According to a not-so-subtle hint posted to social media by Mountain Jam yesterday, fans of the jams are going to be pleased with the lineup for the 15th annual edition of the event in 2019. “We like our PB&J with lots of Jam. How ’bout you?” the post asks, along with the hashtag “#backtothejam”.
Mountain Jam was founded by Warren Haynes, Gary Chetkof, and members of WDST/Radio Woodstock in 2005 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the local rock radio station. Named after the beloved Allman Brothers Band song, it began as a one-day event centered around jam-oriented music and continued that way for many years, hosting acts like Gov’t Mule, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Benevento/Russo Duo, Mike Gordon, Phil Lesh & Friends, Umphrey’s McGee, RatDog, Galactic, Dumpstaphunk, the Allman Brothers Band, The Derek Trucks Band, Les Claypool, My Morning Jacket, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Widespread Panic, and more. Co-founder Warren Haynes played the festival every year from its inception through 2016.
In recent years, the look—and, more importantly, sound—of the festival’s lineup has changed considerably, shifting toward more mainstream, radio-friendly rock acts. In 2017, the first year without Warren on hand, the Mountain Jam lineup was led by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Peter Frampton, and Steve Miller Band, to name a few. The 2018 lineup, led by Jack Johnson, Sturgill Simpson, and Alt-J, marked the festival’s biggest departure yet from its jam roots.
Many of Mountain Jam’s most loyal fans have been disheartened by its shift toward the mainstream in recent years, lamenting the fact that the beloved event had departed from its jam-centric background as it tried to remain viable in the ever-changing festival climate. However, from this new hint, we can assume that the festival has heard the cries of its loyal fans. Mountain Jam is going #backtothejam in 2019, and we couldn’t be more excited.
Who do you want to see play the 15th annual Mountain Jam in 2019? For more information on Mountain Jam, head to the festival website.
The post Mountain Jam Says They’re Shifting Their Focus “Back To The Jam” In 2019 appeared first on L4LM.
