From Friday, September 1 through Sunday, September 3, moe. will host its sixth annual moe.down festival in Turin, NY. In addition to its namesake, moe.down will boast sets from an eclectic mix of musicians, including Mike Gordon and Ramble Dove, Umphrey’s McGee, Ziggy Marley, Banyan featuring Stephen Perkins, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, current New Groove of the Month the Avett Brothers, U-Melt, Moonshine Still, Toubab Krewe, kids jamband Spaghetti Cake and Before Cowboys. The multi-day gathering will also feature a reunion performance by seminal jam-act Yolk and the debut performance by Page McConnells new group featuring Jon Fishman, Adam Zimmon, Jared Slomoff and Rob O’Dea. Below, longtime moe. manager Jon Topper answers four of our favorite questions.
What initially sparked the idea for moe.down?
moe.down was put together for several reasons. The band wanted their own festival that created a moe.vibe, plus a chance to play with other bands and a chance get to meet other artists instead of just being on bills with them. We also wanted a chance to play with other bands that we might not usually get a chance to play with.
How has the festival grown over the past six years?
Its grown by several thousand people a year, but keeps its intimacy. I think the biggest growth has been that older fans are feeling good about bringing their families.
*Many fans are excited to see Page McConnell and Jon Fishman perform together for the second time since Coventry. What hand did you have in putting this group together? *
I had no hand in it. It was a timing thing. We made an offer to Page to play, and did not really expect him to say yes, but he did and we are very exited. Page asked Fishman.
*What makes moe.down different from other summer festivals? *
moe.down I feel has more of laid back end of the summer feel. We do not do late night shows. People chill at the campsites at the end of a day of music and just hang. Sometimes I feel all the other festivals are just too much overload.