Best Fests: New Music Festivals

These music festivals are just getting started, but with these lineups you can be sure they’ll be around for a while:

Red Wing Roots Music Festival

July 11-13
Mount Solon, Va.
redwingroots.com

Basics: Accomplished string band the Steel Wheels are hosting this new festival close to their Harrisonburg hometown at Natural Chimneys Park in the Shenandoah Valley. Organizers are promising this will be a family- friendly fest with scenic camping and plenty to do for the little ones.

Bands: Emerging with a bold line-up for a first-time festival, the event will include sets from the Del McCoury Band, Sam Bush, Tim O’Brien, the Duhks, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Gregory Alan Isakov, and many more.

Set Break Escape: The Steel Wheels have occasionally relaxed their rigorous national touring schedule and done some regional stints on bikes. As two-wheel enthusiasts, they are planning to lead some road rides from the festival grounds around the Shenandoah Valley. You can also bring your rod and cast for largemouth bass and bluegill in nearby Elkhorn Lake.

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Shaky Knees Music Festival
May 4-5
Atlanta, Ga.

This Atlanta fest will make a bold debut, hosting a huge line-up of tunes at the Historic Fourth Ward Park and the Masquerade Music Park. Bands include the Lumineers, Band of Horses, Drive-By Truckers, Jim James, and many more.
shakykneesfestival.com

Sweet Life Festival
May 11
Columbia, Md.

Billed as a music and food fest, this new one-day event at Merriweather Post Pavilion will feature sets by Phoenix, Passion Pit, Kendrick Lamar, and Gary Clark, Jr., as well as plenty of culinary treats.
sweetlifefestival.com

Shenandoah Riverside Festival
June 14-15
Berryville, Va.

This fundraiser for Shenandoah River conservation celebrates the essential Virginia waterway with a low-key camping bash and plenty of fine picking from Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out, the Hackensaw Boys, Lonesome River Band, and the Woodshedders.
shenandoahriversidefestival.com

Kingsport Oktoberfest
September 28
Kingsport, Tenn.

Sample more than 100 different beers and join the fun of random events like the brat eating contest or the cornhole tournament.
kingsportoktoberfest.com

North Carolina Music and Arts Festival
December TBD
Lexington, N.C.

Using the Smith Civic Center and High Rock Outfitters, this new two-day winter fest debuted last year as a way to showcase North Carolina grassroots bands. Look for another round some time in December.
ncmusicfest.com