Three Months of Epic Summer Music Festivals On Hood Canal
Summers on Hood Canal are perfect for leisurely days relaxing on the beach surrounded by oyster banks or venturing into the Olympics for some forest bathing and to search for hidden swimming spots. Yet, if you find yourself craving a change of pace from nature in the coming months, be sure to check out the event schedule. Regardless of your musical preferences, there will undoubtedly be a weekend that will have you tapping your toes – all within minutes of the cedars and seals!
Beginning this June, Mason County comes alive with a vibrant music scene. From local talent to emerging artists and well-known bands, the music genres ranges from Bluegrass and Country to Reggae and Rock.
Start Planning Now.
We’ve outlined below the highlights of some of these great events happening June through September in our area. Don’t miss all the other great weekly music events hosted year round in the area including Hama Hama’s Music From the Shellpile (dates TBA), Hood Canalé’s live outdoor music events and so many more! Click here for local music venues
Be sure to book your accommodations now for the perfect weekend mix of music and scenery –– start making plans now!
Save the DateS for the 2024 Line up!
June 29 | Shelton, WA
The Rev Country Music Festival
County music fans won’t want to miss this line up of rising stars at the first annual REV Country Music Festival held at the Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, WA. Held in conjunction with one of the largest and fastest superbike racing events in the Northwest, MotoAmerica.
The REV Country Music Festival takes place Saturday, June 29, doors open at 4:30 PM with show times from 5:30 - 9:00 PM. A stand-alone event, the Ridge has invited four bands for one night only: Bryan Martin, Restless Road, Ashland Craft, and Mae Estes.
Martin hails from Logansport, LA, and worked on an oil rig before pivoting to music. Much of his musical catalog details his difficult life experiences — addiction, attempted suicide, brain injury and relapse.
Bryan Martin, has written a diverse catalog of over 3000 songs. Bryan's youth was checkered with difficulty and addiction and his recent album, Poets & Old Souls (2023), is a collection of deeply personal and introspective songs that showcase his growth and evolution. “We Ride” is on Poets & Old Souls and reached No. 12 on the Heatseekers Albums chart.
Restless Road received their big break on X-Factor – second time around –making it to the semi-finals in their invite back from Simon Cowell, and later going on to have a minor hit with 2023's "Last Rodeo," the title track from their debut album of the same name. Throughout 2023, Restless Road kept up a steady schedule of singles, landing a Billboard Country Airplay hit with "Last Rodeo." The song proved to be the title track of their debut album, which came out that November. A lengthy set of 18 tracks, Last Rodeo made it to number 42 on the Country Albums chart.
Ashland Craft also debuted on network TV as a contestant on The Voice Season 13 and a member of Team Miley. After turning three chairs, she chose Miley as a coach, with whom she advanced to the Top 12. A true, lifelong music lover, Craft discovered her honky-tonk spirit and cut her teeth singing Country and Rock covers at a hometown bar in South Carolina, and counts Def Leppard, Gretchen Wilson, Chris Stapleton, Bonnie Raitt, and John Mayer, among her eclectic musical influences. Ashland is included in the headliner line up for the 2024 Watershed Festival.
Mae Estes, AIMP’s 2024 Rising Artist-Writer of the Year winner will be performing in Shelton at the REV Country Music Festival, June 29, 5:30 PM.
AIMP’s 2024 Rising Artist-Writer of the Year winner is one of the key Country females to watch, being named to CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2024, Mae Estes got her start at age 7 in the middle of an Arkansas rodeo arena, singing the national anthem. Mae Estes hasn’t stopped singing since. In 2019, Estes began releasing music and signed her first publishing deal in 2020. She’s since racked up more than 13 million streams across platforms and over 1M views on YouTube, independently and organically building a quickly-growing fan base with her “plain-spoken truth” (The Boot). In 2022, “Thinkin Bout Cheatin’” became the first release from her debut EP as well as her first video feature on CMT.
JULY 12-14 | Shelton, WA
19th Annual BLUEGRASS FROM THE FOREST
Filling a 15 acre forest-lined park with music, workshops and campers, Bluegrass from the Forest has become a staple on the Northwest Bluegrass circuit. Hosted by the local Kristmas Town Kiwanis, with the goal to help local youth, along with workshops and “tastings” between band sets, the festival hosts two stages, food, drink, vendors, and plenty of level tent and RV sites on the grass. Geared towards both families and individuals of all ages, the Chick Rose Kids School of Bluegrass is offered through the Festival weekend for no additional charge. Beginning on the Saturday morning youth are divided into groups according to their musical ability, they are coached by advanced musicians to create a special performance Saturday on the main stage.
The Festival’s program features four major concerts throughout the three days highlighting top talent throughout the nation. The music ranges from traditional bluegrass to the more progressive styles. During the downtimes the event features a variety of instrument and vocal workshops.
