5 Reasons the Down by Downtown Music Festival Rocks

Immerse yourself in three days of live music, April 19-21, in Downtown Roanoke.

The Down by Downtown Music Festival, sponsored by Wells Fargo, is packed with live music at a variety of venues – mostly within walking distance – so you can listen to more live music than you thought possible in such a short span.

It kicks off Thursday, April 19, and the party goes all weekend.

5 reasons you must get to Down by Downtown

1. National headliner moe. will take over the Elmwood Amphitheater on April 21. moe. (pictured) is the preeminent progressive rock band on the music scene today. With 20 years of touring and just as many albums under its belt, the quintet of Al Schnier and Chuck Garvey on guitars and vocals, Rob Derhak on bass and vocals, Jim Loughlin on percussion and vibes, and Vinnie Amico on Drums, continues to push the standard for performance art. Rolling Stone calls moe. a “legendary jam band,” and shows are as much fun to watch as listen to. Tickets are $24 in advance.
2. A grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation is expanding the reach of DxDT as well as providing lower ticket prices for festival-goers. What does that mean for you? All-Access Passes (get into any paid show with the wristband) are just $50, and include access to the moe. show.
3. There’s live music at 12 venues at all times of the day. (Download the printable schedule.) So there’s no reason you can’t fit it in somewhere.
4. There are plenty of great acts – from Travers Brothership (opening for moe.) to Grass is Dead (at Martin’s) to Black Mountain Revival (Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon Finish Festival) to Ghost Light (5 Points Music Sanctuary) – there’s something for every musical personality.
5. It’s a great way to welcome runners to the community and show what a great place the Roanoke Region is. There’s free live music at Elmwood Amphitheater on Friday starting at 5 p.m. and Saturday morning. Come out, cheer on the runners, and get your groove on.