Here we are at the end of June, and while I hate to see summer moving along so quickly, the near arrival of July does mean the 32nd annual Green River Festival is right around the corner.
The festival, presented by Signature Sounds of Northampton, will take place July 13, 14 and 15 on the grounds of Greenfield Community College. When one thinks about the Green River Festival, one of the most anticipated events of summer, the focus is usually on the nationally known acts that are part of the lineup. This year’s lineup includes Michael Franti, Josh Ritter, Old Crow Medicine Show, Robert Earl Keen, James Hunter and many others. But let’s not forget that many local acts play the festival, too, making this a terrific opportunity to check out some incredible talent that surrounds us.
And it all starts before the festival even begins. There will be two events happening the night before to help launch the weekend in fine style. Both of these kick-off shows feature some of our finest local musicians.
Last summer, the good folks at the Progress Partnership, a nonprofit group dedicated to the support of downtown Greenfield businesses and development, hosted a Pre-Fest Fest at Energy Park in Greenfield, drawing an estimated crowd of more than 300. The event was such a success that it will return this year.
The free Pre-Fest Fest will take place on Thursday, July 12, from 5 to 9 p.m. and will once again be held at Energy Park. The Pre-Fest Fest will offer food, beer and lots of good music. You’ll be able to check out the twangy country tunes of the Salvation Alley String Band; blues/jazz singer Lexi Weege (who dropped a surprise EP “Don’t Fret For Long” earlier this month); and the Paper City Picture Show, a folk music project that centers on the work of singer/songwriter Lea Chiara.
Once you’re done soaking up all the good sounds at the Pre-Fest Fest, all you have to do is walk around the corner to take in a festival kick-off show at Hawks & Reed, featuring singer/songwriter Seth Glier and soul band The Mary Jane Jones led by Mandy Pachios.
Glier, a native of Shelburne Falls, has spent the last year touring in support of his latest release, “Birds.” That collection of songs, which has moved his sound forward, recently won three Independent Music awards, including Best Singer-Songwriter Album, Best Song (“Like I Do”) and Best Production (Seth Glier & Steve Lunt). In addition to touring throughout the U.S., this past March Glier toured in the Ukraine, China and Mongolia as a cultural diplomat through a U.S. State Department program called American Music Abroad.
Glier, who hasn’t played a show in Greenfield in quite some time, is a Green River Festival alum. “I played the festival when I was about 19 or 20,” said Glier, who is now 29.
“I’m excited to play a small role in the weekend festivities with a kick-off concert,” he said. “I’ll also be joined by a local violinist, Kelly Halloran, who I went to high school with, and who you may see out on stage with Michael Franti later that weekend. Rachel Coats also joins me on upright bass.”
Tickets for that show are $15 and are on sale now at: www.hawksandreed.com
This brings us to the festival, where there will be a strong selection of local talent.
“We count ourselves incredibly lucky to live in a place with a vast range of so many talented musicians,” said the festival organizers in a statement. “Each year, the festival makes it a point to book the very best in local talent, from national acts like the venerable Chris Smither, to newer bands releasing their first albums like Kate Lorenz and Old Flame.”
It all begins on Friday night with the Next Wave Stage.
The Next Wave stage debuted last year and showcases up-and-coming-bands in which the majority of the members are under the age of 19. This year it will feature indie rockers Raspberry Jam from Greenfield; Moxie from Brattleboro, Vt.; Not Yet from East Longmeadow; and Glass House from Amherst. And as a way for festival-goers to have the opportunity to check out this music by their peers, admission to the festival on Friday night — and Friday night only — is free for ages 19 and under.
Now that the festival has gotten so big and received national attention from publications like Rolling Stone and the New York Times, it’s a big deal for a local artist to land a gig there. All the musicians I spoke with told me that it was an honor to play this event.
Kate Lorenz — who played the festival with the band Rusty Belle in 2012, and with her brother, Matt Lorenez (the Suitcase Junket), last year — will play with her own band The Constellations on Sunday afternoon.
“I love Green River Fest. Both as a performer and concert-goer. I love the loose festival feel and walking around barefoot all day. That music-family-for-a-weekend type vibe,” said Lorenz. “I’m so thrilled to get to lay down some rock ’n’ roll for the festival folks this year and get everyone dancing. Then, when I’m done, continue walking around barefoot and checking out the other acts.”
Jazz keyboardist Khalif Neville, who joined his late father Charles last year to back the Funky Meters, will front his own band this year when he plays the festival on Sunday.
It will be a first for psychedelic indie rock band Old Flame when it plays a set early in the day on Saturday. The Threesies — which boast a large roster of local luminaries such as Paul Kochanski, Jim Henry, Anand Nayak, J.J. O’Connell, Jason Smith and others (who have all played the fest many times in the past)— will come together for the festival debut of this relatively new band on Saturday as well. The Threesies is the brainchild of bassist Paul Kochanski, who commonly refers to songs in ¾ (or 6/8) time as a “threesie.”
“He put together this group as a response to the ‘tyranny of 4/4 time,’” explained drummer J. J. O’Connell. “Everybody picks tunes to front, and it ranges from Aretha Franklin to Marty Robbins to Levon Helm to Feist. We are so honored and excited to be a part of the Green River Festival.”
Returning favorites will include folk/bluesman Chris Smither, who will perform on Sunday afternoon. If you missed his sold-out show at the Shea Theater last April, this will be your chance to hear songs off his great new album, “Call Me Lucky.” And the circus punk music of Bella’s Bartok is made for festivals, so it’s no surprise the band was invited back this year after wowing the crowds with its wild show in 2015. Green River is only one of the many festivals the band plays this summer as it tours in support of its new album, “Is Me That Monster?” Bella’s Bartok will perform on Saturday evening.
Barbeque rockers Trailer Park, who played the festival a couple of times back in the late 1990s, will return on Sunday afternoon. The band’s bassist/vocalist Tom Mahnken pointed out that the festival was much smaller in those days.
“We’re really happy to be back this year,” Mahnken said. “ We’re performing with Samirah Evans, doing some of her songs and some of ours, with a heavy New Orleans flavor. We’re being joined by our friends Peter Jones on piano and Derek Huston on baritone sax, so we’ll have three saxes fattening up the sound. It’s going to be a good show.”
Of course, all these shows are going to be good ones!
The Green River Festival 2018 is shaping up to be yet another good year, so get your tickets now. Advance tickets, parking passes and more can be purchased at: www.greenriverfestival.com
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.