The festival news just keeps coming.
Last week we shared news about some upcoming summer music festivals, and now we have some information about a couple of upcoming music festivals whose focus is on the local music scene. These festivals are smaller in scope than the area’s summer festivals, but they are just as enjoyable.
The big news is that the Upper Valley Music Festival announced its lineup for 2017.
The Upper Valley Music Festival (UVMF), which is a celebration of local and regional music, was on hiatus last year but is set to return in 2017. Now in its sixth year, the festival alternated its location between Greenfield and Turners Falls. This year, the festival presented by Sovereignty Music Services of Bernardston will be held in downtown Greenfield, with performances taking place on the three floors of the Arts Block, the Root Cellar and at the Second Congregational Church.
And take special note of the date — the festival has always been held in the summer months, but that is changing this year as the UVMF will be held on Saturday, April 29, from noon to midnight.
The lineup is a mix of UVMF alums, like singer-songwriter Chris Scanlon and country artist Holly May, alongside newcomers, like rock bands Carinae and Sister Jawbone. Joining them at the 2017 UVMF will be: Shokazoba, Community Smokes, Lexi Weege, frost heaves and hales, Rosie Porter, Tides, Emma Ayers Project, Julie Cira, Katie Clarke, Tawdry, Span of Sunshine, Larry Allen Brown and the Acoustic Earth Orchestra, Andynkra, The Diamondstones, Trīne Chéile, Blackstone Cuil, Blind Revision, Enemy Remains, Eric Colville, Incurable Semantics, Luddy Mussy, Lynn Saoirse, Sheez Late, Steve Brown and Zak Trojano. There will also be a performance by the Celtic Heels Irish Dancers and a traditional Irish music session open to all traditional players.
Wow! That’s quite a lineup, and the majority of these musicians are from the Pioneer Valley — with the exception being bands like Blackstone Cuil, which hails from Worcester. There is truly something for everyone — all types of music will be represented.
This is a great chance for you to experience an abundance of local talent; to enjoy some of your favorite acts while discovering some new ones.
In addition, this festival is very affordable, and the money is going for a good cause. Tickets are $20. If you buy them now, you can purchase them at the early bird price of $15. That’s a deal you can’t beat, considering there are 30 bands in the lineup — that comes down to a cost of less that a buck a band. And as with past years , all proceeds will go to the American Cancer Association and the Relay for Life in Franklin County. Talk about a win-win situation.
Jessica and Tommy Byrnes (he operates Sovereignty Music Services) are the driving forces behind this music festival, and they work tirelessly to bring a high-quality event to the community; one that helps showcase our local music scene and also supports the downtown. And, of course, raises money to help beat cancer, an illness that has touched the lives of most of us.
They don’t do this alone. Since this event is a benefit, they rely on a team of dedicated volunteers, including all the musicians who give of their time. The festival is always looking for volunteers, so if you are interested in lending a hand, contact: info@uppervalleymusicfest.com
“The most wonderful part of our event is how much fun the fans, musicians, volunteers and downtown businesses have for 12 hours. It’s amazing to be able to present such awesome talent to our community and at the end of the day be able to donate proceeds to help find a cure,” said Jessica Byrnes.
The UVMF promises to be a great way to kick off the 2017 festival season, so mark that date — Saturday, April 20 — on your calendar now.
For more information and to purchase early-bird tickets: www.uppervalleymusicfest.com
Homeward Vets
Winter Music Festival
The Homeward Vets Winter Music Festival, which is another music festival that celebrates local music, will be held Saturday, March 4, from noon to 2 a.m. in Northampton. Bands from throughout the Pioneer Valley will perform at two Northampton venues: The Deuce (World War II Club) at 50 Conz St. and at the Union Station Ballroom (right next to the train station) at 125 Pleasant St.
This festival is a benefit that will raise funds for the organization Homeward Vets, which provides veterans ,who were previously homeless, with household items and furniture.
The music begins at noon at The Deuce and ends at 10 p.m. It begins at 5 p.m. at Union Station and ends at 1 a.m.
The lineup for this festival is an extensive one that includes Flaming Dragons of Middle Earth, Special K, Larry Dulong and Random Sighting, Seth Newton, Workman Song, Michael Vallan, Xavier & Olivia, Chris Goudreau, Reverend Dan, The Buddy McEarns Band, John Catalini Band, Orlen and Gabriel, Violet Maeve, Chicken Yard, Evan Crimmins, Radio Exile, Fusion Energy, Shokazoba, Beige, Bamboo Steamers, Hanna Holman, Donut Kings, Kelsie Birk, Rest in Grief, Crow Rider, Black Absence, Roadhorse, Davey Digs Kaos Theory, Disquise the Curse, Brakabrick and Bomber.
If you aren’t familiar with these venues, they are both spacious sites with plenty of room for dancing. Another plus is that they have parking lots, so that is a big plus for Northampton.
The lineup of who is playing when has not been posted yet, but for moere information, visit:
www.wmamusicfest.com
And like the Upper Valley Music Festival, at Winter Fest you get a whole lot of music for very little money. Tickets are $15, and if you move fast, you can still get advanced tickets at the website above for only $10.
Indie Rock Showcase
at the Wheelhouse
The Wheelhouse, which is the basement room at the Arts Block in Greenfield, is fast becoming the go- to room for rock music, especially bands whose music might be considered experimental or “Indie.” The room is small, but big enough to hold comfy seating, it’s own bar and stage, and still have room for dancing.
On Saturday, March 4, at 8 p.m., the Arts Block will present a showcase of three area bands whose music is very different from each other, yet still falls under the broad “Indie” label.
The first of these is the Greenfield band, frost heaves and hales, led by Daniel Hales, draws from a myriad of musical influences and combines them with Hales poetic lyrics to create an irresistible pop-rock sound.
Beach Honey is a quartet from Northampton who record for Rub Wrongways Records and whose music has a strong pop bent.
Rounding out the lineup is Ex-Temper, another quartet from Northampton. They will have the honor of being the loudest band in this lineup as they treat the crowd to their heavier, yet melodic, rock music.
Sheryl Hunter is a music writer who lives in Easthampton. Her work has appeared in various regional and national magazines. You can contact her at soundslocal@yahoo.com