🏆 BEST NEW MUSIC FESTIVAL OF 2023

We LOVE new music festivals.  The more the merrier.

There were several new festivals in 2023, but one made quite an impression.

WINNER: Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival

Maybe it was the extra year of hype (due to the first attempt getting rained out by a hurricane), but more likely, it was the killer lineup, amazing location, and incredible attention to detail.   Annapolis Baygrass 2023 was a hit, and will be back in 2024, hopefully solidifying itself as a new East Coast destination fest for years to come!

Honorable Mention: Baja WonderGrass

The WinterWonderGrass crew threw an intimate festival in Baja California Sur, and it was heavenly!  BajaWonderGrass Review

🏆 BEST SMALL FESTIVAL OF 2023

We ❤️ Small Festivals!

WINNER:  Ramble Festival

In its second year, this little fest in Darlington, MD, brought in a big and well-rounded lineup.  Del McCoury, Tauk More, The Motet, Perpetual Groove, and Neighbor are just a few of the artists who partied in the woods in the middle of Nowhere, Maryland at Ramble Festival.   Late-night jams and collaborations were a highlight.

RUNNER-UP: Hillberry: The Harvest Moon Festival

Hillberry, the Railroad Earth-led fest in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, has a special place in the hearts of its faithful attendees!

🏆 BEST INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL

[Julio Iglesias]  ¡Gracias Gracias! ¿Qué es mejor que un festival de música? ¡Un festival internacional de música! Viajar a tierras desconocidas para explorar y experimentar diferentes culturas se vuelve mucho más cuando se combina con el amor y la camaradería de un festival de música.

El “Premio Festy” al “Mejor Festival Internacional de Música” es para…

WINNER: Strings & Sol!

This category was no contest.  Strings & Sol got more votes than all others combined, yet again!

RUNNERS-UP:

Baja Wondergrass: This first-year festival run by the WinterWonderGrass team was a huge success in El Sargento, Mexico!  Baja WonderGrass Review

Camp Greensky Iceland: Talk about adventure!  Greensky Bluegrass convinced Holly Bowling, Fruition, The ‘Lil Smokies, Neighbor, and hundreds of devoted fans to venture across the globe for an experience of a lifetime!  Camp Greensky Iceland: Music, Culture, Adventure In the Land of Fire and Ice

🏆 BEST WATERSIDE FESTIVAL

Nothing like dancing with your toes in the sand, or bouncing in a giant floatie to your favorite band.

There seem to be more and more Waterside Music Festivals every year.  That’s a good thing.

WINNER: Strings & Sol

It’s almost not fair.  But, a very close second place goes to…

RUNNER UP: Annapolis Baygrass Festival

That’s right, this brand new fest outside of Annapolis, MD, took plenty of people by surprise with its beachfront setting and gorgeous views of the Chesapeake Bay.

Honorable Mention: Rhythm and Sails – I mean, you can’t get much more “waterfront” than THIS!

🏆 BEST INDOOR MUSIC VENUE

Occasionally we actually go to indoor concerts.

There wasn’t really a clear winner again this year, which means we should probably do a better job and get rid of this category.  But it’s not like we’re getting paid for this, so…

HONORABLE-MENTIONS:

Mission Ballroom – Denver, CO

Charleston Pour House – Charleston, SC

George’s Majestic Lounge – Fayetteville, AR

COMEDIC INTERLUDE:

[Kelly] Thanks for coming, everyone!  Wow, what a crowd! 

[Jason] To all the Swifties in the back – thanks for being here.  Sorry about the poor seats, but the Billy Strings fans have been lined up since last year – or at least their camping chairs have been.

[Kelly] Stick around after the show to see these two fan bases throw down, in the annual Swifties vs. Billy Goats kickball match.

[Jason] Last year ended in a 6-4 tie, but the real winners were all the rest of the music fans who finally got a chance to see what the rail looks like while the Swifties and Goats were occupied.

