The Southern Soul Music Festival in Rocky Mount, NC
Contents
The Southern Soul Music Festival is a three-day music festival that celebrates the best in soul music. The festival is held in Rocky Mount, NC, and features some of the biggest names in the genre.
Introduction
Rocky Mount, NC is the proud home of the Southern Soul Music Festival, an annual event that celebrates the best in soul music from across the country. The festival features a lineup of well-known and up-and-coming artists, as well as a variety of food and merchandise vendors. attendees can enjoy soul food from local restaurants, shop for handmade arts and crafts, and dance the night away to the sounds of great live music.
What is Southern Soul Music?
Southern soul is a type of soul music that incorporates elements of other genres, including blues, country, gospel, and rock. Southern soul is often characterized by a laid-back, easygoing sound, as well as a focus on the sounds and traditions of the American South. While southern soul has its roots in the music of the 1940s and 1950s, the term is generally used to describe music from the 1960s onward. not limited to any one region or state
The History of Southern Soul Music
The genre of music known as southern soul developed in the early 1960s and is a combination of gospel, blues, and rhythm and blues. The style is characterized by its use of call-and-response vocals, while the lyrics often deal with personal themes such as heartbreak, love, and relationships. The music is usually upbeat and often features a horn section.
The term “southern soul” was first used in 1965 by record producer Jerry Wexler to describe the style of music created by African American musicians from the south. Wexler was working for Atlantic Records at the time and was responsible for producing hit records by artists such as Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, and Otis Redding. He used the term “southern soul” to distinguish this new style of music from the more traditional sounds of gospel and blues.
The first southern soul hit song was “When a Man Loves a Woman” by Percy Sledge, which was released in 1966. The song reached number one on the Billboard R&B charts and also crossed over to the pop charts, reaching number six. Sledge’s success paved the way for other artists in the genre, including James Carr, Joe Tex, Johnnie Taylor, Marvin Gaye, and Bobby Bland.
Southern soul continued to be popular throughout the 1970s with hits such as “I’ll Take Care of You” by Bobby Bland (1970), “Love Don’t Love Nobody” by The Spinners (1972), and “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers (1971). The genre began to decline in popularity in the 1980s but has experienced a resurgence in recent years due to acts such as Cafe Tacvba, Alabama Shakes, JJ Grey & Mofro
The Southern Soul Music Festival
Now in its seventh year, the Southern Soul Music Festival attracts music lovers from all over the world to Rocky Mount, NC, for three days of non-stop soulful sounds. Featuring both up-and-coming and established artists, the festival is a celebration of Southern soul music in all its forms, from classic R&B and Motown to contemporary Neo-Soul and Hip-Hop. With over 20 acts performing on four stages throughout the downtown area, there’s something for everyone at the Southern Soul Music Festival.
What to Expect at the Southern Soul Music Festival
Now in its ninth year, the Southern Soul Music Festival is one of Rocky Mount, NC’s, most anticipated annual events. The three-day festival, happening September 6-8, features over 30 soul and R&B artists from all over the world. Attendees can expect incredible live music, good food, and a whole lot of dancing.
This year’s lineup includes headliners Fantasia, Johnny Gill, and Tank, as well as local favorites like The Fantastic Shakers and Nantucket. In addition to the musical performances, there will also be a food Truck Rodeo on Saturday and a Gospel Brunch on Sunday.
Tickets for the Southern Soul Music Festival are on sale now and can be purchased online or at the event box office. General admission tickets start at $45 per day or $120 for a three-day pass. VIP tickets are also available starting at $125 per day or $300 for a three-day pass.
Conclusion
The Southern Soul Music Festival was a great success! The music was fantastic, the food was delicious, and the people were friendly and welcoming. We had a great time and we’ll definitely be back next year.
