College in Rutherfordton. For a schedule and tickets visit earlscruggsmusicfest.com/.
The Happy Valley Old-Time Fiddlers’ Convention
The Happy Valley Old-Time Fiddlers’ Convention at Jones Farm in Lenoir, North Carolina, is Sept. 1-3 and pays homage to the legends and stories of the Yadkin River Valley. The festival includes 11 categories of competition for old time and bluegrass bands and musicians and featured performances on Sunday, plus children’s activities, food vendors and more. In addition to competitors, artists include William Ritter and Sarah Ogletree, Burnett Sisters Band, Michael Reno Harrell, Strictly Clean and Decent, Rob McHale and Rodney Sutton. The 2023 festival is the 18th and final edition of the event, organizers say. Learn more at happyvalleyfiddlers.org/.
The 12th annual John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival
The 12th annual John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival set for Sept. 2-3 in High Point’s Oak Hollow Festival Park is sponsored by The Friends of John Coltrane, which works to preserve and celebrate the life and music of Coltrane and to enrich the lives of others through the introduction of jazz and other musical genres. Artists include Keb’ Mo’, Dave Koz, Maysa, Mr. Sipp, Candy Dulfer, Eric Darius, Norman Brown, Samara Joy, Chucho Valdes, Yellowjackets, Terri Lyne Carrington, Matthew Whitaker, and more. Learn more at coltranejazzfest.com
The 14th annual African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County
The 14th annual African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County is set for Sept. 2-3 and celebrates African American culture through art, music, dance, food and community. Local and national musical acts are presented Saturday and Sunday on the main stage in addition to a juried art gallery, craft and food vendors, educational and hands-on activities in the Family Village, and more. The festivities kickoff Friday with Gladys Knight and Eric Benet performing at the North Carolina Museum of Art. For tickets and more information visit www.aacfestival.org/
ProgDay
ProgDay, the world’s longest-running Progressive Rock Festival, is celebrating its 28th year and is set for Sept. 2-3 at Chapel Hill’s Storybrook Farm. The event will feature artists from all over the world including Karmic Juggernaut, A Light Sleeper, Moon Letters, Perfect, Red Fiction, tu:NER, We Used to Cut the Grass and You Bred Raptors? For tickets visit https://progday.net/.
The 14th annual Front Porch Fest
The 14th annual Front Porch Fest is a family friendly festival set for Aug. 31-Sept. 3 at Spirithaven Farm in Stuart, Virginia. This year’s musical lineup includes Butcher Brown, Jimkata, Dangermuffin, DJ Williams, Sun-Dried Vibes, Cailtin Krisko & The Broadcast, Big Daddy Love, The Plate Scrapers, The Judy Chops, Urban Soil, The Wilson Springs Hotel and many more, according to organizers. In addition to 30-plus bands, Front Porch Fest features an array of children’s activities, yoga, campsite jams, on-site camping, craft brews and foods, and more. For tickets, volunteering, vending and sponsorship opportunities visit frontporchfest.com/
Appaloosa Roots Music Festival
MerleFest’s favorite house band Celtic rockers Scythian hosts Appaloosa Roots Music Festival in Front Royal, Virginia, on Sept. 2-3. The lineup features an exciting mix of artists from various genres including the Triangle’s own Chatham Rabbits, Blue Highway, Screaming Orphans, Carbon Leaf, Christian Lopez and many more. For tickets and more information, visit appaloosafestival.com/
Labor Day weekend 2023 marks the 14th annual Front Porch Fest. This event is held on the Front Porch of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Patrick County, Virginia, and will take place Aug. 31st – Sep. 3rd, 2023 at Spirithaven Farm. This year’s musical lineup includes Butcher Brown, Jimkata, Dangermuffin, DJ Williams, Sun-Dried Vibes, Cailtin Krisko & The Broadcast, Big Daddy Love, The Plate Scrapers, The Judy Chops, Urban Soil, The Wilson Springs Hotel and many more, according to organizers.
Front Porch Fest is a 4-day family-friendly music festival held in Stuart, Virginia featuring local, regional, and national touring acts. In addition to 30+ bands, Front Porch Fest features an array of children’s activities, yoga, campsite jams, on-site camping, delicious craft brews and foods, and more.
No charge for children 12 years and under, though children are required to have a ticket in their name.
For tickets, volunteering, vending and sponsorship opportunities please visit https://frontporchfest.com/
Front Porch Fest is produced by One Family Productions, a nonprofit working to support community enrichment and growth. Proceeds from this event are donated to local charities such as the Patrick County Food Bank and Caring Hearts Free Clinic of Patrick County and others.
