Stay tuned for this year’s initial lineup announcement… In the meantime, check out last year’s lineup below!
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong brings end-of-the-world enthusiasm to their high-energy psychedelic funk. Their infectious electro-funk grooves, undeniable live energy and contagious smiles have their rabid fanbase “the Flock” growing exponentially. Based out of Baltimore, MD, this animated quartet has been scorching up the country with their explosive performances and danceable peaks… and they’re loving every minute of it!
Broccoli Samurai has taken the club and festival scene by storm. Broccoli Samurai has sculpted a unique blend of their own sound making something fresh in the scene. The band has been thrilling audiences across the nation winning them a massive and fiercely loyal fan base with their synth-laden progressive electronica sound fused with soulful hints of funk and jazz.
Magic Beans (Scott Hachey, Casey Russell, Chris Duffy and Cody Wales) have steadily built upon their national notoriety in a very short period of time with a passion for music that is as infectious as their songs. Hailing from Denver, their development has been aided by the warm hearth of the Colorado music scene, and quickly setting themselves apart from the pack as one of the state’s premier acts.
The Mantras, a five piece jam machine born of Greensboro, NC have been conquering crowds and melting minds all over the country progressively for over a decade. The band’s music can be described with all types of varying rock and roll terminology, but is absolutely best defined by each listener’s ear and, equally important, their experience.
McLovins are an American rock band formed in 2009. The band’s lineup consists of lyricist and drummer Jake Huffman, bass guitarist Jason Ott, guitarist Justin Berger and keyboardist Atticus Kelly. Inspired by an eclectic mix of influences like The Meters, The Band and The Flaming Lips, McLovins combine their songwriting skills with extended improvisations and instrumental ingenuity.
Mungion is a band that transcends genre classification with their intense musicality, exploratory improv, and light-hearted, yet dedicated attitude on-stage and in the studio. Blending elements of Rock, Jazz, Latin, Metal, Bluegrass, Jam, Electronic, Classical, World, and Funk, they create a true fusion of musics. Though, as they are quick to point out, it is not fusion, but rather a synthesis of many different melodic ideas into a new and original one.
The Fritz is a soul-driven dance rock band hailing from Asheville, NC.
The group’s aggressive approach to funk, soul, and rock creates a sound that is uniquely their own. Their high-energy, danceable songs provide a platform for each member to shine. With powerful vocals, climactic solos, and tight grooves, The Fritz has built a devoted following and is captivating audiences everywhere.
Vibe & Direct is comprised of Mike Miller on electric guitar and vocals, Danny Giannetto on drumset, and Seth Boyle on bass. The trio is an ever-evolving musical fusion that blends hip hop, funk, electronica, jazz and improvisational elements.
Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers will make a sprightly young groove doctor out of anyone. With spectacular energy pulsating from every member of the band, the Rainbow Seekers could illuminate the very chambers of Heaven. Lead singer Joe Hertler splashes through lyrical puddles of golden rain, leaving his audience wearing flowery crowns and bubbling smiles. A ride on the Rainbow will take you across the mountains of Motown, through the fjords of folk, over the archipelagos of Americana, and—at last—into a funky firth, where only the fiercest of friendships can be found.
Backup Planet got their roots around the University of Tennessee Knoxville. They independently released their full-length debut, Element, during 2015 and began sharing the stage with the likes of The Revivalists, Papadosio, and more in addition to headlining countless packed shows.
Fusing genres such as rock, funk, livetronica, reggae, metal, and jazz, Strange Machines have set high standards for their musical aspirations. Combining soulful melodies and harmonies with intricate instrumentation and upbeat improvisation, they have created a unique and progressive sound that radiates with listeners and keeps audiences captivated from beginning to end.
Emerging from the Pennsylvania music scene, from the outskirts of the City of Brotherly Love, is the phenom band known as Flux Capacitor. Their fiery, distinct sound has catapulted the group with lightning speed into the National Music Scene.
This band of brothers consistently inspire and evoke a new and wildly addicting sound resonating with elements of rock, improvisation and electronica. They redefine musicality with positive prophetic vocals, complex guitar work, innovative keys/synths/bass stylings, with feverish syncopated drum rhythms.
Joe Davis, Greg Marek, James Woods and Matt Richards hail from diverse musical backgrounds around the Capital Region of NY. Influenced by jam bands, jazz legends and classic rock, they fuse their influences to create a unique style of songwriting and collective improvisation. Formula 5 ties originals and select covers together with a remarkable approach to instrumentation and improvisation.
Since their conception, Funk/Soul band West End Blend has been playing their version of Funk and Soul in venues all over the Northeast. Fronted by vocalist Erica T. Bryan, the band pays homage to classic throwback sounds while adding their own distinct vibe and flair. Behind her, the Blend packs a horn section, two guitars, bass, keyboards and drums onto stages every night.
Baltimore’s own Deaf Scene is quickly becoming recognized as a standout band on a regional and national level, bringing a powerful blend of Post-Rock, Grunge, Progressive Metal, and Jazz-Fusion to their songs and live shows. This ever-evolving instrumental power-trio has consciously embraced walking a musical road-less-traveled since their inception in 2010.
Cycles epitomizes the power-trio format with ripping guitar, fat bass grooves played out through furious slapping, and dynamic drum beats flowing over intricatetempo changes. Each member wields a unique take on their instrument that when played together, forms a truly fresh and cohesive sound.
ShwizZ is a unique cast of characters reigning from New York. Best described as a melting pot of funk and progressive rock, this giant original sound will be sure to put a smile on your face. The band’s variety and depth allows for lovely twists of improvisation and spontaneity spiked with technical prowess and musical complexity.
Greg, like you’ve never seen him before. Scrambled.
Founded by seasoned members of the Baltimore music scene, Squaring The Circle’s prog-funk sound has set out to breathe new life into classic funk and jazz fusion with their original material that somehow brings these genres into a contemporary light.
The music of Mateo Monk is beyond classification. It is a synthesis of multiple genres of world roots music, heavily informed by the spontaneous freedom of psychedelic jam culture. Mateo performs solo on the guitar, flute, synthesizer, and melodica, utilizing a looper pedal to create fully-textured rhythms, adorned with virtuosic melodic musings, all seamlessly woven into the song form in real time.
“Raised from the depths of hell, this dynamic musical duo got their start in college with deep philosophical issues discussed late into the night such as ‘Why?’ and ‘How?’. Music, it was determined, is the answer, thus beginning their quest to not only dominate, but also rape and pillage the world of music. This is Schwa. This is Music.”
-Dr. Schwactopus
