For music fans, there is nothing better than enjoying music in the great outdoors, and we are about to have that experience when the StrangeCreek Campout kicks off festival season on Memorial Day weekend. The StrangeCreek Campout, now in its 21st year, will take place at Camp Kee-wanee in Greenfield, from May 23 to 26. Presented by Wormtown Trading Co. out of Worcester, this weekend festival features camping and music from over 60 bands performing on three stages, along with late-night shows in cabins in the woods.

There will also be food and craft vendors, and all types of activities, including many geared toward kids.

At StrangeCreek, it’s not just about the music. The festival is a celebration of community, where StrangeCreek veterans and newcomers alike embrace the family vibe and welcoming sense of togetherness that is a hallmark of the event.

As for all that music, expect a diverse sonic landscape that includes a blend of rock, jam, funk, reggae, and beyond.

This year’s strong lineup is led by the legendary Galactic, featuring vocalist Jelly Joseph, alongside progressive bluegrass band Yonder Mountain String Band, and long-running jam band Max Creek. Also topping the bill are The Machine, Pink Talking Fish, Badfish, Ryan Montbleau, Start Making Sense and Southern Avenue — each bringing their trademark sounds to the event.

The lineup also features Future Joy, Consider the Source, Bearly Dead, and The Ain’t Sisters, as well as fine local talent, including Bella’s Bartok, The Greys, Rebel Alliance, Rice: An American Band, The Alchemystics, and many more.

It can get overwhelming with all the music happening, so here are some suggestions of a few must-see bands.

Let’s start by looking at some local talent: the wildly theatrical group known as Llama Lasagne. This musical collective comprises various musicians who rarely play together but make an exception for StrangeCreek. They have been a popular fixture at the festival for the past seven years, and this year will be no different.

Article continues after...

Yesterday's Most Read Articles

Study examines feasibility of 6.7-mile trail connecting Whately, Deerfield, Sunderland and Amherst

‘You’re not going to see anything quite like it’: Bernardston Gas Engine Show, Flea Market and Craft Fair returns

Write-in Goldman wins Montague Selectboard seat in a landslide

Greenfield Police Logs: April 28 to May 3, 2025

State board agrees on vocational school admissions reforms

Franklin County librarians detail modern-day challenges

Your Daily Puzzles

Cross|Word

Flipart

Typeshift

SpellTower

Really Bad Chess

They don’t perform any other shows aside from the annual StrangeCreek performance due to logistics. The core musicians are busy performing all over New England, and the production demands and costs make coordinating additional performances challenging.

Their last major show was the Glamourama outing in 2018 at the Shea Theater in Turners Falls.

“Gratefully I was able to secure the presence and demand for Llama at a workable budget with the Wormtown organization and all the production capabilities already installed, the audience is included and quite rabid, and we have super access to bigger level artists to be part of the Llama experience,” said keyboardist Jason Metcalf, who is one of the founding members of the crazy group. “Also, many llamas now perform at this fest too, so they are already there as well.” The Llamas will close out the festival on Sunday night on the Riverworm Stage at 9:30 p.m. They always have a theme for their shows; this year, it is “the rainbow connection,” so dress accordingly.

As for the headliners, you must check out Max Creek, the quintet from Connecticut, for whom the festival takes half of its name.

The band holds a unique place in the music world as they are one of the longest-running jam bands. They formed in 1971 and focused on improvisation from the start, deliberately avoiding playing the same song in the same way every night to make it more interesting. This approach toward playing live made them pioneers in the jam band scene long before the term was ever coined.

Though the band never achieved mainstream success, it acquired a strong, loyal following called “Creek Freaks.” Three original members currently remain in the band, which primarily focuses on playing throughout New England. It will play on the Main Stage on Saturday night at 8 p.m. The band’s lengthy sets are always a highlight of StrangeCreek.

Another exciting addition to the lineup is the New Orleans-based band Galactic, who will make their debut at StrangCreek. The group features powerhouse lead singer Anjelica “Jelly” Joseph. Fresh off their outstanding performance at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the band will bring a taste of the Big Easy to Greenfield with their funky, jazzy sound on Friday night when they headline the Main Stage at 9 p.m.

Southern Avenue takes its name from a street in Memphis, where the band hails from. The band is currently on tour supporting their album “Family.” The Grammy-nominated band plays a brand of roots and blues music that is rich and soulful and features the sweet harmonies of the Jackson sisters. This is their second time at StrangeCreek and they are not to be missed. Fortunately, they are playing the Main Stage on two days, Saturday at 6:30 p.m and Sunday at 5:15 p.m.

Those are a few suggestions to help you get the most out of your music weekend.

Single-day passes are for any one day (Friday, Saturday or Sunday) and weekend passes are available at Strangecreekcampout.com. All passes including single day include overnight camping.

Please bring non-perishable foods to benefit the Franklin County Community Meals Program.

Do It Now returns to the Wendell Full Moon Coffeehouse at the Wendell Town Hall on Saturday, May 17, at 7:30 p.m. to play a makeup date for a show scheduled for February but canceled due to weather.

Do It Now is a trio of beat poet Paul Richmond, percussionist Tony Vacca, and guitarist John Sheldon. Each member is an accomplished artist in their respective field, and when they come together, they create something truly special. They formed Do It Now to produce music with a message, inspiring people to take action and to, well, do it now.

They promise some new material at this show, and with all that is going on in the world, they certainly have plenty to work with. This trio doesn’t beat people over the head with a message; they wrap it up in magical, powerful music, poetry, and storytelling, and with plenty of humor as well.

This show will be the final show of the Full Moon Coffeehouse’s spring season before they go on summer break. In addition, it will benefit Friends of Wendell.

Doors open at 7:00 pm, and the show starts with the open mic at 7:30 p.m.

Admission is on a sliding scale of $7 to $20 (cash only at the door), and kids under 12 years old are free.

Here at Sounds Local, we recently had a story about the Greenfield-based Fiery Hope Chorus. Maybe that sparked your interest in the group, or perhaps you attended their concert and thought how great it would be to be up on that stage singing with them. Well, now is your chance. The chorus is holding an open rehearsal for prospective members on Tuesday, May 20, at 6:30 p.m. in the Capen Room at the Stoneleigh-Burnham School, 574 Bernardston Rd. in Greenfield.

This rehearsal is in advance of their 38th season, which begins in September.

Local singers of all ages are invited to experience the group’s unique approach and repertoire under the direction of founder and director Eveline MacDougall. The group is especially looking for tenors and basses, but all interested singers are welcome.

The chorus performs concerts in a wide range of settings throughout the community.

For more information, visit Fieryhope.org.

Sheryl Hunter is a freelance writer who resides in Easthampton. Her work has appeared in various regional and national publications. She can be reached at soundslocal@yahoo.com.