One Family Productions also produces the Patrick County Christmas Parade, First Friday Summer Jam Series and is a co-producer of Bushels & Barrels Local Food, Beer and Wine festival. Learn more at www.onefamilyproductions.org
| From the good folks at Front Porch Fest: Welcome to the Porch, new artists! Lonesome River Band Goodfellers Sisters & Brothers Borrowed Earth Billy Woods Maggie Blankenship Riggs Roberson & Griffin Haley Maggie May & the Summer Heat Liv Sloan & The Die Hards We couldn’t be more pleased to have world renowned bluegrass artists Lonesome River Band join us this year! They perfectly round out the Front Porch Fest 13 musical lineup, alongside many other amazing artists. You can find out more about the full lineup here!This may the final lineup announcement, but stay tuned to your inbox and FPF social media outlets for additional information and updates! The 13th annual Front Porch Fest will be held at Spirithaven Farm on Labor Day weekend, September 1- 4, 2022. We are proud to offer a wide range of talented local, regional, and national music acts; children’s activities; vendors, merchandise, and more. Front Porch Fest provides fun for the entire family while raising money and awareness for local community organizations and charities. It is produced by One Family Productions and presented by Patrick County, Virginia. |
| TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW 4-Day General Admission (Tier 3): $140 Ticket includes access to the event for one person, Thursday-Sunday. Tent camping is included with ticket. Parking must be purchased separately online or at the gate. 4 Day VIP: $300 [GOING FAST!] VIP ticketholders receive homemade meals, continental breakfasts, beer tickets (must be 21), and a swag bag to include: Front Porch Fest branded merchandise, FPF merch shack discounts, vendor coupons, and sponsor provided swag. The VIP lounge features special performances, free pour hours and free specialty food events. A VIP ticket includes premium VIP only camping (first come first serve) & standard parking. If you are interested in car camping or bringing an RV, those tickets must be purchased separately. Car Camping: $60 [SOLD OUT] Car Camping tickets include access to a 20×20 space for 1 car, 1 tent, and 1 10×10 canopy. Limited quantities available.RV Pass: $120 [LOW TICKET WARNING] RV Tickets include access for one RV/Pull Behind Camper up to 30 feet. Each RV space will accommodate room for one vehicle. Parking: $10 All General Admission and Single Day ticket holders must purchase a parking pass (one pass per vehicle – carpooling is encouraged!). This pass grants parking on-site, just a short walk to the festival grounds. The festival is a family friendly event and children 12 and under are free! Please add (1) 4 Day GA (Child 12 and under) ticket to your order per little one! |
If you, like me, are a fan of FloydFest, Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival and Front Porch Fest, you’ll love Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance.
Hosted by one of MerleFest’s fan favorites, Donna the Buffalo, Shakori has a similar vibe and similar artists to the aforementioned festivals. But if you live in or near the Triangle, it’s just a short drive to Shakori’s home in bucolic Chatham County.
And for music festival lovers, it offers not one but two chances to camp out and catch some great live music each year — one in the spring and one in the fall.
I had the pleasure of meeting up and hanging out with some of my fellow die-hard festivarians (yes, it’s a word) at the spring 2017 festival featuring some amazing sets by Rising Appalachia, Violet Bell, Dangermuffin, The Mastersons and Steve Earle and the Dukes, just to name a few.
But if you don’t want to take my word for it, Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine named it among its Bests of the Fests of 2018.
And for $90, you can take advantage of the 2018 fall festival, Oct. 4-7, and its 50-plus acts including headliners Lettuce and, of course, Donna the Buffalo, as well as Ryan Mountbleau, Urban Soil and Shiloh Hill, among others.
But don’t wait. Tickets go up after Friday, Aug. 17, and before the rest of the acts are announced on Monday, Aug. 20.
In the meantime, catch some of the acts who presumably will be at Shakori this fall on “The Road to Shakori” tour.
Listen up music festival lovers: Labor Day Weekend 2018 has plenty of opportunities in North Carolina, Virginia and beyond. Continue reading
Tired of listening to the same old music? Front Porch Fest, held at the picturesque Spirit Haven Farm in Stuart, Virginia, over Labor Day weekend, may be just the ticket. You’ll not only be exposed to some new tunes, you’ll also have the opportunity to support some great causes.
“Front Porch Fest is a great place to hear someone you have never heard of and leave with new music in your heart,” festival Executive Director Chris Prutting told me in 2015. “I’ve grown up with music and friends playing in bands. I love the bands no one has heard of. If you come to Front Porch Fest, you will leave with a whole new catalog of music. We’ve always prided ourselves on getting bands right before they make it.”
Among the acts lined up for Front Porch Fest set for Aug. 30 – Sept. 2 include Perpetual Groove, Zach Deputy, the Larry Keel Experience, Big Daddy Love, Annabelle’s Curse, the Couldn’t Be Happiers, Urban Soil, Slick Jr. & the Reactors, among others. A distinctive feature of this festival, which attracts a few thousand attendees, are its three stages with no overlapping sets so music lovers don’t have to miss a beat.
I personally love the laid back feel of this festival that is smaller more intimate version of some of its neighbors including FloydFest and Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival.
A year after the Winston-Salem, North Carolina-based dynamic musical duo, Couldn’t Be Happiers, formed, they will release two tracks — “Cajun Spider-Man” and “Mad” — on July 24 that couldn’t be more different or more reflective of the artists. The two-track CD is appropriately called “His and Hers” and is available on Spotify.
Jordan Crosby Lee (vocals, guitar) is a tattooed Texas troubadour who blends melodies and shares harmonies with a Jodi Hildebran (vocals, guitar, harmonica, percussion), a sassy blonde country crooner from North Carolina. Hildebran is a singer/songwriter whose love of pop and Americana music permeates her writing.
I have written in the past that the Couldn’t Be Happiers combine all the best things about classic country music.
That hasn’t changed with the release of the duo’s latest two tracks. I find Lee’s up-tempo “Cajun Spider-Man” tune reminiscent of the storytelling song genre the great Tom T. Hall and Roger Miller, among others, made famous. It’s outlandishness also reminds me a bit of Bruce Springsteen’s more recent “Outlaw Pete.”
Hildebran’s “Mad” is unique in its delivery allowing her the depth of her vocals to shine with a Rhiannon Giddeons’ quality I haven’t heard from Hildebran until now. “Mad” sounds like it should be listened to in a dim speakeasy lit only by candlelight while sipping on a Manhattan.
But don’t take my word for it. Take a listen for yourself:
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