For the 34th year in a row, Musikfest takes over Bethlehem, PA beginning August 4 for 10 days of nonstop music, featuring hundreds of free shows and one ticketed premium concert daily. This year’s headliners include Santana, Chicago, Father John Misty, Live, Aloe Blacc, Godsmack, Toby Keith, The Band Perry, Lee Brice & Justin Moore and Jethro Tull.
While the headlining artists are certainly something to get excited about, don’t miss out an opportunity to catch some of Philly’s most promising talent on the rise at Musikfest 2017. ArtsQuest, the community-focused nonprofit behind the event begins accepting artist submissions in the Fall of the following year and places a strong emphasis on supporting local artists.
This year, 38 percent of artists are from the Lehigh Valley and the other 41 percent come from Philadelphia and the Mid-Atlantic region.
Here are a few Philly-based artists you should check out while you’re at Musikfest 2017.
Cold Fronts
Friday, August 4
6 p.m.
Provident Bank Main St.
This feel-good alternative rock group led by Craig Almquist has been hitting the stage since high school. In 2012, they got discovered by the legendary Seymour Stein (who signed Madonna and the Ramones) while playing in the streets of Austin at SXSW. Their full length album is getting released this fall but to whet your appetite, check out their recently released video for “Never Been to Paris.”
Foxtrot and the Get Down
Saturday, August 12
7 p.m.
Levitt Pavilion Steelstacks
Together since 2011, Foxtrot and the Get Down crafts Americana music with elements of blues, rock and soul. Frontman Colin Bundry not only sings but plays guitar and harmonica and Erica Ruiz adds a feminine touch to the band with her soulful background vocals. Check out their video below for the song “Roll Down the Road.”
June Divided
Thursday, August 10
2:30 p.m.
Flylvia Plaza Tropical
This indie rock/pop group is led by powerhouse Melissa Menago on vocals, keys and guitar and is reminiscent of Paramore. They’ve shared the stage with Twenty One Pilots, The Pretty Reckless and more. Their video for “Bullet” has more than a million views on Youtube and their latest album “Body Wars” was released in December of last year.
Low Cut Connie
Saturday, August 5
9:30 p.m.
Levitt Pavilion Steelstacks
Like your rock ‘n’ roll with some gritty piano? Philly’s Low Cut Connie has both catchy songs and an undeniable ability to enthrall a crowd. LA Weekly says of the band, “”Their ferocious live show is unmatched in all of rock right now.” Check out their video for “Dirty Water” which was just released a few weeks ago and see what all the fuss is about.
Nik Greeley and the Operators
Saturday, August 5
11 p.m.
ArtsQuest Center
Love blues, jazz and a lot of funk? Be sure to catch Nik Greeley and the Operators perform at this year’s Musikfest. Compared to James Brown and Jim Morrison, Greeley is one of Philly’s most charismatic frontmen and The Operators is made up of some of Philly’s finest musicians. They’ve even opened up for acts like George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic.
No Good Sister
Sunday, August 6
12 p.m.
Flylvia Plaza Tropical
Love three-part harmonies and country-western vibes? Philly may be far from Nashville but that doesn’t stop the ladies of No Good Sister from crushing honky tonk sounds. Together since 2012, the group has been making waves in Philly and beyond.
