Posted: February 12, 2024 2:22 pm
The AmeriServ Flood City Music Festival will present rock legends Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew: Remain in Light, and the consummate showman Andy Frasco & the UN — along with a varied underbill of touring artists and local and regional talent at the annual festival, slated for July 26-27 this year.
“It will be an honor to have musicians of the caliber of Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew gracing our mainstage on Saturday. Their back-up band, Cool Cool Cool, are friends of the festival, having appeared with us as Turkuaz,” said Ron Carnevali, festival co-chair. “And on Friday we are bracing for a wild night, a real party with Andy Frasco & the UN. I’m excited about the great collaborations we’re sure to see that night between Maggie Rose, our artist at large, and other acts.”
“We’ve had many great fests over the years, and every year I say I think our lineup is the best one yet,” said Bryan Hummel, festival co-chair. “But truly, I’m not sure we’ve ever presented a lineup of this caliber from top to bottom. We’re optimistic that our 2024 lineup will excite more people than ever.”
The two-day, three-stage festival is held at Peoples Natural Gas Park in Johnstown, PA, a venue that was developed by the festival’s producer, the Johnstown Area Heritage Association (JAHA). JAHA members are entitled to a free upgrade from general admission to VIP passes – to take advantage of this benefit, passes must be purchased in person at the Heritage Discovery Center (limit 4 per family membership or above; limit 2 for individual or dual memberships).
AmeriServ Financial is the festival’s title sponsor for a record 29th year.
“If there is one thing festival goers can count on, it is that there will be a host of terrific musicians taking the stage over festival weekend. We are thrilled that our partnership with JAHA and the festival committee continues to make it possible for folks from the area and beyond to enjoy this caliber of musical entertainment,” said Jeff Stopko, AmeriServ Financial, Inc., president and CEO. “It is events like this that truly highlight all that our region has to offer and makes it a true destination for those who appreciate the beauty of the Laurel Highlands.”
Early-bird prices for 2-day passes are $55 for general admission or $80 for VIP. Festival camping is being offered in partnership with Coal Tubin’, for $60 per person for 2 nights of primitive camping (including shuttles). For the first time, VIP hotel packages for two or four people are also available, which include a room at the Holiday Inn and festival T-shirts. Single-day tickets will go on sale on May 1, when early-bird pricing expires.
Tickets are being sold through the Eventgroove platform, and may be bought online at www.floodcitymusic.com, in person at the Heritage Discovery Center in Johnstown, or at the gate.
More about the artists:
Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew: Remain in Light: Jerry Harrison is the keyboardist and guitar player for legendary band Talking Heads. He is a member of the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame, and the 2021 recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Grammy. He has multiple critically acclaimed solo albums, including Casual Gods. Adrian Belew was the longtime lead singer and guitarist for legendary prog rock giants King Crimson. Adrian has also recorded with, performed alongside, and toured with Bowie, Zappa, Talking Heads, Nine Inch Nails, Tori Amos, Paul Simon, Cyndi Lauper, and more.
Adrian and Jerry, with their all-star backing band, bring you powerhouse renditions of Talking Heads classics like “Once In A Lifetime,” “Psycho Killer,” “Take Me To The River,” and selections from their respective solo careers. This is a must-see performance, and we’re delighted to present them at the 2024 AmeriServ Flood City Music Festival.
Andy Frasco & the UN: Andy Frasco & The U.N. have long been the high-flying DIY renegades of the touring scene known and loved for their kaleidoscopic musical fusion and one-of-a-kind onstage audacity. They last appeared at the AmeriServ Flood City Music Festival in 2018, and we’re delighted to bring them back to headline on Friday.
Melvin Seals & JGB with special guest Ron Holloway: Returning to Peoples Natural Gas Park after a triumphant show last summer at the Highlands Health Clinic Benefit! A pioneer in jamband music, Melvin Seals has been a powerful presence in the music industry for over 30 years with a long-established reputation as a performer, recording artist and producer. Melvin is most revered for his powerful, high-spirited, Hammond B-3 organ, and keyboards in the Jerry Garcia Band. The band will be joined by special guest Ron Holloway on saxophone. Holloway has played with the Warren Haynes Band, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, the Allman Brothers Band, Gov’t Mule, Dizzy Gillespie, Gil Scott-Heron, Devon Allman, and Root Boy Slim, as well as his own band.
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country: Incubated to the sounds of the Dead, educated by some of Nashville’s finest players, and having more than 2,000 shows under his belt and a social media presence, Daniel Donato is indeed a millennial whirligig of creative fire. Donato played the AmeriServ Flood City Music Festival 2023 with the supergroup Trouble No More, and we’re pleased to welcome this fast-rising star back to our stages this year.
