Upper Valley Music Festival

01/05/2018

Hello all,
I wanted to make an announcement regarding the Upper Valley Music Festival for 2018. After lots of discussions we have decided to take 2018 off from presenting UVMF. A number of factors entered into this tough decision but the over-riding issue is time, or the lack thereof.

The Byrnes house was plagued for over 6 weeks this fall/early winter with every virus and bacterium that could be inhaled, ingested or rubbed into the corners of eyes, culminating with an epic 3 week battle with influenza, which we lost. Horribly. This put us way behind in our preparations but really helped out the stocks of Kleenex, Advil and the doctors of Franklin County.

I have also been very behind schedule in releasing my next album, “What Got Left Behind”, which is nearing the end of post production. I have realized that I need the time this spring to focus on that as well as all the details that go into a successful release. Though it’s exciting to be nearing the end of this record it’s also very time consuming and a bit nerve-wracking, as anyone who’s done it knows. Jameson’s stock should also rise in the coming months.

So, instead of trying to move the date again to sometime later in the year or place more than the lioness’s share of the workload on Jess we decided to take 2018 off and come back next year for our 7th UVMF.

We want to thank everyone who’s supported us over the years and to all the artists who have submitted for this year. We will hold your information for next year. We would also encourage everyone here in the Valley to check out our amazing music scene. It has blossomed into something very special.

Cheers and we’ll see you in 2019!

Tommy Byrnes

04/30/2017

The Byrnes Family is overwhelmed by the wonderful support at this year's UVMF. We would like to thank all of our musicians, volunteers and stage crew, you were all so amazing!!! Jeremy, Ben, Steve, Tom, Aaron, and the staff who worked incredibly hard for 13 hours at the Arts Block; Wendell and his great staff at the Root Cellar who graciously donated their time and energy; Dennis and Lee our wonderful hosts at the 2nd Congregational Church; Replay music for providing back line; WHAI for always helping us get the word out to our community; Sheryl Hunter at the Recorder; Ryan and Casey Liquors and MOTU for being our major sponsors year after year; the Four Leaf Clover and Hillside Pizza who help us feed all of our volunteers each year; Pierce Bros for donating their awesome coffee; the dozens of local businesses who placed ads in our program to help make this event even possible; and anyone else who we may have missed. Thank you!!!!

04/29/2017

UVMF Festival Day!!!! Our last Artist of the Day is Zak Trojano
Zak Trojano can bring it! A brilliant finger-style guitar player with a rich baritone and a beguiling presence on stage Zak has been blowing audiences away everywhere he plays, which seems to be everywhere. His songs are like paper cuts, you won’t bleed too much but you sure will feel them. We could not be happier Zak is able to join us this year. If you are searching for the real deal your search will end at 8:00pm on the Main Stage.
http://www.zaktrojano.com/

04/29/2017

It's festival day!!! Come join us for a spectacular day of music. There's still time to get those 15.00 tickets at www.uppervalleymusicfest.com (bring your receipt to the Arts Block) See you there!

04/28/2017

UVMF is tomorrow!!! Today's Artist of the Day is Tides
There are few bands in the Valley that can just flat out rock like Tides. Soaring guitars, thunderous rhythms, words with power and a stage show that will blow your doors off. And then they introduce a reggae beat and the whole thing just grooves. Join Ruslan Sopromadze and the boys for a set that will be a real highlight of this year’s UVMF. They deconstruct the Wheelhouse stage at 7:00pm.
https://www.facebook.com/tidesbandofficial/

Tides is an alternative metal band unafraid to navigate influences that span all over the musical map

04/27/2017

Two days to go until UVMF!!! Today's Artist of the Day is Trīne Chéile
Trīne Chéile is Irish for "cheerful disorder", which fits this group. The band is a motley group of musicians that has come together over the years. Trine Cheile was formed by our local Irish harper and favorite Irishwoman Rosie Caine and plays an eclectic Celtic mix of chestnuts from a diverse repertoire. We love Rosie and welcome her and the band back to UVMF for the second time. They will be both cheerful and disorderly on the Acoustic Stage at 5:40pm.
https://www.facebook.com/RosemaryCaineandTrineCheile

Trine Cheile is Gaelic for cheerful disorder and a motley group of musicians has come together in the Valley over the last 2 decades, thanks to our local Irish harpist and motherplucker, Rosie Caine.

The band Trine Cheile plays an eclectic Celtic mix of chestnuts from a diverse repertoire from the modern Celtic cannon and the occasional foray into experimental arrangements of traditional chestnuts.

