Year after year, I ask myself how the Adirondack Independence Music Festival (ADK) in the heart of Lake George, NY, is going to level up, topping themselves with an inevitable smokin’ hot lineup announcement… and that’s just what they did. The most recent release of the daily schedule left me… wow… jaw agape! I enjoy a wide range of musical genres to get my fix at fests. For example, give me rock ‘n’ roll, give me that bluegrass, give me that New Orleans funk, and go ahead ‘n’ let it all flow, weaving with that fleeting improv, baby, yes! I know I’ve said it before; it’s understandable that on a weekend as sacred as Labor Day weekend there are too many choices (typical situation), BUT there is one festival that you can absolutely count on to give you that musical sweet release you’re lookin’ for each day starting on Friday, August 29th, 30th, & rollin’ right on through to Sunday, September 1st. Think I’m pulling your chain, gang? Read why I hope to see your music lovin’ selves at ADK in just two short weeks!
Day 1: FRIDAY’S FUNKIN’ FUN! (8/29/25)
Excuse me for repeating myself from last year, but ADK has the vibes ‘n’ glimmer of the good ol’ days of moe.down with a hint of wormtown, and I am absolutely here for it. Instead of gathering on the mountain top in Turin, NY, moe.rons and jamband fans alike can count on congregating at Charles R. Wood Park to dance like no one’s watching. I know I speak for many when I express gratitude for the opportunity to soak up one more Friday and Saturday night this summer with 4 sets of moe. Anyone else really diggin’ this jammy sammy with the meatiest headliner two nights in a row?
“Watch out! You might get what you’re after,” if you’re able to make it for the first day of ADK. Start Making Sense & Ocean Avenue Stomper Horns are comin’ in hot, so have your handfans ready and remember to hydrate because y’all know we’re going to be singin’ and dancin’ along to this big ‘n’ beautiful Talking Heads tribute. Music lovers love. This. Band. It takes some serious talent to do Talking Heads justice and they’ve got it. Gah! Day 1 is so fun!
“See the lights of a Neighbor's house
Now she's starting to rise
Take a minute to concentrate
And she opens up her eyes”
Knock! Knock! I hear you, Neighbor! This four-piece of solid gold has been cruisin’ around the country tourin’ showin’ off their chops and, dammmmn, do they have ‘em! Last year Neighbor graced ADK’s presence, blowin’ minds (per usual) and bringin’ along their sparkly fanbase. Neighbor has been glowing and growing since 2019, sprouting in Somerville, MA. This year, Neighbor is shining a light on their new-ish guitarist, Rob Compa (formally with Dopapod), who replaced Lyle Brewer this past year after Brewer gracefully bowed out to focus on his solo career and beautiful budding family. To say I’m excited to see Neighbor with Rob is an understatement. Love this band, all they’ve done, and continue to do to keep their music flowin’ and fam growin’!
If you’re like me, you can’t help but think about who influenced our favorite bands. As for Neighbor, I know 100% that they are HIGHLY influenced by the music of New Orleans (Thanks, Richard James). Once that beat starts, I’m looking for that hanky, baby, and perhaps I better bring extras because, be still my heart, George Porter Jr. & The Running Partners will be FUNKIN’ IT UP on Friday and, for the love of New Orleans funk ‘n’ rock, y’all gotta be there! It was 20 years ago when I finally discovered New Orleans music/culture and I never turned back. Talk to me about it sometime! George Porter Jr. (bassist for the Meters) has always been one of the hardest working musicians in New Orleans. He’s the godfather of funk ‘n’ slappin’ dat bass, and every single band he has cultivated over his epic career has been a gift to all who are lucky enough to catch ‘em when you can. I caught The Running Partners at The Maple Leaf at Mardi Gras & Fest this year and was left floored. This iteration of GPJ & RP is IT, just wait and see for yourself! A little birdie told me that Porter will be previewing his new album, Porter’s Pocket, and it’s bound to be a funkin’ good time! YYR!
I know we all tend to judge a festival by its full lineup, but discovering new music is a part of the fun, too. There are very few surprises in life and, who knows, you might fall in love with another band that helps you get by on this long strange trip. Sicard Hollow, Organ Fairchild, and Sly Fox & the Hustlers are three bands I’m unfamiliar with on Day 1, but after streaming them all I already know I’m not going to utilize the festival re-entry perk because I refuse to miss a beat inside the park. Give me that bluegrass, give me that funky good time, instrumental sing-along, and give me some raw blues, rock, funk, & soul! Please, and thank you.
