30th Annual Live Oak Music Festival unveils an international performers list
–The Live Oak Music Festival has announced a full slate set to perform at its 30th Annual event. The three-day, family-friendly festival takes place Friday through Sunday, June 15 – 17 at Live Oak Camp. Located in Santa Barbara County – approximately 20 minutes northwest of Santa Barbara – the Live Oak Music Festival is the perfect getaway for music aficionados looking to experience live concerts amidst a pristine outdoor setting in the Santa Ynez Valley. In addition, “Soul Rocker” Michael Franti will play a special benefit concert on Thursday, June 14 at Live Oak Camp, with local band Próxima Parada opening the evening.
The music festival offers a way to kick off summer, with local food, wine and beer for adults and plenty of games, activities and talent shows for children and teens. A Full Festival Pass allows access to the festival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Single-day passes are also available for adults, teens (13-17), and children (ages 4 – 12). Visit https://www.liveoakfest.org/tickets/ for more information on ticket sales.
The three-day festival will begin Friday afternoon on Stage Too with a jamming workshop led by master fiddler and teacher Phil Salazar, who will offer workshops all three days. Then the Main Stage will feature the “postmodern barn dance” sound of the Bryan Titus Trio; jazzy-folky-funky blues from Inga Swearingen and Guy Budd; soul, funk and R&B from Niki J. Crawford; and headliner JD McPherson, who will bring an excellent collection of roots rock inspired by true stories. Friday evening, Stage Too will feature Brass Mash and their powerhouse brass band mash-ups. The night concludes on the Hot Licks Stage with a dance featuring the “Beergrass” of The Mother Corn Shuckers.
Saturday’s Main Stage lineup will start with country roots band Amanda Anne Platt & the Honeycutters, followed by singer-songwriter Joe Purdy, and Aki Kumar with his blend of Indian Bollywood and American blues. That evening the Main Stage will feature the soulful harmonies of the Rainbow Girls, the funk and psychedelic soul of San Francisco band Con Brio, and headliner Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, a band that’s been together for 24 years on a mission to celebrate and revitalize jazz and swing music. The festival’s side stages showcase local and regional acts. The Something Ridiculous Jugglers will entertain an afternoon crowd in the Beer Garden. Stage Too will feature power folk duo Bear Market Riot, the world beat of Mama Tumba, Americana-singer-songwriter Mark Adams, and the “twang pollution music” of The Creston Line. The Hot Licks Stage will highlight father-daughter duo Hattie & Joe Craven and Friends, the indie folk of Arthur Watership, and a late-night dance with the high-energy Americana Soul of The Dustbowl Revival.
Sunday, the last day of the festival, the Main Stage will host gospel group The Sons of the Soul Revivers, Brazilian singer Flavia Coelho, contemporary folk artist Eilen Jewell, The Dustbowl Revival, and legendary R&B and Gospel Singer Mavis Staples, who returns to Live oak on the heels of her acclaimed album, “If All I Was Was Black.” Local band Cuesta Ridge will play a set of bluegrass-injected Americana at the Beer Garden. Stage Too will feature the roots rock and Americana of The Coffis Brothers & The Mountain Men, and Live Oak veterans Cache Valley Drifters, who will reunite for a performance at this year’s festival to play their modern and traditional bluegrass interpretations.
All Live Oak Music Festival proceeds benefit KCBX Public Radio, serving San Luis Obispo, Southern Monterey, and Santa Barbara Counties. Festival gates open at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, June 15, 2018. Ticket prices range from $20 (child day ticket) to $150 (adult full festival/3-day pass). Camping is included with the 3-day pass. Parking fees are additional. Ticket information for the 2018 Live Oak Music Festival, entertainment line-up, and complete festival details are available at www.liveoakfest.org.