Always included is a goodly appearance of the songs of those “Wilde Irish Women" whose lives and times inspired Rosie to resurrect them from History, Infamy or Obscurity -- or all 3!!

Meet the Band with Lead Vocalist Brooke Steinhauser:

First our fine harpist and mother plucker Rosie Caine has written 5 shows over the past 15 years, including “Wilde Irish Women”, “Women in Arms,” “The Last High Queen of Ireland,” “The Women of James Joyce”, and the “1916 Rising Commemorative Concert”.

The most long-standing member, Jim Ferry on bass and vocals, thankfully joined Rosie in the band ‘Coleraine Rd’ in 1998.

Next Michael Morgan, invaluable guitar/collaborator and arranger of Rosie's music, came aboard in 2003.

Rob Terreden, incredible percussionist and band philosopher, joined us in 2005.

Next Robin Pfoutz brought his beautiful cello playing to the mix in 2007.

This past year the multi-talented singer/performer Brooke Steinhauser has leapt into the fray as Lead Vocalist and we are bursting with Celtic joy to have her crooning with us. Brooke, a longtime “Wilde Irish Woman”, has appeared in memorable and stunning performances in most of Rosie’s musicals.

04/26/2017

Bonus UVMF Artist of the Day!!
Our second artist is Ta**ry.
They have been fixtures in Upper Valley for a long time and we just can't fathom a UVMF without Ta**ry and their rollicking take on standards, ballads, folk songs and tuba solos. We have always referred to them as our own Mardi Gras. Hilary Graves' voice captures the unbridled fun that they have and Kevin Smith's tuba, well, does that amazing tuba thing! They will party at The Root Cellar at 7:30pm.
https://www.facebook.com/TubaTa**ry/

An ever evolving mix of music and mayhem.

04/26/2017

Today's UVMF Artist of the Day is Steve Brown
Steve is one of the world's greatest players of one of the world's oldest instruments-bones. People have been banging bones together for as long as there have been people but nobody bangs 'em like this multiple All-Ireland champion. Steve joins us again to give a performance of amazing and ancient rhythm instrument from the master himself. He will be rattlin’ the bones on the Acoustic Stage at 3:40pm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxIwW3HPNT8

a weird instrument

04/25/2017

Today's UVMF Artist of the Day is Span of Sunshine
Members of 'Span' were influenced by their years in Northampton-based band Dingo Roi. Songwriter Steve Koziol and Hilary Weiner are major song crafters and wonderful musicians. You can hear a nod to great 80s alt rock bands like XTC in their tunes with delicious harmonies and distinctive arrangements. They were an original UVMF act and we’ve begged them back every year. We beg them to bring baby June,too! She’s adorable! They will be playing at 1:20pm to open The Perch stage.
http://spanofsunshine.com/

04/24/2017

Today's UVMF Artist of the Day is Sister Jawbone
If you’ve spent time seeing live music in the Upper Valley you’ve been wowed by members of Sister Jawbone in different bands. Led by Sandy Bailey on vocals and keys Sister Jawbone brings their dark, bluesy, jazzy, jammy sound to UVMF for the first time. Their set on the Main Stage at 2:00pm will be absolutely groovy!
https://www.facebook.com/SandyBaileyMusic/

Soulful singer/songwriter

04/23/2017

With 6 days to go, today's UVMF Artist of the Day is Shokazoba
Anyone from these parts knows Shokazoba. A powerful group of talented musicians, Shokazoba is the epitome of a World/Afrobeat band. This Valley favorite brings thunderous rhythms, an electric stage presence and a vibe so strong you'll be pulled to the dance floor by sheer magnetic force. They will close the festival with a dance party at The Root Cellar for an extended set starting at 11pm. They know how to close a music festival. This is the third year they’ve closed UVMF!
http://www.shokazoba.com/

04/22/2017

Today's UVMF Artist of the Day is Sheez Late
Sheez Late is a bitchin’ band. UVMF wouldn’t seem like UVMF without one of our favorite acts from Worcester, MA (The original “Wormtown”). These guys are why folks go to see bands live. Ron Roy, Adam Desrosiers and Chuck Voorhees make good rock n roll. Riffy, bluesy rock n roll with hooks that can catch sturgeon and choruses that bang around inside your head. They climb on a stage and if you’re in the crowd you’re theirs until they let you go. Rock with them in The Wheelhouse at 5:00pm.
https://www.facebook.com/SheezLateBandPage/

Sheez Late is a high-energy original acoustic rock band from central Massachusetts.