More Acts Gathered For Vibes

The annual music festival founded in 1995 to celebrate the memory of The Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia is scheduled for July 21-24 at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, Conn. Along with the aforementioned acts, organizers have also added Roots Of Creation, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Sam Kininger Band, The Bridge, Rubblebucket, Kung Fu, Sister Sparrow And The Dirty Birds, David Gans, Waylon Speed, Lo Faber & Aaron Maxwell of God Street Wine, Caravan Of Thieves, Darian Cunning Band, King For A Day, Andy The Music Man, Band Together, Nicos Gun and The Primate Fiasco with more artists to be announced.

Perpetual Groove has been added to the Gathering’s Late Night Stage Throwdown, joining previously announced acts The New Mastersounds and Big Gigantic. Other additions include former Grateful Dead vocalist Donna Jean Godchaux joining Dark Star Orchestra July 21.

As at past Vibes, your master of ceremonies is Wavy Gravy, who is celebrating his 75th birthday with a concert at New York City’s Beacon Theatre May 27 featuring Jackson Browne, Dr. John, Steve Kimock, Bruce Hornsby and Jorma Kaukonen to benefit the Seva Foundation. This summer Gravy will co-host the Gathering with Vibes co-founder Bob Kennedy. Longtime Vibes co-host Michael James Potashnick passed away in January.

“Michael was family,” Kennedy said. “He exemplified what the Vibes means to so many…we will miss him greatly, and I have no doubt that on Thursday, July 21, his spirit will stand next to us on the stage to welcome the VibeTribe back to another amazing weekend of music and family.”

To get a better understanding of what it takes to stage “Gathering Of The Vibes,” co-founder Ken Hays told Pollstar that even though the festival strives to present acts appealing to the event’s core audience, he likes to shake things up a bit.

“We have to keep reinventing ourselves while, at the same time, keeping our core base engaged and pleased with the lineup we’ve put together,” Hays said. “This year I felt that Jane’s Addiction was a great extension from Primus last year, for example. Just trying to expand upon, or stretch the envelope. Branch out and turn some of these kids onto a band they might have heard of for years, but have never seen live.”

Tickets range from the $40 single-day pass to the all-inclusive with camping $205 ducat. For the first time in the festival’s history, single-day VIP packages are available for adults and kids. Click here to visit GatheringOfTheVibes.com and here for Pollstar’s interview with Vibes’ top gun Ken Hays.