Across the Way Productions has announced the first wave of artists for FloydFest 17: Freedom, to take place July 26-30, 2017. One of the most well-respected festivals in the nation, FloydFest has once again set the bar high, attracting some of the most creative musicians and artists from around the world to the storied mountains along the Blue Ridge Parkway of Floyd, Virginia.
This year’s initial announcement includes Michael Franti & Spearhead, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Railroad Earth, Shovels & Rope, White Denim, Turkuaz, Fruition, Nicola Cruz, The Steel Wheels, HONEYHONEY, BIG Something, The Shook Twins, Baskery, Zach Deputy, The Lil’ Smokies, Rebekah Todd & the Odyssey, Jack Broadbent, Urban Soil, Honey Island Swamp Band, The Mantras, Edward Davis Anderson, Dead 27s, Davy Knowles, McLovins, Hayley Jane and the Primates, The Drunken Hearts, Kansas Bible Company, Trae Pierce & the T-Stones, Liver Down The River and Broccoli Samurai.
The Buffalo Mountain Jam will be back. A defining moment of last year’s FloydFest 16: Dreamweavin’, the super-group set will draw from the top musical talents at the festival to create a truly free, improvisational masterpiece. The idea came out of headliner Gregg Allman’s cancellation due to health reasons last year. AtW Productions put together an unforgettable performance hosted by Leftover Salmon, Keller William, Larry Keel with members of Monophonics, Elephant Revival, Pimps of Joytime and The T Sisters.
“The Buffalo Mountain Jam is extremely important to witness — it’s a capstone of the festival, spotlighting ‘new-school newgrass,’” said Kris Hodges, producer and CEO. “It’s a free-form jam that speaks to the quality of the musicians that make it happen, a jam that speaks to freedom.”
The next scheduled wave of artist additions will be released November 22, with more announcements to follow in December and into early spring, according to Hodges.
Written by Richard Oakley
