Today, Mountain Jam has announced their 2019 lineup and their new location: Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. As you may recall, Bethel Woods once played host to another well-known music festival: Woodstock.
Mountain Jam co-founder Gary Chetkof tells The Poughkeepsie Journal that leaving Hunter Mountain is “actually very emotional for me,” but resolves that Bethel Woods “is like going to the Taj Mahal of sites. It’s all about being on an amazing piece of land. What could be more amazing than Bethel Woods and the home of the Woodstock festival… It was really just a matter of going to the promised land.”
As far as the lineup goes, Mountain Jam made good on their promise to shift their focus “back to the jam” for their 2019 event. This year’s festival will feature performances by Gov’t Mule (2 sets), Willie Nelson & Family, The Avett Brothers, The Revivalists, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (2 sets), Dispatch, Alison Krauss, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Twiddle, Toots & The Maytals, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Mandolin Orange, Karl Denson‘s Tiny Universe, Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds, Amy Helm, The Allman Betts Band, Marco Benevento, Andy Frasco & The U.N., Dusbowl Revival, The Nude Party, Tyler Ramsey, Mo Lowda & The Humble, The National Reserve, Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, Consider The Source, Mikaela Davis, Hollis Brown, Wild Adriatic, Balkun Brothers, The Big Takeover, Stephen Lewis & The Big Band of Fun, Bella’s Bartok, and Sweet Marie. In addition, the festival notes that an additional headlining act will be announced this spring.
The 2019 lineup is an exciting return to form for the festival, which began as a jam-oriented event but moved toward more mainstream rock acts in recent years. In particular, this year marks the return of Mountain Jam co-founder Warren Haynes (Gov’t Mule) to the lineup for the first time since 2016. Haynes had performed at every Mountain Jam from its inception through 2016, so his return to the lineup is a welcome change for the festival’s longtime patrons. As Chetkof explains to The Poughkeepsie Journal about last year’s lineup, “I thought the music was amazing …We just didn’t have the right balance. We went a little too younger and a little too hipper than we should have. We learned a lot.”
As Haynes notes in a press release, “Having been there for the foundation and development of Mountain Jam including the curation of artists and music over the first 12 years and headlining with Gov’t Mule, Warren Haynes Band, The Allman Brothers Band, Phil Lesh & Friends and sitting in with countless others, I am pleased to be returning for the festival’s 15th anniversary. Mountain Jam is changing its home, but going back to its roots. And I am happy to say that myself and Gov’t Mule will be returning as well. See you in June.”
This year’s Mountain Jam Festival will feature a yoga program each morning with a special class held by Michael Franti on Sunday. There will be on-site attractions including a Ferris wheel to provide fans the opportunity to take in the beautiful views of the original Woodstock site and Catskill Mountains while watching the music. The Museum at Bethel Woods will be opened exclusively for festival attendees free of charge. A wide variety of food (from gourmet and organic fare to comfort food), arts & crafts vendors, and artist encounters will be available. Craft beer and premium wines will once again be featured.
Mountain Jam kicks off Thursday, June 13th with a pre-party for 4-day pass holders featuring musical performances by Twiddle, Marco Benevento and more followed by three full days of music. General Admission and a variety of VIP packages will be available beginning Friday, February 8th at 10 a.m. Beginning this year fans can enjoy car-side camping packages including GA camping, Glamping, RV Village & VIP Camping. For further information on ticketing, camping, travel packages, and more, head to the festival website.
