Top 10 Acts To See At The Green River Music Festival

Celebrating 30 years of music, art and fun, The Green River Music Festival will take place this weekend from July 8 – 10 at Greenfield Community College in Greenfield, Massachusetts. It’s a stacked bill featuring a few rock ‘n’ roll legends, folk and soul upstarts and even a handful of local acts. There will be music happening on three stages and everywhere you look there will be something incredible taking place. There are also going to be after parties going on in the heart of the town. For you to know who to check out and when, here are my Top 10 Acts to see this weekend:

10 ) Winterpills (Sunday 1:10pm @ Four Rivers Stage)

One of the locals on the list, Northampton, Massachusetts, folk rock act Winterpills have incredible harmonies that stick with you and never let go. When Philip Price and Flora Reed combine their voices beautifully, stunning things happen. The band possesses soothing acoustic-based rock music that has as much power and emphasis as an act that’s fully electrified. I’m excited to see how Winterpills are live, and I know a bunch of others are as well. Check them out to start the last day of the festival off right.

9.) Shakey Graves (Saturday 7:35pm @ Green River Stage)

Shakey Graves is the moniker of Alejandro Rose-Garcia from Austin, Texas. He brings an authentic brand of rock ‘n’ roll to the forefront by melding folk and blues to create awesome Americana. Rose-Garcia has a one-man band set-up and he has an uncanny ability to captivate an audience in an instant. The guy is so talented there’s even a “Shakey Graves Day” in Austin in celebrate the music he plays. As a person who’s seen him before, you’re bound to become a fan of Shakey Graves once you see him play when the sun sets on Saturday.

8.) Shovels & Rope (Saturday 4:40pm @ Green River Stage)

The folk duo of husband and wife Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst, Shovels & Rope from Charleston, South Carolina, have been causing a stir with their stripped-down rhythmic excellence. A raw and intense sound encompasses their style, even as far as going the folk punk route. It make for a rhythmic sensation that’s bound to take you over. It also has a rustic feel that even the most fickle of folk fans can appreciate. Get prepared to do some foot stomping when Shovels & Rope play on Saturday afternoon.

7.) The Felice Brothers (Saturday 6:25pm @ Four Rivers Stage)

Sometimes family can make the best music and that’s true with the Brooklyn-based rabble-rousers known as The Felice Brothers. With a folk-rooted sound that touches on bluegrass and even the swagger reminiscent in hip-hop, Ian and James Felice lead a band that’s immense in talent and variety. When they play on Saturday, don’t be surprised when you hear the crowd singing the words to their songs. The feeling is absolutely contagious. You’ll be feeling the dancing disease when The Felice Brothers take the stage.

6.) And The Kids (Saturday 3:30pm @ Green River Stage)

The other local on the list is And The Kids, an indie pop act from the Northampton, Massachusetts, area that has quickly become one of the biggest acts in the New England region. They have a diverse sound so all types of music fans dig them, ranging from the punks to the hipsters to the folky types. I’m interested in hearing what the fuss is about from this trio live and in person. If they’re as good live as their album Friends Share Lovers that came out in June, then they’re very well deserving of being on the list. Make sure to go see a band everyone is talking about when they take the Green River Stage on Saturday.

5.) Dawes (Saturday 9:10pm @ Green River Stage)

One of the bands capping off a stacked day on Saturday are Dawes from Los Angeles. The quartet of brothers Taylor & Griffin Goldsmith, Wylie Gelber and Duane Betts have risen to become one of the top Americana acts in the country since their start in 2009. There’s a certain bit of heartland pop in their sound, too. If you’re a fan of Tom Petty then you’re going to love Dawes. They always know how to charm an audience while on stage as well. Their set is bound to be a wonderful finale to an amazing day.

4.) Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds (Saturday 9:40pm @ Four Rivers Stage)

Another act closing out the stacked Saturday will be Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds from Brooklyn. This band is dynamic to say the least, wielding a seven-piece arsenal and unleashing a combination of Motown soul and groovy rock ‘n’ roll. They’re no strangers to the festival atmosphere by already having graced the stages of Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, Firefly, Mountain Jam and many others. These road travelers never stop touring and they always manage to bring an incredible live performance. You’ll be amazed when Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds start to bring the party atmosphere on Saturday.

3.) The Suffers (Saturday 6:15pm @ Green River Stage)

Straight out of Houston, Texas, The Suffers have been staking their claim as a must-see live act so far in 2016. A vintage style of big band Motown soul with a modern spin, they know how to wail and make people move. They also incorporate the Cajun and Mexican artistic culture into their repertoire to bring a diverse array of sounds. It’s crazy how a band that initially aimed to be a reggae act broadened their horizons to become something truly original. Everyone should be anxious to witness what The Suffers bring when they start to play.

2.) Peter Wolf & The Midnight Travelers (Friday 9:00pm @ Green River Stage)

You can technically consider Peter Wolf one of the local acts of the festival due to his ties to the Boston area from being the frontman of the legendary J. Geils Band. He’s also a Massachusetts resident, but it’s more appropriate to consider him a constant innovator and a bonafide legend. The Bronx native will be going solo and people should expect him to perform songs off of his April solo release, A Cure For Loneliness. We all know he’s going to perform a few hits from the J. Geils Band catalog as well, and when he does the place will be bumpin’ with insanity.

1.) Tedeschi Trucks Band (Sunday 6:15pm @ Green River Stage)

Closing out the Green River Festival will be the Tedeschi Trucks Band, lead by husband and wife Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi. People know Derek Trucks as the guitar phenom for the latter incarnations of The Allman Brothers Band and Susan Tedeschi has been considered to be the closest thing we have to Janis Joplin these days. The sounds will be bluesy as hell and everyone’s ears will be feeling pristine. When this duo gets together with their band, fantastic things happen. That’s why they’re the best act to see at the Green River Festival this weekend.

Get tickets and check out the schedule at the Green River Festival’s Website: greenriverfestival.com