Chesterfest, The New Americana Music Festival, is a series of concerts at Chesterwood in Stockbridge, MA, every Friday, July 11 through August 29, 2014.
When people hear “Americana” attached to a music festival, the first thing that leaps to their minds is folk or bluegrass: banjos, fiddles, and a wash-tub bass performing old-timey tunes. While Chesterfest certainly has no injunction against said instruments or forms, the key term in the title is “new” and the acts on the festival roster reflect just what Americana can be: contemporary folk, alternative country, rockabilly, garage, punk, and psych-folk.
The 2014 Chesterfest Concert Schedule:
July 11 – Mikey Sweet / The Picky Bastards
July 18 – Emily Mure / The Pistolwhips
July 25 – Niall Connolly / The Junk Rumblers
August 1 – Jeb Barry / Doug Tuttle
August 8 – Moot Davis (both sets)
August 15 – Bruce Mandel / The Frontmen
August 22 – Liz and Jim Beloff / The Rambling Kind
August 29 – Alex Smith / TBA
The Chesterfest concerts are scheduled for Friday evenings, rain or shine, with solo artists going on stage at 6:30pm, followed by the bands at 7:30pm. Doors to the grounds of Chesterwood will open at 6pm, giving audience members a chance to stake out their spot on the lawn before the show begins. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged and a free glass of the Berkshires own Wandering Star Craft Brewery beer is included with every adult admission ticket to further help you settle in for the show. Other snacks and beverages – including more beer – will be available for purchase during the shows.
Chesterwood is the 122 acre, country estate of Daniel Chester French (1850-1931), sculptor of the Minute Man and the Abraham Lincoln inside the Lincoln Memorial, among many other works. Located in Glendale, MA Chesterwood is a National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Tickets for the Chesterfest concerts are limited, so don’t wait to the last minute to get yours!
Chesterfest 2014
4 Williamsville Road
Stockbridge, MA 01262
For more information and on-line ticket sales, please visit: chesterwood.org
Chesterfest Lodging
Applegate Inn is located less than a quarter hour’s drive from Glendale and the grounds of Chesterwood. Because of our location in Lee, MA we’re the perfect home base for any of your Berkshires events or attractions, whether you’re going by car, foot, bicycle, or even snowshoes! Pamper yourself during your visit to the Berkshires with a stay at Applegate Inn!