(pause for laughter)

(continue to pause for laughter)

(keep pausing for laughter.  it’s sure to come)

Ok, back to the show!

🏆 The Real Award Award

[Kelly] I’m afraid to ask…

[Jason]  There are actually fewer mentions of Taylor Swift at the Grammys.

But for those who pay attention to “traditional” awards, we’d like to congratulate the Grammy Nominees for Best Bluegrass Album: 

Radio John: Songs of John Hartford
Sam Bush

Lovin’ Of The Game
Michael Cleveland

Mighty Poplar
Mighty Poplar

Bluegrass
Willie Nelson

Me/And/Dad
Billy Strings

City Of Gold
Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway

🏆 BEST Opening Band at a Show

Our winner here is more often found at the top of most rosters, but sometimes the warm-up spot is where the action is.

WINNER: Infamous Stringdusters – Red Rocks (opening for Dierks Bentley) 

RUNNERS-UP: 

Big Richard – Dillon Amphitheater (Opening for Infamous Stringdusters)

Banshee Tree – Boulder Theater (Opening for Leftover Salmon)

🏆 BEST Outdoor Music Venue in 2023

Once again, it was no contest.  You all agreed on the Best Outdoor Music Venue on the planet:

WINNER: Red Rocks Amphitheatre

RUNNER UP:  Dillon Amphitheater

Are we spoiled in Colorado?   Yes.  Yes, we are.

Check out our Red Rocks Guides to become an expert on Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

🏆  BEST SIT-IN or COLLABORATION OF 2023

When different members of different bands get together, magic happens!

This year’s winner represents the current avant-garde of jamgrass musicians, packed in jean-to-jean in a 2-man tent.

WINNER: Broke Mountain Bluegrass Band.  

This bluegrass supergroup reunited in 2023 for an amazing weekend of shows in Denver.

RUNNERS-UP:

Lindsay Lou’s Electric Revue (Strings & Sol)

Late-night jams at Ramble Festival

[Kelly] What happened to your hair, Jason?

[Jason] I was inspired by Broke Mountain and I got a new ‘do during the commercial break.  Travis and Jon had their stylist with them.

[Kelly] It sure is interesting…

[Jason] It’s a new trend in bluegrass haircuts – it’s called the “North Carolina Faux-Mull”

🏆 BEST ARTIST-AT-LARGE AT A FESTIVAL

Artists-at-large can completely alter the vibe of a festival, often infusing sets with new energy and making unique musical memories.

In 2023, talented female vocalists stole the spotlight at several festivals:

WINNERS (tie):

Lindsay Lou at Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival

Kanika Moore at Ramble Fest

🏆 BEST LATE-NIGHT PERFORMANCE AT A MUSIC FESTIVAL

Nighttime is the right time…

WINNER: Lindsay Lou’s Electric Revue at Strings & Sol

Lindsay Lou returned to Strings & Sol and, by popular demand, brought back her Electric Revue to the late-night Palapa.  With Lindsay Lou, Mimi Naja, Emma Rose, Willa Emmitt, Michelle Pietrafitta, Mike Robinson, Matt Slocumb, Dave Speranza, and more special guests than we can list, Lou and co, kept the Palapa rockin!

RUNNERS-UP: Neighbor and The ‘Lil Smokies at Camp Greensky, Iceland

There’s something about a late-night show that begins while it’s still light out, and ends when it’s still light out…  These were two separate shows at IÐNÓ in Reykjavik, but both equally impressed all that were there, regardless of how they left us aimlessly wandering the streets afterward!  Read More

🏆 BEST ALBUM OF 2023

2023 was another year filled with fantastic new music. Looking back, it doesn’t seem like the winners here are new albums – they feel like classics already.

WINNERS (tie): 

“Queen of Time” by Lindsay Lou

“Enjoy the Ride” by Vince Herman

Hard to believe that this is Vince Herman‘s first solo album, after all the amazing music he’s already contributed to the world in the past 3 decades.  And for Lindsay Lou, we look forward to many, many years of new music from this rising superstar!

