Roanoke’s Freedom First Down by Downtown Festival: A weekend of vibrant music and community celebration
Roanoke’s Freedom First Down by Downtown Music Festival is gearing up to showcase the best of Virginia’s music scene, headlined by Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers at the Elmwood Park Amphitheater on April 22.
The four-day festival, taking place from April 20-23, features a plethora of musical performances ranging from country, folk, and blues to acoustic, Americana, and jazz. With marathon weekend festivities coinciding, the festival aims to celebrate Roanoke’s music scene while providing an entire weekend of live music, fun experiences, and community.
Originating from Michigan, Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers are known for their lively performances and the vibrancy they bring to the stage. Attendees can expect to ride on a musical rainbow that crosses the mountains of Motown, through the fjords of folk, over the archipelagos of Americana, and into a funky firth, where only the fiercest of friendships can be found. The organizers are excited to welcome Joe Hertler to the festival to provide the crowning touch to one of Roanoke’s most anticipated weekends.
“The live show is the purpose of the band. This is why we make music. Playing music is a symbiotic process, the crowd is as much a part of it as the musicians. We give as much energy and love as we can and we can feel that coming from the crowd as well,” says Hertler. “We believe that performance is not a High Art operation, and that you should do anything you can to ensure that the crowd is having a good time. From piñatas to confetti, to fog, to flowers, to drum solos, to strobe lights, to Thor, to sword battles-literally anything goes.”
The festival is all about showcasing what makes Roanoke come alive, says Kait Pedigo, Event Manager for the marathon and music festival. “We want everyone, both visitors and locals, to explore our beloved downtown venues and connect with the heart of Roanoke’s music culture.” Opening for Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers are Liv Sloan and the Die Hards followed by Kentucky Ruckus, promising an evening of rock, jazz, blues, and feel-good vibes. Liv Sloan & The Die Hards, an up-and-coming Martinsville, Virginia-based band, infuses the sounds of 50’s jazz and classic blues with a 70’s rock flair. Kentucky Ruckus, on the other hand, is a bourbon-fueled rock band from the Bluegrass State of Kentucky, known for their heavy-picked bass style that corresponds with the kick drum and gritty upper-register vocals.
Participating venues in the Freedom First Down by Downtown festival include Elmwood Park Amphitheatre, Martin’s Downtown, Sweet Donkey Coffee, Big Lick Brewing, The Spot on Kirk, Starr Hill Pilot Brewery and Side Stage, and Twisted Track Brewpub. Tickets for Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers are available for $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Tickets for individual venues vary in price and cover fees for shows. Visit downbydowntown.com for a full lineup and links to shows.
The festival is a part of a larger regional economic development initiative of the Roanoke Regional Partnership and Roanoke Outside Foundation, with a goal to add to the vitality of the community and attract talent and business investment to the Roanoke Region of Virginia.
