Wow. What a process this was. The dreaded “supply chain issues” have made their way to live music touring acts as well. The microeconomic challenges were extremely fascinating, and I plan to expound on those at a later date. This was an emotional, arduous fight from the get-go…but we’re very excited with the final outcome. If sales, social media response and direct communication to me is any indication of festival success…we fully expect another fully sold-out year. Below are my quick insights into the bands playing Hogs 2022. See you in April. Let’s party!
Currently, we have 5 artists in the Top 32 Albums of the Americana Charts: Neal Francis (10), James McMurtry (20…formerly 1), Joshua Ray Walker (24), Mike & The Moonpies (25…former top 3), Buffalo Nichols (32)
Headliners:
Shakey Graves: Consistently playing to sold out shows in New Orleans and elsewhere around the country. Going to get a special, unique to Hogs set from him. Gonna let it rip!
Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers: Rene’s dream comes true. Some things lined up in our favor and we were able to make it happen for him. A legend comes to the Hogs stage. Let’s just hope the only rain at Hogs next year is…Mandolin Rain!
Galactic w Luther Dickinson: Gonna be a fun one. We’ve got into a groove with these Friday night collabs (leak). Luther is the guitarist from N MS All Stars if unfamiliar. We will be adding more guests. Will be a blast!
Support:
Yonder Mountain String Band: Another legendary string/bluegrass band takes the Hogs stage. New album out this week as well.
James McMurtry: Has absolutely dominated the Americana charts this year and the Sirius Outlaw Country station. Living Legend. Crazy hes not bigger than he is. I’m a big JJW fan..but Mcmurtry may be better. Nothing better than live “Choctaw Bingo”
Neal Francis: Blowing up! Currently has the #3 Single on the Americana Charts with “Can’t Stop the Rain” only behind The Lumineers and Robert Plant/Allison Krauss and ahead of Kacey Musgraves, Yola, Isbell, Rateliff and St Paul. Not bad company. He’s like a one man Meters. Incredible live.
Allison Russell: 3 Grammy Noms this year: Americana Album of the Year, American Roots song, and American Roots performance. Just an amazing artist and album. On so many critics list for Top Album 2021. Star on the rise.
Flatland Cavalry: Relatively unknown in LA. Red dirt/country rock. Sells close to 6k-8k tix a show in TX. Consistently named heirs to the Turnpike Troubadour throne. More on that below!
Mike and the Moonpies: Often referred to as the Best Live Country Band. Ridiculously underrated and under radar despite constant critic praise. Also often compared to TT, but I think Moonpies have more depth. Don’t shoot!
***I make these references to Turnpike Troubadours bc its probably the most talked about Hogs performance (Tyler Childers into TT) that people bring up with us. And on the heels of their reunion, they seem to be everywhere again. However, Sunday I really started feeling that the Moonpies could actually be the better band and wanted to see if there was any forum fighting and fodder on that out there. That brought me to these first page search articles. Def worth a read! -> https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/five-bands-who-could-fill-in-during-turnpike-troubadours-hiatus/ and https://www.whiskeyriff.com/2021/01/01/if-youre-missing-turnpike-troubadours-heres-8-other-artists-you-should-check-out/TL:DR: Flatland Cavalry and Mike & The Moonpies are the 2 bands out there that can carry the torch from TT.
Take a look at Saving Country’s Finalists for 2021 Country Album of the year Sure there’s Billy Strings and Brandy Carlile, but I think their thoughts on the Moonpies and James McMurtry really stand out.
Up and Comers
Joshua Ray Walker: Simply amazing tenor and tone. Big guy. Big talent. Was my 3rd “Most Played artist in 2021” on Spotify Wrapped which says alot to me. New album is phenomenal but I “celebrate his entire catalog.” “Sexy after dark” was a breakout hit this year..but his work goes much deeper.
Buffalo Nichols: Been on the road opening for Drive-By Truckers this year. Amazing blues talent. First Blues artist in 20 years signed to Fat Possum Records. Like a hybrid Robert Cray/Gary Clark Jr.
Silver Synthetic: New Orleans band signed to Jack White’s Third Man Records right before Covid. Great review from the respected Brooklyn Vegan
Eddie 9V: Flashback to Stax records. Just don’t find many Blues/Soul/Rock artists like this anymore. Like a hybrid of James Brown and St Paul and the Broken Bones..but with a better focus on instruments.
The Pink Stones: Cosmic Country. Any Gram Parsons fans out there? You will enjoy this Athens, GA group. Guys are starting to show up on some big festival bills. Good article here
Local Acts
The Iceman Special: They’ve become a staple at Hogs. And for good reason. This year they will be bringing an incredible light show to the set this year. Get ready! Gonna be wild.
Michot Melody Makers: Co Founder- Lost Bayou Ramblers, fiddler Louis Michot side project.
New Orleans Suspects: Classic New Orleans “Supergroup”. Excited to finally get them on the bill.
Glen David Andrews Band: The Treme Prince. Trombonist extraordinaire.
Jank Setup: really hip up and comers. Were on the covid canceled Lineup. Def gets the party going.
People Museum: Neat, unique sound. Trombone, electro pop. Go check them out.
This is probably the deepest lineup we’ve produced quality-wise from top to bottom within our Americana realm. We have legends mixed with heavy-hitting up and comers. It’s gonna be rad. Let’s Party.
