The hills will be alive with the sound of music when the second annual Meltdown Music Festival kicks off on Friday, June 29, in Olean.
Located at 2990 Oregon Road in Olean and previously known as the Rockabilly Mountain Meltdown, the Meltdown Music Festival will feature 26 bands over the course of three days on private property in the Olean countryside. Also on hand will be food vendors, camping, crafts and other activities.
Headlining this year's festival will be the Dallas-based rockabilly band Kim Lenz and the Jaguars. One of very few female-led rockabilly acts, Kim Lenz and the Jaguars bring with them a classic rockabilly sound with a twist, and Lenz has been described as a female Elvis.
Article Photos
Kim Lenz and the Jaguars will bring a classic rockabilly sound with a twist to the Meltdown Music Festival on Friday, June 29.
Photo by Joseph Cultice
Lenz, the primary songwriter and lead vocalist for the group, tries to write traditional songs that will appeal to a wide variety of people.
"For me, songs should be timeless," said Lenz. "They should have strong feelings, like excitement. Let's dance. Let's drive fast. I'm mad at you. I love you. Those are the basic feelings that good songwriting will make you feel, and traditionally, rockabilly is very passionate music."
Mick Hayes will also be performing at the Meltdown Festival. A contemporary blues and R&B musician, he has opened for bands including The Doobie Brothers, Peter Frampton, Cheap Trick and many others. Other acts scheduled to perform at the festival include Amanda Nagurney, Kickstart Rumble, Redneck Incorporated, The Vincent James Explosion, Krypton 88, KB & The Riptides, Blue Rocket Trio, Maria Aurigema, Channel Six Band, The Small Horse, The Evil Things, Kalamity, Lowe Town Trio, The Meishlunday, The Tombstone Hands, Infinity Fall, Blue Ribbon Bastards, Magic Terry, Apple Jack and Black Cat Blues Band.
The Tombstone Hands will open the concert officially on Friday, June 29, at 5:30 p.m., and the festivities will continue until approximately 7 p.m. Sunday, July 1. Headliner Kim Lenz and the Jaguars will take the stage at 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 30.
Anyone planning to attend the festival is encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, bottled water, snacks, food and anything else that they might need to be comfortable during their stay at the event. Campers are required to have a pump sprayer filled with water in the event of an out-of-control camp fire. Firewood will be available for sale at the event, and the festival will take place rain or shine, so attendees are encouraged to bring rain gear should the weather turn. Pets, glass of any kind and fireworks are all prohibited from the festival.
"Last year we had about 100 people attend the festival, which wasn't as many as we would've liked," said Jennifer Borst, who co-organizes the festival with her husband Kevin Thropp. "The first year is always the most difficult, but we've heard back from a lot of people that are excited to come back again."
According to Borst, they will be featuring a diverse array of music.
"We have rockabilly, blues, country, classic rock, alternative, a little bit of everything," she said. "It's a high-energy festival with a lot of music people can dance to. It's in a natural setting, too, so people can get away from everyday life and enjoy it."
Tickets purchased before the concert are $60 for the entire weekend, $20 for Friday or Sunday, and $30 for Saturday. At the gate, a weekend pass will be $70, $25 for Friday or Sunday, and $35 for Saturday. Children 12 and under are free and must be accompanied by an adult at the festival. Camping with a tent, SUV, van or truck is free. RVs and campers less than 22 feet 8 inches long are subject to a $35 camping fee for the weekend, and RVs and campers longer than 22 feet 8 inches are subject to a $50 camping fee.
For more information, including directions to the festival, visit www.meltdownmusicfest.com or call 244-2142. Tickets can be purchased either through the website or via cash, check or credit card at the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 120 North Union St. in Olean.