New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Mountain Jam returns to Hunter Mountain for its 12th turn as the leading rock and camping festival in the Northeast, with the announcement of the 2016 artist line up - including some of the best live performers, modern day songwriters and a slew of recent Grammy nominees and winners.
Headlining the increasingly musically diverse festival are Beck, Wilco, The
Avett Brothers and Umphrey's McGee, who join perennial Mountain Jam co-headliner Gov't Mule.
This year's Festival also will feature a late night set by Thievery Corporation, as well as performances by Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, guitar slinger Gary Clark Jr., Mountain Jam favs
Michael Franti & Spearhead (returning for their eleventh annual appearance), Chris Robinson Brotherhood, indie-rock sensation Courtney Barnett,
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Lettuce (performing an evening and a late night set), Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds, The New Mastersounds (playing late night on the indoor stage), reggae legends Third World, and many red-hot emerging artists who are gracing the Mountain Jam stage before they become household names - something that has become a tradition with up-and-coming performers at the Festival.
"Our 2016 artists literally have been burning up the airwaves, concert halls and music critics' Top 10 lists" says Festival founder Gary Chetkof, noting there are four 2016 Grammy-nominated performers on the Festival bill (Wilco, Brandi Carlile,
Jason Isbell and Courtney Barnett), each of them representing the best songwriters in rock today. "These artists are in essence the Bob Dylan's of their generation, emitting powerfully crafted songs that have been resonating with audiences all over the world," Chetkof added. "Beck is a musical genius who's had an amazing twenty-plus year career and who's had a creative resurgence with both his last album, Morning Phase (the 2015 Grammy Award's Album Of The Year) and his highly anticipated thirteenth studio album which features the catchy, upbeat hit Dreams.
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats exploded onto the music scene last year with the uniquely catchy hit, "
S.O.B." that was on everyone's playlist last year. The
Avett Brothers - part of the Mountain Jam family and returning to the Festival for their fourth year - are releasing their ninth studio album this year and Umphrey's McGee are at the peak of their career. This is truly one of the most musically diverse and creative Mountain Jam Festivals to date and we couldn't be more excited."
The Festival begins with a roar on Thursday, with Umphrey's McGee headlining the first night of the Festival with 2 sets, along with upstate favorites Donna The Buffalo and others, giving concertgoers another reason to reserve their four-day passes now and get a jump start on early admission to the camping areas.
With its spectacular mountaintop views of the Catskill Mountains, modern indoor facilities and an enormous and varied assortment of food and beverage options, as well as all-ages activities and programming, Mountain Jam truly encompasses the best of the summer outdoor festival season.
Tickets go on sale today at 10AM ET for Festival passes (both three- and four-day) featuring either general admission or VIP camping or non-camping passes, with early bird discount pricing only available for a limited time. For 2016, three levels of VIP packages are available, including VIP, Super VIP and Ultimate VIP; additionally, the VIP Village has been moved closer to the stage for easier access and, as always. superior viewing and convenience. Gourmet food, premium viewing, tent-covered hospitality lounge, free merchandise and more are included in all VIP packages. A full menu of camping options also are available, with a new guaranteed on-site tent pass that ensures enough space for all campers, regardless of when they arrive at the Festival throughout the weekend.
