Freshgrass was already looking pretty deep this year with talent, but the announcement they just made nearly blew up my computer.

Projects including Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O’ Donovan have been a mainstay at the fest for years now and one can hope lead to some interesting, unannounced collaborations. Jarosz was announced today as having her own set and appearing at FreshGrass 2017 as the second recipient of the FreshGrass Composition Commission, given each year to an artist whose work reflects the FreshGrass mission to preserve and support innovative grassroots music. She will write an original suite of new material for the commission to premiere during her set at FreshGrass. ​

Aoife returns for a one time reunion of her band Crooked Still. Billed as the band’s only performance of 2017, Aoife and the rest of the band (banjo player Gregory Liszt, cellist Tristan Clarridge, violinist Brittany Haas, bassist Corey DiMario) will take to the fest and I am sure any roots/bluegrass artist who has made their start in the New England community will rejoice as this band has had such a profound impact on so many of us coming up.

Shovels and Rope rounds out the big list of folks announced this round. These two have blown up in the past few years, performing all over the world, all over your TVs and this year curating a festival of their very own down in South Carolina. DO NOT MISS this set.

Freshscores also welcomes the American Songster himself, Dom Flemons.

The Lil’ Smokies, Red Baraat, The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow, Mike + Ruthy, Cheick Hamala Diabate & Mankan, Ladies Auxiliary Ukulele Orchestra,  Cold Chocolate, Pinedrop, Izzy Heltai, Common Folk Jam, Mamma’s Marmalade, Jeb Barry and the Pawn Shop Saints,  Upstate Rubdown, Ramblin Jug Stompers,  Long Journey, Duo Eamon, and more join the lineup as well…it is gonna be a doozy folks. Get your tickets now!