Jon Stickley Trio is a genre-defying and cinematic instrumental trio who’s deep grooves, innovative flatpicking and sultry-spacy violin moves the listener’s head, heart, and feet. With inspiration ranging from Green Day to Duran Duran, Tony Rice, Nirvana, The Dead, Grisman and beyond, the Trio is making waves with their unique sound. “In a time when a lot of instrumental music feels more like math than art, Jon Stickley Trio reminds us of the pure joy that can be created and shared through music,” -Anders Beck (Greensky BG)

Proudly hailing from the vibrant and storied music scene of North Carolina, Big Daddy Love (BDL) is a quartet that has crafted their distinctive “Appalachian Rock” sound for over 15 years. Born from the region's rich cultural tapestry, Big Daddy Love’s music blends elements of rock, bluegrass, and Americana, creating a live experience that's as diverse as the landscapes that surround and inspire them.

Hailing from Green Bay, Wisconsin, TAE & The Neighborly seamlessly blends the best of soul, R&B, pop, and rock through vibrant instrumentation and TAE's unforgettable vocals. The band released their debut full-length record, Self Help, in 2024, showcasing lyrics and soul-inspired arrangements that shed the malaise of a world that grows ever more grim for the places of joy that are never more than a mindset away.

Retro funk mob Midnight Spaghetti & The Chocolate G-Strings was formed in 2003 and quickly became an independent force in the Mid Atlantic Music scene, while establishing themselves as one of the greatest original party bands to emerge from the early 2000’s JMU music scene . Their blend of classic funk, conscious frenetic rap, a killer horn section, and a contagious enthusiasm for life left people wondering what planet they came from, but more importantly, how they could get on that mothership.

Erin & The Wildfire started as four college kids in Charlottesville, Virginia making music just for fun, but has grown into a flourishing, decade-long musical relationship among four best friends. E&TW, who now call Virginia’s capital city of Richmond home, have evolved their sound over the past ten years to where it currently stands firmly in the soul and indie-pop genres, drawing influences from a wide range of artists including Emily King, D’Angelo, YEBBA, Vulfpeck, and Donny Hathaway.

Big Fat Gap is a Chapel Hill, North Carolina–based band known for their vibrant fusion of country and bluegrass. Drawing inspiration from legends like Bill Monroe and Hank Williams, they blend soulful melodies, lively banjo picking, and rich harmonies that evoke the spirit of the Appalachian South.

Dirk Quinn is the guitarist for the jazz/funk band that coincidentally bears his name. Based out of Philadelphia, the group travels extensively throughout the US and Canada. Utilizing over a decade of steady performing, they've developed a unique and sincere style - one that appeals to a wide variety of music listeners with fans ranging from the beard stroking jazz aficionados to the jam band hippies. The band’s infectious energy and musical interplay routinely attract listeners that are admittedly more accustomed to lyric-based music.

For over a decade, The Judy Chops have been carving out their niche in the Virginia music scene by delivering heartfelt, passionate live shows with charm and grace. Amazing vocals, lush arrangements, and sonic bravado have gained the band legions of fans throughout the mid-Atlantic and beyond!

As a new chapter for the musical brotherhood born out of what was previously the Freeway Jubilee, Scenic Radio stays true to the roots of Appalachian folk, rock, gospel, and funk, while pushing new boundaries of an original sound. The result is a vibe that can’t always decide between Saturday night and Sunday morning, but always makes for a good time.

The Freak Rangers began in 1995 when Timbo Sims and John McBroom teamed up to explore the acoustic and folk side of their songwriting, performing in coffee houses and opening for regional acts. Along the way they recorded a studio project with Thomas Wilson, Dirk Kuyk, and Mike Mitchell—an experiment that hinted at the musical chemistry that would later resurface.

Part dreamy, part funky and sassy - with influences from R&B, jazz, funk and pop - invites the listener in and bewitchingly delivers the evocative stories in Emily’ writing. Dropping Julia is animated with warm and toasty bass lines, soothing guitar, jazz-colored keyboard, lush waves of saxophone, punchy crisp drums, and is topped off with Emily’s whimsical yet sultry vocals, passionately and poetically expressing her intimate inner world.

What happens when two small-town musicians with a guitar, a banjo, and a whole lot of heart hit the streets of Floyd, Virginia? For Chris Link and Shane Edgell, it meant turning street-corner busking in 2011 into The Deer Run Drifters, a band that grew from playing the first-ever Talford Rodeo in 2012 to becoming a regional Americana force.

Slick Jr & The Reactors bring their unique perspective of the blues, drawing their influences from classic artists such as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and Buddy Guy, and infusing those with other influences such as The Allman Brothers and The Grateful Dead, and R&B artists such as Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye.

Jess Klein came to this world to pull firebrand power and childlike joy from our darkest shadows. Her acoustic-driven, hook-laden story songs revel in the polychrome of human experience - joy, rage, sensuality and resilience.
Jess has toured the globe performing in pin-drop listening rooms, cozy theaters and at raucous festivals in front of tens of thousands of fans.

According to Chris Owens, the hallmark of a good songwriter is the ability to pen lyrics in which listeners can see and feel themselves, and in his upcoming album he has captured that talent exactly. Evoking emotion and painting a vivid and relatable story, each tune Chris delivers feels like home.

George Smith is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and performer whose musical journey spans decades and a wide range of styles. Between 2000 and 2012, he was a member of several original bands, including Mood Cultivation Project, where he played guitar and mandolin. When he’s not on stage, Smith works professionally as a piano tuner and regularly collaborates with some of the region’s finest musicians, continuing to build a life deeply rooted in music and community.

Hazy Mill is a Virginia-based trio blending the raw spirit of blues with the storytelling of bluegrass. With soulful harmonies and a driving groove, their sound bridges roots music and modern energy to create something both nostalgic and fresh.

Borrowed Earth is a musical ensemble born out of decades of collaboration between a variety of musicians who have shared stages in a variety of ways. The band takes its name from a Native American proverb that states “We don’t inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”

Martinsville’s own Riggs Roberson delivers sound from a timeless era as if he served audiences the blues, country, and rock flavors of the 1970s straight from the barrel. Riggs brings a strong hand to the table to provide a refreshing, energizing powerhouse of a show that hits the spot every time.

Amber C & G are a dynamic acoustic duo known for their captivating live shows and vibrant vocal chemistry. They draw inspiration from a variety of genres such as folk, pop, and rock to portray their original music to the world. Their unique sound also breathes new life into the classic old school rock, pop, & even hip hop genres to create a fresh take on your favorite unexpected covers.

Rev Billy Woods Wandering Abbot of Spirit Gate Temple studied the Dao Dan Pai system. He teaches workshops in Qi Gung and Tai Chi, and is also a professional drummer, performing at venues across the United States. By giving foundational instruction to folks who are not familiar with these forms (and to those with more advanced understanding), Billy shares his reverence for rhythm and a desire to open us to the high

The Front Porch All Star Family Band began as a showcase to the talented musicians in our "FAMILY". Our Allstars can be found behind the stage as well as performing on them as our family grows so does the band, who will show up this year? Led by Scott Lofranco and festival co-founder Malcom Fields, the All Star Family Band have evolved from a staff party into a festival highlight and the absolute perfect way to close out an amazing weekend.  Some of the past themes have been "Ladies Night", "Porchstock", "50 years of Space" and last year's theme "Love Letters". This year is no different!