🏆 BEST RED ROCKS SHOW

It was already voted the “Best Outdoor Venue” in the prestigious Festy Awards, so you know this place is legit and deserving of its very own category.

Widespread Panic could have run away with this category with their annual 3-night run, but not a single one of the votes for Panic actually picked a specific night of the run, sooo… no pickles and Jagermeister for you!  Interestingly enough, the same thing happened with Billy Strings.  Do y’all’s fanbases know each other? 😜

WINNER: Greensky Bluegrass – the “Fire” night!

Greensky and lighting director Andrew Lincoln took things to a  new level with a pyrotechnic show that would have made Great White proud, while playing an amazing 2 sets of music.

RUNNER-UP: 

We’re gonna give it to the person who voted David Byrne’s Utopia Tour.  Sure, it was 5 years ago, but can you argue with it?

🏆 Most Memorable MUSICAL MOMENT OF 2023

A vague category open to interpretation, which pretty much sums up the Festies.

Here are some of the moments that stood out for you in 2023:

• “Getting married at Cavefest by none other than Vince Herman.”  (Kind of tough to beat this one!)
• “Getting soakedddd at Billy Strings Red Rocks.”  We’ll assume they’re talking about the rain.
• “Seeing Andy Thorn and Jon Stickley enjoying each other at Broke Mountain Bluegrass.  Yes, those boys sure did enjoy each other.
• Festy GoNuts disco ball at Rhythms on the Rio.  Whatever happens under the disco ball…

AND NOW…

[Kelly ] Just like in a real award show, here at the Festies…

[Jason] WHOA!  Whoa.  Easy, Kelly.  What are you saying?  This is the most prestigious WordPress-hosted online music festival website arbitrarily-decided jamgrass-focused award show of the season!

[Kelly]  ANYway, for SOME reason, we don’t have enough time to show you ALL the awards, so here is what absolutely really happened before the start of the very real award show that you are reading, though I imagine for not much longer…

Best live cover of a Grateful Dead tune (non-classical)

Winner: Anything Dead & Co. did at Folsom Field

Runner up: Eyes of the World:  Ramble Festival late-night jam with members of Neighbor, Dogs in a Pile, Dirty Grass Players, Isaac Hadden, Magic Beans, Sneezy, and more!

Best live cover of any song (non-Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music)

Winner: Anything Dead & Co. did at Folsom Field

Runner up: Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe + Slightly Stoopid – cover of “Sure Shot” by Beastie Boys Tribute at Sugar Pine

Favorite Festy Band Crush

Winner: Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway

Runners up (tie): Infamous Stringdusters, Railroad Earth

Artist most likely to be headlining in 2024 

Winner: Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country

Runners up: Arkansauce, The Dirty Grass Players

Worst weather at a festival/concert  (non-classical)

Winner: Friday of Telluride bluegrass

Runner up: Billy Strings, Red Rocks, May 11, 2023

Best multi-night run of 2023 (non-Billy Strings)

Winner: Greensky Bluegrass – Dillon Amphitheater/Red Rocks 

Runner up: Phish Dicks

Best concert of 2023

These responses were all over the place, so the Festy is going to the most specifically reported response:

Winner: Cool Cool Cool w/ Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew at the Goodyear Theater Akron, OH Feb 27

Runner up: Your Mom.  (seriously)

Best Song of 2023

Winner: “Meet Me at the Creek > Pyramid Country > Must Be Seven > Meet Me at the Creek” by Billy Strings

Runner up: “The Bottle” by The Fretliners

Favorite festival food vendor

Winner: Disco’s Grill – Eureka Springs, AR (y’all REALLY like this place!)

Runners up: Sister’s Dumplings, Stef’s Cereal Bar

NOW, BACK TO THE FESTIES, AND your HOSTS, KELLY AND JASON:

[Kelly] (licks fingers) Did you get any of those dumplings backstage?

