Sep 54 min read

THE ADIRONDACK INDEPENDENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Photos by Joanna Gleason

Review by Jean Senat Fleury

The Adirondack Independence Music Festival this year was a great success. Located at the beautiful Charles R. Wood Festival Commons in the heart of Lake George NY, the festival welcomed several thousands of fans who came all over the New York and the New England area for the three day’s event over the Labor Day weekend on Friday, August 30.

During that period (August 30 – September 1, 2024), multi-band local and national performers performed their music on the festival stage. The music ran continuously from 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. each day.

Looking at the atmosphere and the environment it was more than music. It was a celebration of community, creativity, and faith. With three day of open live music on two side-by-side stages, people experienced the joy of personal connection through music, eating and drinking.

Over the Labor Day weekend, the community at Lake George enjoyed phenomenal class bands ranging from local to national groups. The 2024 Adirondack Independence Music Festival lineup featured:

Moe (2 nights/ 2 sets each night) – Melvin Seals & JGB (2 sets) – Yonder Mountain String Band – Mihali (Live Band) – Badfish: A Tribute to Sublime – Pink Talking Fish – Spafford – Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country – Lespecial – Moon Hooch – Raq – Cool Cool Cool – Lucid – Wild Adriatic – Hayley Jane Band – Bella’s Bartok – Yam Yam – Kendall Street Company – Strange Machines – The Frank White Experience: Tribute to the Notorious B.I.G. – Crooked Coast – One Time Weekend.

The festival also featured a variety of food and craft vendors and a view of the Lake George fireworks on Saturday evening. A VIP option was available, including admission to all three days, a meal each night, free snacks, discounted beverages, a private viewing area, and access to the VIP tent with tables, chairs, a private bar, and VIP bathrooms. The place had an incredible beer and wine selection, a full bar and the circuit’s finest food and merchandise vendors.

“One of the best vibes of any festival with Nonstop Music for 3 days straight all within a beautiful setting” said Jeff Morad – MC and local DJ at WEQX – present at the VIP tent. Dave & Peggy Bartels, other fans at the festival had the same feelings: “This is fabulous. We like the town and we like the crowd. Non-Stop music for 3 days, this is wonderful. We enjoyed every minute of the moment.”

Hayle Jane, the singer- songwriter, born in Irvine, California, who performed at the festival, was very emotional: “Great Festival and Fabulous Music. I like the venue and I like the crowd”, she said during a public conversation on the yard.

Cari and Breden Sheil who exhibited their merchandise at the festival were also very excited. Sharing a visit card with the information www.HookedProductions.com, they said: “We loved our experience at the Adirondack Independence Music Festival. It was, by far, one of the best-selling venues where we sold our products very well.” They continued: “We created Live the Life you Love, Love the Life you Live, as an attempt to inspire everyone to live deeply, enjoy all life’s moments and be grateful rather than spending life wishing for more.”

Eric Gould, leader and bass player of the Pink Talking Fish, was very delighted by the atmosphere of the festival. “ADK is one of the best festivals in the country. It feels like home. The magic of a festival is how the community builds and shares a special bond together filled with music, joy, laughter and love. ADK is a prime example of this and I feel so fortunate to be a part of the magic.”

There were so many incredible moments at ADK Music Fest: Nothing but smiling, laughing, partying, jumping, dancing, eating, and drinking from day one to day three. A smile was on the face of everyone who came at Lake George during the Labor Day weekend to participate at the 2024 Adirondack Independence Music Festival.

Friday August 30

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. One Time Weekend

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Bella’s Bartok

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Lucid

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Cool, Cool, Cool

5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Lespecial

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Mihali (Live Band)

8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Melvin Seals & JGB

Cool, Cool, Cool