It’s the final week of the Festival at Sandpoint’s summer concert series at War Memorial Field. Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect:
Thursday, Aug. 6
Midland with Camden Morris and Remy Garrison
Grammy-nominated trio Midland knows how to work hard, but they also know what it means to be footloose and free. Inspired by the name of a Dwight Yoakam song, the Dripping Springs, Texas-born group captures classic country elegance through thick harmonies, steel guitars and a worn-in cool that has made their music a dive bar staple worldwide.
Opener Camden Morris is Nashville-based artist whose songwriting is rooted in the tradition of American road music. Raised in North Idaho and Southern California, Morris pulls from both worlds.
Also opening is rising R&B country artist Remy Garrison, who blends Southern storytelling with infectious hooks and a modern, fearless edge.
Gates open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.
Photo by Racheal Baker
Friday, Aug. 7
Switchfoot with Ethan Burdick
With more than 10 million copies sold of its 13 studio albums, Switchfoot has racked up a string of alternative radio hits. Their 2003 album The Beautiful Letdown went triple-platinum and won a Grammy for 2009’s Hello Hurricane. Playing a unique blend of emotionally intelligent and uplifting alternative rock, Switchfoot has earned a devoted and loyal fan base.
Opening for Switchfoot is Ethan Burdick, who was born in Vancouver, Wash., but has since moved to Nashville after being discovered via TikTok Live. With a pop-leaning direction, this singer-songwriter’s influences include Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber.
Gates open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 8
Rick Springfield with The Buckley Storms
Over the past four decades, Rick Springfield has worn many hats as an entertainer and performer. As the creator of some of the most popular power-pop of the 1980s, this Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and musician has sold 25 millions albums worldwide. His hits include iconic songs such as “Jessie’s Girl,” “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” “An Affair of the Heart” and “Human Touch.”
Springfield is also an accomplished actor who starred opposite Meryl Streep in the film Ricki and the Flash, as well as playing the creepy Dr. Irving Pitlor in HBO’s True Detective.
Coeur d’Alene group The Buckley Storms will open for Springfield. Energetic and unpredictable, this four-piece plays contagious, high-energy rock with an indie flair.
Gates open at 6 p.m. and the music starts at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 9
Grand Finale: How to Train Your Dragon 2 (Movie-in-Concert)
Dreamworks’ How to Train Your Dragon 2 is one of those rare sequels that’s a worthy successor to the original. This special night features the film in HD with composer John Powell’s thrilling score performed live to picture by a full symphony orchestra.
The Festival at Sandpoint Orchestra features talented instrumentalists from across the region. Concert master and Sandpoint local Jason Moody had his solo debut with the Spokane Symphony at just 16 years old and is now an adjunct faculty member at Whitworth University and Edmonds Community College, where he teaches violin, viola and chamber music.
Conducting the performance is Morihiko Nakahara, who spent 16 years as resident conductor of the Spokane Symphony. He now serves as the music director of the South Carolina Philharmonic and director of orchestral studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Along with the film screening and live orchestral performance, there will be a beer and wine tasting event from 5-7 p.m., where guests can sample pours from across the Inland Northwest in their souvenir tasting cup.
The night also includes free face painting for kids and a fireworks display at the conclusion.
Purchase tickets and learn more at festivalatsandpoint.com.
Want to support independent local journalism?
The Sandpoint Reader is our town's local, independent weekly newspaper. "Independent" means that the Reader is locally owned and operated by people who were born and raised in Sandpoint. The Reader is owned by Publisher Ben Olson, Editor-in-Chief Zach Hagadone and Senior Writer Soncirey Mitchell. Sandpoint Reader LLC is a completely independent business unit; no big newspaper group or corporate conglomerate or billionaire owner dictates our editorial policy. And we want the news, opinion and lifestyle stories we report to be freely available to all interested readers - so unlike many other newspapers and media websites, we have NO PAYWALL on our website. The Reader relies wholly on the support of our valued advertisers, as well as readers who voluntarily contribute. Want to ensure that local, independent journalism survives in our town? You can help support the Reader for as little as $1.
TIMBER WARS: Six-part series, February-November 2022. GO READ IT»
WHERE ARE THE WORKERS?: Five-part series, September-October 2021. GO READ IT»
THE AMERICAN REDOUBT: Seven-part series, November-December 2017. GO READ IT»
STANDOFF AT RUBY RIDGE: 25 Years Later. Five-part series, August-September 2017. GO READ IT»
Curious about what media the locals use? Check our 2018 Local Media Survey. GO SEE »
Sandpoint in Pictures
Filmmaker Jimmy Matlosz of the Idaho Film Company has made a series of mini documentaries about influential Sandpoint locals, including the late Dann Hall and Erik Daarstad as well as icons Diane Michaels and Dan Shook. He is currently working on a series of interviews connected to the history of the Panida Theater. Jimmy is a 30-year veteran filmmaker who's work can be seen at dpmatlosz.com.
Meet the Reader
Ever wonder who makes the Reader happen? Here's a behind-the-scenes look pieced together by summer 2017 intern McCalee Cain in which Ben, Cameron and Lyndsie explain what exactly about the Reader keeps them coming back to their shabby (but well-loved) office each week.