The end of summer is a demarcation line for many indicating the end of summer and thus the conclusion of a satisfying and fun festival Season. Fortuitously, Catskill Chill grants one a last chance to bask in superior musical mayhem over the September 7-9th weekend after Labor Day. Located amidst the Catskill Mountains, in the upstate enclave of Hancock, New York, the Festival offers an ideal escape during the mild-weather month of September.
With an advance festival pass for only $125, the weekend is inexpensive compared to its peers while still serving up a musical line-up that rivals any. One will not find a more varied and all-inclusive list of musical offerings. Other than Bonnaroo, most Festivals focus on one genre but Catskill Chill offers a wide selection of varied offerings apt to wet anyone’s appetite and satiate anyone’s palette:
Jam aficionados can rip to Jerry Garcia Band, Yarn, Kung Fu and Heavy Pets. JamGrass fans can groove to headliner Yonder Mountain String Band and Cornmeal. Livetronica lovers can spin out to Lotus, Break Science and Conspirator. Funksters can jive with Lettuce, EOTO and Soulive. With over 40 bands on 3 stages, other exciting acts include Rubblebucket, Particle, Wyllys, Kick Rocks and Jennifer Hartswick.
In its third year, Catskill Chill has been so entertaining and successful that ticket sales selling with exponentially more pace than previous seasons and hotels are reportedly filling up fast. Although situated on 104 acres, Chill’s greatest asset is its size, with nearly 2,900 fans having attended last year. Despite a very impressive lineup this year, heavy buzz in the scene and ticket sales, the organizers have stated they will cap ticket sales at 5,000 to preserve the original vision of a tight and close-knit fest. One of the organizers, Josh Cohen, explained, “We are still an intimate fest, run on an old summer camp by friends who have known each other for 25 years, who are like family and we want to share tons of love and great music to an even wider family.”
In an advance preview and to continue the energy already building up in anticipation of the Fest, organizers have been set up residency for a series of 5 consecutive Wednesdays and rolling out a variety of artists, including many of the acts that will be on display again at the Festival itself. The only consistent act to play at each star-studded night was the genre-bending band, FiKus. Fikus may be lesser known than many of its brethren performing at the Fest. However, if their show-stomping performance last month on a NYC cruise, or their impressive display of energy, talent and unique ever-evolving sound over the course of these Sullivan Hall shows is any indication, FiKus soon shall be a household name. If a lesser-known act like FiKus, set to perform at Catskill Chill, can be this good – than the sky is limit for music lovers.
The calendar may mark the end of summer with the impending Labor Day weekend. However, in September, the Yankees aren’t yet playing playoff baseball, house shares are over, many pools and beaches are closed and most boats abandoned until next year. Catskill Chill offers the ultimate option for entertainment, only a short car ride from New York City or Boston, pleasantly providing one last bastion of an excuse to witness amazing music or maybe just grab some friends, sit in a cabin – and Chill.