If It's Too Loud...

I know, I know. It's way  too early to start thinking of the summer festival season. But here we are. Last year's Green River Festival was amazing, and I was lucky enough to be able to attend and cover the fest . In just one day it quickly became my favorite local festival, and I'm hoping to expand to going at least two days this year. If you're planning on attending, you might want to act now since early bird tickets are currently on sale. A three-day festival pass is only $79.99 until December 31. A one-day pass was $59.99 last year, so this is a huge bargain. With their 30th anniversary this year, you know they'll make this one special. They're also including a camping option this year, which is $139.99 with a three-day festival pass. Next year it will be running July 8-10 at Greenfield Community College in Greenfield, MA. While there is nothing even close to a line up yet, now might be the time to buy tickets, which you can do here .

In it's 28th year, the Green River Festival is one of the best kept secrets in the New England concert scene. It doesn't have the name recognition of Lollapalooza or the Newport Folk Festival, but that fits Green River just fine. Western MA has long had a mysteriously great live music scene, combining national touring bands with a small town feel. The Green River Festival has long been the centerpiece of the scene. This year will be no exception, and might just be the best line up Green River has seen yet. Saturday features Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Lucius, Puss n Boots (featuring Norah Jones), The Lone Bellow, Poor Old Shine, Grant-Lee Phillips, and more. Sunday is just ridiculous, with Josh Ritter & Royal City Band, Trampled By Turtles, Hurray for the Riff Raff, multi-national rapper Ana Tijoux, Lady Lamb the Beekeeper (and you all know how I feel about her), The Deadly Gentlemen, and more.  Plus, there's the added extra of hot air balloons. You can ...