Day 2: SATURDAY’S SUPER SWEET (8/30/25)
Saturday's stacked all day long with anticipation for positive vibrations, yeah, starting with a lil sweet roots reggae beat from The Big Takeover, who immediately satisfied my soul upon streaming them. This band is swingin’ with a sax, a bone, and a rhythm section that holds it down alongside a solid guitarist to tie the whole room together… and, Mama, they sure do have a songbird of a singer who is pitch perfect and joy manifest.
Any country lovers out there? Anyone dabble with a lil twang? Y’all like to start the party early? Day 2 has gotcha’ll covered with Tulsa native Johnny Mullenax! My first impression of streaming Johnny Mullenax Band sounded as if The Wedding Crashers Band (hilarious) shared a big ol’ mason jar full of moonshine ‘n’ heady nuggets, served with an essence of Billy Strings & a micro dose of Daniel Donato. Heard? Fun time, party time! Let’s go!
A perfect pairing with Johnny Mullenax is a sweet scoop of Creamery Station with a sprinkle of that sweet Americana, baby. These guys have the harmonies that give ya chill bumps (or as I like to say, “goosebumps”). This jam-eccentric writer was raised on classic rock & I’m getting major Allman Brothers/southern rock influences the more I listen. Whether you check them out before the fest or go in blind, you’ll recognize the influences of that magical musical era right away. “Thank JERRY”—the music from the 60’s/70’s spread throughout the 80’s, fostering a whole new generation of live music/jam band lovers. Creamery Station is a product of the multigenerational influence of the golden age of rock ‘n’ blues and they do give me an urge to throw on my headphones, close my eyes, and plug into that sound. You know what I’m talkin’ about.
Barely Dead has been a Grateful Dead tribute band staple for almost two decades in the East Coast/Boston jam scene and their genuine passion for our beloved GD shines true by their 250+ song catalogue. If you love the Grateful Dead like I do, you know the tribute bands satisfy some part of your soul just by being there; singin’ along and witnessing strangers stopping strangers just to shake their hands. I just can’t get enough and that’ll be true forever. Graham Lesh’s Heart of Town (post-GD 60 after-party) celebration in San Francisco was my last dose of Dead and I’m lookin’ for more. Get it! Got it. Good!
Speaking of good (no, GREAT), Ryan Montbleau Band is scheduled sunny-side up on Saturday and my crew is here for it! Montbleau has shared his gift of song/poetry with the world for the past couple of decades, and when I say he is changing lives with his song I’m not exaggerating. Those of us who follow RMB and his perfectly poetic lyrics (ya know, the ones that getcha in the heart, the head, and the gut all at the same time), find his music to be fuel for the soul. It keeps us moving and growing — physically, emotionally, cosmically, and spiritually — for real. One major side effect of listening to Ryan Montbleau is the inevitable plucking and pulling on the heartstrings.
I started with the BleauLegs (live RMB) in 2007 and One Fine Color (2006) became the soundtrack of my LIFE; leading me to follow this artist’s career ever since. Montbleau’s ever-evolving sound keeps us coming back for more with a melange of blissful and poignant lyrics and, of course, his world-class backing band! Seriously, the band is the ssssshhhhibickity best and will likely leave you with a “holy golden god, this is good” face. Seriously, folks, buy the ticket, take the ride, and continue to support homegrown singer-songwriters everywhere!
How is the second day always stacked with the juiciest jams? Seeing Spafford on the schedule next to RMB is indeed the sweet spot IMO. My sweet ADHD brain LOVES a Spafford show and, if you follow along/attune to the various instruments in the band, the experience might make you feel like a superspeed reader absorbing the most life-changing/eye-opening book in the span of a jam. Follow along and let your brain tingle!
Speaking of brain tingles, Robert Randolph preachin’ on that pedal steel, filling the air with pure joy before moe.’s Saturday night heater to close out the night, is just mwah perfection. I haven’t seen him in years, but when he played with Goose at SoulShine I craved more; main course. Yes, chef! Simmer that Saturday stew and serve it up hot!
After a little RR, we’ve got mo’ moe., people! They have been truckin’ all around the country, ridin’ high off of their newest album Circle of Giants (2025), and now they’re here to celebrate with us on Labor Day weekend in Lake George. Read Grateful Web’s review of moe.’s album and check ‘em out Saturday night at ADK for mo’ moe., baby!
Day 3: SUNDAY’S FACE PLANT INTO ROCK! (9/1/25)
I always wondered what it would feel like to start off the last day of a fest with a good ol’ face-melt. Well, the time to hesitate is through. Both Leon Trout and Ghosts of Jupiter are so metal, satiated with electrifying sounds meant to make your hairs stand straight up. Leon Trout is a lil jammy jam, a lil surfer rock-ish, and a whole lotta metal twisted into one. Listening pulls me right into a Tarantino movie in my mind and moves my body in all the right ways.
