Music on the Mountaintop 2012: Festival Preview

In 2008, the first ever large scale festival in Boone, North Carolina took the High Country by surprise. What started as a class project at Appalachian State University grew into one of the largest musical events the town had seen in nearly a decade. Nearly 2,500 attendees enjoyed a full day of top notch musical talent from the local and national scene as well as interactive educational exhibits promoting environmental stewardship provided by more than 15 non-profits from across the state of North Carolina.

Since then, MOTM has grown exponentially. We’ve been very blessed and are humbled to see MOTM bring over 5,500 people in 2011.

Most importantly, we’ve given $12,000 back to local non-profit organizations, AIRE, Appalachian Voices, and Mountain Alliance.

MOTM is back and stronger than ever for 2012! Scheduled for August 23rd – 25th and curated once again by Railroad Earth, the three day festival features co-headlining performances from Dr. Dog, Futurebirds, and the legendary Sam Bush, along with a stocked supporting lineup. General Admission tickets for the event start at only $99.00 but you can experience the weekend in proper fashion with their VIP or Ultra-VIP packages, starting at $300.00.

TheBlueIndian.com’s Featured Bands of MOTM 2012

River Whyless – Photo: Creigh Lyndon

RIVER WHYLESS – 8/23/2012

TheBlueIndian.com crew have been huge fans of River Whyless ever since being introduced to them last year when they were touring with Little Tybee under the name Do It To Julia. Fast forward a year and they’re proud to carry a new name, a new album, and a new member. The RW folks are no strangers at MOTM, as they’ve been featured the past few years and they all attended Appalachian State University, located right down the road in Boone, North Carolina. River Whyless is scheduled to be one of the first bands playing at the festival and definitely a reason to be there on time.

 

 

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Dr. Dog

DR. DOG – 8/23/2012

We were recently given the opportunity to allow readers of the site to submit questions for Dr. Dog and were met with a great response. Originating from Philadelphia, the six piece ‘fuzz-folk’ (call it what you will) act has been turning heads since their acclaimed record, Easy Beat, in 2005. Since then, they’ve toured the world supporting the likes of My Morning Jacket on multiple tours, plus releasing four more full-length albums since 2007, with their 2010 album Shame, Shame reaching #44 on the US charts. Dr. Dog is touring throughout the US this Fall in support of their newest album, Be The Void, but Music on the Mountaintop is your first chance to see them in the Southeast and could possibly be one of the most intimate festival shows they’ll do this year.

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Holy Ghost Tent Revival

 

HOLY GHOST TENT REVIVAL – 8/24/2012

Greensboro, North Carolina’s Holy Ghost Tent Revival cannot be pigeonholed into any popular genre. Melding brass with banjo, guitar, bass and drums, this five-piece ensemble boasts an eclectic mash of instruments and styles — a musical alchemy all their own.

It is this transcendent energy that continuously propels Holy Ghost Tent Revival to play the heart and soul of a North Carolina-born, genre-defying new groove. With a penchant for crafting thoughtfully playful lyrics and graced with exceptional musical skills, there are seemingly no boundaries for this group as they travel the country spreading the magic of their heart-throbbing, foot-stomping, good-time music. Their new record, Sweat Like the Old Days, is set to be released September 4th.

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Futurebirds

FUTUREBIRDS – 8/24/2012

Hailing from the bohemian college town of Athens, Georgia, Futurebirds play laid-back country-rock with an atmospheric, psychedelic twist. The group began turning heads with the release of a self-titled EP, whose backwoods harmonies and pedal steel riffs helped earn a contract with Autumn Tone Records. With the label’s help, Futurebirds booked time at Chase Park Transduction — one of Athens’ most renowned studios, with a client list that includes R.E.M., Drive-By Truckers, and Jason Isbell — and recorded Hampton’s Lullaby. The debut album was released in August 2010, and the group issued a follow-up EP, Via Flamina, while touring in support of both releases. More recently, they’ve made appearances at Forecastle Festival, Wakarusa, and at club dates around the US.

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Salem Speaks

SALEM SPEAKS – 8/25/2012

The Winston-Salem Journal says of the band, “the sound mirrors their delight, and the lyrics reflect their collective social conscience. A blend of Americana folk rock and fresh harmony, the melodic violin blends in with the guitars and keyboard until the drums thunder in to ratchet up the tempo and entire vibe from sweet and soulful to pounding and powerful.” SalemSpeaks is quickly making a name for themselves as a band to watch in North Carolina and will be making appearances throughout the state at festival’s and club dates.

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