Imagine Music Festival Makes Venue Announcement

After much speculation, Imagine Music Festival, a 3-day camping electronic dance music festival in Atlanta, Georgia, has released that the Atlanta Motor Speedway will be the venue for its third annual event on August 26 through 28, 2016. Doubling in attendance each year, the rapid growth made it necessary for Imagine to move from its former home in the Historic Fourth Ward Park, to the Atlanta Motor Speedway. 

Located on 887 acres and just 15 miles south of the airport, the landmark Atlanta site includes: capacity for over 100,000 per day; grass fields for the festival’s new camping options; onsite parking; over 100 RV spaces with full hook ups; premium RV spaces overlooking the festival grounds and more. In short, Atlanta Motor Speedway will provide Imagine Music Festival with the infrastructure and amenities yet to be seen by a music and camping festival of its size anywhere in the Southeast.

“At the end of last year’s event, we knew it was time to say goodbye to Historic Fourth Ward Park and find a new home, which would provide us with the opportunity to give Imaginers with more than ever before. The impressive facility and welcoming staff at Atlanta Motor Speedway won our hearts. We are thrilled to call Atlanta Motor Speedway our new home and are confident our fans will feel the magic,” says Iris Presents founders Glenn and Madeleine Goodhand.

As one of the country’s last remaining independent festivals, Imagine is an all-encompassing, 360-degree sensory experience that blends music, circus troupes, performers, dancers, transformational village, art, workshops, classes and more. Imagine will continue its immersive aquatic fairytale with an abundance of performers, live acts, unique atmospheres, amusement rides, vendors and The Imaginarium’s variety of sacred teachings, ceremonies, and transformational workshops. With over five stages across the speedway in-field and camping including: the main aquatic stage, live stage, house stage, DnB stage, and silent disco, Imagine is poised to join the ranks of some of EDM’s biggest and best

Setting an impressive tone, Phase 01 of the Imagine lineup was announced in early April and included: Benny Benassi; Borgore; Dillon Francis; Excision; Nero; Showtek; Zeds Dead; 3LAU, 12th Planet; AK1200; Aphrodite; Bad Company {Reunion}; Beats Antique; Black Tiger Sex Machine; Bleep Bloop; The Bloody Beetroots (SBCR DJ set); Borgeous; Break Science; Buku; Caspa B2B Rusko; CAZZETTE; Champagne Drip; Corin Roddick of Purity Ring DJ set; Cosmic Gate; Delta Heavy; Dirtyphonics; Dirty South; Doctor P; Drumsound & Baseline Smith; EDX; Eoto; Funtcase B2B Cookie Monsta; G Jones; Grantheft; Herobust; Ill Gates vs KJ Sawka; Liquid Stranger; Lotus; Michel Minert & The Pretty Fantastics; Moon Hooch; Opiou; Ott & The All Seeing I; Pantyraid; Pendulum; Phutureprimitive; The Polish Ambassador; Space Jesus and Terravita. Additional artists will be announced in mid-June.

Tickets are available now starting at $169 for a 3-day pass. VIP passes, with front row pit access, elevated viewing area, VIP (no line) access, air conditioned chill lounge, bottle service, cocktail service, complimentary champagne toasts, private security, clean trailer bathrooms with running water and air conditioning, giveaways, meet and greets, and more are available starting at $299 for a 3-day pass. Camping passes are now available to purchase as an add-on to the festival tickets, with prices starting at $69. Four camping packages available including Car Camping, VIP Car Camping, RV Camping and VIP RV Camping.  Tickets are available online at www.imaginefestival.com. Imagine Music Festival is an 18 and over event.

Imagine Music Festival is produced by Iris Presents. Visit www.imaginefestival.com for the most up-to-date information. Stay connected on Twitter at www.twitter.com/imaginemusicfes and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/imaginemusicfestival. 

MerleFest Moments 2016

Merlefest 2016 was filled with some bipolar weather, but rain and chill will never get in the way of unforgettable music and a family-friendly atmosphere. For those who have been, they know that MerleFest isn't just a festival, it's a feeling, a happy memory, a piece of family that lingers even after May has arrived. There were several highlights of the weekend, both with music fans and well-known artists.  Here are a few of our favorite MerleFest moments.

Classic storyteller John Prine closed out night one of MerleFest.  Clad in a dark suit and tie, Prine spun his web of words intricately, with ease and wit between each carefully crafted tune.  Each song shared tales of his youth, adulthood mistakes, and life's lessons. Prine ended his set with memories of the late great Merle Haggard with the legend's "Ramblin' Fever."  All of MerleFest stopped to listen to these wise words as the stars shined and fans sunk into the euphoria that is MerleFest.

