Preview: Life Is Good Fest 2011

Last year's innaugural Life Is Good Festival had a lot of good things going for it.  A great location minutes south of Boston, a philanthropic mission to raise money for children in need and a strong bloodline as a Superfly production (e.g. the group that puts on a little festival called Bonnaroo).  In what was probably a savvy move, the festival's debut seemed to target both the back-to-school college students as well as families with young children.  Last year's lineup included some of my favorites (Dr. Dog, Mavis Staples), but overall skewed a little too much towards the pop/jam crowd for my taste (Jason Mraz still exists?), so I took a pass.  This year the lineup is a little more my style with rock, folk and soule heavyweights like The Hold Steady, Ray Lamontagne, Raphael Saadiq, The Avett Brothers and The Levon Helm Band.  As if that isn't enough, the promoters recently announced that Levon Helm will be backed by members of the Boston Pops (wow).  Single day tickets are $65, or $110 for a weekend pass - get them here. Full lineup is below, along with a few free downloads and video:

Saturday, September 24:
The Avett Brothers - At The Beach
Michael Franti And Spearhead
Robert Randolph & The Family Band
The Hold Steady - We Can Get Together
Martin Sexton
Ingrid Michaelson
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Tristan Prettyman
Dwight and Nicole 
Barefoot Truth

Sunday, September 25:
Ray LaMontagne - Jolene
The Levon Helm Band
Brandi Carlile
Raphael Saadiq - 100 Yard Dash
Maceo Parker
Ryan Montbleau Band
Zee Avi
Jenny Dee and the Deelinquents 

On The Good Kids Stage (Both Days):
Imagination Movers
The Laurie Berkner Band
Keller Williams
Ben Rudnick and Friends

Watch Visible Voice for post-festival coverage - and let us know in the comments if you're going and what bands you're looking forward to!  If you go to the festival send your photos to visiblevoicebos@gmail.com.