Saturday night features the famous "midnight hot-dogs" after the country dance. All the campfire jamming halts momentarily as the pickers and their families join the musicians for a midnight feast in the main tent.
2024 Band Line Up
Northwest Bluegrass fans know Jacob Jolliff for his fantastic mandolin since he was a teenager. At college Jolliff studied jazz, Celtic and other intricate musical forms that influenced his musical versatility. In 2012 he won the National Mandolin Championship in Kansas. Jacob played and recorded with Yonder Mountain String Band for five years. These days, his main focus is The Jacob Jolliff Band. The band has produced two albums and are traveling from New York to headline at Bluegrass from the Forest.
Widely recognized as one of the most exciting young bands in acoustic music, Crying Uncle Band from California plays a unique mix of bluegrass, jazz, and modern originals. They are the recipient of the 2023 International Bluegrass Music Association’s Momentum Band of the Year award.
From Vancouver, BC, The Lonesome Town Painters Band has a sound that harkens back to the raw and ragged edge of the genre. While they draw from the golden era, it’s their original songs that show just how far they have come.
Known to roots music fans for their soulful harmonies, Caleb & Reeb play driving dance tunes, classic original songs and commitment to the raw truth of rural American music, these two have helped inspire the remarkable growth of the old time community in the Northwest.
Heartbreak Pass from Idaho have long been known as one of the best vocalists and bass bands in the inland Northwest bluegrass scene. Ms Bonnie is the ‘Rock’ this band is built around. Stan Hall holds down the guitar duties, vocals and harmony. Randy Engle, brings his mando and guitar, along with incredible vocals, to round out this trio.
Based in Union, WA in Union City Council Bluegrass Band was created out of their love of traditional bluegrass. They are quickly becoming a favorite around the Pacific NW bluegrass festival circuit.
As the host band for Saturday night's Country Dance, The Bar-K Buckaroos play traditional western swing dance music in the style of Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys. They bring their love of Bluegrass, Country and Swing, Jazz, Blues and Raggae’ to form a great evening of western swing and 20-40’s era swing music.
Runaway Train Bluegrass Band is the host band for Bluegrass from the Forest festival. This traditional Bluegrass band is a local favorite.
Save the date for a very affordable weekend of music and fun! For more information and to purchase tickets visit bluegrassfromtheforest.com. Early bird tickets for the 2024 festival are available through June. Tickets purchased online are held at the front gate of the festival.
JULY 17-21 | UNION
2024 Saltwater Songwriter Festival
Some of the nation’s top songwriters, including Grammy winners and hitmakers, will be descending on Union in July. This year’s Peace, Love & Union Saltwater Songwriter Festival is technically the first annual, converting last year’s songwriter series of the same name into a single long weekend festival that warms up with a July 16 pub crawl and kicks off with the free and open-to-the-public “Girls Just Wanna Have Rum” women singer-songwriter showcase at Alderbrook Golf Club on July 17. The ticketed portion of the festival takes place at the historic Robin Hood Villages Resort from Thursday afternoon through Saturday night and features songwriters ranging from local to legendary, topped by two Grammy winners, Paul Overstreet and Kristian Bush. Also headlining are Mishka, the Wheeland Brothers, Thom Shepherd, Danny O’Keefe, Caitlin Cannon, Stephanie Anne Johnson, and Stoney Gabel. They will be joined by local artists, Honey Babe, Kitty Mae, Cailley Robinson, and David Ashby.
AUGUST 16-18 | UNION
HoodStock 2024
Hoodstock is coming to Union WA. on both land and sea for three days of music on Hood Canal. Music will take place at several locations in Union. View the festival lineup and start planning your most epic weekend of the summer!
Attendees ride aboard private vessels or watercraft to view the show. On shore at the marina there will be accessible art displays and live music for those not aboard the vessels on the water. Hoodstock is an all ages festival.
Hoodstock is truly an event that brings together local musicians, artists and supporters in a celebration of music, art and education. It’s a celebration of community, giving back, and preserving a natural treasure – Hood Canal. The festival's tagline, "Creativity, Expression, and Community," embodies this spirit that aims to bring together the vast musical talent of the area and support local non-profits with a focus on arts education and environmental sustainability. Visit the Hoodstock website for more information and schedule and follow on their Facebook page.
But wait, there’s more!
Check out these great events also happening in the area. The Hama Hama Banjo Rama sells out fast so be sure to reserve tickets. OysterFest’s on site accommodations fill up – so be sure to make reservations sooner rather than later!
Banjo Rama
September 14-15, Hama Hama Oyster Farm link
Live music from 12-6 - lots of great bands on the waterfront!
OysterFest
October 5-6, Shelton WA link
Live music all weekend on two stages.