 Photo Courtesy of Dr. Gordon Burns

The Wood Brothers rocked the Hillside Stage with fans spanning all ages from 4-74.  The brothers provided a range of melodies with both acoustic and electric songs.  They joked that people wouldn't take them seriously when plugged in, but they couldn't resist the urge to rock - and rock they did.  Sharing hits from "Luckiest Man" to "The Muse," the set had fans feeling sentimental in one second and dancing the next.


For those who have been to MerleFest in recent years, the Dance Tent has become synonymous with the Celtic roots band, Scythian.  That's not to say that other amazing bands don't play in the Dance Tent, but Scythian was made to rock that pavilion.  A Scythian show is filled with foot-stompin' music that hails from the band's Celtic heritage.  Scythian brings a fresh vibe to MerleFest while staying true to its family-friendly roots.  Excitement surges through the tent causing dancing, crowd-surfing, and pure happiness.  This group is a must-see, unless of course you're allergic to fun.

An exciting new discovery on the Americana Stage was the Canadian bluegrass band, Slocan Ramblers.  This group shared their very genuinely written tunes from their latest album, Coffee Creek.  Their show expressed thoughtfully written songs that evoked excitement, emotion, and energy.  Perhaps it was their youth, or the fact that they hail from Canada, but they seemed to bring something fresh to the bluegrass table that was genuinely welcomed by the entertained crowd.


There were so many stand-out moments and acts of MerleFest 2016 that 2017 is already being highly anticipated.  The vibe of this fest cannot be duplicated; the focus on family and exposure of new artists is unparallelled in this world of unlimited music festivals.  With this thought, we are looking forward to seeing what new acts will be discovered next year.

The Hopscotch 2016 Lineup Has Arrived!

Hopscotch Music Festival will take place September 8-10 throughout downtown Raleigh.  They have released their lineup for 2016 and it's a stunner with acts including Gary Clark Jr., Sylvan Esso, and Erykah Badu.

Tickets for VIP and 3-day wristbands go on sale this Thursday, May 12, at 10 A.M.  New this year, Hopscotch has added Red Hat Amphitheater to the list of venues in addition to the 3 outdoor City Plaza shows.  We'll keep you in the know of Hopscotch details, so stay tuned!

Sofar Sounds RDU Provides a Unique Experience

Sofar Sounds is an organization that operates around the world gathering music artists and fans by providing intimate shows with local musicians.  This group has recently started offering such shows in the Raleigh/Durham area.

Part of the beauty of the Sofar Sounds RDU experience is that no two shows are the same.  They are presented in secret locations throughout the area ranging from apartments, houses, and local businesses.  Most recently, Sofar Sounds RDU held a showcase at the Visual Art Exchange in Raleigh's Warehouse District.

With various colorful art selections covering the walls and sculptures hanging from the ceilings, approximately 30 seats were placed before a small stage.  Sofar Sounds RDU organizer, Jason Elliott welcomed the guests who were anticipating the reveal of the secret artists.

Folk singer and song writer Al Riggs was the first to take the stage, who shared new songs such as "Blue Morning" and "Pagoda."  Following his set came City Below, a folk-pop artist that shared tunes from her new EP, The Sleeping Beast.  Rounding out the night, were two Wilmington natives, Justin Lacy and Sarah Royal who together are known as Slow Dance, an acoustic punk band.

There are a number of ways to get involved with Sofar Sounds RDU and we've got you covered on the many ways to do so.  First of all, you should head over to their website at www.sofarsounds.com in order to sign up for May's performance, which is scheduled for May 27.  You'll want to do this quickly as Sofar Sounds operates in spaces with limited capacity to ensure an intimate setting.   If you are chosen to attend, you'll receive an email stating the location and specific instructions.

Everyone that is chosen to attend an event is provided a +1 and the cost of admission is pay as you choose.  In addition to attending shows, Sofar Sounds is made possible through the help and support of the community.  This requires venue spaces, performing artists, hosts for each performance, and even photography for all Sofar Sounds events.

If you're interested in being a part of a future Sofar event, be sure to check out the "Get Involved" link on the website.  Sofar Sounds RDU is especially interested in finding hosts in Durham for upcoming events.  Check out the Sofar Sounds RDU website to experience music in a fresh new way.

Hopscotch Reveals Lineup Announcement Date

The lineup for Hopscotch 2016 will be announced Monday, May 9.
Wristband pre-sale has concluded. 

• Memorial Auditorium will feature shows for the first time since 2013.
• Nash Hall will be included for the first time ever. 
• VIP and 3-Day Wristbands on sale Thursday, May 12 at 10 am. 

To sign up for your on sale reminder, click here. Stay tuned for updates and details! 

