Appaloosa
Music Festival, D.C.’s 4th Annual Roots Music Fest, Announces Lineup
Featuring Gaelic Storm, Mandolin Orange, Scythian, Town Mountain,
Humming House, Six-String Soldiers, Karikatura, Fireside Collective, and
more!
Labor Day Weekend (Aug. 31 - Sept. 2) at Skyline Ranch Resort in Front Royal, Virginia
Appaloosa Music Festival, D.C.’s premier roots music festival will take place Labor Day Weekend (Aug. 31 - Sept. 2) at Skyline Ranch Resort in Front Royal, Virginia. The three-day fest is located just five miles from the entrance of Skyline Drive and George Washington National Forest, an hour drive from Washington D.C. The grounds provide the perfect backdrop for a roots music camping experience in the Shenandoah Valley.
The
Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) has awarded Appaloosa Festival a
substantial grant as part of its 2018 Music Festival Sponsorship
Program-- Virginia is for Music Lovers--
building Virginia’s reputation as a music destination, and putting
Appaloosa on the map as Virginia’s premier Roots Music Festival.
2018’s lineup features two sets by festival hosts Scythian,
Gaelic Storm (Saturday headliner), Mandolin Orange (Sunday headliner),
Town Mountain, Humming House, Six-String Soldiers, Karikatura, Fireside
Collective, Upstate Rubdown, The New Familiars, The Gina Clowes Project,
Cake For Dinner, Tajci, The Hillbilly Thomists, Ben-David Warner, Will
Overman, Mountain Duo, Jack Dunlap Band, Kentucky Avenue, and The
Williams Brothers Band + a few surprises.
Appaloosa Music Festival was founded by brothers Alexander and Danylo Fedoryka, who front the nationally touring band, DC-based Scythian.
With almost 2,000 shows under their belt, the brothers have pulled
together their favorite elements from the many festivals they have
played, and have brought them to their hometown of Front Royal,
Virginia. Raised in a family of ten kids and having 34 nephews and
nieces, the Fedorykas built a festival that is both family-friendly and
appealing to college students, young professionals, and live music fans.
Due to Scythian's extensive musical network, Appaloosa programs rising
stars in the bluegrass, Americana, and Celtic worlds, proving this
festival as the
place to find bands before they break mainstream. Past lineups have
included Grammy Winner Jesse Lege, Grammy Nominee Sierra Hull, award
winners Mipso, and Frank Solivan, newly signed Sony Artists Humming
House and The Accidentals, as well as roots music phenoms such as Billy
Strings and The Black Lillies.
Appaloosa
seeks to find what is universal in music, providing a lineup and
environment that mirror the beauty of the surrounding mountains. Organic. Time-tried. Family-Friendly. The
festival truly has a communal feel and an atmosphere that leaves
attendees and bands touched by a sense of togetherness. From the outset,
the attendee is greeted by an environment that hearkens back to
old-school community. The two main stages are made from reclaimed
lumber, giving them the appearance of old Virginia barns; the organic
tone for the roots music, giving the festival a barn-raising feel. When
the music is over, Skyline Ranch Resort
offers on-site accommodations for fest attendees ranging from chalets,
cabins, and RVs to tent camping-- furthering the sense of community.
Appaloosa
supports our military and giving back to the community. Fan-favorites,
Six-String Soldiers have led the festival's military salute each year,
which brings an atmosphere of gratitude for our armed services. 10% of
festival profits are donated to charity, which further serves to create
an atmosphere of giving back. Beneficiaries include the Veterans of
Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1860 in Front Royal, Virginia, and the Appaloosa
Blue Ridge Arts Foundation (ABRAF).
For families with children, the extensive kid's zone
features bouncy houses, face-painting, a childrens music program and
giveaways, giving kids plenty to do while parents listen to the music.
Appaloosa's 501(c)(3) Heritage School (Appaloosa
Blue Ridge Arts Foundation) provides free workshops all weekend,
allowing for children and adults alike to experience music in an
intimate way. Kids are encouraged to interact and be inspired by
festival entertainers, thus planting seeds for the next generation of
musicians.
Other festival activities include a craft & vendor village,
where people can shop and experience local cuisine. The beer garden is
another favorite element, which features award-winning Virginia wine, Rappahannock Cellars, as well as a craft beer from Virginia-brewed Starr Hill and gluten free Bold Rock Cider.
The
collaborative spirit of the festival flows into the jam tent, where
attendees are encouraged to bring their own instruments and participate,
with all levels of musicians welcome.
The evening activities end with an indoor late-night jam,
which brings festival artists together to collaborate in a unique
musical experience. For many, this is a highlight of the festival.
Appaloosa
Fest has garnered enthusiastic local support as it is a key player in
the fast-growing city of Front Royal, now viewed by many as a music
destination-- drawing tourists from Washington DC, Pennsylvania, North
Carolina and beyond.
Tiered
pricing encourages music fans to buy tickets early-- Advance 1 pricing
extends through June 30th, Advance 2 for the month of July, and Advance 3
for the month of August. Tickets can be also purchased at the gate. Active Duty Military and Veterans receive 10% off all tickets and kids under 12 are free.
VIP options and tickets to Late Night Jam shows are also available for
purchase. For more information on ticketing and tiered pricing, please
click here. Please visit the new festival website which has an extensive video section with past performers and daily recaps of past events!
