Summer is upon us and thankfully we’re seeing a comeback of some great summer music fests across the region. Here’s a look at just a few of the many good music fests around our slice of Appalachia.
The Mountain Grrl Experience
Running from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 24 at the Appalachian Center for the Arts, 28 Second St., Pikeville, Ky., The Mountain Grrl Experience is a first year fest whose goal is to promote and feature the creativity of Appalachian women in a safe and supportive environment. Enjoy nearly a dozen music acts including the host band – Coaltown Dixie, as well as Senora May, Bek and the Stralight Revue, Chelsea Nolan, Jen Tackett, Emily Jamerson, Sarah Kate Morgan, Larah Helayne, April Allen and Black Dragon. Enjoy a full array of arts displays, crafts, workshops, local food and even a locally crafted, girl-brewed beer for the event. Tickets are $20 for the day or $12 for the afternoon workshops and acoustic shows only. Proceeds from this day of musical performances, art displays, workshops and educational programs will benefit the Westcare Perry Cline Emergency Shelter, with emphasis on female victims of domestic violence or substance abuse, as well as educational art programs at the Appalachian Center for the Arts. Go online at https://www.theapparts.org/the-mountain-grrl-experience for more info and to get tickets.
Fly In Festival
One of the nation’s most unique settings for a fest. The Fly In Festival is set for Aug. 27-28, 2021 featuring two dozen national and regional touring bluegrass, old-time and Americana acts on stage at the Robert C. Newton Airpark, just north of Huntington off of WV 2. Fly in, drive in, skydive in, bike in, paddle in to the fest located on the banks of the Ohio River in front of one of the last grass-airplane runways in the East. Hosted by the Bing Brothers with Jake Krack, the fest features headliners such as Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out, Kenny and Amanda Smith, Danny Paisley, Don Rigsby, Rob Ickes, Trey Hensley and Mike Bub, Robert Schafer and Johnny Staats, Robin and Dan Kessinger, Big Rock and the Candyass Mountain Boys, and many more. Fest includes the Clark Kessinger Fiddle Contest, the Robin Kessinger Flatpick Contest and workshop. There’s also a paddle trip, camping, skydiving, restaurant on premise, vendors and much more. Go online at
fly-in-festival.ticketleap.com/2021-fly-in-festival/
Railbird Festival
When it comes to eclectic national lineups, the second Railbird Festival in Lexington is winning, placing and showing at the historic Keeneland Race Track on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 28-29.
Railbird has two stacked days of top notch artists including Black Pumas, My Morning Jacket, Leon Bridges, Dave Matthews, Jason Isbell, Tanya Tucker, Billy Strings, War and Treaty, Pinegrove, and one of my favorite breaking artists right now, Charleston girl, Sierra Ferrell, who now lives in east Nashville and is signed to Rounder Records. Go online at https://www.railbirdfest.com for more info.
4848 Festival
AllGood Presents is back at Snowshoe Mountain for the epic 4848 Festival set for Sept. 3-5. Enjoy two nights of Greensky Bluegrass, Grace Potter, Goose, YMSB, Twiddle, Keller and The Keels, The Motet, Legion of Melvin, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Easy Star All-Stars, Toubab Krewe, The CommonHeart, The Lil’ Smokies, Ona, Jake Krack, Ghost-Note and Katie Henry. Enjoy three days of live music, crowd performers, craft beer, food and craft vendors, scenic-lift rides, Festival Express Shuttles, Split Rock pools, zipline, climbing wall and Shavers Lake activities include: swimming, paddle boats, canoes, kayaks, plus hiking and mountain biking trails. Go online at https://www.4848festival.com/
Hooligan’s Homecoming
The fifth annual Hooligan’s Homecoming, a day-long metal fest and reunion of some of the Tri-State’s best metal acts through the decades. Gates at noon and music 1 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4 at the Barboursville Amphitheater.
Donations of cash or food accepted for the Facing Hunger Food Bank and Little Victories Animal Rescue.
Huntington Music and Arts Festival
The 11th annual Huntington Music and Arts Festival is a week-long celebration of arts and music at various venues around the Jewel City from Aug. 30 to Sept. 4. Culminates with the day-long eclectic live music festival at Ritter Park Amphitheater from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4. Other events include Art on the Edge at Bahnhof on Aug. 31, A special HMAF edition of 9th Street Live and much more. Check out updated details on the HMAF Facebook page and at https://www.hmafestival.com/
The Ohio River Revival
Ironton native Bob Delong, who helped start the new grass festival wildfire that was Appalachian Uprising, is back booking a second year of The Ohio River Revival that runs 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11 on the Ironton Riverfront in Ironton, Ohio.
This free festival features an eclectic lineup of national and regional acts including veteran jam-grass master, Larry Keel Experience, String Therapy, Restless Leg String Band, Songs From the Road Band, Beggars Clan, Pvt. Miller and the StarShooters, Shawn Benfield, Justin Chambers, Walter DeBarr, Building Rockets, Coal Cave Hollow Boys, and others. There’s also local food, arts, crafts and merch. Go online at www.ohioriverrevival.org for more info.
Resonance Music and Arts Festival
Runs Sept. 16-18 at Marvin’s Mountaintop in Masontown, W.Va. Check out three days of eclectic jam from such acts as Umphrey’s McGee, Lotus, Lettuce, Papadosio, Tauk, Keller Williams and many, many more. Camping and vending on site. Go online at www.resonancemusicfest.com.
FunktaFest
Funktafest 5 is set for Saturday, Sept. 25 at Ritter Park Amphitheater in Huntington. Enjoy a cosmic day of live music, art, crafts and food. Enjoy a full funky plate of acts including Dr. Bacon, (host band) The M.F.B., Beggars Clan, Hellnaw, The Greens, Berth, Zenjuju, Heavy Hitters, Flip On It, as well as DJs such as Charlie Brown Superstar, DJ Mixar, DJ Tim Hoover and many more. After party is at The Loud (formerly the V Club) with Detroit’s Ernie Johnson, The Settlement, Shelem, Dinosaur Burps and a patio takeover with Grown Ass Folks. Festival pass is $25, after party is $20 and VIP Tickets are $75. Go online at www.funktafest.com
Healing Appalachia
Healing Appalachia is set for Friday and Saturday, Sept. 24-25 at the State Fairgrounds of West Virginia in Fairlea, W.Va. Two days of national and regional acts celebrating recovery and raising funds for the non-profit Hope in the Hills, which helps fuel recovery from opioid addiction in Appalachia. Headliners include festival founder Tyler Childers and The Foodstamps making their first 2021 appearance in the region. Also on the bill, OhBoy Records artist, Arlo McKinley, as well as country legend, Kathy Mattea, and rising acts such as Buffalo Wabs and the Price Hill Hustle, TK and the Holy Know Nothings. More artists areTBA. Hear inspiring stories of recovery and connect with many of the agencies and non-profits doing recovery work in Appalachia. There’s also camping, food, merch vendors and more. Go online at www.healingappalachia.org and visit the Healing Appalachia Facebook page for more info and visit https://statefairofwv.com/events/ where tickets will be on sale by July’s end.