MerleFest 2016 Spotlight: Steep Canyon Rangers

It's finally that time of year: MerleFest week. The fest that was started in 1988 focuses on "music, moments, and memories" created through the best folk, Americana, and Bluegrass music around. Returning this year for a performance on the Watson Stage are the Steep Canyon Rangers.  

Grammy and IBMA award winners, Steep Canyon Rangers will share their pickin' skills on Thursday at 7:15.  The group has been jammin' together for a dozen years now, gracing the stages of Carnegie Hall, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Cat's Cradle and the Orange Peel. They have also had the fortune of being joined by musician and comedian Steve Martin on numerous occasions. The Steep Canyon Rangers will also be signing autographs on Thursday from 6-6:30 at the Autograph Booth.


Steep Canyon Rangers have recently released their new studio album, RADIO, produced by Dobro virtuoso Jerry Douglas. The new album follows the "free wheeling and high-energy approach of their previous album, Tell the Ones I Love." Their lively records translate to energetic and interactive shows, combining the older traditions with modern appeal.

MerleFest is held on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, NC.  Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased on their website. Visit for a day or stay for the weekend, but don't miss this foot-stompin' event.

MerleFest 2016 Is Almost Here

With only one week until the start of MerleFest 2016, presented by Window World, the town of Wilkesboro, N.C. is buzzing with activity. Starting next Thursday, April 28, at 2:30 p.m., and running through Sunday, May 1, approximately 75,000 participants will gather at this annual homecoming of musicians and music lovers at Wilkes Community College for the nation’s largest celebration of American roots music.

With over 100 artists on 13 stages throughout the college, participants at MerleFest know to expect the unexpected. Late night jam sessions, band competitions, special guests onstage, impromptu dance parties and one-time-only musical collaborations are all a part of the fabric of MerleFest – and a testament to the enduring vision of Doc Watson and the Watson family. A key part of this vision is Doc’s idea of “traditional plus” music. Taking traditional Appalachian music as the base, “traditional plus” incorporates the many forms of American music that came from Appalachian roots and expanding to include blues, country, Americana, rock and bluegrass. Today this “traditional plus” spirit means that Americana star Jason Isbell will rub shoulders with young bluegrass visionary Sierra Hull or John Oates of famed rock duo Hall & Oates can jam with “newgrass” pioneer Sam Bush. As the nation’s largest roots and Americana festival, MerleFest has room for all those who treasure the American traditions.

“In addition to the spectrum of genres offered at MerleFest, this year’s lineup speaks to the quality of music offered at the festival,” said Steve Johnson, artist relations manager for MerleFest. “On our stages we’ll have many Grammy Award-winners or multi-Grammy Award-winners, Americana Music Award winners, Country Music Association winners, and International Bluegrass Music Association Award (IBMA) winners, among many other local, regional, songwriting and instrument awards. I know that awards are only one way of recognizing outstanding talent, but these associations and their members invest a lot in considering artists to select the best of the best each year.”

Grammy Award Winners

Jason Isbell, John Prine, Old Crow Medicine Show, Jerry Douglas, Jim Lauderdale, Tim O’Brien and Steep Canyon Rangers

Americana Music Association Winners

Jason Isbell, Old Crow Medicine Show, Jerry Douglas, and Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings, who also won the AMA Lifetime Achievement Award

Country Music Association Award Winners

Gillian Welch, Old Crow Medicine Show, Jerry Douglas, John Prine, and Sam Bush

IBMA Award Winner

Steep Canyon Rangers, Jerry Douglas, Amanda Smith, Becky Buller, Junior Sisk, Tim O’Brien, Karl Shiflett, Bryan Sutton, Alison Brown, Peter Rowan, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Scott Vestal, Kenny Smith

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

John Oates

Like many performers at MerleFest, Dan Fedoryka, a founding member of the MerleFest fan favorite band Scythian, knows that performing at this festival is a chance to pay homage to the greats who came before. "We play festivals all over the country ranging from Celtic to roots festivals, and I can say that MerleFest holds a special place in our hearts,” Fedoryka said. “It’s here that our eyes were opened to the living tradition in music: we got to actually meet the greats that up until then had been beyond reach, almost mythical. There are many things that give you a sense of accomplishment in a musical career, but to meet the greats, to shake the hands of Doc Watson, Levon Helm and others is something that stays with you and makes a difference in how you move forward as a musician. This respect for tradition is palpable and seeps into the audience. After eight years at MerleFest, we can say that we feel like family with the attendees and have seen many children grow up before our eyes, a truly unique environment that just can't be found anywhere else."

The complete lineup and stage schedules are posted at merlefest.org/lineup and available on the MerleFest mobile app; festival updates are delivered via Twitter (@MerleFest) and Facebook. Use hashtag #MerleFest to connect with other festivalgoers on social media, and be sure to take a picture with Flattop, MerleFest’s raccoon mascot.