My two favorite music festivals (Forecastle and Newport) have come and gone this past July and sadly, I was not in attendance for either one. I haven’t actually been to any festivals yet this year – which is not good for my little festival heart and soul. So to solve cure what ails me, I’ve created my own Fantasy Festival. If people can have fantasy football, why can’t I have a “fantasy festival” where all of my most favorite bands and musicians can play together?
Obviously, this list should be limitless but I had to stop somewhere. So to make the cut for the first ever Nancy Fantasy Festival playlist, I selected bands that meet at least one of the following criteria: 1) I’ve seen them LIVE and could see them again (and again) 2) I’m a huge fan and would love to see them LIVE 3) They are relatively new to me, but I find myself consistently adding their tunes to Spotify or their music has me dancing and singing when I hear them!
Instead of one big list, you’ll find them broken down into different groups for a bit of variety. Perhaps at my Fantasy Festival these could each be different stages? Anyway, here’s a virtual ticket to Nancy’s Fantasy Festival – available anytime. Sit back and enjoy the show!
My Favorites / Best in Show / Master(s) of the Craft
The Avett Brothers
Beck
My Morning Jacket
Mumford & Sons
Vampire Weekend
Houndmouth
The Decemberists
Lone Bellow
The Head and the Heart
David Wax Museum
The Ladies’ Got It
Belinda Carlile
Florence & the Machine
Jenny Lewis
First Aid Kit
Lucius
The XX
Teagan & Sarah
Consistently Good, Want to See LIVE (Again)
Modest Mouse
Hozier
Alabama Shakes
Deer Tick
Father John Misty
Lord Huron
Shovels & Rope
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes
The Shins
Kopecky
Rubblebucket
Cake
Relatively New But I Want to See
Knox Hamilton
Robert deLong
Field Report
Lake Street Drive
Milo Greene
Bahamas
Sylvan Esso
Courtney Barnett
Phosphorecent
Portugal the Man
Peace, Love & Happiness or Just Fun in the Sun
G. Love and Special Sauce
Jack Johnson
Xavier Rudd
Michael Franti
Ryan Montbleau
Intimate Stage
Edie Carey
Dar Williams
The Weepies
The Hart Strings
Truly Fantasy
ColdPlay
Dave Matthews
Big Audio Dynamite
Johnny Cash – it’s fantasy, right?
Event Co-Producers
Jay Sweet (Newport) and JK McKnight (Forecastle)
Band Liaison aka Best Tour Manager Ever!
King of Social Media —Jason “Lee” Gwin
Location
Ideally near the water, but not necessarily on a sandy beach, probably in the southeast, with friendly peeps and possibly better weather but near enough to a fun city for great after parties!
The only thing this festival is missing is the amazing collaboration and spontaneity that happens only at festivals – both on the stage and off. That’s actually the best part! Oh well, virtual will have to do. In the meantime, may a fun festival be in your future and mine – before too long!
I’m curious who would headline at your fantasy festival? Please share in the comments. Also, feel free to check out my other playlists here or follow me on Spotify.