The 22nd annual Jerry Jam returned to Klay Knoll Farm in Bath, New Hampshire, last weekend. This family-friendly three-day event is held on picturesque grounds, which feature rolling hills, a natural amphitheater, a stream to cool off in, and camping in both open grassy field and under the cool shade of forest trees. With plenty of positive vibes to keep people in a festive mood, each year, the festival grows in popularity, and this year was no exception. What was once held in a small field with one stage has grown into a three-stage event, with side-by-side main stages, allowing for one band to set up while the other hosts a live performance. The other smaller stages are set up on the far sides of the full grounds, allowing those who are chilling at their site to enjoy live music without having to venture too far.
This year, fans could walk up two flights of stairs to reach the newly-added Cats on the Roofdeck, which offered sweeping views above the grounds. Scenic vistas from the stage to the hillsides and beyond were picture perfect from this high platform. Open for six hours each day, attendees could pay $10 to stay on the deck as long as they wanted, with all proceeds going to the Bath Library.
Opening this year’s event was Maine-based Puddn’head, who filled the air with the sounds of bluegrass as attendees slowly streamed onto the site early on Friday. The local flavor continued throughout the afternoon as New England locals threw out energetic sets into the early evening. New Hampshire-based Barnyard Pimps ripped into an unexpected cover of Blues Travelers’, “But Anyway,” complete with fully charged bending tones from the harmonica.
Boston-based bands, Otis Grove and Bearly Dead, offered back-to-back energetic sets that filled out the afternoon musical slots as waves of people continued to head onto the grounds. Grateful Dead tribute act, Bearly Dead, had the surprise of a lifetime a few days earlier, as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers guitarist, Mike Campbell, showed up unannounced to their weekly residence at Thunder Road in Somerville, Massachusetts. During the festival, they were still freshly amped up from that surprise guest appearance and wasted no time elevating the energy throughout the grounds.
Late afternoon eased into some big name acts, as the John Kadlecik Band, with Jay Lane put on a stellar set featuring fan favorites “Terrapin Station” and “So Many Roads,” easily prompting fans to their feet. Roots of Creation’s Grateful Dub, featuring Melvin Seals, Zach Nugent, and Scott Guberman, then took over the main stage. Talk about a collaboration! Reggae versions of Grateful Dead tunes had the venue jumping to their feet as the positive vibes filled the air. With up to eleven musicians on stage at one time, it was impossible not to get up and dance to the beat of the music. Illinois-based The Giving Tree Band brought a refreshing flavor to the venue, as their folk-filled Americana harmonies filled the air. Their elegantly crafted melodies and spirited execution immediately earned new fans and their heart-heavy tunes easily won over the crowd.
Bringing the first night to a close were back-to-back heavy hitters, Assembly of Dust, followed by Jerry Jam alum, Pink Talking Fish. AOD had to cut their setlist back by about five songs because they were having too much fun jamming out to the crowd. The energy they were generating was unreal, and it showed throughout their set, which included extra helpings of jam with songs like “Tavern Walkers,” “Rachel,” and “Songs We Sing.” Fingers crossed AOD makes it back to the farm next year. PTF kept the party going as their electrified set included “Harpua,” featuring a story revisiting last year’s storm riddled Jerry Jam performance; “Time;” and “This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody).” Their intense shows never disappoint, and fans were begging for more as they brought night one to a close.
Saturday’s performances included sets jammed with Grateful Dead tunes by such bands as Fennario, DEAD Undercover, with special guest Melvin Seals, and, of course, Melvin Seals and JGB. Los Huevos, August First, and The Van Burens mixed up the musical acts with original numbers and acoustic accompaniments. The Van Burens also led the kids’ parade that marched throughout the grounds on Sunday. One additional unique element of this band from the Boston area is that saxophonist Colin Edgar plays two saxes at once. That alone makes this band worth checking out next time they are in your area.
Early evening brought out the big guns, as Kung Fu, Max Creek, and Melvin Seals and JGB took to the stage along with Allman Brothers tribute band, The Peacheaters, to close out night two. Kung Fu’s set turned the crowd up to eleven as they threw out punchy jams that included a “Terrapin Station” tease early on before rolling into an unexpected and highly impressive cover of Gary Numan’s ’80’s classic, “Cars.” Steely Dan’s “Reelin’ In the Years” blew up the venue, as teases of Eddie Money’s “Two Tickets to Paradise” amped up the crowd. Max Creek’s highly anticipated performance at Jerry Jam kept the party going. The Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” made an early entrance. They also performed Bob Dylan’s “Tangled Up In Blue” and had a guest appearance by Kung Fu’s Beau Sasser on keys for “If You Ask Me,” before bringing their explosive set to a close with “Something Is Forming.”
Melvin Seals then once again took to the stage, this time with JGB, and sang to a sea of faces crammed in the open air venue. Fans came out of the woodwork to dance under the stars as the band’s setlist included The Stones’ “Let’s Spend the Night Together.” Seals’ endless smile never once disappeared during the entire set. His positive energy was felt through the keys and thrown out into the crowd, where it was impossible not to get up and dance. Check out their performance of “Positively 4th Street” from that evening:
Saturday night closed out with an extensive set by The Peacheaters. They spoke kind words in memory of the passing of Butch Trucks in January. They also tipped the hat to Jerry Garcia with a cover of “U.S. Blues,” while an explosive “Whipping Post” and extended “Blue Sky” filled in their powerfully moving set.
Sunday morning opener Strawberry Farm Band took their usual final day “wake up the venue” slot and performed “Catfish John” as an opener, which bounced around the still-sleepy rolling hills. Fiddle, upright bass, banjo, and acoustic guitar matched the perfectly crisp blue sky to start the final day of the festival. Delightful acts throughout Sunday included Parker Hill Road, which continued the bluegrass vibe, followed by Not Your Mother—a majority-female band that kicked up the energy as the afternoon wore on. Once again, the kids’ parade heralded in front of the stage and caught passer-bys as they marched on, creating an ever-growing parade of people that strutted throughout the main field. August First, who also performed on the main stage on Saturday, made a second appearance on Sunday, with Cole Robbie Band, Hayley Jane & The Primates following. Finally, Cabinet brought the three-day event to a close.
What started as a group of friends celebrating the life and music of Jerry Garcia has since turned into one of the best-kept festival secrets in northern New England. Situated among rolling hills and, thanks to no cell service, cut off from the outside world during its three days, this event continues to gain in popularity throughout the northeast as one of the go-to events of the summer. Having grown exponentially in recent years, along with bigger acts taking the stage, this family-friendly festival should be on everyone’s must see list at least once. With not only a kids tent to have the little ones take out their energy, parents are never far from the music with three stages covering the grounds. With a wide variety of food vendors, along with retail vendors galore, there is something for everyone. Once darkness descends upon the venue, fire dancers and lit up hoopers create magical displays for the eyes as the music fills the ears under the stars. Jerry Jam most definitely has a little something for everyone.
For more information on Jerry Jam, please visit their official website. In the meantime, get a taste of the event with the video below, courtesy of Jerry Jam.
Words and Photography by Sarah Bourque
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