#DiscJamMusicFestival #June7 #Music #TheSpot518
By MICHAEL HALLISEY
& MIKE KOHLI
[email protected]
STEPHENTOWN — With the passing of Memorial Day comes the emergence of summer —and with that festival season — and it no sooner begins with two big music fests, one of which is right in our backyard.
Disc Jam has moved from venue to venue as its popularity has grown. Initially having its start in Central Massachusetts, it has tapped into the streamline of the robust jam scene residing here in the Northeast. Only in its eighth year, the four-day music and arts festival has developed a strong reputation for quality entertainment. It has since moved across the border to Stephentown, and despite opening its gates on the same weekend as Mountain Jam, it still flourishes. With the number of funk and jambands promised for the show — for many — it’s just as big as the one in Hunter.
“I’m gaining some traction in the area,” said Disc Jam organizer Tony Scavone. “I don’t think we’re as big as Mountain Jam is, but I appreciate that compliment.”
Disc Jam kicks off on what Scavone calls a “non-stop lineup” of music starting at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 7, and doesn’t quit until the plug is pulled at 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 10.
“If you’re awake, you’re [hearing] music — whether it be daytime on the main stage, at night in the tent, or the really-late night at the silent disco format,” he said.
Daily headliners include Aqueous and Moon Hooch (Thursday), The Motet and Galactic (Friday), Beats Antique and Lotus (Saturday) and Tom Marshall’s Amfibian All-Stars (Sunday). Late night acts include Gubbulidis and solo sets from Ryan Dempsey and Brook Jordan, all of Twiddle (Thursday), DJ Logic & Friends and Barber Acoustic (Friday), and Electron and Tom Hamilton & Holly Bowling (Saturday).
Tickets for the festival are still available. Attendees can purchase full weekend passes or daily passes. Information on ticketing can be found at the Disc Jam website, discjammusicfestival.com.
Artists at Large
Once again, Disc Jam will have some of the biggest names in the jam scene performing throughout the festival, collaborating with artists and bands each day. Artists at Large for Disc Jam 2018 include Eli Winderman and Rob Compa 
(Dopapod), Michelangelo Carruba, Shira Elias, Craig Brodhead, Chris Brouwers, Greg Sanderson, Josh Schwartz (Turkuaz), DJ Logic, and Honeycomb. Experience the collective nature of the Disc Jam community as these incredible musicians join more than 100 artists from Thursday, June 7 to Sunday, June 10 in Stephentown.
Woods Stage Artists
This year, Disc Jam has four of the hottest promoters in the Northeast taking over the Woods Stage for themed electronic dance music takeovers. Thursday night will be produced by Rezinate, well known for promoting some of the sought after underground parties and events in Boston. Friday’s duties go to Minus Zero Festival co-producers, NV Concepts, who will be presenting an entire night from the top house music artists off the Dirtybird Records Label, including Christian Martin, Kill Frenzy, Golf Clap and Ardalan. On Saturday, Brooklyn-based Sermon will host a night of bass music with U.K. producer Joker topping their list of wompy artists. The Wook of Wall Street will be hosting nightly curated Silent Disco Sets that go until sunrise.
Disc Jam Flow Tribe
Disc Jam Flow Tribe performances at Disc Jam are a staple for attendees and will once again include a renowned team of well rounded performance artists who have been a major part of the Disc Jam family since 2012. The featured flow artist for 2018 is world renowned hula hooper, Rachael Lust. Lust will be hosting flow arts workshops for beginner to expert levels, with multiple sessions each day. A variety of workshops will be offered to broaden the mind, body and spirit. Choose from wellness, flow arts, yoga, painting, disc golf and permaculture classes available daily.
Visual Artists
Visual artists, including live painters and artists, will create massive murals and art installations throughout the site all weekend long. Featured artists Gabriel Welch, Stephen Kruse, Andy Reed, Raf Mata and many more will be creating murals, as well as curating an art gallery tent where attendees can view and buy artwork from all of the artists.
Disc Golf Tournaments
Disc golf is a game for experts, beginners, and everyone in between. Playing at least one round is a must for Disc Jam enthusiasts and the course encourages both the avid and first timer players to try their hand, all at no additional cost to play (outside of tournaments), with discs provided free of charge for those interested in playing.
Disc golf tournaments for men and women are held on Saturday and Sunday mornings, with cash and prizes from Innova Disc Golf, Grassroots California, Vibram Five Fingers shoes, Native Eyewear, Suspended in the Trees Hammocks, The Earth Ship Tents and more going to the top finishers. Nationally ranked and touring Team Innova Disc Golf Pro Gregg Barsby will be hosting the tournaments as well as playing rounds, hosting workshops and clinics all weekend long.
Last year, The Huffington Post described Disc Jam as a model for unique music festivals that successfully brings back audiences. Among its other attractions, the music, arts and disc golf has helped cultivate a family-friendly environment, which contrasts against the stereotypes that associate such events with drugs and unruly behavior. Cavone said that’s not his crowd.
“I carry an event that caters to the right people,” he said. “I don’t pitch myself to a drug culture. I don’t cater my event to a fad or trend. I’m catering my event to arts and music and community. The people who come to it, they are the representation of me. I lead with my best foot forward, and my people who come take that exact step. I have people who that come who are lawyers, they are teachers, some are in the medical field, nurses… The music, itself, caters to the type of people who we want.
People don’t come [to Disc Jam] to cause trouble. There’s no trouble to be found: There’s body paint, bubbles and hula hoops,” he said.
Mike Kohli is a writer for NYSMusic.com. Part of this collaborative piece was originally published with NYSMusic.com. It appears here as a special to TheSpot518. NYSMusic.
