It’s 10:27 pm at The 8th Annual Festy Experience and I am sitting under the stage, directly beneath Mike Cooley’s feet (of Drive-By Truckers), hacking away at my typewriter. The rain is falling, not strong but steady, and I need somewhere dry to write. The music is flowing through me, his boot bottoms stomping out a beat inches from my head.

Today, Electric Forest (EF) announced the return of the 8th annual music and camping festival to the legendary Double JJ Ranch in Rothbury, Michigan - hosting two distinct weekends for the second year in a row, on June 21-24 and June 28-July 1, 2018. In conjunction with the announcement, Electric Forest unveiled a new fan participation initiative - The EF Wish Machine – encouraging the Forest Family to spread positivity, and offering the greatest evidence yet that Forest dreams really do come true.

Until 1995, back when The Grateful Dead roamed the Earth, Bob Weir developed some engaging onstage phrases that he’d utter from time to time, including “tuned just like a Swiss watch” when he muffed a lyric, or introduce “the family fun game, Take A Step Back,” when urging fans to back away from the stage. He also sometimes stated, “We’re trying to get everything Just Exactly Perfect,” when fans got a little antsy during particularly long between-song tune-ups.

A few weekends ago, the inaugural Bourbon and Beyond Festival rocked Champions Park on the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. Even though the calendar indicated it was the first weekend of Fall it was very hot and humid in bourbon country, the park was geared up and ready to host what ended up being approximately 50,000 people for two days of music, food, and drink. The two main stages had alternating sets of the biggest names in blues, rock and a little bit of country music.

If you happened to be walking around Williamsburg in the late September weekend, taking in the unseasonably warm weather or grabbing a bite to eat, things would have seemed like any other weekend. Maybe you noticed the matching wristbands of the people walking back and forth along Wythe Avenue, or you saw the groups of people hanging around smoking cigarettes outside a few music venues from early afternoon until late into the night, but nothing that struck you as particularly noteworthy.

January once again means the annual Sunshine Music Festival will appear only in Florida to bring some of the most electrifying musical performers to the state. And this year it will be no exception! Once again the award-winning Tedeschi Trucks Band makes their sixth headlining appearance at the 2018 Sunshine Music Festival and has handpicked an unparalleled line-up of exciting acts on two live music stages along with a wider array of refreshing craft beers and a larger variety of food vendors.

Sticking true to their commitment to community and goal of consistent giving, festival organizers Rootfire, Ineffable Live, and Deuterman Productions have announced that 100% of ticket proceeds from the upcoming Rootfire at the Park will be donated to Hurricane Irma relief efforts.

On Saturday December 9th, PT Events brings a spectacular American Mardi Gras show to Rotterdam’s Maassilo for what is the 8th edition of Grotesque Indoor Festival. The courage to keep renewing and the willpower to continuously improve are key for the organization and the success of Grotesque events.  “Often magic is created through small, simple acts. Those little striking moments make it all a night to remember”.

The 7th annual John Hartford Memorial Festival is in the books. We thought year 6 was great, well folks, you outdid yourselves. You brought friends that you love, and we grew. The general feeling was one of family and safety, and always, "laid back". Factor in the reason why you came and the reason why we do this. Music. The music of our namesake John Hartford, the music of our performers, our contestants, and your music.

After dropping a first phase lineup which boasted two nights of STS9, two nights of Lettuce and nearly 40 additional artists, Gem & Jam Festival continues to surpass the lofty levels set last year.