With the artist landscape of the summer music festival rapidly changing year after year, the “jam factor” of many festivals has somewhat lessened to a degree. When Bonnaroo first began, it sported a jam-heavy lineup, which began to diversify around 2006. Festivals such as Wakarusa, All Good, and Gathering of the Vibes have had trouble keeping up with the ever-expanding festival market, leaving some wondering “Where can fans of the jam go?” While there are still several jam-friendly festivals holding on, The Peach Festival — taking place at Scranton, PA’s Montage Mountain from August 10th–13th — is one of the standout players when considering its massive lineup.
This year’s festival includes sets from heavy hitters Widespread Panic (2 nights), My Morning Jacket, Umphrey’s McGees (2 sets), and Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (2 sets). The Peach Festival also touts performances by Greensky Bluegrass, Galactic, Rich Robinson’s Magpie Salute, Keller Williams’ Kwahtro, Cabinet (2 sets), Tom Hamilton’s American Babies, Hayley Jane & The Primates, and Pink Talking Fish Eats a Peach (A full performance of Eat A Peach intertwined with Pink Floyd, The Talking Heads, and Phish song). Rounding out the lineup are appearances by up-and-comers Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Spafford, Aqueous, Mungion, and The Marcus King Band, plus artists-at-large, the Turkuaz Horns and Primate Fiasco.
It wouldn’t be The Peach Festival if there weren’t some Allman Brothers Band-related acts on the bill, as the event began six years ago as the first-ever ABB-inspired festival in the Northeast Pennsylvania region. After the loss of both Gregg Allman and Butch Trucks in the first half of 2017, The Peach Festival lets friends, family, and fans come together and pay tribute to the band that inspired the festival itself, in addition to the almost fifty years of legendary Southern blues rock ‘n’ roll they graced us with. Warren Haynes’s Gov’t Mule will be joined by friends such as John Scofield and more for their own set, while Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band and Les Brers are both on tap to make special appearances, with the latter’s set marking their final performance. The All-Star Tribute to Greg Allman & Butch Trucks set is guaranteed to be an emotional affair for all, bringing everything from smiles, tears, and chills to attendees and musicians alike.
Tickets are on sale now at ThePeachMusicFestival.com. For CID travel packages, VIP, and festival details, visit the festival website. For event updates and additional information, join the Facebook Event page. Check out the full festival lineup below:
