In early May, Leftover Salmon announced the return of Fish Out Of Water Festival, the band’s second-annual music festival in Taos, New Mexico. Scheduled to return to the Taos Mesa Brewing Mothership on August 10th and 11th. The two-day music festival will see two nights of performances by the host band, Leftover Salmon, in addition to sets by Dumpstaphunk, David Lowery and Johnny Hickman (formerly of Cracker), Trout Steak Revival, Poor Man’s Whiskey performing “Dark Side of the Moonshine”, Gasoline Lollypops, Last To Know, Liver Down The River, Sweet Lillies, Ry Taylor & Friends, and The Noseeums and more.
With great tunes and an amazing venue, we decided to lay out exactly why you’re not going to want to miss Fish Out Of Water Festival this August. Read on to find out more, and to purchase tickets, head here!
1. Leftover Salmon
Leftover Salmon has had a huge year in 2018 thus far. In May, the band released their tenth studio album, Something Higher (eleventh if you count the band’s collaboration with Cracker in 2003), adding to the Colorado-born jamgrass outfit’s already-prolific body of work. With extensive tours promoting their latest studio effort, Leftover has been dialed in live, offering up inspired, high-octane shows each time they step on stage.
On the heels of the release of Something Higher, the band headed to the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre, where they played a co-headlining set with the famed Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh and The Terrapin Family Band. The night quickly turned into a joyous and collaborative celebration of music, with Phil Lesh joining Leftover for takes on “Catfish John” and “Big Boss Man”. Later, to kick off Lesh’s set, Vince Herman, Drew Emmett, Andy Thorn, and Erik Deutsch joined Phil and company for the set-opening rendition of “Cumberland Blues”, earning the band the official Phil Lesh stamp of approval.
Phil Lesh & Friends (with Leftover Salmon) – “Cumberland Blues” – Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO – 5/5/2018
[Video: Travelin Light]
2. The Mothership
Fish Out Of Water Festival will take place at the Taos Mesa Brewing Mothership. Unlike any other festival, the unique venue is a sight to behold all on its own. The Mothership itself is operated by Taos Mesa Brewing, offering twelve distinct, high-quality house beers on draught at all times. Furthermore, The Mothership has a quirky, intimate vibe, creating an electric atmosphere for performances and communal vibe among attendees. It’s truly one of the cooler venues in the United States, and worth a trip on its own if you’re a fan of craft brews, so why not combine your visit with stellar music?
3. Diverse Tunes
Leftover Salmon is known for their adventurous spirit and diverse songbook, fuses tastes of bluegrass, rock, country, folk, jam, and zydeco into a sound totally their own. Thus, it’s fitting that the band’s festival boasts a wide-ranging lineup featuring other nationally renowned talents and fan-favorite up-and-comers. Representing New Orleans and bringing more cajun flair to the festival is Dumpstaphunk, the renowned funk outfit that’s known for it’s fun-loving and groove-heavy performances.
On the rock side of things is Cracker’s Johnny Hickman and David Lowery, who recorded a collaborative album with Leftover in 2003 titled O’ Cracker Where Art Thou? featuring bluegrass renditions of Cracker tunes. Colorado’s Trout Steak Revival is an ever-popular folk and bluegrass ensemble, which won the high-profile 2014 Telluride Bluegrass Festival band competition, while Poor Man’s Whiskey will merge bluegrass and psychedelia during their Pink Floyd-inspired set dubbed “Dark Side of the Moonshine”. This is just a selection of the broad range of performances fans will be treated to during Fish Out Of Water, in addition to two nights of host band Leftover Salmon.
Dumpstaphunk – “Funky Monk” – Wanee Music Festival – 4/19/2018
[Video: Live For Live Music]
4. Taos, New Mexico
The festival’s venue is already a major highlight of Fish Out Of Water Festival. However, thinking outside the confines of the festival grounds, the festival’s location similarly becomes a striking point to make it out to Fish Out Of Water Festival. The festival is situated at the gateway of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument near the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, close to the border of New Mexico and Colorado, with 360-degrees of gorgeous views and its prime location offering attendees access to whitewater boating, hiking, biking, and hot springs.
For fans less inclined for outdoor exploration, Taos itself is a top tourist destination in the Southwest. The city is rich in clean air and pristine natural vistas, plus historic landmarks (the highly photographed St. Francisco de Asis church, world heritage site Taos Pueblo, and the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge), a thriving culinary culture, and art-focused community.
5. Hotel Luna Mystica & VIP Packages
The Taos Mesa Brewing Mothership already stands out as a truly awesome music venue. However, The Mothership is located right next door to Hotel Luna Mystica, an easily accessible vintage trailer hotel that makes up the second part of the festival’s campgrounds. While fans have the option to camp out, those seeking a truly unique festival experience can go VIP and rent one of the hotel’s thirteen vintage trailers, which date back to the 1950s but have been updated to have distinct themes and eclectic, cozy decors.
While the old-school trailers, in and of themselves, make going VIP worth it for the experience alone, VIP packages also offer additional goodies for fans in the mood to “glamp.” Fish Out Of Water Festival’s VIP packages also include access to the backstage, VIP area, and a complimentary hospitality tent, plus four meal and twelve drink ticket vouchers and access to a full bar—including a bloody mary bar from 10 am to 1 pm—and an all-day “munchie” bar.
Fish Out Of Water Festival is going to be one of the can’t-miss music festivals in the Southwest this year, with the festival returning to Taos Mesa Brewing Mothership and Hotel Luna Mystica for its second edition on August 10th and 11th. In addition to performances from host band Leftover Salmon, fans will also be treated to sets from Dumpstaphunk, David Lowery and Johnny Hickman (formerly of Cracker), Trout Steak Revival, Poor Man’s Whiskey performing “Dark Side of the Moonshine”, Gasoline Lollypops, Last To Know, Liver Down The River, Sweet Lillies, Ry Taylor & Friends, and The Noseeums and more.
For more information and ticketing, head here.
Enter To Win A Pair Of Weekend Passes With Camping Below!