With last year’s festival focused mainly on local acts, the 2024 Three Rivers Festival will have concertgoers in a frenzy with a stellar combination of national and local acts from a variety of genres. 

Nine nights of live entertainment will ensue at Headwaters Park, July 12-20. 

Kicking things off will be the pioneering hip-hop group The Sugar Hill Gang on Friday, July 12.

The following nights will be multi-platinum rockers Hinder with Octopussy and The Dirty Vandals on July 13; Christian rockers Sanctus Real with Outpour Worship and City Movement on July 14; hard rock singer/guitarist Lita Ford with Whoa, Man! and Eliza Toth on July 15; comedian Kam “Snacks” Coleman with Aaron Montgomery and Big Kess on July 16; EDM Night on July 17; Last Call with The Sweetwater All Stars and Music Lovers Lounge on July 18; Crush: Bon Jovi Tribute with Sunglasses at Night and Unlikely Alibi on July 19; and country music singer Rodney Atkins with Rylie Lynn on July 20 along with fireworks. 

Tickets are on sale at threeriversfestival.org. There’s even a Three Rivers Festival Package which includes tickets to all nine nights for $120. All tickets are general admission. No chairs are allowed in the pavilion and limited seating will be available. 

Hats off to the TRF organizers for putting together an eventful week of music!

Get dose of Old Crow Medicine Show at Embassy

Two-time Grammy-winning band Old Crow Medicine Show have announced their 2024 Jubilee Tour in support of their Grammy-nominated album which celebrates the group’s 25-year anniversary. 

Lucky for us, the string band’s nationwide trek includes a performance at Embassy Theatre on Saturday, Sept. 14. 

Old Crow Medicine Show got their start busking on street corners in 1998, from New York up through Canada, winning over folks along the way with their boundless energy and spirit. 

It wasn’t until they found themselves in Boone, North Carolina, and caught the attention of folk icon Doc Watson that things took off. He invited the band to play at his festival, MerleFest. The band considers this performance a pivotal turning point in their career. 

A couple of decades later, they have established themselves as America’s most beloved Old-Time String Band and one of Nashville, Tennessee’s most revered musical torchbearers. 

They have delighted audiences from the Hollywood Bowl to Telluride, from Bonnaroo to the Newport Folk Festival, and were inducted as members of the Grand Ole Opry. 

All I can say is we’re in for a treat when they cats hit the stage in September. 

Tickets can be purchased at the Embassy box office and at ticketmaster.com and fwembassytheatre.org.

Smell the roses while enjoying Jazzworks!

Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory have announced the lineup for this year’s Jazzworks! concert on Saturday, July 20. 

The outdoor Conservatory Terrace will be hopping that evening as you groove to the jazz stylings of local musicians West Central Quartet, Phil Schurger, and Ty Causey. 

All you’re required to do is bring a lawn chair and your appetite since food and drinks will be available for purchase from Shigs in Pit. 

After the show, you will want to stick around to watch the Three Rivers Festival grand finale fireworks as they’re launched from atop of Indiana Michigan Power Center. 

Doors for this all-ages event will open at 5:30 p.m. with a $10 cover. 

Bang your drum alongside Rundgren at Clyde

On Tuesday, Sept. 24, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Todd Rundgren will roll into town for a performance at The Clyde Theatre. 

Rundgren’s 38-date Me/We Tour will have him performing a mix of hits like “Hello It’s Me,” “Bang the Drum All Day,” and “Can We Still Be Friends,” as well as deep cuts and covers. 

His most recent studio album, Space Force, was released in 2022 and features the singer-songwriter teaming up with such artists as Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen, Crowded House’s Neil Finn, Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo, Adrian Belew, The Roots, Sparks, Thomas Dolby, The Lemon Twigs, and Steve Vai. 

Tickets for Rundgren can be purchased at clydetheatre.com, over the phone at (800) 514-3849, or in person at The Clyde box office and Sweetwater Sound. 

Downtown Live! moves to PNC Plaza

Downtown Fort Wayne have announced their free weekly Downtown Live! concert series will return this summer, beginning May 31 with Casual Friday.

Taking place every Friday from 6-8 p.m., the series was held at the Porch Off Calhoun last year, and before that at The Landing. 

This year, it will be in PNC Plaza, the parking lot along Main Street between Calhoun Street and Sweets on Main.

Following Casual Friday, the rest of the series includes: JacksonVibe on June 7; Aleena York & The Tall Boys on June 14; DJ Tubbs’ 90s Block Party on June 21; Melisa’s Latin Beat on June 28; Man of the Flood on July 12; Loud Division on July 19; Alicia Pyle & The Locals on July 26; Indigo Society on Aug. 2; and Todd Harrold Band on Aug. 9.

The area is also within the DORA area, so adult beverages from approved restaurants will be permitted.

Catch live music, food trucks at Union 12

Union 12 near the Allen and Whitley county line have officially kicked off their food truck season that runs until Aug. 14. 

Stop by their amazing event center every Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. to enjoy food truck, local shopping vendors, and live music. 

Set to perform are Whoa, Man! on June 5, Unlikely Alibi on June 12, Kaitlyn Schmit & Friends on June 19, Hubie Ashcraft Band on June 26 and Aug. 7, The Mason Dixon Line Band on July 3, Rylie Lynn on July 10, 56Daze on July 17, Mean 38 on July 24, Night to Remember on July 31, and The Y’s Guys on Aug. 14. 

Out and About covers Northeast Indiana’s most interesting music and arts events. Send your announcements to info@whatzup.com.