With just under a week to go, the good people at Northwest String Summit and a arsenal of icon blue grass bands will be showing off their skills to nearly 5,000 people at the ever-so-famous venue, Horning’s Hideout this July 18th – 21st. Considering the sheer beauty of North Plains, Oregon and the talents from the members of Yonder Mountain String Band among many others, it’s hard to believe tickets are still available.
This marks the 12th installment of the blue grass phenomenon. Every year seems to bring more magic to Horning’s Hideout, and this year will surely not disappoint. This year’s lineup also features Leftover Salmon, Keller and The Keels, David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, Greensky Bluegrass, Black Prairie (featuring members of the Decemberists), Danny Barnes and many more.
A unique quality about NWSS is it binds the community together by bringing in local vendors from Oregon to promote their best crafts. For those who absolutely love beer, you are set! This year a number of state-wide breweries will be on-site to serve you the best they have to offer. Food vendors will also be on-site preparing that excellent festi-food you’ve been craving all summer long.
When you’re on-site make your way to the “Ninkasi Brewing” Stage at the Cascadia Acoustic Coffehouse. There you’ll find a smorgasbord of food, beverages, and one of the biggest band competitions in the nation.
This marks the 10th year that NWSS has unleashed their famous band competition, named The Band Competition because it is one of the premier band competitions across the land.
The Band Competition is on-track with other big-name bluegrass fests including Telluride Bluegrass Festival and RockyGrass. Due to the competitions popularity in the circuit, the turnout is set to be bigger and better than in previous years, so it’s an absolute must see!
The Band Competition will go down Friday July 19th, and here’s how it works:
“Four bands/musicians will be chosen by a panel of judges including members of Yonder Mountain String Band and festival staffers to compete for the winning crown (each band will perform for 10 – 15 minutes). The winner is awarded an opening slot on Sunday, July 21, 2013, and a paid slot at the following year’s festival. The Band Competition is a single mic only set-up, and only acoustic instruments are allowed (no DIs, no drums).” More info can be found here.
The ballad and the natural beauty of the festival is set, so all there’s left to do is come out and support live music and the ambitious artists that will be pouring their hearts out for everyone in attendance.
If you haven’t already gotten your ticket, here’s some quotes that may get you in gear:
“For over a decade, Northwest String Summit has been one of Oregon’s — and the entire region’s — most anticipated festivals of the summer.” –HeadStash
“Between the rolling green trails, sky-scraping trees, peacocks and endless jams the NWSS was truly a picker’s paradise that can only be summed up as ‘You had to be there.’ NWSS has become the Pacific Northwest’s go-to music festival.” –Glide Magazine
“As outdoor music festivals go, the Northwest String Summit offers as good a summer option for fun as anything in the state, with a dense array of music, comfortable camping and family fun, tucked into the North Plains idyll of Horning’s Hideout. The event features some of the best in string music…” –The Oregonian
“Northwest String Summit [is] a great music festival.” –Portland Tribune