Couch: Boston-based band Couch infuses pop with funk, rock, and R&B/soul. Their vibrant sound is further defined by the members’ backgrounds in jazz, a cappella, and musical theatre. This young band injects each project with their signature flavor: expressive horns, warm vocals, and bubbling synths—crafting an oasis of joy for musicians and non-musicians alike.
Maggie Rose: Rose has been hailed for her passionate individualism, proudly infusing her music with influences spanning rock, soul, Americana, folk, and funk. Maggie is a true road warrior. She has shared the stage with an impressive array of artists including Kelly Clarkson, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Heart, Joan Jett, Eric Church, Gov’t Mule, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, The Mavericks, Fitz & The Tantrums, and The Revivalists among others.
Runaway Gin: A Tribute to Phish: With over 450 shows performed since its inception in 2014, Runaway Gin is the world’s most notable Phish tribute project. Like Phish, Runaway Gin will never play the same show or jam the same way twice making every show a unique experience and every moment pure artistic creation. The band made numerous festival appearances including Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival, Resonance Music and Arts Festival, the Woodlands Music and Arts Festival, Nextival (headliner), Hidden in the Hollow Festival and has headlined top national venues such as: the Norva, the National, Jannus Live, and the Georgia Theater.
The Hypochondriacs: The Hypochondriacs are a six-piece powerhouse band hailing from New Brunswick, Canada known for their genre-defying fusion of country, rockabilly, and unadulterated rock and roll. They’re making waves throughout North America with their electrifying live performances, leaving an indelible imprint on audiences — including at last summer’s Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Free Concert Series at Peoples Natural Gas Park in Johnstown.
Organ Fairchild: Jam scene mainstays Joe Bellanti, Corey Kertzie and Dave Ruch met in 1983 and now tour as instrumental organ trio/funky jam band Organ Fairchild. Think Medeski, Martin, and Wood meet Santana! Individually, these veteran musicians have played music with (not in support of) Bob Weir, Rob Wasserman, Robbie Krieger (The Doors), Nels Cline, Tony Rice, moe., Oteil Burbridge, Steve Kimock, Keller Williams, and more.
The Hillbilly Biscuits: Hailing from the beautiful Mountain State of West Virginia, The Hillbilly Biscuits have been making and performing their own brand of old-time bluegrass and original mountain music for over two decades! Formed in 2001 from a chance meeting at the now infamous Wednesday night old-time jam in Morgantown, The Hillbilly Biscuits have been pickin’ n’ grinnin’ and entertaining their loyal fans ever since.
Billy the Kid & the Regulators: Billy the Kid and The Regulators are a high powered, guitar driven, rhythm and blues band based in Pittsburgh. Lead singer Billy Evanochko is widely-known across the Steel City for his impassioned lyrics, seductive vocals, and stinging guitar riffs. Together with his band, The Regulators they deliver a well-balanced dose of funky rhythm and blues, with heart and soul being the main ingredient, playing countless clubs and festivals throughout the country. The band attracts fans with their fresh mix and interpretation of the iconic Blues Rock experience.
Endless Mike & the Beagle Club: Endless Mike and the Beagle Club is best described as a “singer-songwriter with a very loud punk rock band.” First formed in Johnstown around 2004, the Beagle Club has been writing, recording, and touring off-and-on ever since. They last played our festival in 2009.
Soulful Femme: Stevee Wellons and Cheryl Rinovato, the two principals in the dynamic blues duo known as Soulful Femme, are more than simply a dynamic singing duo. They are seasoned performers in their own right, each possessing vast experience in the music business who happened to join forces and find an ideal chemistry. They’ll play a full-band set at our festival.
Smooth Sound Band: Hailing from Johnstown, Smooth Sound Band was formed on October 2, 2009, to perform fundraiser events for the local 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization, Flood City Youth Academy Fitness Academy and has been on an amazing journey ever since. The band plays jazz, R&B, and classic rock and has built a large fan base of all ages.
Whiskey River Panhandlers: Although some carefully-chosen covers are included in the Whiskey River Panhandlers’ sets, most of what you’ll hear is original songs whose taproots run deep, evoking a simpler time when pretty much all music was acoustic and live. Founded in 2008, the Panhandlers are comprised of some of Johnstown’s most seasoned musicians. The band last played the festival in 2016.
The Salt Brothers: Hailing from the New Jersey Shore, The Salt Brothers are multi-instrumentalists who’ve been entertaining at all the major venues there.