The Southeast’s largest comedy festival celebrates eleven years in Asheville this summer with stand up comedians from all around the world. Since its first two day festival in 2006, The Laugh Your Asheville Off Comedy Festival (a.k.a. The Asheville Comedy Festival) has grown into one of the country’s most prestigious comedy festivals among both comedians, comedy industry professionals and fans.

Hailing from Richmond, VA and formed by brothers Andrew and Johnny, The Trongone Band is set to release their debut LP, “Keys To The House” on June 30th via Harmonized Records. Drawing from Funk, Blues, Americana and Southern Rock, the quartet is rounded out by keyboardist Ben "Wolfe" White and award-winning bassist Todd Herrington.  The band plans to begin touring this month in support of the album.

Why would a hippie drown themselves in a sea of hipsters and EDM?  If you enjoy Phish, Dead & Co, Greensky Bluegrass, and the like, what would the appeal of Electric Forest be you ask? The miles of music listed on the bill are obscure and barely heard of bands to an aging hippie. Are they even bands? These are questions you may ask yourself while looking at the ticket price. I understand, and in response, I offer you these five counter-arguments for your consideration.

The second day of Music on the Mesa 2017 started early. Though there was a huge crowd on the first night of the fest, music lovers were taking their time moseying down to the festival grounds in search of that day’s entertainment. I moseyed down myself from the vintage Aristocrat trailer I stayed in the night before. It was nicknamed Dennis and had an Easy Rider/Dennis Hopper theme in its decorations. It was super convenient to be able to just walk across a dirt road to where everything was happening.