Y’all. I want to get out of the city. It’s time to sit on a lawn, listen to music, eat biscuits and drink beer. I need a fall concert already. It’s been too hot. Evidently, the Wildwood Revival Music Festival, headlining one of my favorite Southern bands, The Drive By Truckers, is the answer. It’s Sept. 30 through Oct. 2, 2022, at Cloverleaf Farm outside Athens, Georgia. And, they are doing all of these things.
They are hosting a Bluegrass Brunch that has me as happy and excited as a hog in a wallow. Basically, think gourmet biscuits, mimosas and authentic bluegrass from Packway Handle Band. Over the course of three days, there are also Creature Comforts beer workshops, a Gospel Brunch, Mixology workshops and Folklore by the Fire sponsored by The Bitter Southerner. I love how Southern music festivals are reimagining themselves for a more sophisticated consumer these days. Anyone else noticing this? It feels very TSS.
This fall, a limited audience is gathering in a setting that’s 1000% Two-Sided Southern and just a short drive from Atlanta. They will listen to the soulful music of Jenny Lewis, The Wood Brothers and drink Creature Comforts beers, eat barbecued Boston butts or slurp gourmet coffee from Hendershots. Other local Athens restaurants Maepole and Cafe Racer will also be onsite for the fall outdoor concert series.
Wildwood Revival Music Festival began back in 2014. The founders are brother and sister team Libby Rose and Jesse Collier. The festival had to be cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19. So this will be the first one back in two years.
“I attribute my love for music to our parents and my grandfathers,” says Rose. “Our parents were constantly playing music in our house growing up. Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bruce Springsteen, Nanci Griffith, the Indigo Girls. When I was thirteen my grandfather gave me a Billie Holiday record and it really flipped my world upside down.”
“Our other grandfather used to sing a lot of Hank Sr. and other American folk songs from Lead Belly on the porch swing and it wouldn’t be until later in life I think that we really appreciated those moments, but they always stuck with us,” she adds.
In that vein of intimate music moments, tickets will be capped to keep the festival close-knit and exclusive. Their philosophy is the “anti-music festival” and “to not follow the typical festival business model that we found to be a bit soulless and homogenized,” shares Rose. Regular tickets are $106+ per person for three-day passes, but VIP tickets closest to the stage are $485 for three-day passes and include F&B with full bar and cocktails in a historic mansion next to the stage. That gets you complimentary food and drinks from all those favorite spots above, as well as private restrooms. I’m thinking we go VIP just for the restroom situation alone.
Furthermore, I will be thrilled to catch The Drive By Truckers for this outdoor live music experience. And, in one of my favorite Southern towns no less. I’ve been listening to DBT’s music for two decades. But I’m really psyched about catching Jenny Lewis. Rolling Stone said this about her latest album: “’My forties are kicking my ass/And handing them to me in a margarita glass.’ In a smooth opening line that makes Christopher Cross look like an amateur sailor, kicks off ‘Puppy and a Truck’ with a realistic view of her life, complete with unconditional love from her dog and a pedal steel guitar. Welcome to Lewis’ yacht-rock era. Pour a drink and stay a while.” I can dig that. Beautifully said, Rolling Stone.
Also on the bill? The Bones of J.R. Jones, the name alone has me intrigued. However, The Heavy Heavy, Suzanne Santo, Elizabeth Cook, Early James and more all make the lineup appealing as well.
Additionally, for those who love to pick up something handmade or unique, the artisan market they put together looks legit cool. All in all, they are handpicking Southern retailers such as In Blue Handmade, Sweet Farm Jewelry, Repurpose Savannah, Oconee Joe and a dozen others. They all look to have incredible wares.
Finally, YETI will be sponsoring the whole event, which makes it feel impossibly Southern too.
To purchase tickets, visit WildwoodRevival.com or facebook.com/wildwoodrevival.
It is an all-ages event. Kids tickets are available. Insta: @wildwoodrevival
