Riverbend announces headliners
Maren Morris, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats and Trombone Shorty will headline the 2023 Riverbend Festival, organizers announced Friday.
Set for June 2-4, the city’s oldest music festival is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a lineup that features a mix of indie, country, rock and Americana artists.
In addition the lineup, Riverbend has added an artist experience VIP option this year for $6,000 that officials say will allow you to experience Riverbend like a band member.
It includes two, three-day VIP wristbands, a three-night stay at the four-star Edwin Hotel near the festival site, a dedicated concierge to ensure a personalized experience at the festival, private golf cart (driven by concierge) for use throughout festival grounds, as well as catered meals and access to a private lounge, among other perks.
“We listen to customer preferences, not only for musical acts but also for festival experiences,” Friends of the Festival Executive Director Mickey McCamish said in a news release. “We take a great deal of pride in the fact that we reduced our carbon footprint, provided multiple free water refilling stations and reduced the number of available wristbands to enhance the overall Riverbend experience. Our food offerings are diverse and offer tastes from around the world, and attendees of the festival won’t want to leave without some of our official 40th anniversary merchandise.”
Also performing will be 49 Winchester, Amanda Shires, Amos Lee, Big Boi, Blackberry Smoke, Brandon Davis, Brian Brown, Coin, Doom Flamingo, Gayle, Goose, Lucius, Indigo De Souza, Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew performing the Talking Head’s “Remain in Light,” Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, Luke Simmons & the Love Struck, Stephen Wilson Jr., Strung Like a Horse, The Afternooners, The Sweet Lizzy Project, and Mavis Staples.
Morris is a member of the the country group Highwomen that includes Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby and Shires. The name is a nod to the Highwaymen, the supergroup that included Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson.
Morris has received multiple awards including CMA’s for new artist of the year and female vocalist of the year, as well as American Music Awards for favorite female country vocalist of the year, single of the year and more.
Rateliff has become a festival favorite known for blending rock, Americana and R&B.
Trombone Shorty first performed at age 4 when Bo Diddly brought him on stage. He is best known as a trombone and trumpet player but he also plays drums, organ and tuba.
Other schedule highlights include legendary Grammy winner Mavis Staples. She was part of the Staple Singers in the 1960s but has forged her own career as a solo singer having collaborated with Aretha Franklin, Prince, Arcade Fire and Bob Dylan.
Jerry Harrison of the Talking Heads and Adrian Belew — who has played with David Bowie, Frank Zappa and King Crimson — will be performing “Remain in Light.” Named No. 128 of the 500 greatest albums of all time by Rolling Stone, the album features the song “Once in a Lifetime.”
Claypool will also be doing a classic album, in this case Pink Floyd’s “Animals.” Claypool is known as the voice of the alt-rock band Primus and the supergroup Oysterhead with Trey Anastasio of Phish and Stewart Copeland of The Police. The Fearless Flying Frog Brigade includes Sean Lennon, son of the late legend John Lennon, and Harry Rogers, son of Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters.
Goose jumped onto the jam band scene with their virtual set during an online Bonnaroo show during the pandemic. Coin is an alt-rock favorite with more than 3.6 million monthly online listeners. Their song, “Talk Too Much,” has been listened to more than 250 million times on Spotify.
Local bands on the lineup include Strung Like a Horse, The Afternooners, Luke Simmons & the Lovestruck, and Brandon Davis, fresh off opening 17 dates for Tim McGraw.
Three-day wristbands are $115. A three-day VIP ticket is $365 and includes access to festival grounds between the Olgiati and Walnut Street bridges, as well as to VIP viewing areas and exclusive bars for alcohol and beverage purchases and private airconditioned restrooms.