Music festivals are moving to the mountains. For a picturesque festival experience with thousands fewer people than the average festival, consider buying a ticket to the 4 Peaks Music Festival, which is June 20-22 in Bend, Oregon.
The first thing you should know about 4 Peaks is that the name refers to the picturesque view, consisting of Broken Top Mountain and the Three Sisters, from the 20-acre Tumalo Ranch where the festival is located.
The festival began in 2007 when Stacy Totland and a few friends had a vision for such an event in Central Oregon. Gregg Morris, a Bend musician and writer said he is grateful for the bands the festival brings in because it fulfills Bend’s lack of national touring acts, which often require a trip to Portland for concertgoers. Morris, who also does public relations for the festival, has been attending since 2007.
“The thing I like the best is twofold: I can bring my family and it has the best selection of music in the area, from regional to local to national bands,” Morris said.
Morris also enjoys the camping experience on the ranch, which most of the attendees opt for.
What started as a backyard party turned into an annual event with national touring acts that have sold out for the past three years. To keep the festival’s intimate and friendly vibe, only 1,000 tickets are sold each year.
“It’s unique because of the location it’s in and the intimate nature of it. There are really gorgeous mountain views and it’s a small, family-friendly environment,” Totland said.
This year’s headliner is Railroad Earth, who derive its name from a Kerouac story and don’t define themselves with a single genre, but as “a string band, but an amplified string band with drums,” “Country & Eastern,” “A souped-up string band?” and rock and roll.
The lineup also lists Dumpstaphunk, The Pimps of Joytime, Carolyn Wonderland, Poor Man’s Whiskey, Hot Buttered Rum, Brothers Comatose, Moonalice, Polecat, White Water Ramble, Tracorum, The Congress, The Coffis Brothers, Eight Dollar Mountain, JED and Broken Down Guitars to create three days of jam, bluegrass, soulful, groovy, string-filled tunes.
While many music festivals are becoming more commercial, bringing bigger names and bigger crowds, Totland would like 4 Peaks to retain its spirit and community.
“I’d like to see it grow just a little bit, but keep it intimate,” said Totland.
Ashland-native bluegrass string quintet band Eight Dollar Mountain is looking forward to playing this year’s festival for the first time. Eight Dollar Mountain cites the father of bluegrass himself, Bill Monroe and famous bluegrass duo Flatt & Scruggs as its influences. With a banjo, dobro, mandolin, guitar and bass, the band infuses these traditional bluegrass roots with energetic harmonies and rhythms to keep crowds dancing.
“All these bands can reach that point of excitement and engagement from the audience,” dobro player Mark Lackey said. “We really get people moving and dancing.”
Tickets are $135 for the whole weekend. Saturday-only tickets cost $85. The ranch is located at 19449 Tumalo Reservoir Rd, Bend, Oregon, just a two hour drive from Eugene and a three hour drive from Portland. For more information, visit 4peaksmusic.com