CloudwatcherUno interviews the founders of the Power and Roots Revival Festival. We talk about what it means to start a new festival and the passion that is needed to bring it to life. Headline acts for the festival will be Them Dirty Roses, 49 Winchester and Whiskey Foxtrot.

Why set up a new Festival?

After the year and half we have had I figured we needed something to look forward to. It gives bands a place to play, people a place to come and have a good time and revel in the simple act of being together again. I think we have seen and felt how important that is. 

Why is it called Power and Sound Revival?

I wanted a name that would get across what it was about. The power being the car/bike/van show. The Sound being the music and the engines. The revival part because of what I previously stated, about reveling in the simple act of being together again. I have to credit my brother Seth for the name though. 

How did you find your artists?

Alot of them I already knew personally or frequently listened to their music. I reached out to some of my favorite NC and regional acts and luckily they were down to do it. 

What’s it being like to organise a festival from scratch?

It’s been a learning experience for sure. Going into it I knew the basics of a festival but not the tiny little details that actually make it work. Michelle and I have both worked hard and learned a ton. Luckily everyone I have reached out to ask questions has been so helpful and willing to help out. 

Why are you so passionate about music? 

I’ve grown up around it my whole life. My older brother started playing music at bars when he was 14 and I always tagged along even though I was only about 10 at the time. I got to meet a lot of great musicians and music fans because of that. That is definitely where the love of it started, getting exposed to the music scene at such a young age. 

Which band are you most looking forward to seeing performing?

That’s a hard question, I’m just happy to see live music again. I’m excited about all of the bands playing. 

How much has the pandemic influenced your thinking around keeping everyone at a safe distance? 

It has had a huge part in how we are going about things. We’re going to take all the precautions we can at the time of the festival. As well as encourage social distancing and wearing a mask. 

How important is everyone safety while their at the Festival?

It’s obviously very important to us, we are going to do everything we can to keep it safe and practical for all of our attendees. 

This seems to be a true family affair how did this come about?

Well it kind of goes back to my brother playing in bars at 14. Obviously he needed an adult to get in and play so my parents came and so did I. Michelle, my mom started booking all of his bar gigs and eventually started her own booking company. As I got older I knew I wanted to do something in the music industry, so here we are. 

Knowing now what it takes to put on the festival would you do it again? 

Most definitely, we’ve been pulling this thing together during the pandemic and figuring out how to make it as safe as possible. So I figure if we can do this during a pandemic the other years should be much easier….hopefully 

Where do you see the festival growing in say 5 years?

I would really love for it to be a 3-4 day festival with multiple stages. Be able to hire more artists and help get their name out there. Maybe also have a bike ride to the festival as well. We have a lot of ideas about how we could expand on the festival, we just have to get the first year under our belts.

So make it a date music lovers go check out tickets at powerandsoundrevival.com