Hot air balloons drifting in the evening haze of a mid-July’s day as music echoes in the distance. Running stage to stage to catch as much of each artists set as you can, feverishly devouring each song (and food truck delectables) while festival season is still upon us. Its Green River time my friends and we are here to clue you in a few of those artists who’s band names appear in slightly smaller print on the show poster but encompass just as huge of a sound (and heart) as the headliners. Read on amigos and amigas and we will see you in Greenfield, MA in 16 days.

Twisted Pine recently broke the internet with their mash up video of a Vulfpeck and Bill Monroe jam, and based on what I have heard of their new record so far, they are looking for a repeat with this release. The bluegrass quartet (thought strictly referring to them as such may be an understatement) are following in the path of acts like Punch Brothers and others mixing the traditional with the slightly more virtuosic and varied. Each member of this band is a runaway freight train of talent on their own, but together the jubilance of sound they unleash on a crowd is something to be marveled. And with not one, but two sets across Saturday and Sunday you get double the dose of high flying instrumental acrobatics and sweet crooning harmonies that will melt your legs from underneath your body and leave you in a puddle on the ground.

Sun Parade came into my full line of sight and out of my periphery thanks to one member of the aforementioned Twisted Pine as they covered one of their tunes for a Locals Covering Locals video session. I thought, “man if the cover is this good…how fantastic is the original?” And fantastic it was. The band blends heartwarming tenderness with bad ass rock n’ roll that will get you dancing, but pondering your own deep sense of self. Get down for their set on the Parlor Room stage to close out Saturday night.

Dietrich Strause & The Blue Ribbons is a collaboration for the ages. Strause was a beast of a songwriter when he first rolled into Boston 10 or so years back. The Blue Ribbons have been a staple in the Toad residency circuit since I can remember making music around Camber-ville and are frequently toted as every musician in towns favorite collective of musicians. “You just have to go see The Blue Ribbons” is something I have had said enthusiastically towards me many, many times and with justified reason. The two colossal talents team up for a special set at the fest in celebration of a new-this-year EP powered by Passim’s Iguana Fund grant.

Lyle Brewer is perhaps the most understated and over-talented guitar player I have had cross my ear drums. Brewer can come across as a bit quiet and reserved, but his playing is anything but. Everything from Bach to Bluegrass to blistering original compositions, the dude is just a monster of a player. I’m not quite sure how Lyle’s set will be at the festival, a guest fueled romp or a quiet reprieve from the ever circulating undulation of noise flowing around the grounds. One thing is certain, its going to be good…reeeeeeeeeal good.

I recently referred to The Suitcase Junket as an artist that seems “to defy logic and the modern capabilities of the human body with his performances“. I think I will just leave it at that and say if you haven’t seen Matt Lorenz perform, then a) whats wrong with you and b) now is your chance to remedy that.

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t also say you should definitely be front an center for some of our favorites such as Mandolin Orange, The Infamous String Dusters, Houndmouth and Lake Street Dive. So get your tickets HERE if you haven’t already and we will see you in just over two weeks.