Music Festivals to Enjoy
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Summer music festivals offer a vibrant atmosphere for enjoying live music. The camaraderie of fellow music lovers gathering to hear songs from their genre creates a unique experience. The Rochester area hosts many music festivals this summer.
■ Taste of Syracuse
June 5-6, in and around Clinton Square, downtown Syracuse
This isn’t strictly a music festival, as more than 80 local food vendors will be available for $2 food tasting. But with three stages of non-stop music from local and nationally known performers, it’s also a great venue for hearing top acts. Plus, it’s free.
■ The Family Hoedown
June 5-7, Cortland
Hear roots to reggae music at the Family Hoedown with Keller and The Keels, Man Man, Annie in the Water and more. In addition to the daytime concert, enjoy late fireside jams.
■ New York State Blues Festival
June 11–13, Syracuse
The free, three-day festival features a wide array of blues artists from around the world, including Gary Clark Jr., Eddie 9V, Grace Bowers, Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, Vanessa Collier, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, Piper & The Hard Times, JW-Jones, Ray Fuller & The Bluesrockers, Joe Whiting Band, Blues Ignition, Golden Soul Revue and Colin Aberdeen.
■ Ithaca Reggae Fest
June 26–28, Ithaca
In addition to live reggae music, the festival includes a block party, yoga and vendors, all on Cayuga Lake at Stewart Park.
■ Southern Tier Music Fest
July 4, Sydney
Nashville country music star Jackson Dean headlines with appearances by Matt Vroman Band, The Jessie Kay Band, Rylee Lum, The Bennett Hall Band, Matt Beadle and the Yard Cats. Food and beverage vendors are available.
https://southerntiermusicfest.com
■ Syracuse Jazz Fest
July 9-12, LaFayette
On the picturesque campus of Beak & Skiff Apple Farm, Store, Distillery & Winery, the festival includes jazz, funk, soul, R&B, gospel. Hear Dumpstaphunk, Gunhild Carling, Hejira, Nathan Williams Sr., Orange Juice, Tower of Power, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, USAF Airmen of Note and local artists.
■ NYS Old Tyme Fiddlers Summer Concert Series
Sundays from June 21 to Sept. 6 from 2 to 5 p.m., Redfield
Join member chapters and individual artists as they entertain listeners with concerts of old time fiddle music every Sunday from 2-5 p.m. at the North American Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame, 1121 Comins Road, Redfield.
■ Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival
July 15-19, Oak Hill
Hear bluegrass, newgrass and roots music. The lineup includes A.J. Lee, Dry Branch Fire Squad, Rhiannon Giddens & the Old-Time Revue, The Del McCoury Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, The Seeldrivers, Darrell Scott String Band FEAT, Rob Ickes, Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland, The Brothers Comatose, Della Mae, East Nash Grass, Andy Falco & Travis Book Play, Jerry Garcia, The Revelers and more. Camping and workshops will be available.
■ The Great New York State Fair
Aug. 26-Sept. 7, Syracuse
The fair offers much more than live music. However, the variety of performers available for the admission rate is hard to beat, including The Commodores, Quiet Riot, DJ Pretty Mess, Wilson Phillips, Priscilla Block, Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone, Jesse McCartney, Better Than Ezra, Shrek Rave, Melissa Etheridge, Flo Rida, Ashanti, ZZ Top and Trace Adkins. Check out the website for this year’s complete lineup.