In 1927, Ralph Peer of the Victor Talking Machine Company traveled to Bristol, TN from NY and made some of the most important recordings in early country music, including the first ever of Jimmie Rodgers. These “Bristol Sessions,” have been called the “Big Bang” of country music. The Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion was established in 2001 in Bristol, TN/VA to celebrate the legacy of these sessions and the region’s musical heritage. Sitting right on the state line and spread across 12 stages, the festival presents established headliners and up-and-coming artists in a variety of country-adjacent genres.

Innumerable historic and memorable moments have taken place at Newport Folk over the years, and protest has been a defining element. In recent years, the festival has continued to widen its umbrella with an ongoing, modern redefining of the term “folk music.” Check out some of the artists I saw in 2024, from a string band formed less than a year ago, to Joan Baez a mainstay who emerged at the very first edition.

Wilco's Solid Sound Festival is in its 8th iteration in 2024 and was held again in North Adams, MA at the MASS MoCA campus. The unique venue features stages between mill buildings and in museum galleries. The lineup is Wilco-centered but also features emerging artists and unique names you won’t find everywhere. There are comedy sets, interviews, and of course, art around every corner.

Green River Festival is held annually in Greenfield, MA, a small city in Western Massachusetts. Its origins come from two events held in 1986 that subsequently merged and grew into the four stage, 40+ artist event it is today, now held at the historic Franklin County Fairgrounds. Read about my own experience at the festival, the artists I saw, and stories I heard from other fans in the crowd.