I’ve been following Ghosts of Jupiter’s career since they were Nate Wilson Group (circa 2009). Take my advice; when these prog rockers book a show, you go. Lead man, Wilson, has been moe.’s full-time keyboardist for several years now, so GOJ shows are few and far between. How do I put their awesomeness into words? This band is so electrifying that it fills all the space with BIG stadium energy. When I see Ghosts live, I often close my eyes and picture them rockin’ out like Zeppelin would. Each of the band members are seasoned artists, all wizards of their craft, and can take you to the cosmos and back, if you let ‘em. This music makes me melt like Floyd does and I guess that’s saying enough. See you there?
One of my favorite perks of ADK is the ability to come and go as you please. You can go back to the camp site or hotel room close by if need be, or even take a dip in Lake George while the music echoes through the mountains. Speaking of a Sunday dip, Annie in the Water is so chill that I’ll let them tell you how cool they are:
“Annie in the Water is an experience and a culture of compassion and joy. The band's Americana Indie Rock found its roots in acoustic guitars without limits. Their songwriting, led by guitars and synthesizers overtop a ground-shaking rhythm section, offers the listener the ability to traverse across multiple genres in heart and in mind.
Because every show is different, experiencing the music of Annie in the Water live can be compared to paddling with a river. At times you may find yourself in the calm of the flow while at other times you may be deep in the rapids while the music churns and grows in energy. With the ebbs and flows you’re reminded of the constant that you are a part of something greater than yourself, working together with the forces around you and caught in the midst of a beautiful moment in time.”
Sunday feels a little extra special this year when you favs (Al and Vin from moe.) p[l]ay homage to another one of your favs (Dylan). The anticipation of Al Schinier and Vinnie Amico playing in a Dylan tribute called Bob: An Interpretation of Dylan has set my heart all-a-flutter. Al singin’ Dylan is a perfect bookend to a moe.riffic weekend.
I like LaMP. I’m not just saying it because they provide the light. I love LaMP because when they first felt that chemistry on stage in 2018 at Nectar’s in Burlington, VT, Russ Lawton (TAB), Scott Metzger (JRAD) and Ray Paczkowski (TAB) forged ahead and inevitably made an EP the band describes: “The melodic and harmonic interplay between Paczkowski’s swirling organ and clavinet dancing with Metzger’s acrobatic melodies on telecaster, driven by Lawton's unflappable backbeat, produced a record that will stand the test of time.” These musicians are busy and do not tour often, so when they do it’s highly recommended that you get there. Thank you, ADK, for bringing this LaMP love light to us — let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
What fest is complete without a lil “reggae-ska-punk brilliance coupled with a hint of folky bluegrass” makin’ us feel irie? ADK knows what’s up and that’s why Bumpin Uglies was the move to keep us movin’ at the end of this festie marathon! I’ve been diving back into Sublime since late lead singer Bradley Nowell’s son Jakob Nowell stepped in; singin’ just like his daddy. It has stoked an urge in me to hear more and tap into my teen angst just a tad. Bumpin Uglies is new to me, but punk ‘n’ fun nonetheless and definitely influenced by my beloved Sublime.
Beyond stoked to see Lespecial on Sunday’s schedule, sharing the same day with Leon Trout and Ghosts of Jupiter, because this prog-gasmic lineup is just what the doctor ordered for any rock ‘n’ roll lovin’ prog rockin’ dancin’ music lover. This trio has the sound and energy of rock giants! It’s not just something to stream, it’s something to see and feel live. I’ve caught them a few times (always at a fest) and they always leave me with “stank face” (aka “rock face”). You know, the face you make when you can’t believe musicians can “do that!” Those licks… those chops… that sound… it hits me in the gut and rocks my brain. So ready for this; let’s do it again!
Last, but certainly not least, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong is closing out the weekend with two sets of a magical fun time dance party; guaranteed. It’s almost like Calm Before the Storm (PPPP single) that is the “real world” post-ADK. Pretty sure Pigeons Playing Ping Pong playing the last set of the weekend is the excuse we all need to let it all go for one last show; dancing our faces off like no one’s watching. Pigeon’s dynamic performers have been at it for a long time and it shows. They are natural joy facilitators and are the perfect ending to another year of ADK in the books.
There you have it! Adirondack Independence Music Festival’s lineup is jam packed full of serious talent with good ol’ homegrown festie vibes to boot. The vendors are awesome, the food hits the spot, and you’re surrounded by hippies.
It’s the best. You in?
Can you answer?
Yes I can.
But what would be the answer to the answer man?
Answer: Buy your tickets to ADK and have a happy Labor Day, ok?!
