The Arkansas Music Festival Scene
The opportunities to experience live music in Arkansas are as diverse as the state itself.
Music is an important part of the culture and heritage of the Arkansas Delta and no genre has impacted the region as dramatically as the blues. The King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena-West Helena celebrates music like no other event in the region.
The acclaimed festival, which brings visitors from across the globe to the banks of the Mighty Mississippi, marks 30 years in October 2015. The three-day event features the best in traditional and contemporary blues music on several stages, along with special events, arts and crafts, great food and fun for the entire family. The festival dates are Oct. 8-10.
The Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival (also known as VOV) is an annual multi-day music festival in Hot Springs that piggybacks on the dates of SXSW (South by Southwest-one of the largest music festivals in the nation that takes place in Austin, TX) each March. Since 2005, the VOV has been bringing performers from the global underground music scene to Hot Springs. The festival, which is a program of Low Key Arts, takes place March 20-25.
Music meets nature in northwest Arkansas at the Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival, set this year for June 4-7 at Mulberry Mountain. Just watching the sun go down behind the rolling, green forested hillsides as music plays is worth a ticket. Mulberry Mountain is situated in an incredible area and has open fields as well as tree-shaded areas.
Located on the Pig Trail Scenic Byway (Ark. 23), the rugged and forested Boston Mountains region of the Ozark Mountains provides the setting for this route, portions of which run through a tunnel of foliage during spring, summer and fall. Who’s playing? The list is long. We’re talking four days, six stages, more than 150 acts and nearly 200 sets of music here.
Tickets for Riverfest 2015 are also now available for purchase online. Dates are May 22-24 for this annual arts and music family event held in Riverfront Park in downtown Little Rock. Tickets are $10 each and there is a four ticket per customer limit. A “Festival 4 Pack with $20 bonus RiverMoney” is a great deal for all who like to plan early.
Make plans now to hear great music in Arkansas – get your tickets and book your hotel – for an experience you won’t forget.
Year-round, you can also find performances by legendary musicians and up-and-coming performers at nightclubs and concert venues in The Natural State.