Pull Up a Chair at Front Porch Fest 2015
The Front Porch Fest 2015 will take place on beautiful Spirithaven Farm, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains town of Stuart, VA. In their seventh year, the organizers of this family-friendly festival have taken it from a small group of friends to a gathering of musicians and artists from local, regional and national groups. There are 36 bands on three stages with no overlapping sets, so you can be sure not to miss a beat of this great lineup.
So, about that line up…
Simplified is an island rock band with a fusion of rock and reggae with a little funk and acoustic roots thrown in. Great vocals with a laid-back quality will make you feel great on a sunny day or pick you up on a cloudy one.
A band that will keep you believing in the healing and rejuvenating power of music is the AJ Ghent Band. This band features AJ playing a lap steel guitar that he turns on its side with a strap and proceeds to lay the funk down. The very soulful AJ is backed up by a fun-kay band that will have you throwing up your hands and yelling Amen.
Big Daddy Love is a five-piece band from Sparta, NC. This band plays what they call “Appalachian Rock,” a style that melds rock, roots, and grass. The result is an engaging beat that gets you itching and twitching until you’re out of your seat, moving your feet and clapping your hands.
A regional favorite, Big Something, is a dynamic band that has won the Homegrown Music Network Album of the year three, yes, three times! These accomplished young men are sure to be a crowd pleaser with their multidimensional style, and they will throw down the jams. And we can’t wait for the nearly famous and ever popular collaboration between these two bands called Big Daddy Something!
Weather and Waves is a relatively new band that just formed in the latter part of 2014. Formerly PGrass, these talented musicians have developed a new genre they call, “trance grass.” This group is a collaboration of Brock Butler of Perpetual Groove and James Justin and Co., an Americana trio from Virginia. When you listen to these guys, you will find yourself swinging and swaying, wishing you knew all their lyrics.
How about a band with a sousaphone, accordion, banjo, washboard and saxophone? That’s what The Primate Fiasco brings to the party from Northampton, MA. Be ready for something completely different. Closer to home is Richmond’s DJ Williams Projekt. The Projekt is one of DJ’s side gigs when he’s not touring with Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe. This band has a jazzy hip hop, R&B vibe with a cool, mellow feel. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself spontaneously snapping your fingers, because this band will definitely bring it on.
From Charleston, SC come Dead 27s. This group describes itself as a “southern blend of Rock and Soul.” Their tribute song, “Emanuel,” is a beautiful, touching piece about the senseless shooting in their city. The Shack Band was started in Blacksburg, VA, and now has joined the ranks of notable RVA bands. This group of skilled musicians hosts their own urban festival, The Shack Up, Aug 7-8, 2015 in Richmond.
A trio of gifted young ladies who between them play 14 different instruments is After Jack. This ensemble plays music of the mountains, spinning their tales of life in the hills. Their vocals are beautiful and paint a picture of days gone by. Megan Jean and The KFB are a husband and wife duo who take a washboard and a banjo and make a unique sound. Megan Jean is on vocals, washboard, guitar and bass drum, and Bryne Klay plays banjo and bass. These two stir traditional music into an eclectic stew.
Brightside is a California Roots and Rock-style band, and Electric Soul Pandemic will keep you going with an awesome light and sound show. Don’t miss Brushfire Stankgrass, a band from Asheville, NC with their own bluegrass style, developed by brothers Ben and Will Saylor, who have been playing since the age of 3.
Another Richmond, VA group that will entertain you with their reggae beats and inspirational lyrics is Mighty Joshua and The Zion #5. From Southwest, VA come Slick Jr. and the Reactors, a bluesy roots band. Firecracker Jam is an enthusiastic group that will get you dancing and grooving. Their multiple influences keep you guessing as to what their particular style is, but they are sure to put a smile on your face.
The Deer Run Drifters is a band with two sets of brothers who play Americana, country, and folk. This Floyd, VA band is known for their “themes of life, heartbreak and, of course, drunken mishaps.” We can all probably relate to one or more of those. Roanoke, VA gives us Cloyd the V, a six-piece jam/rock band, and Riverbank Ramblers, who bring to life the feel of the beautifully rich Appalachian culture. Tyler Nail Trio also brings you that small-town feel and would like to share their music with the world.
Hailing from PA is Great Big House, a funk/rock jam band that has a great horn section. Formed in 2002, this is a collaboration of a group of Millersville University music majors. Oh Brother, Where Am I is a regional bluegrass band with a mandolin, acoustic guitar, banjo, and bass. Ombrew is a local Stuart, VA rock band, and Righteous Friendz Band has logged over 1000 gigs in seven years playing their original reggae and blues. Also representing the North is Funk Shway, a six-piece band from Long Beach Island, NJ, mixing funk, surf rock, and reggae.
There will be Chris Owens, the CC Coates Band, and The Movie Song. The Rinaldi Flying Circus is a rock and blues band with a vintage feel. Out front is lead singer Stacy, with her three brothers providing the music. Be The Moon is an Americana/folk-rock band from Whitsett, NC who play original songs about everyday life.
Creating free-flowing music with a Latin influence is Quique Rodriguez-Pastor, a Peruvian-American singer/songwriter. The Commons are a group from Floyd, VA whose electric rock and roll tries to bring awareness of taking care of our planet and resources. Chris Wood and Friends are a hard-charging rock and roll band to get your head banging and hair flying. Left Hip Pocket is a jazz/rock/blues band with a soulful harmonica who say they will “makes your ears smile.”
Last but not least is Avant Garde, a group of very talented kids who will share their take on rock and roll with you. Don’t miss this next generation of musicians. You might be able to say you saw them when…
Camping is offered in the field or woods and is included with your ticket. There is a children’s area that offers activities for the wee ones, and an Awareness Village that provides information on different causes that are important to the area. Proceeds go to local charities, such as the Food Bank, to give back to the community. Gates open on Thursday 9/3/15 for VIP only and 9/4/15 at 9 am for General Admission. Gates close at 1 am Friday and Saturday nights, so plan accordingly.
Just a few reminders – NO pets, illegal substances, charcoal grills or glass. Stay hydrated, take advantage of the water stations, and be prepared for inclement weather. But above all, HAVE FUN!
So what are you waiting for? Get those tickets, pack that gear, bring some friends and we will see you there! Until then, here’s a playlist to get you warmed up before the festival.
Preview by MusicFestNews contributor Suzy LeVee Phillips. Photos by John Phillips