The High Sierra Music Festival, one of California's longest-running annual music festivals, is celebrating its 32nd year on July 4-7, 2024, in the golden Sierra hills of Quincy. Headliners this year include Ziggy Marley, Primus, and Greensky Bluegrass. They will be joined by a wide variety of bluegrass, jam, Americana, funk, folk, and worldbeat acts on multiple stages at the Plumas County Fairgrounds.
Also on the bill: Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew are bringing their funk-tastic Talking Heads 'Remain in Light' show, The Allman Betts Band will provide tasty southern-fried rock, and Larkin Poe is sure to fire up the crowd with their blues-based harmonies. Jam band fans will groove to Eggy, ALO, and Dogs in a Pile. For international flavor, enjoy the music of Cuba's Cimafunk and Niger's Bombino. Bluegrass and Americana will be supplied by AJ Lee and Blue Summit, Sam Grisman Project, and more.
High Sierra Co-Producer David Margulies sums it up: “High Sierra appeals to music lovers of all types. That cannot be more apparent than by the lineup this year. It’s endless how broad the reach of the lineup is.”
Margulies also boasts that High Sierra is “an experience that is unparalleled. Our audience can count on discovering some of their new favorite bands year in and year out.” And indeed, many of the acts who are not yet headliners are sure to be tomorrow’s superstars. Past performers on some of the smaller stages at High Sierra who have climbed to national touring headliner status include the Lumineers, the Revivalists, JRAD, Grace Potter, Margo Price, Samantha Fish, and Lukas Nelson.
In addition to daily lineups on three stages featuring over 40 performers, High Sierra also hosts its famous Playshops. Each Playshop is a unique amalgamation of artists who typically do not regularly play with each other. This year's Playshops include a tribute to Paul Simon and a celebration of the music of New Orleans funk innovators the Meters, with more to be announced. Not sold yet? Late-night shows after the main stage closes include headliners The Polish Ambassador, the Floozies, and Ghost-Note.
"Artists at Large" Scott Pemberton and Lebo will roam from stage to stage as musical ambassadors. Chris Chandler and Steve Poltz will garner smiles and laughter with their tall-ish tales. Holly Bowling will blow everyone away on a grand piano. And so on—as Margulies says, the talent is nearly endless!
It’s more than just music. High Sierra has something for everyone: a variety of tasty food and inventive crafts for sale, daily parades, shady and sunny venues, and even a family camping area and a Family Zone with activities for kids of all ages. Parents can even enjoy some kid-free evening time by reserving a babysitting spot with the Rockin’ Nannies, a group of qualified educators, professionals, and CPR-certified child-care providers.
Costume themes are another specialty at High Sierra. This year, many attendees will dress appropriately for Cartoon Thursday, 80's Friday, Silver Saturday, and Barbie & Ken Sunday (think "pink"). Silent disco, wine tasting, massage service—the possibilities for fun and indulgence never seem to end.
Four-day tickets for this annual festival include onsite camping, and single-day tickets can be purchased as well. Visit the High Sierra website to see which acts are playing each day. A limited number of RV passes are still available too, as well as VIP “FestivALL” passes with or without RV access. All tickets are on sale now.
The "FestivALL" packages include VIP lounge and front-row access at the main stage, prime camping, and private early entry to the fairgrounds; these are also part of the deal. FestivALL Manager Theresa Hayle would love to treat you right: “FestivALL is the ONLY way to go to High Sierra. It's VIP treatment from start to finish, early entry, access to all late-night shows, and you get to dance in the pit directly in front of your favorite band. Plus you get to hang in the coolest place in the fairgrounds and get pampered all weekend long!”
However you “do” High Sierra, you’re sure to have a blast. As Margulies says, “People bring their best and are at their best at High Sierra. And it brings out the best in people.” The best fest in the west invites you to join the fun!
Visit the High Sierra Music Festival Website at www.highsierramusic.com.
Purchase tickets at https://www.highsierramusic.com/tickets
