JamGrass Music Festival 2012

Jambands Australia has announced the JamGrass Music Festival 2012 is to be held at The Velvet Room @ The Thornbury Theatre on 19-20 October 2012.

After a sold out inaugural festival in 2011 that was followed with rave reviews, it was to be expected that organisers have now expanded the JamGrass Music Festival to a two-day format. The festival will continue with its focus on progressive bluegrass and jamband related genres in order to support the continuing popularity and growth of these bands in Australia. The expanded format will provide the opportunity to showcase many more bands and will include a variety of local, inter-state and international artist.

They have announced the first round of artists:

• The New Worlds (USA) – A group of professional bluegrass musicians from the United States who have joined forces specifically for a selection of Australian dates.
• Quarry Mountain Dead Rats – Rockgrass renegades from the Mornington Peninsula, who were a late night favourite at JamGrass 2011.
• Mustered Courage – The Melbourne newgrass group make their second JamGrass appearance after recently capturing the attention of Seal and winning a MusicOz award.
• Rattlehand (QLD) – Alt- Country rockers Rattlehand will make yet another trip down to Victoria to the delight of their growing fanbase.
• Merri Creek Pickers – After an unforgettable performance at JamGrass 2011, Melbourne’s leading jamband will be back with a bunch of surprises.
• John Flanagan & The Begin Agains – A band that blends traditional Americana stylings with deeply honest Australian storytelling to create their simple and expressive style of bluegrass/folk.
• plus many more artists to be announced

The new multi-day format has required the festival to relocate from the Bella Union, to the new Velvet Room at The Thornbury Theatre.

The new venue is the right size for the festival, has the right character and most importantly has phenomenal sound which is extremely important to help showcase the artists – Jason Taylor, Festival Co-producer.

Jambands Australia is currently in discussions with additional Victorian and interstate bands in order to get the right mix for the festival. Any bands who believe they fit in with the progressive bluegrass focus of the festival should express their interest without delay by emailing co*****@ja******.au">co*****@ja******.au and providing any relevant information.