The hills are alive with the sound of music — the grassy hills of the Greenfield Community College grounds, that is: the Green River Festival is back, this year celebrating its 30th anniversary.
“You’re guaranteed to discover your next favorite band,” promises the festival. It’s presented by Signature Sounds, giving music lovers plenty of opportunities to roam and revel, with more than 40 groups scheduled to perform on three stages Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Headlining the opening night of the three-day event is Peter Wolf (CENTER), lifelong spiritual conductor of all things groovy, be it blues, R&B or funk. For decades he’s fronted the J. Geils Band and put out solo records, and he still takes the stage with cool shades, dancing feet and more energy than “stars” one-third his age, grabbing the mic stand with James Brown fervor, singing with soul and swiveling hips between lines. Also on the bill are NRBQ, Dustbowl Revival and local favorite Charles Neville.
Across the green landscape on another stage is Dean’s Beans Latin Music Night, curated by local record label Peace & Rhythm, featuring headliners Ola Fresca as well as Xixa, the all-female Mariachi Flor de Toloache and C.A.M.P.O.S.
Saturday kicks into high gear with all three stages humming and too many bands to list, though highlights include Dawes (left), The Felice Brothers, Amy Helm (daughter of Levon) and local acts like And the Kids, LuxDeluxe and The Alchemystics.
Among Sunday’s offerings are the Tedeschi Trucks Band (right), Los Lobos, North Mississippi All Stars, Bridget Kearney (from Lake Street Dive) &Benjamin Lazar Davis (from Cuddle Magic) and such local artists as Mal Devisa, Winterpills and Mikey Sweet.
That’s only a dip into the festival’s deep schedule — and there are also satellite concerts planned elsewhere in the area, like a Thursday night kickoff gig with Primate Fiasco and numerous after-hours shows. The festival grounds will also offer up hot air balloon launches, locally made food and drink for purchase, a handmade craft fair, a kids activity tent, circus acts, a Mardi Gras parade and much more.
The Green River Festival takes place at Greenfield Community College Friday through Sunday. Children under 10 get in for free.
Visit the website, greenriverfestival.com, for detailed information.
Acoustic alt-country duo And the Neighbors (Debra DeMuth and Dave Houghton) plays at Fort Hill Brewery in Easthampton Friday from 5 to 7 p.m.
Kalliope Jones celebrates the release of its new EP at the Ashfield Lakehouse Friday at 7:30 p.m. The trio is planning a full table of sharp merchandise for sale — the new CD, of course, but also buttons, stickers and T-shirts. Tobias LaMontagne and Raspberry Jam are the opening acts.
The soulful jazz/pop/funky duo of Miro Sprague and Moonlight Davis shares a bill with Northampton singer-songwriter Mikey Sweet at the Arts Block in Greenfield Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The Montague Jazz Festival returns with a lineup of Broken Cello Orchestra, SFere, The Doug Hewitt Group and Bad News Jazz & Blues Orchestra on the Montague Town Green (or indoors at the First Congregational Church if it’s a rainy day) Saturday from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Northampton electronic duo Home Body plays the Arts Block in Greenfield Saturday at 8 p.m. Death Savings Flag opens.
Sax man Keith Loftis is the special guest at this week’s Northampton Jazz Workshop at the City Sports Grille at Spare Time Northampton Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Bring your voice or instrument of choice and sign up to join in the fun with the open jazz jam that follows at 8:30 p.m.
“Searching for Sugar Man” is the engrossing 2012 documentary about the once-little-known (in this country, anyway) Detroit singer-songwriter Rodriguez. The memorable film was chosen by Amherst Cinema audiences as one of their favorites to be brought back to the big screen. See why at Amherst Cinema Wednesday at 7 p.m. Recommended!
Beach Honey (’60s-tinted indie-pop), Crown Larks (arty and unpredictable sounds from Chicago), Wilson Shook (Seattle-centered free improvisation featuring baritone sax) and Niagara Moon (electronic pop) make up the quadruple bill at Flywheel in Easthampton Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Local world music band The Pangeans featuring Brian Bender plays original songs and covers (Fela Kuti, Herbie Hancock) at the latest lawn concert at the Forbes Library in Northampton Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Zoe Darrow and Friends appear at the Summit House Concert Series at the scenic Skinner State Park Summit House Thursday at 7:30 p.m.