Let's Go Festival: Sandy River presented by Concert Cast

New from Concert Cast, we present: Let’s Go Festival - A rockumentary podcast that brings the music festival to you.

Our series starts in Farmington, Maine at the Sandy River Music Festival.  Here, there are no frills, just a bunch of passionate people coming together to celebrate local musicians.

Singer Jason Spooner puts it this way: “We've played a bunch of festivals where it's kind of a zoo. Big lines and port-a-potty masses and mud and the energy's just almost a little too frenetic. This is more my style, everybody's laid back and very respectful." The Sandy River Music Festival might just be one of the most Maine things out there. Fire pits to gather around, fresh mountain water to swim in, musicians to sway to. It's a festival that manages to be both eclectic and cozy, vast and very familiar.

The Venue

It seems that many Maine musicians feel that they have to leave Maine to make it in the music scene. And Mainers often feel like they have to go to big cities to hear music magic. What makes the Sandy River Music Festival so special is that when you stand in the field behind the Narrow Gauges cinema, where it is located, this feeling disappears. You are exactly where you need to be. You can feel magic in the river and in the crowds of committed music lovers. Families near campfires, friends dancing, solo campers meeting new friends. You can come to the Sandy River Festival as you are.

Lena, from the Maine band Golden Oak told me, “Every time I come home, I'm so impressed. I'm just like, What is happening in Farmington? When did you get so hip and cool and super cool?”

The Music

An amazing thing about the music here is that it doesn’t feel exclusive. You can listen to bands reference each other in their set intros, grab a beer with them after they play or join in on impromptu fire pit jams.

Many festival go-ers know the musicians too. Either indirectly, having grown up listening to them at shows or directly, as friends. And that’s a special feeling no-one takes for granted.

The Camping - Glamping

The festival is an overnight affair. You’ve got some options. You can rent beautiful bell tents that can fit up to six of your friends. Or you can bring an RV. The camping grounds are spacious and within walking distance to the very swimmable Sandy River.

The Idea Man - Meet John the Owner

“He goes into a quantum timescape. He's running so fast and so steady. It's just like a stargate opens up.” That’s just one of the ways John, the organizer of this festival is described. I don’t want to spoil anything, but if you’re looking for the story of one man backed by a superhero team of technicians, planners, builders and wizards making magic happen – have a listen to this episode of Concert Cast.

Memorial Day Lineup of musical memories

Get your tickets for this years festival  here.

Special thank you to

Franklin Savings bank for sponsoring this episode. They believe in small businesses and like us, are committed to supporting our concert communities in Maine. Bank with ease at https://www.franklinsavings.bank/

This episode is created and produced by Kyle Lamont of Good To Go Studios

To hear more podcasts about concert culture go to Concert Cast.live

Co-writer and co producer: Zo Bailley Field producer: Camille Howard Editor & Engineer: Pete McGill

Concert Cast is a woman-owned rockumentary podcast network. Originating in 2019 as a road trip around Maine, Concert Cast has evolved into an audio atlas, guiding listeners through America's concert communities. In 2022, it was recognized as a Spotify Editor's Pick for Lamont's energetic music journalism.