Folk Music Festivals in California You Won’t Want to Miss
Contents
Looking for some great folk music festivals to check out in California? Here are some of the best ones you won’t want to miss!
Introduction
Every year, music lovers from all over the world descend on California to experience its renowned music scene. From grassroots folk festivals to iconic country music events, there’s something for everyone.
Whether you’re a diehard folk fan or just looking for a fun weekend activity, check out our list of the top folk music festivals in California. From intimate gatherings to huge outdoor events, there’s something for everyone.
1. Hardly Strictly Bluegrass: This world-famous event takes place every October in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park and features over 100 bluegrass, old-time, and roots musicians from all over the world. past performers include Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and The Avett Brothers.
2. Old Settlers Music Festival: Taking place every April in Austin, Texas, this festival is one of the largest and most respected roots music events in the country. With over 20 stages featuring a wide variety of genres including bluegrass, country, Americana, rockabilly, and more, there’s something for everyone at Old Settlers. past performers include Willie Nelson, Alison Krauss, and Asleep at the Wheel.
3. WinterWonderGrass: This winter-themed festival takes place in February in Squaw Valley, California and features a wide range of bluegrass and Americana performers. past performers include The Devil Makes Three, Sam Bush Band,, and Leftover Salmon.
4. Strawberry Music Festival: Taking place every Memorial Day weekend in Friscofscofsdfsdfsdfsdfsddfdgfdgfdgfdggdggdggfdgfdgasfasfadsfadsgadsgdgsadgfsadgasfas-, California since 1971 strawberry is one of the longest running roots music festivals in the country. With multiple stages featuring everything from singer-songwriter performances to bluegrass jams, there’s something for everyone at strawberry. past performers include Bob Dylan , Bonnie Raitt , and Emmylou Harris .
What is Folk Music?
Folk music is a genre of music that is typically passed down from generation to generation within a culture, and it often has roots in the music of a region or country. Folk music can be very different from one place to another, and it often reflects the traditions, customs, and history of the people who live there.
There are many different types of folk music, but some common examples include American folk, British folk, Celtic folk, Scandinavian folk, and world music. Folk music is often acoustic, meaning it is played on instruments that do not require electricity to operate. These can include guitars, banjos, fiddles, mandolins, harmonicas, and accordions.
Folk music often tells stories about the people who make it and the places they come from. It can be used to express joy or sadness, love or loss, hope or despair. Folk songs are often passed down through the generations by word of mouth, and they often have a wide variety of musical influences.
If you’re interested in experiencing some authentic folk music, there are many great festivals held throughout California that showcase this genre. Here are just a few of the most popular:
The Top Folk Music Festivals in California
If you love folk music, then you won’t want to miss out on these top folk music festivals in California. From the Big Sur Folk Fest to the Strawberry Music Festival, there’s something for everyone. Keep reading to find out more about these fantastic festivals.
Newport Folk Festival
The Newport Folk Festival is one of the most longstanding and influential music festivals in the country. It’s also one of the most liberal, having been a driving force in breaking down barriers between genres. The Newport Folk Festival has showcased artists from every genre of music, including folk, blues, jazz, country, rock, and more.
The Newport Folk Festival began in 1959 as a spin-off of the Newport Jazz Festival. It was founded by George Wein, who also founded the Jazz Festival. The first Folk Festival was held on July 3, 1959, and featured such artists as Odetta, Joan Baez, and Peter, Paul and Mary. The Journalism Association named it “Festival of the Year”.
Since its inception, the Newport Folk Festival has been influential in launching or furthering the careers of some very important musicians. Bob Dylan made his first electric performance at Newport in 1965 (causing a minor uproar among purists), and his set is considered one of the most important moments in popular music history. Santana also made their debut at Newport in 1968. More recently, Arcade Fire performed at Newport before going on to win a Grammy for Best Album.
The Newport Folk Festival takes place every year on the last full weekend in July. Tickets go on sale in April and sell out quickly (sometimes within hours). If you’re interested in attending, it’s best to start planning early!
Sierra Nevada World Music Festival
The annual Sierra Nevada World Music Festival is a three-day event held in Northern California that features a wide range of folk, world, and roots music. With over 30 acts performing on multiple stages, there is something for everyone at this family-friendly festival. In addition to the musical performances, there are also workshops, drum circles, and other activities to enjoy. The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival is typically held in early June.
Kate Wolf Music Festival
The Kate Wolf Music Festival takes place in Laytonville, CA every year and features a diverse lineup of folk, rock, country, and blues performers. Some of the past headliners include Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Kris Kristofferson, and John Prine. The festival takes place over Memorial Day weekend and offers camping and RV hookups for attendees.
Conclusion
We hope this guide has helped you plan your trip to California’s folk music festivals! Remember to pack your sunscreen, your dancing shoes, and your sense of adventure. Most importantly, have fun!
