If you’re a music fan longing to find cool concerts in 2014, but you’re not sure what’s going on in the Hudson Valley this summer, don’t despair. There’s a lot to keep you satisfied.
From the big music festival in Saugerties in mid-July — complete with performances by The Flaming Lips, Modest Mouse and Kendrick Lamar — to Willie Nelson at Bethel Woods, to Natalie Merchant at UPAC, to the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, there’s plenty to do.
Here’s a breakdown of some music events from now until September.
6/4-8/13: Music in the Parks at the Vanderbilt Mansion
Every Wednesday evening from now until mid-August, the National Parks Service is holding its music series at the Vanderbilt Mansion Historic Site in Hyde Park and Mills Mansion in Staatsburg. Laid back, a lot of fun and with free admission, these concerts are perfect for families. The 2014 season will cover everything from show tunes, rock, big-band music, oldies, country, jazz and pop. As of press time, the next concert is a June 11 performance by 1950s revival band The Greyhounds at Mills Mansion. Between June and July, concerts start at 7 p.m., but in August they switch to 6:30 p.m. Since the concerts ping-pong from Vanderbilt to Mills, it’s best to download the PDF concerts schedule at https://www.nps.gov/vama/planyourvisit/events.htm.
6/5-6: Tenth Annual Mountain Jam on Hunter Mountain
With performances by everyone from Gov’t Mule, Jeff Tweedy, The Allman Brothers Band, Trampled by Turtles, Dark Star Orchestra, The Avett Brothers, Connor Kennedy, and Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds, Mountain Jam’s 10th anniversary already seems to be shaping up. With four days’ worth of music, two stages and a performance hall, there’s usually about 15 hours of music and fun each day of Mountain Jam. Ticket prices vary depending on if you plan to camp out at Hunter Mountain and if you’d like VIP treatment. A four-day, no camping pass purchased on June 5 will run you $265, and a similar three-day pass $229. Mountain Jam is located at 64 Klein Ave. in Hunter. For a full day-by-day schedule and for ticket info, head to https://mountainjam.com/.
6/8: Willie Nelson, Alison Krauss at Bethel Woods
When Grammy winners Willie Nelson and Alison Krauss & Union Station perform at Bethel Woods on June 8, they’ll be joined by special guest Kacey Musgraves. Nelson’s put out more than 200 albums, he’s played music for six decades, and his live shows are typically a blast. Another legend in country, Alison Krauss and her band have had crossover success — including their classic bluegrass contributions to the “O Brother, Where Art Thou” soundtrack. On the 2013 record “To All the Girls…” Willie Nelson and Alison Krauss recorded a duet together, but up until this year’s tour the two musicians had not shared the stage for a live show. Kacey Musgraves is a critically acclaimed newcomer who found success in 2013. She recently won two Grammys for best song and album in the country category. Tickets range from $33.50 lawn seats on up. Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is located at 200 Hurd Road, in Bethel. Learn more at https://www.bethelwoodscenter.org/.
6/8: Waxahatchee at Storm King
Headliner Waxahatchee, aka Katie Crutchfield, will play at Storm King Art Center on June 8 along with special guest Luke Temple. Crutchfield sang with P.S. Eliot, The Ackleys and Bad Banana. With a lo-fi sound and a focus on guitar-driven acoustic pop songs, Waxahatchee’s debut album “American Weekend” came out in 2012. Technically it’s a free concert starting at 2 p.m., because any visitor to Storm King can partake. Art center admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $8 for ages 5-18 and free for youngsters. Members get in free. Learn more about it at https://www.stormking.org/.
6/11-8/27: Kingston’s Music in the Parks
Bored on a Wednesday night in Kingston? The city’s Music in the Parks series should have some entertainment options for you. Summer concerts start at 6 p.m., they try to highlight local music and they’re either at Gallo Park or the Academy Green. Take a look at the full schedule: https://ci.kingston.ny.us/content/120/6823/default.aspx.
6/13-15: Taste of Country Music Festival at Hunter Mountain
Taste of Country Music Festival is one of the Northeast’s only multi-day country music festivals. It’ll bring in many big names like Hank Williams Jr., Brad Paisley, Thomas Rhett, Brantley Gilbert and more. If the twang of three chords and the truth stirs your ever-loving country soul, this festival is probably the one for you. Like Mountain Jam, Taste of Country is held at Hunter Mountain at 64 Klein Ave. in Hunter. Tickets also come in a variety, from three-day passes to single-day tickets — with or without camping — and VIP options. Check out tasteofcountryfestival.com for more ticket information and for the full schedule.
Join the family! 
