Writer: Adri Culnan

Are you looking for a music festival with, amazing vibes, incredible vendors and of course, outstanding performances? Well, then Adirondack Independence Music Festival is the place to be Labor Day weekend in Lake George, NY.

Walking into Day 1, The Melting Nomads got the day started. The band featuring a couple of members from Annie In the Water’s last lineup played about an hour set. Next up was Jen Durkin & the Business on the Improv Stage. Steal your Peach band was playing classic covers of  bands like The Grateful Dead and The Allman Brothers who played 2 sets. Looking around you can see a full circle filled with food trucks, crystal vendors, flow toys and of course, people having the time of their lives. Formula 5, who will be playing at The Hollow later this month, offers a new age jam scene that attracts a younger generation. Keller Williams brought a real blue grass, jazz vibe to the entire grounds. Mihali brought out his guitar to jam with Keller as well. Following Keller Williams was the renowned Sublime cover band Badfish.  Twiddle closed out the night for the second year in a row, with an outstanding performance that had everyone on their feet. The band brought out special guests such as Joshua West of The Melting Nomads and Lowell Wurster. Attendance was nearly double of what the festival brought in the year prior.

On Day 2, Let’s Be Leonard of Saratoga, NY kicked off the music. One of our favorite songs from the whole day came from Leonard titled “Brad Paisley.” Next up was a super group called Back To School Special featuring members of Lettuce, Turkuaz and Kung Fu. On the WEQX stage, the North country’s favorite band Lucid played to slots throughout the day. The highlight of their second set was “Backwoods” which featured Lowell Wurster’s father and Scott Hannay(Mister F, Wild Adriatic). In between Lucid’s set featured Swift Technique. Pink Talking Fish brought their fun energy playing select songs from acts like Phish, Talking Heads and Pink Floyd. Lespecial played next on the Improv stage. It was great to hear some Primus from the band as they covered “Jerry Was A Race Car Driver.” Closing out the festival was Pigeons Playing Ping Pong who made their ADK Music Festival debut playing two full sets. Festival goers stayed right until the end dancing and jamming out. This was the most successful year of the Adirondack Independence Music Festival bringing in almost 3,500 people. Overall, with a vibe you can’t beat, amazing food and merchandise, Adirondack Independence Music Festival is the weekend get-away destination for people of all ages. We cannot wait until next year!

Photo Gallery by: Frankie Cavone