Local beats: Five incredible music fests near Johnson City
Looking to enjoy some live music but don’t feel like traveling far? There are plenty of year-round music festivals in our area to choose from. Whether you’re a fan of punk rock or want to experience rhythm and roots in the birthplace of country music, here are five music festivals all within a half-day drive of Johnson City:
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Music Festival – Celebrating the history of Appalachian roots music in the birthplace of country music? Say no more. The Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Music Festival honors country music and beyond in this annual festival on September 13-15 in Bristol.
Blue Plum Festival – In the center of Johnson City is the annual Blue Plum Festival, a free family-friendly event packed with lively music, activities and various food vendors.
“Oftentimes people think of traveling to Knoxville, Nashville or Charlotte when searching out concerts, but really, they just need to look out their window,” said Cooper Reaves, director of Marketing and Communications at the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce. “We can encourage local music lovers to support Johnson City arts first by being an inviting and encouraging music community.”
AVLFest - Traveling across the mountain allows you to experience AVLFest, a music festival in Asheville, North Carolina, that features various genres played at over 200 local clubs, outdoor stages and concert halls. This year’s AVLFest will occur August 1-4.
Muddy Roots Music Festival – Want a gritty and grunge hard-core experience? Check out the Muddy Roots Music Festival taking place August 30-September 1 on a private ranch in Cookeville. This bluegrass, roots and punk rock festival is not for the faint of heart.
Bonnaroo – Located in Manchester, Bonnaroo is one of the bigger, nationally recognized music festivals and attracts a massive crowd every year. For fans of all music genres, this in-state music and arts festival is one you won’t want to miss.
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