Tag #NEW ENGLAND

New England Americana Festival returns to Bellforge Arts Center And The Lineup Is Simply Spectacular

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Photo Credit: Bellforge Arts Center

The 14-band, two-stage, all-day and all-ages outdoor music fest showcases a spectrum of sounds at Medfield’s historical grounds on Saturday, June 6

FREE with RSVP: Visit bellforge.org for the all the latest information

It feels like New England, has been a hotbed for Americana lately…. Well it is about to get a little hotter…. On June 6th in Medfield, Massachusetts, as The New England Americana Festival, returns to Bellforge Arts Center. Presented by the New England Americana Association,

A vibrant gathering that celebrates the rich traditions and evolving sounds of Americana music, this year’s festival once again features 14 bands and artists across two stages over seven hours, with food trucks, a full bar, and upbeat community vibes.  Sponsors include Harpoon, Hemlock Ink, and Mark Skin Radio.   

NEAF ’26 features 14 bands and artists defining the vibrant local Americana scene right now, including hosts Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners (2025 Boston Music Awards’ Americana Artist of the Year), Nate Perry & Ragged Company (Boston Calling ’25), Other Brother Darryl (2024 BMAs Country Artist of the Year), Elisa Smith (2025 Josie Award winner), Jennifer Tefft & The Strange, Tigerman Woah, berm, Regals, Dirt Road Souls, and more. NEAF was nominated for Music Festival of the Year at last year’s BMAs.  

Since launching in 2007, the New England Americana Festival has been a showcase for the region’s rising talent, holding court across several venues around Massachusetts and hosting hundreds of bands and artists. Last year’s event drew roughly 1,000 spectators to the expansive, open-air fields of Bellforge Arts Center, at the historical landmark site of the Medfield State Hospital and its expansive 87-acre campus.

“New England Americana Fest is incredibly excited to be back at Bellforge Arts Center,” says Kier Byrnes, the festival organizer and frontman of the Kettle Burners, the reigning Boston Music Awards’ Americana Artist of the Year. “It’s a special place; there’s a real sense of community and support for the arts there that lines up perfectly with what the festival is about. Last year felt like we were building something meaningful, and coming back gives us a chance to deepen that connection and make the experience even better for everyone involved.” 

This is shaping up to be the event of the summer, absolute can’t miss .

Jon Chesbro Delivers Brilliantly Crafted New EP “Outta State Outta Mind”

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We were beyond excited to check out the new EP “Outta State Outta Mind” from New England multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer Jon Chesbro.You can listen to the stellar EP “Outta State Outta Mind” on Spotify Here, Apple Music Here

Jon Chesbro is the true definition of an artist, he meticulously crafts melodic compositions that are not just songs but, are musical works of art and this is on full display on his latest work of art “Outta State Outta Mind”

Credit- Zach Habernen of Post Fix Media

“Outta State Outta Mind”, gives us a unique snapshot into the musical soul of Jon Chesbro. We got to hear and feel the guitar glow in Jon Chesbro on the summer single “Always & Forever” We were then treated to the expressive and experimental side of Jon Chesbro with last February’s album “Dryas”

“Outta State Outta Mind” has a real alt-rock feel . Inside the 5 tracks on “Outta State Outta Mind “ we get an upfront view of Jon Chesbro’s soul and it is magnificent.

Chesbro beautifully charts a course of inspiration across the country and back, touching down on specific moments and memories tethered to locations that led him far from home, returning to Maine, where he now resides, to complete the record.

“I feel like this EP has been two years in the making,” Chesbro says. “Not all on purpose, but through life’s ups and downs I feel like I’ve been granted this perspective that I can only tell through music. That perspective is through the lens of failure, success, heartbreak, friendship and everything in between. After receiving some of my own heartbreak and getting fed up with life, during Covid’s standstill, I decided to leave my hometown and look for something better. I gained new knowledge and experience. After traveling the country for a bit I found myself back home with my tail between my legs. I didn’t know which way was up, I just knew I had to do something.

We knew we were in for a treat from the first note of “Against The Crowd” and we were right . The melody of “Against The Crowd” Is the kind of thought provoking melody that stays with you long after the music has ended .

The vocals on “See You again” have this real really haunting quality to them, it really added another dimension to the song . We were also captivated by the drum sound on “See You again”

Every song on “Outta State Outta Mind “ possesses a beautiful rock and soul that you just can’t resist. The title track“Outta State Outta Mind” has a real bluesy / jazz tone to it that we absolutely love . Do yourself a favor and allow yourself to get lost in the magic of “Outta State Outta Mind “ from Jon Chesbro you will thank us later.

“Outta State Outta Mind was produced by Jon Chesbro . Mixed and mastered by Jonathan Chesbro at Ebb N Flow Recording Studio.

Recorded by Jeb @ Maine Music Mill in Brunswick, Maine

Additional recording by Akiba Davis, Robert Countie, and Derek Smith

Appearing on ‘Outta State Outta Mind’:

Jonathan Chesbro: Lead and back-up vocals, lead and rhythm guitar, and orchestral production

Dalton DeLima: Drums

Robert Countie: Bass

Akiba Davis: Back-up vocals, keys, percussion