[Jason] Did I get any … oh, now who thinks this is a real award show?

Anyway, on to the next award…

🏆 BEST FAMILY FRIENDLY FESTIVAL

Damn, East Coasters, quit having so many kids!

WINNER: DelFest

RUNNERS-UP: The Ramble Festival and Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival

“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, DEL MCCOURY!”

[Del] Well shoot, what a thrill to be here.

[Jason] Thanks Del!  Wow,  The thrill is ours, for sure!

[Kelly] Del, would you like announce our next category?

[Del] Well allright!  (To audience) Let’s hear it folks!  What category do you want us to play?

[Kelly] No, Del!  That’s not how it works…

[Del] I think I heard “All Aboard”

[Kelly] No, Del…

[Jason] Actually, Del, I think it was “Best Music Festival Performance.”

[Del] What’s that?  “All Aboard?”

🏆 BEST MUSIC FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE (non-classical)

There’s just something different about a music festival performance versus a concert.

Maybe the bands try harder, knowing that not everyone is there specifically to see them.  Or maybe it’s the magic of the festival – when thousands of people gather together for days to dance and listen to their favorite bands, the level goes up.  Maybe it’s the drugs and alcohol, and the fact that no one has to drive home.

WINNER: String Cheese Saturday Night Hulaween

We weren’t there, but that certainly sounds like a winner.

RUNNERS-UP:

🏆 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

[Jason] The FESTY GONUTS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD honors the best-of-the-best.

[Kelly] Recipients of this award have not only exemplified the spirit of music festivals, they have changed the game, pushing music festivals to new heights.

[Jason] Sometimes, they merely do the same thing, a lot of times.

🏆 THE FESTY GONUTS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER:

MAX BERDE FOR ATTENDING HIS 250th GREENSKY BLUEGRASS SHOW.  

[Jason] Actually, by now, it’s closer to 350

[Kelly] Wow.  250.  It’s hard to believe.  He doesn’t look a day over 60.

COMEDIC INTERLUDE

How about that Lindsay Lou?!  And it seems like some new East Coast festivals are making noise.

[Jason] Now to address the unfortunate incident that just occurred on the stage. 

First, our heartfelt apologies to Julio Iglesias.  The giraffe is ok, and has been returned to its keeper.  Jack Cloonan and Silas Herman have not been barred from the Festies, but they have been moved to opposite sides of the room for safety purposes.   Gillian Welch has agreed not to press charges.  Again, many thanks to Colonel Claypool for his swift and diligent call to action.  Without his brave intervention, there’s no telling how many more lives may have been lost.

OK, moving on…

2023 has been a terrific year filled with a ton of amazing music and spectacular performances.

Let’s get to the Big Winner…

🏆 BEST MUSIC FESTIVAL OF 2023

Unbelievable.  We have an unprecedented situation, a very real one that has never before happened in the history of this very real Award show…

WE HAVE A 3-WAY TIE!

This means that, for the very first time in the Festy Awards, the winner is not solely Strings and Sol…

The awards for Best Overall Music Festival go to…

WINNERS:

Strings & Sol (this even got a vote from someone who said “though I’ve never been…”)

Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival

Hillberry The Harvest Moon Festival

RUNNERS-UP (also a tie!):

DelFest

Ramble Festival

Congratulations, to ALL our winners!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Congratulations to everyone who was nominated for the 2023 Festy Awards.

Thank you to all the artists, and their crews for going out and delivering night after night so that we can revel in live music.

Thank you to everyone who voted in the 2023 Festies.  Thank you for reading and supporting Festy GoNuts.

Apologies to Billy Strings – we ran out of time once again, but we’ll try one more time to have you back next year.

SEE YOU AT THE NEXT FEST!

❤️ Festy GoNuts 

And now, to close out, here’s international sensation, BLACKPINK!