This morning, Open Highway Music Festival announced that its 12th annual festival will feature a bigger lineup than ever, thanks in part to a new investment from St. Louis’ Regional Arts Commission. The new investment means bigger talent and a bigger footprint for the Americana fest, and Open Highway founder John Henry says this is just the beginning for the fest’s growth. The festival will return to the Chesterfield Amphitheater June 16 & 17, with Friday headliner Blackberry Smoke and Saturday headliner Jason Isbell, who will arrive fresh off the release of his latest album, Weathervanes, out June 9. The lineup also includes The Heavy Heavy out of the UK, a Sleepy Rubies reunion, and plenty of local talent, such as Beth Bombara, Mattie Schell, and the Funky Butt Brass Band. Ticket prices start at $35 and go on sale March 24 at 10 a.m.
Ahead of the announcement, we got a change to speak with Henry about all that this year’s fest has to offer. For even more details and a full festival lineup, visit openhighwaymusic.com.
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Tell us about this new Regional Arts Commission funding and how it allows you to grow.
Well, we’re an independent music festival, and we are a small organization and are self-sufficient, but we also need help from folks to put on an event. And RAC has been incredible in terms of generosity and like-mindedness and understanding the importance of independence in the music scene and sustainable, focused growth. One of the benefits of our small team is that you actually can see where money is being spent. We are doing our best to have a good mix of national, regional, and local talent, as well as a food scene and beer and all of that. The financial support from RAC helps us with the infrastructure of the event and with our talent.
Speaking of that talent, you’ve obviously got a great Saturday headliner this year in Jason Isbell.
Yeah, we do. I’m a fan of his music and I’ve worked with him and his team for over 10 years with shows with Jason when he first started coming to the market as a solo artist and as he continued to grow. It’s been a goal all along to have him as a headliner on the fest. Since we made the move to Chesterfield Amphitheater for the expanded size, you know, he’s been a priority from the beginning.
What does it mean to you guys that he decided to begin this tour at Opening Highway? He’s got some exciting announcements of his own coming up.
Sometimes things just work out well with regards to routing and with a tour and an album release and announcement. It’s a combination of that and relationships. And that’s one of the core values of the festival, is working with a group of folks over an extended period of time, developing relationships, and just trying to help each other grow within each respective field.
Can you tell me about any of the other highlights this year? Are there any artists that you’re particularly excited about?
I’m very excited about a band called The Heavy Heavy. That’ll be on Friday night. They’re a young Americana pop band—very dynamic, exciting music. The songs that I’ve listened to from the radio while driving, they just pop out of the speakers, and that’s something that excites me as a music fan.
Outside of the lineup, what can people expect from this year’s fest?
I think that the Chesterfield Amphitheater is one of the hidden gems in the St. Louis market, and I think that the more people experience it, the more people will like it. In 2023, we’re expanding our footprint with both food and drink, as well as talent, but folks can expect a larger and more diverse footprint with regard to food and drink.
I think you’re right about the amphitheater. It’s a very cool space that a lot of folks still haven’t experienced.
I agree. I think that there is—and I don’t necessarily mean it in a negative way—a cliqueishness sometimes with the way that we digest entertainment in St. Louis. [The amphitheater] is in Chesterfield, but it’s 15 minutes from the city, and it’s a nice place, great facility. The grounds are cool. And we’re family-friendly as well.
It seems like Chesterfield is really trying to make its case as a new entertainment destination.
I think it is. The Factory out there is doing well, and there were the recent announcements about 4 Hands heading out there. I mean, I think that the metropolitan area is growing, and there’s demand for these things that are outside of the city.
With this new investment and larger footprint, it feels like you are at a transition point for this festival. Where do you see this event in, say, five years?
I think you’re only as good as the experience that you can provide to your patrons. So that’s the guiding light, and that starts with booking the best talent that we can book and providing the best experience the day of the festival for our supporters. And then, along with that, is a commitment to just the next level of growth. We’ve grown every year. I plan on growing a little bit every year, but we can only grow to the level of which we are meeting our expectations for our customers.
For folks who have never come out to a festival before, what’s the one thing that they need to know?
We want this to be a celebration of rock and Americana music that’s slightly off the beaten path in an area that is friendly and welcoming, where you could just come and enjoy some great artists in a great location just for a day. Enjoy getting back to just enjoying the music for a weekend and leaving your troubles behind you. That’s ultimately what we’re looking to provide.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Yeah, I’m just extremely grateful for everyone’s support. Coming through COVID was just a brutal time for the music business, and we’re grateful that people have continued to support Open Highway. We’re doing our very best to bring our audience the best.
