A rundown of the first five Festival shows of the year
By Reader Staff
Since 1983, the Festival at Sandpoint has filled the air with music this time of year. Here’s a rundown of what to expect the first week of the 2025 summer concert series.
Thursday, July 24
Neon Trees. Courtesy photo
Neon Trees with kylekelly
Pop, alternative, rock
Gates 6 p.m., show 7:30 p.m.
Since releasing their debut album Habits in 2010, Neon Trees has cemented itself as a dynamic, engaging band that has played at major festivals such as Coachella, Bonnaroo, Life is Beautiful and Bottle Rock.
kylekelly. Courtesy photo
Opening for Neon Trees is singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist kylekelly, whose anthemic pop-rock, songcraft and Gen-Z empathy has caught the attention of a widening audience.
Friday, July 25
Sierra Ferrell. Courtesy photo
Sierra Ferrell with The Brudi Brothers
Gates 6 p.m., show 7:30 p.m.
Americana, roots, bluegrass
One of the brightest young roots musicians active today, Sierra Ferrell brings a dose of beautifully strange magic to everything she touches.
Since the release of her 2024 album Trail of Flowers, the West Virginia-born songwriter has earned four Grammy nominations, several Artist of the Year nods and a wide following.
Brudi Brothers. Courtesy photo
Opening for Ferrell is The Brudi Brothers, a dynamic Americana group out of Seattle, Wash., known for raucous performances and a distinctive old-world sound.
Saturday, July 26
Toad The Wet Sprocket. Courtesy photo
Toad the Wet Sprockett with the Jayhawks and Sixpence None the Richer
Alternative, rock, folk
Gates 6 p.m., show 7 p.m.
The beloved alternative rock band from Santa Barbara, Calif., has captivated audiences since the late 1980s with heartfelt lyrics and a unique, melodious sound. Albums Fear (1991) and Dulcinea (1994) gave us such hits as “Walk on the Ocean,” “All I Want” and “Good Intentions.”
The Jayhawks. Courtesy photo
Opening is The Jayhawks, a rootsy band hailing from Minnesota that has released 11 albums in the past four decades. Also opening is Sixpence None the Richer, an alternative rock band best known for the hit single, “Kiss Me,” which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.
Sixpence None the Richer. Courtesy photo
Sunday, July 27
Third Eye Blind. Courtesy photo
Third Eye Blind with Snacks at Midnight
Alternative rock
Gates 6 p.m., show 7:30 p.m.
Since 1997, San Francisco’s Third Eye Blind has recorded 10 best-selling studio recordings and have sold more than 12 million records worldwide. The hits “Semi-Charmed Life,” “Jumper” and “How’s It Going to Be” are anthems for Gen-X and Millennials.
Snacks at Midnight. Courtesy photo
Opening is Snacks at Midnight, a Spokane-based band known for its multi-genre energy that combines indie rock, pop and even a little punk.
Wednesday, July 30
Community Night
Jojo Dodge, Brittany’s House, Harold’s IGA and The Real McCoy
Gates 6 p.m., show 7 p.m.
A night of cheap tickets, regional bands and good times.
Jojo Dodge, from Coeur d’Alene, is emerging as one of the most captivating voices in the indie pop-folk scene, drawing influences from Fleetwood Mac, Carly Simon and Brandi Carlile.
Jojo Dodge. Courtesy photo
Hailing from Coeur d’Alene and Spokane, Brittany’s House plays a mix of indie rock originals as well as classic rock and funk covers.
Brittany’s House. Courtesy photo
Harold’s IGA is a multi-instrumental trio from Sandpoint, which draws influence from indie-rock and folk, electronica and even some alt-country, grunge and shoegaze. [Disclosure: Reader Publisher Ben Olson is the frontman for Harold’s IGA.]
Harold’s IGA. Courtesy photo
The Real McCoy is a high-energy three-piece rock band based in Spokane. Sitting in will be Sandpoint’s own Liam McCoy, covering a variety of music from the 1960s to the 2000s.
The Real McCoy. Courtesy photo
Visit festivalatsandpoint.com to purchase tickets or learn more.
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